Doctor of Philosophy in Commerce and Administration

Purpose

The purpose of the doctoral study is to provide a specialised focused qualification covering aspects of organisational performance from a project, programme and portfolio management point of view. This approach encapsulates the way in which the new economy organisations in the global economy have transformed to deal with higher demands for increasing the value proposition of its stakeholders. The qualification aims to achieve this through optimising the organisation's value chain management and training thereby creating competent leadership and management.

This demand is increasing and is in line with international trends in Europe, the United States of America and other successful economies. Higher demands have been placed on Higher Education institutions to deliver learners that can contribute to knowledge creation for the improvement of organisations, countries, the world economy and value chain management.

From a career and profession standpoint, it is important that the Doctoral study aligns South African education with the International Competency Baseline (ICB) of the International Project Management Association (IPMA) for professional certification at Level A and B.

Qualifying learners will demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills and applied competency in the field of Commerce and Administration and will be well versed in the issues forming part of the current innovation in the field.

Rationale

The Doctor of Philosophy in Commerce and Administration is positioned to serve the leadership and management needs of organisations in both the private and public sectors and build expertise in value chain management and leadership within organisations (i.e. value creation to leverage performance and quality). It focuses on value chain management, which includes the organisation's supply chain activities, its project management portfolios, and the appropriate leadership behaviours that lead to strategic success.

In the rapidly changing global economy, private and public organisations find it difficult to maintain and to improve their levels of operational productivity and strategic benefits. Traditional forms of the organisation and the management of the organisation need to adapt to modern environment. Rigid functional approaches to management can no longer cope with the demands and challenging changes of the new economy. Communication in traditional organisations is impeding the flow of information and managerial decision making. Moreover, leadership in traditional organisations tends to lack strategic focus and how to shape the forward motion of an organisation which requires having to go through a process of rebuilding, internal reform, rebalancing, and refreshing (transformation). This situation has become a real challenge, since most of what has been assumed as standard practice in the past, is not characteristic of the twenty first century organisation. This in turn requires that organisations must review and reinvent their current practices where these are no longer serving their purpose, leaving open an opportunity for research, paradigm shifts, and theory development.

Learners receive strategy-centred leadership and management education based on project, programme, portfolio, and value chain management principles. This enables them to lead their organisations towards achieving performance excellence, utilising cross-functional project and supply chain processes.

To be able to provide top-quality Higher Education, the qualification aims to provide and generate knowledge that deals with the new economy as well as the current challenges within the modern organisation. Therefore the doctoral study is aligned with both the demands of the national industry and labour market through their partnership with the Association for Project Management South Africa (APMSA) and Project Management South Africa (PMSA) and the desired curriculum content expressed in the National Competency Baseline for Project Management (NCB) Version 3 which on its part is aligned with the International Project Management Association's (IPMA) International Competency Baseline (ICB) Version 3. This qualification is aligned with Levels A and B of the ICB.

The learner entering this qualification will have the following

• The ability to do independent research.
• The knowledge to write a research thesis of acceptable standard.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Doctor of Philosophy in Commerce and Administration at NQF Level 10 allows for open access and may be achieved in part or in whole through the process of RPL. Provision should be made for prior learning to be recognised if a learner is able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes embedded in this qualification.

Access to the Qualification

This qualification is for all learners who hold an appropriate Master's degree and would like to enter into, or who have been employed or involved in the world of business and government to obtain or advance relevant knowledge and skills in organisational value chain management. A minimum percentage of 60% achieved in the Master's qualification is also required.

Learners who do not meet the minimum requirements will be given the opportunity to access the qualification by means of an entrance exam from which they would need to score a minimum of 75%.

The qualification comprises a thesis or dissertation worth 360 Credits.

1. Create and interpret new knowledge through original research or other advanced scholarship, to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline, and merit publication.
2. Demonstrate competency in managing the value chain of an organisation, irrespective of the nature of the concern (private enterprise, government, non-governmental and public utilities) based upon a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of programme managing organisational performance knowledge to the benefit of all stakeholders within a multi-cultural global environment.
3. Conceptualise, design and implement a project or programme of projects for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline, and adjust the project/programme design in the light of unforeseen problems.
4. Conduct independent original research including writing a research proposal, problem formulation, application of proper research methodology, analysis of data interpretation of findings as well as scientifically founded recommendations.
5. Write a thesis meeting the theoretical and technical requirements of report writing.
6. Apply appropriate business ethics in all operations while showing sensitivity to cultural and ethical issues.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

The critical cross-field outcomes are embedded in the exit level outcomes of this qualification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Unknown or unresolved problems are approached in a scientific way.
• Secondary data sources and related material are interpreted and analysed based on advanced theoretical knowledge by displaying an understanding as required at this level for the application use of appropriate analytical tools.
• Advanced value chain management problems pertaining to the full spectrum of Project, Programme and Portfolio Management subject-matter are resolved.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Independent research on a topical problem or aspect of an organisation value chain is performed.
• Aspects of importance are analysed and interpreted critically and solutions to problems are presented using appropriate media.
• An original contribution of research within the field of organisational value chain management is produced.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Original research findings, results and recommendations are presented meeting the theoretical and technical requirements of a scientific investigation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• A knowledgeable, well-versed opinion on topical issues is argued which forms part of the current debate on practical organisational problems related to cultural and ethical issues in the field of organisational value chain management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Computer proficiency in problem solving, research methodology and report writing is applied.
• A Doctoral thesis conforming to international standards is submitted for assessment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Sensitivity for cultural and ethical issues is displayed.
• Expertise and critical knowledge in appropriate theory are conceptualised and ethical principles in the workplace are applied.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment of competence is done through a combination of formative and summative assessment methodologies, tools and procedures, which will not discriminate against learners in an unjust or invalid way. Formative assessment integrates theory with practice, with transfer of skills being conducted in a real or simulated workplace environment. Assessment practices are fair, transparent, valid and reliable.

The purpose of assessment is to determine whether a learner has met the outcomes of the qualification in terms of theory and practice. Integrative techniques are therefore used to assess applied competence. Learners should be required to demonstrate that they can perform the outcomes with understanding and insight.