PhD in Management Syllabus & Subjects 2025: Download Semester-wise PDF, Important Books

Updated on May 20, 2025 05:58 IST

PhD in Management Studies is a 3-5 years doctoral program. The program offers in-depth knowledge of company management and administration. A student seeking to teach and do research in this discipline should obtain a PhD in Management.

The PhD in Management syllabus includes areas of management that provides a better understanding of different elements of corporate management, such as human resources, operations, finance, administration, sales and marketing, and so on.

This program can be pursued after finishing a postgraduate degree in Management. Most of India's leading MBA institutions, including the IIMs, offer PhD in Management programs. Entrance test scores are considered to determine admission to the PhD in Management program.

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PhD in Management Syllabus – Important Facts

  • PhD in Management Course Duration

A PhD program does not have a fixed duration. The research duration of the course can vary from one candidate to another. Usually, the program is completed within three to five years.

  • PhD in Management Scope

With a PhD in management, students can aspire to take up academic and research-oriented roles. The scope for a PhD in management candidate includes profiles such as researchers or professors in an academic institution. They can also take up business and management roles such as business expert, policy analyst, and management consultant in a business or corporate organisation.

  • PhD in Management Syllabus

As a PhD is a doctoral program, it mainly focuses on the research of a candidate, the syllabus of the program includes very less coursework and theory subjects that are confined to the first three semesters of the program.

  • PhD in Management Examination Pattern

The examination pattern for PhD in management includes semester exams every six months for the first two years, followed by PR or progress reports to showcase the development in research by the candidate. The final year of the program includes a Synopsis and, finally, a dissertation of the candidate to defend their thesis.

  • PhD in Management from IIM versus other colleges

The multidimensionality of the course and learning tools are the benefits of choosing IIM for a doctoral programme in Management. IIMA teachers are graduates of the world's finest business institutions. Students can select a research subject from one of eleven disciplinary areas of competence.

PhD in Management Syllabus: List of Subjects

Core Subjects in PhD in Management Syllabus

Given below is the table indicating core subjects included in PhD in Management syllabus and their brief description.

Subject Title

Subject Details

Research Methodology and IT

The objective of the course is to enable students to understand the methods of research & IT applications in research and apply the knowledge and skills in pursuing research

Preparation of Research Proposal and Seminar

For this paper students will have to prepare a research proposal, review literature in an area of research, and at the end of the semester, they have to present the same before the faculty members.

The selection of problems and preparation of the proposal will be in consultation with faculty members in the department.

Elective Subjects in PhD in Management Syllabus

Given below is the table indicating elective subjects included in PhD in Management syllabus and their brief description.

Subject Title

Subject Details

Emerging Areas in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour

The objective of the course is to enable the scholar to explore emerging areas in HRM and OB that will facilitate in choosing an appropriate topic for research and understand the theoretical backdrop of his/her area of research

Emerging Areas in Marketing

The objective of the course is to enable the scholars to explore emerging areas in Marketing that will facilitate in choosing an appropriate topic for research and understanding the

theoretical backdrop of  their area of research

Emerging Areas in Accounting & Finance

The objective of the course is to enable the scholars to explore emerging areas in Accounting & Finance that will facilitate in choosing an appropriate topic for research and

understanding the theoretical backdrop of  their area of research.

Emerging Areas in Management

The objective of the course is to enable the scholars to explore emerging areas in Management that will facilitate in choosing an appropriate topic for research and understanding the

theoretical backdrop of  their area of research.

Detailed Syllabus for PhD in Management

Check below details of PhD in Management syllabus. The course work requires, candidates to study the following subjects.

Semester

Core/Elective

Subject Title

Subject Details

1

Core

Research Methodology and IT

The subject includes an introduction of research methodology, defining the research problem and formulation of

hypothesis, research design, sampling design, measuring and scaling techniques, methods of

data collection, Parametric v/s. Non-parametric tests, Research design and sampling design, Data analysis, Report writing and computer applications in research

Core

Preparation of Research Proposal and Seminar

Students will be required to evaluate literature in a research field, write a research proposal, and deliver it to academia at the conclusion of the term for this presentation. The topic has to be chosen, and the proposal will be prepared in conjunction with department faculty members.

2

Elective

Emerging Areas in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour

Through this subject, students learn about Human Resource Management, Changes in Emphasis from Personnel to Human Resources

Management and Human Capital Management, Strategic HRM, Changes in HR functions, Social

media in HR functions, Talent Management – The Changing dynamics of talent acquisition,

talent development and talent retention.

Elective

Emerging Areas in Marketing

The subject introduces emerging issues related to new product development, pricing, channels of distribution, integrated marketing communication, social marketing, and consumerism.

Elective

Emerging Areas in Accounting & Finance

Students learn about the environment- National Accounts-Importance of National Resource and Environment, Sustainable Development, Origin and Development of Environmental Accounting, corporate valuation, financial engineering, commercial banking and emerging issues in Finance.

Elective

Emerging Areas in Management

The subject helps the student to explore emerging areas in management, work ethics, supply chain management and quality issues, public systems management, and entrepreneurship.

3

Core

Progress Report/Presentation

The PhD candidate presents a progress report to their supervisor and other guides or experts.

4

Core

Progress Report/Presentation

The progress report involves the advancement of research done by the student in the particular semester.

5

Core

Progress Report/Presentation

This presentation includes the tests done by the student, their results and the findings.

6

Core

Dissertation

The final presentation or dissertation is the last report submission done by the student to defend their thesis and showcase their work of research done throughout the doctorate program.

Specialisations Offered In PhD in Management

The PhD in management is a doctorate program where students select an appropriate topic for research. These topics are related to the core discipline, which is management. There are no specific specialisations available for the PhD program.

Books and Authors Related to PhD in Management

There are several course books and reference books for research scholars to consider during their PhD in management program. Given below is a list of books for the PhD course work of core and elective subjects:

Subject

Book Title

Authors

Description Of The Book

Research Methodology and IT

Business Research Methods

 

Business Research Methods

 

Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques

Alan, B. & Bell. E.

 

Donald, R. C. and Schindler, P.S.

 

Kothari, C.R.

The books discuss various methods of research, ways to conduct research and record the findings, and the techniques involved in effective research

Emerging Areas in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour

Organisational Behaviour

 

 

Compensation System and Performance Management

Robbins, S.P., Sanghi, S. & Judge, T. A.

 

Rao, N.S.

These books focus on the new and advancing areas of Human Resource Management, the ins and outs of organisational behaviour, and performance management techniques.

Emerging Areas in Marketing

Marketing Management, Analysis, Planning, Implementations and Control

 

Fundamentals of Marketing

Kotler, P.

 

Stanton William, J. 

Students can use these books to learn about the emerging areas in marketing, analysis methods, and the ways of handling management marketing

Emerging Areas in Accounting & Finance

Introduction to Management Accounting

 

Principles of Management Accounting

Horngren. T. Charles, Sundem, L. G., Schatzberg, O. J. & Burgstahler, D.

 

Goyal, S.N & Manmohan

The books focus on the basics of accounting and finance, with a focus on management accounting and business finance tools.

Entrance Exams for PhD in Management

For admission to PhD in Management programs, there are several entrance exams on the national level such as GRE, CAT, XAT, UGC-NET. Many institutes conduct their own entrance exams for selection of PhD candidates.

PhD in Management Syllabus for Distance Program

Candidates can pursue a PhD in management on a full-time or part-time basis. Students can opt for a part-time PhD to visit the campus on weekends or once every month to carry out research activities. The syllabus for the coursework for PhD is the same for full-time and part-time programs. The fee for the part-time PhD program is often less than that of the full-time programs. The PhD in Management Syllabus for Distance Program will include the basics mentioned above and candidate’s choice of topic for research and dissertation.

Table of contents
  • Popular Ph.D. in Management Colleges in India
  • Popular Private Ph.D. in Management Colleges in India
  • Popular Ph.D. in Management Specializations
  • Most Popular Courses

Popular Ph.D. in Management Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Ph.D. in Management Colleges in India. Learn more about these Ph.D. in Management colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
11 Courses
1.32 L - 35 L
20 - 34.53 LPA
22 Courses
2.4 L - 26.5 L
32.61 - 33.1 LPA
2.1 K - 68 K
3.5

#1 NIRF

20 K
16 LPA

#1 NIRF

2.75 L - 28 L
24.76 - 27.5 LPA
7 Courses
7.95 L - 11.2 L
4.2

#1 NIRF

Popular Private Ph.D. in Management Colleges in India

2 Courses
14.5 L
7.5 - 14 LPA
11 Courses
1.34 L - 26 L
21.65 - 26.2 LPA
1.2 L - 17.5 L
4 - 4.27 LPA

Business & Management Studies Applications open. Apply Now

6 Courses
2.25 L - 8.42 L
3.8
9 Courses
3.5 L - 8 L
3.8

Business & Management Studies Applications open. Apply Now

2.64 L - 13.72 L
3.6 - 4.8 LPA

Popular Ph.D. in Management Specializations

Following are the most popular Ph.D. in Management Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

Most Popular Courses

Following are the most popular Ph.D. in Management courses, based on alumni reviews. Explore these reviews to choose the best course in Ph.D. in Management.
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