Develop specialized expertise in core areas of business research, such as organization theory, entrepreneurship, and marketing.
Below, you can learn more about the courses in this area:
ECTs 5 Starting month January
This course covers eleven distinct but related topics in marketing, each taught by a different faculty member. The topics are chosen based on their current relevance in academic marketing research. Some sessions focus on specific issues, while others offer broad introductions to sub-fields. Since most sessions reflect the faculty members’ own research, students learn from world experts. Together, these sessions provide a comprehensive introduction to academic marketing research.
ECTs 5 Starting month March
This course covers key theoretical frameworks in organization theory, including Bureaucracy Theory, Institutional Theories, Stakeholder Theory, Transaction Cost Theory, and Corporate Governance, among others. Its goal is to equip students with a solid understanding of these theories’ intellectual history and relevance across management sub-disciplines, while also introducing major research designs used in organizational studies.
By course end, students will be able to critically engage with questions about firm existence, structure, alliances, power dynamics, and how different research methods shape organizational theory development.
ECTs 5 Starting month May
This doctoral seminar offers an in-depth exploration of key topics in entrepreneurship research through student-led, interactive discussions. Each session focuses on a core theme supported by seminal readings, with active, well-prepared participation expected. The course aims to deepen understanding of diverse perspectives in the field and strengthen research capabilities.
ECTs 5 Starting month September
This doctoral seminar provides an in-depth exploration of strategic management, covering foundational themes, current research trends, and methodologies through interactive weekly sessions centered on critical discussion and writing exercises. Students engage deeply with key academic articles, leading discussions and developing a collective understanding while preparing a 15-page research proposal on a strategic management topic.
By course end, participants will be equipped to critically analyze the field, synthesize research, and design rigorous strategy studies suitable for top management conferences.
ECTs 5 Starting month September
The Economics of Organizations course explores key topics related to conflicting and joint interests within and between enterprises, covering game theory, organizational concepts, compensation, selection, ownership, cognition, coordination, and design. Core ideas are introduced at the master’s level, complemented by detailed study of classic articles tailored to student expertise.
The course aims to deepen understanding of frontier topics and support the development of contributions to students’ PhD research.
ECTs 6 Starting month
The course takes place across three two-day blocks, each day consisting of two three-hour sessions and each block hosted at one of the participating universities.
The exact members of the teaching team and the topics will be communicated at a later stage.
Each lecturer has substantial freedom in how they design their session, but the basic framework is a focus on paper discussions. In each session, you can expect around five assigned readings which you will discuss. Usually, the discussion will be led by one or more students who have read a paper in more detail.