Doctor of Philosophy in Business and Information Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy in Business and Information Management is to promote the academic advancement of knowledge to learners who undertake independent, novel and original research within a Business and Information Management context. The qualification will enable learners to contribute to knowledge, procedures and systems in Business and Information Management and related areas and will submit the dissertations reporting the results of the research.

Successful completion of this qualification will

• Contribute to the development of a high level of critical, research-based knowledge in Business and Information Management and related areas through analysis of new information, at the highest level.
• Promote the application of specialist knowledge and theory in critically reflexive, creative and novel ways to address complex theoretical, procedural and systemic problems.
• Enhance the pool of academics and professionals with the competences and critical intellectual abilities to ensure academic advancement in Business and Information Management and related areas.

The qualification will equip learners with research expertise and the postgraduate academic development, which are necessary to fill leadership roles in academic institutions, and to engage themselves in research initiatives associated with Business and Information Management. The qualification allows for greater flexibility in a learner's choice of research areas and topics than would be possible in a professional doctorate or one limited to a specific field. The possible fields of study include but are not limited to: Entrepreneurship, Customer Relations Management, Project Management, Human Resource Management, Accounting and Financial Principles, Research Methodology, Communication, Business Principles and Management, Information Management and Technology, Legal Practice, Private Law, and Conveyancing.

Rationale

South Africa is faced with a troubled economy and high unemployment. It needs research-based and innovative leadership to help address its problems. The White Paper for Post-School Education and Training of 2014 sets out guidelines on how institutions could help meet these challenges. Policy objectives relevant to this application include providing:

• Expanded access, improved quality and increased diversity of provision.
• A system that is responsive to the needs of individual citizens, employers in both public and private sectors, as well as broader societal and developmental objectives.

To this end the White Paper envisions "increasing research and innovation, improving the quality of research" with plans to "recruit and retain academics assisting academics to improve their qualifications" specifically identifying the Social Sciences as a "vital discipline" wherein research and Postgraduate studies should be stimulated. This resonates with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) imperative to increase the number of doctorates.

Businesses and organisations need leaders and academics who are able to embrace the kind of theory-based critical, analytical thinking learned through doctoral research, whereby theoretical understandings are tested against practical experience. This learned approach enables decision-makers to examine assumptions underpinning the widely-held understandings and practices, and adjust them appropriately. Making sense of experience in terms of theory also allows for the iterative development of new theory, pushing theoretical boundaries where generally-held theories are tested in new contexts with new challenges.

A wide range of challenges and issues also face public and private sector businesses and organisations, in the areas of Business Administration, Information Management and Technology, Knowledge Management, Leadership, Corporate Administration and Communication Technology. Business and Information Management is a discipline that incorporates aspects from Business, Management and Administration as well as Information Technology. The Doctor of Philosophy in Business and Information Management qualification facilitates and builds research skills that contributes to finding possible solutions to Business and Information Management issues.

Underpinning the qualification is its cutting-edge conception of 'administration' or 'administrative management' as an all-encompassing terminology that integrates higher-order functions within an organisation, lending itself to the holistic approach of management and offering a unique platform for research. 'Administration' here refers to the multi-faceted integration of all the contributing systems which need to be in place at the appropriate time and place for the completion of projects on time and on budget, suggesting a systems theory approach. While it articulates with aspects of supply chain management it does not only ensure good reach completion, but encompasses financial, product and business administration aspects to be envisaged together. These high-order skills are ideally suited to the senior manager or Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of an organisation, be it in the public or private sector. It is therefore important to distinguish 'administration' both from its meaning within a secretarial role and from management as understood within a Faculty of Management Sciences. Administrative management, as defined above, and as understood within the context of the qualification, is both more practical and more holistic. It involves a theoretical affiliation with systems thinking which requires high level practical integration of disparate functions. Underpinned by this conception of administration, the qualification goes beyond the scope of doctoral management programmes offered elsewhere.

The qualification will provide learners with an opportunity to conduct original research through the exploration of scientific discourse and independent investigation, thereby contributing to the development of Business and Information Management and related areas. There is a need to develop the local capacity of current researchers particularly in the Administration and Information Management and related areas.

After completing the Doctor of Philosophy in Business and Information Management qualification, the graduates will have mastered all the requisite competences to be independent researchers. This qualification will address the needs of various stakeholders including academic and research institutions. This qualification has the potential to inform national and international discourses in Business and Information Management. In light of this, stakeholders in South Africa and ultimately the rest of Africa, will benefit from the qualification. Critical approaches to knowledge will lead to new ways of addressing challenges and identifying innovative possibilities resulting in researchers creating new knowledge and ideas. This qualification will thereby assist in creating employment opportunities and providing innovative business leadership, developing the economy and enhancing employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution is committed to widening access to higher education and has a policy of admitting learners at undergraduate level who would not qualify for entry to many traditional research-oriented universities. Learners are expected to progress throughout the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) levels but must meet national standards at each subsequent NQF level, including entry to NQF Level 10.

The institution has the RPL policy in place that allows learners access to higher education by recognising their prior learning (short courses and work experience). The learners will have to demonstrate competence at the applicable exit level outcomes. Successful learners will then be accepted into the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Master of Philosophy in Business and Information Management, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Management Sciences in Administration and Information Management, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Technology in Commercial Administration, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Technology in Office Management and Technology, NQF Level 9.

This qualification consists of a compulsory module at National Qualifications Framework Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

• Dissertation, 360 Credits.

Conduct research independently and produce an original contribution to the body of knowledge in Business and Information and Information Management and related fields.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

• Identify a problem area.
• Identify problems within the problem area.
• Search the literature.
• Formulate the research problem/research question and sub problems/
• State the hypothesis/possible answer to question.
• Define concepts.
• Select a research strategy and research methodology/ies.
• Decide on relevant data collection and analysis techniques.
• Implement the data collection technique to collect data.
• Analyse data and present results.
• Interpret findings.
• Draw conclusions and suggest recommendations.
• Contribute to the body of knowledge and skills in a related field of communications.
• Describe the extent of study clearly.
• Outline a methodology appropriate to the study.
• Provide evidence of extensive range of reading, including a review of the relevant literature.
• State explicitly the links between the review and area of study, analyse objectively and critically supporting and/or opposing evidence and draw together the different points e/merging from the literary study.
• Discuss points in depth and develop a clear line of argument to provide own interpretations which is put in the context of other interpretations.
• Show awareness of understanding of assumptions underlying own interpretation.
• Relate solutions/conclusions to the questions posed in the introduction and are well founded on the evidence resultant from the research.
• Organise the thesis in a logical structure.
• Adhere to the institutions technical requirements for a thesis.
• Write articles on the research for submission for publication in an accredited educational journal.
• Deliver academic papers and lectures based on the research.

Integrated Assessment

Formative Assessment

• Continuous learning progress assessment.
• Performance assessment tasks on an integrated variety of knowledge, skills and values.

Summative Assessment

• A demonstration of mastery of theoretical/academic component of learning.
• A Thesis examined by two external examiners.