Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management

Purpose

The primary purpose of Business Management studies at the Doctoral level is to equip candidates with in-depth knowledge of the Business Management discipline together with its related sub-fields. To this end, doctoral candidates are expected to develop research and analytical skills by selecting a researchable and relevant topic in any one of the following areas of Business Management including Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Small Business Management, or Strategic Management.

At the end of this study, candidates should be capable of analysing, critically thinking, planning research and solving problems in Business Management.

The following are a range of topics that need to be covered

• Entrepreneurship.
• Small Business Management.
• Business studies.
• Strategic Management.
• Marketing Management.
• Consumer behaviour.
• Local economic development and poverty studies.
• Sustainable development.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students should be capable of planning and undertaking original research projects, discovery of new knowledge, formulation of theories or innovative re-interpretation of known data and established ideas. The qualified person will be able to contribute in their own right to scientific discourse, and to train others to the same level of skills and achievement.

This qualification will provide South Africa with significant numbers of graduates in the area of business management in order to ensure that the local and regional leadership base of innovative and knowledge based economic and scholarly activity in these fields is widened.

The qualification will also provide South Africa and the region with a cadre of educators who will have a clear and continuously growing understanding of the methods and progress in the business studies.

Rationale

South Africa, and Africa as a whole, is today faced with numerous challenges, which include a growing population, high unemployment levels, and poverty amidst a poorly performing global economy. If South Africa is to overcome these challenges, the country requires urgent solutions; and these solutions can only be devised or discovered through scientific research. As identified by the National Development Plan 2030, one of the critical areas of research to rescue the country is research into entrepreneurship and business management. Research in this area is likely to enhance localised knowledge systems that stimulate innovation and creative thinking.

At a national level, however, there is a critical shortage of suitably qualified individuals in Business Management. More importantly, South Africa in not producing enough Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Management graduates required to tackle the aforementioned economic and entrepreneurial problems. In Business Management, as in any discipline, PhD holders will be able to develop the entrepreneurship and Business Management disciplines. From a practical point of view, they will adequately address capacity building needs in the area. Consequently, there is need for Master of Commerce Degree holders to be able to advance their skills and qualifications into the Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management.

The PhD in Business Management is awarded on successful completion of research, which makes a substantial, original, and new contribution to the international body of knowledge related to Business Management. Research at the PhD level must be novel and should encourage and support pursuance of related research-based inquiry.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The latest version of the University of Venda approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy to be used for all RPL processes.

In other exceptional cases, non-Master's Degree holders who have shown by examination or by means of publications or a record of appropriate training for example practical high- level management and/ or business experience of not less than 8 years, subject to RPL provisions, may be permitted to register for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Management.

Entry Requirements

• The minimum entry requirement into this programme is a Master of Commerce (M. Com) in Business Management at NQF Level 9 or an equivalent Masters' level qualification recognised for the purposes of access to this qualification.

Or

• Appropriate prior learning, skills/competence and experience which has been evaluated and assessed in accordance with the Recognition of Prior Learning policy.

Or

• Other Master's Degree or equivalent Degree in a cognate discipline.

The qualification is by research and the credit allocation will be towards the research component. A Thesis of 360 Credits is to be written. However, to support as well as to complement Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidates' research skills, other non-Degree courses such as Research Methods and Statistics could be taken if necessary.

1. The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Management will be acquainted with methods of research to adequately deal with problems in the field, conduct advanced literature searches and critique current literature in the form of a review, prepare an scientific paper for peer review, write research and funding proposal.
2. Demonstrate the knowledge to independently plan, implement and execute a research activity.
3. Submission of thesis for examination and demonstrate the ability to do and publish quality original research.
4. Demonstrate that the research undertaken in the thesis represents a new and novel contribution to the body of knowledge related to Business Management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Research proposal that shows in-depth understanding of epistemological and methodological issues in Business Management.
• The proposal is to be presented to both the Department of Business Management and the School of Management Sciences.
• Interact with relevant literature in accordance with the research methodologies.
• Possess the ability to collect, analyse, organise, interpret and evaluate information.
• Use methodologies for the field of study.
• Work effectively with other role players at exploring, analysing and interpreting attained knowledge.
• The School Higher Degrees Committee recommends the proposal to the University Higher Degrees Committee for final registration at the Research Directorate.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Devise an appropriate research methods for data collection.
• Select the appropriate techniques for data analysis data relevant for the data collected (i.e. either qualitative data analysis or quantitative data analysis).
• Execute the research.
• Apply recognised referencing methods.
• Critical analysis of the results emanating from the research.
• Write up the research thesis.
• Writing research papers for publication in conference proceedings and peer- reviewed journals related to the field of business management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Preparation of thesis.
• Findings are communicated to peers through oral/poster presentations and/or institutional seminars and publications.
• Use linguistic skills to pursue and complete an extensive and comprehensive research programme.
• Publish research work that significantly contributes to knowledge that meets the prerequisite standards for publication. (Publication in national and international peer-reviewed journals (i e research that significantly contributes to knowledge).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Examination by at least two external examiners.
• The thesis must be a substantial and original contribution to scholarship, for example through the discovery of knowledge, the formulation of theories (frameworks) or the innovative re- interpretation of known data and established ideas.

Integrated Assessment

The thesis will usually consist of a detailed report on, and analysis of the results of, a research project performed under the guidance of a suitable supervisor/s. The assessment will be aimed at determining that the student has achieved the requisite level of knowledge required at this level, as well as the ability to use and apply specific methodological skills obtained in the programme, to formulate and carry out a research project, to report on it, to critically review current literature in the subject area, and to write material that is publishable in the scientific media. The thesis must constitute a substantial contribution to knowledge in the chosen subject; thus, the research needs to be original, and publishable, and the thesis will require evidence of independent thought. The thesis is also required to embody only the original work of the candidate.

A formal assessment of the competence of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) student is carried out at the end of the research project or thesis. The process of examination of the PhD Degree involves two parts:

• The candidates' theses will be examined by at least two (2) external examiners in the field. The examiners should be individuals with at least a PhD qualification (or equivalent qualification) in the area of study as well as publications in the discipline.
• The candidate will be subjected to an oral defence (also known as the viva voce).