Doctor of Philosophy in Commerce

Purpose

The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy is to develop the highest level of holistic and systematic understanding of scholarship in, and stewardship of, commerce through an original contribution that advances the frontiers of knowledge. In relevant commerce cases, the contribution may, in so doing, advance the frontiers of professional practice and creative activity.

Qualifying learners will master, develop appropriate research methods and skills, and gain knowledge of disciplinary, professional, or interdisciplinary discourse. Candidates will demonstrate the ability to engage independently in an extended course of research, showing thematic and conceptual coherence. Such mastery and ability need to be embedded within an appropriate scholarly disposition, and the qualifying learner attributes set out in the programme will be demonstrated within this context. The qualifying learner will represent the field of knowledge in commerce with critical and ethical integrity, assuming a role as its custodian, and be able, where relevant, to collaborate with peers from diverse academic backgrounds without compromising independent critical thinking.

Qualifying learners will also be able to engage and lead thinking, with local, national, regional, and international research and/or communities and, where relevant, seek benefit arising out of the research for any community or social group that participated in the research. In manifesting this scholarly disposition, the qualifying learner exhibits intellectual autonomy, originality, authority, accountability, scholarly integrity, and ethical respect for relevant academic and/or professional codes of research and practice.

A relevant, problem-based, unique, original, and executable topic on a highly advanced academic level within any of the various commerce specialist fields is identified that would be researched independently and reported on scientifically in the form of a thesis. The thesis would constitute a contribution to knowledge of and insight into the subject discipline as well as the field of research.

Upon completion of this qualification, a qualifying learner will be able to

• Demonstrate theoretical, empirical, and conceptual expertise in their chosen area of study in Commerce.
• Develop new methods, techniques, processes, systems or technologies in original, creative and innovative ways appropriate to specialised and complex contexts.
• Manage emerging ethical issues, and advance processes of ethical decision-making, including monitoring and evaluation of the consequences of these decisions where appropriate.
• Demonstrate intellectual independence, research leadership, and management of research and research developments.
• Develop a communication strategy to disseminate and present research, strategic and policy initiatives, and their implementation to specialist and non-specialist audiences using the full resources of an academic and professional discourse.
• Make independent judgments about managing incomplete or inconsistent information or data in a systematic process of analysis and synthesis, for the development of significant original insights into new, complex, and abstract ideas, information, or issues.
• Demonstrate the ability to produce substantial, independent, in-depth, and publishable work that meets international standards, is new or innovative by peers, and makes a significant contribution to the field.

Typical graduate attributes for the qualification are as follows

• A broad, well-informed, and relevant knowledge in the field of specialisation in commerce. Through an original contribution achieved through independent study, the qualifying learner integrates new and existing knowledge, thereby advancing the frontiers of knowledge. In addition to being well-informed about and well-versed in the literature in a chosen field, the qualifying learner can contribute to the relevant evolving debates in the field.
• Apply expert, specialised, and in-depth current knowledge of a specific area of research in the thesis or equivalent.
• Demonstrate an awareness of how the specific area of research in commerce is relatable to other fields of study, which will be evident in the doctoral work.
• Demonstrate an awareness of, and compliance with, the principles of ethics in research, which will be evident in the in-depth discussion in the thesis or equivalent.
• Show evidence of original and innovative thinking in research and, where applicable, creative practice and/or performance, which makes a special and novel contribution to the field of study.
• Create and introduce, where appropriate, and evaluate, select, and apply relevant research designs, approaches, methodologies, instruments, and procedures appropriate for the doctoral work undertaken.
• Conceptualise and reflect critically, work independently, and arrive at defensible conclusions and solutions, based on appropriately substantiated and defensible premises and analysis.
• Demonstrate an advanced level of communicative competence, through capacity for extended, sustained, and rigorous academic writing, including relevant digital literacy skills appropriate for doctoral research, and relate individual research to critical analysis of associated research produced by scholars in the relevant intellectual and knowledge domain(s).
• Communicate research findings effectively to expert and non-expert audiences alike, to defend them in the context of intellectual contestation, and to disseminate them in appropriate forms.
• Conduct research-related critical and analytical thinking, which shows an intellectual competence for problem-solving in diverse contexts, both familiar and unfamiliar.

Rationale

The National Development Plan (NDP) recognised the importance of the doctoral degree for the development of innovation in the country, for the transformation of the qualifying learner cohort, and the mission of universities in a high-skills economy. Despite some doctoral growth, South Africa is not on track to meet these projections. Nevertheless, compared to South Africa's global peers, this growth rate falls far short of the number of doctorates deemed necessary for transformation and high skills growth.

Research and investment in entrepreneurship and local economic development are among the NDP 2030's critical objectives. Research has shown that Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises with business management are the backbone of economic development. The qualification will contribute to the economy by providing job opportunities, alleviating poverty and contributing to sustained economic growth. The World Bank has found that entrepreneurship is creating more jobs and reducing poverty, especially in developing countries. Research in Business Management and Economic and Finance issues is likely to enhance localised knowledge systems that stimulate innovation and creative thinking.

There is a serious skills shortage of researchers in South Africa and other African countries. The qualification will thus produce research experts and practitioners to address the growing demand in the commerce sector. There are currently two institutions that offer post-graduate studies in Commerce in South Africa, and this qualification will render a service to the predominantly rural population.

The qualification will broaden the current academic offering of the Commerce Department if the faculty. The qualification will allow the candidate to make an original, significant contribution to knowledge in a chosen field through research work, supervised by an appointed specialist, which combines specialised knowledge, skills and research mastery to produce a thesis.

Apart from the Natural Sciences, the sub-disciplines are also considered scarce skills fields and are critical for the economic and development needs of South Africa. The qualification will provide candidates with high-level research capabilities to make a significant and original academic contribution in the Commerce, namely, Business Management, Economics, Finance, Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations and Marketing. Doctoral graduates will acquire competencies inclusive of the scope of knowledge extending to theoretical perspectives and application thereof; capacity to apply a variety of methodologies and procedures in problem solving through acquiring, managing, processing and analysing datasets; thereafter producing findings and communicating them to both lay and professional audiences through speech and writing. Moreover, doctoral graduates are expected to understand the contexts, systems and processes of their specialisation, to demonstrate accountability, efficiency and responsibility in resource usage and to engage in lifelong learning themselves, as well as to oversee the learning, training and development of others.

Typical occupations/professions in which the qualifying learner will operate

• Academics within the fields of either Business Administration, Management and Operations, or Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations, or Marketing, or Economics, or Finance and Financial Management Services.
• Economists in the private corporate, government and non-governmental sectors.
• Business administrators or managers in the corporate, government and non-governmental sectors.
• Financial specialists or analysts within the banking, financial asset management and insurance industries.
• Managers or analysts within government, parastatals, social entrepreneurship formations and NGOs to promote entrepreneurship and small business development.
• An entrepreneur who starts and runs a business with limited resources and planning. This individual is responsible for all the risks and rewards of their business venture. The business idea usually encompasses a new product or service rather than an existing business model.
• A marketer who promotes an organisation's products and services. They figure out the strategies that can boost sales and revenue while ensuring these strategies are aligned with customer needs as well as market demand.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Recognition of Prior Learning in this qualification will be conducted by the Policy and Procedures for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) of the Institution. RPL is regarded as one of the critical mechanisms for achieving redress, equity, and accelerating access in the institution.

RPL for access

This policy and set of procedures will be used in the admission of a candidate to a learning programme where the minimum requirements have not been met (excluding the mature age exemption category of exemption for admission to undergraduate programmes), and the candidate has evidence that the requirements can be met through RPL. The principles of RPL are subscribed to and will be implemented flexibly. The principle of flexible and open access will, however, be offset against the provision that this should not be to the detriment of the potential candidate and that his/her chances of success are reasonable.

The Committee will assess the competencies of these candidates to determine whether they are eligible or not. Only 10% of the cohort of learners will be admitted through RPL.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Master of Commerce, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Commerce in Business Administration, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Commerce in Business Management, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Commerce in Economics, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Commerce in Entrepreneurship, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Commerce in Enterprise Management, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Commerce in Finance, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Commerce in Management, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Commerce in Marketing, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Commerce in Marketing Management, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Commerce in Small Business Operation, NQF Level 9.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at the National Qualifications Framework, Level 10, totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 10, 360 Credits

• A thesis in one of the following specialisations

> Business Management

> Economics

> Marketing

> Finance

> Entrepreneurship and Small Business Operations.

1. Demonstrate theoretical, empirical and conceptual expertise in their chosen area of study in Commerce.
2. Develop new methods, techniques, processes, systems or technologies in original, creative and innovative ways appropriate to specialised and complex contexts.
3. Manage emerging ethical issues, and advance processes of ethical decision-making, including monitoring and evaluation of the consequences of these decisions where appropriate
4. Demonstrate intellectual independence, research leadership and management of research and research developments.
5. Develop a communication strategy to disseminate and present research, strategic and policy initiatives and their implementation to specialist and non-specialist audiences using the full resources of an academic and professional discourse.
6. Make independent judgments about managing incomplete or inconsistent information or data in a systematic process of analysis and synthesis, for the development of significant original insights into new, complex, and abstract ideas, information, or issues.
7. Demonstrate the ability to produce substantial, independent, in-depth, and publishable work which meets international standards, is considered to be new or innovative by peers, and makes a significant contribution to the field.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Analyse, synthesise, and critique theoretical and empirical knowledge to develop a conceptual framework guiding the study.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Appropriately apply different quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodological approaches to the aim, objectives, and framing of research questions.
• Select and use data collection techniques through paying particular attention to population context and relevant sampling methods, and apply acceptable scientific criteria when utilising secondary data in the public domain.
• Accurately analyse and interpret research data using appropriate techniques, including digital applications.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Discuss the importance of upholding the highest ethical standards in conducting research in the chosen sub-discipline.
• Accurately report research findings, including reconciling of contradictions and discrepancies in the datasets, analyses, or findings.
• Describe ethical principles as outlined in the Ethics Policy and strictly adhere to other national research policies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Use research to address complex practical and theoretical problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Communicate orally and in writing with different stakeholders in the chosen sub-discipline.
• Communicate with both specialists and non-specialists.
• Apply theoretical principles of communication and reflect on the engagements undertaken with stakeholders and society in general.
• Apply a variety of contemporary digital technologies as a means of communication.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Apply the concepts of self-management, which will be gauged through biannual progress reports.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Address problems that are directly or indirectly relevant to the research focus
• Contribute to original knowledge through the research results.
• Apply theories to research findings using one or more means involving induction, deduction, or abduction.
• Operate independently and take full responsibility for own work and, where appropriate, lead, oversee, and be accountable for the overall governance of processes and systems.