As a PhD student in the Operations Management and Strategy department, you will be following one of two tracks, operations and supply chain management or strategy and entrepreneurship. As a new doctoral student, you are initially under the supervision of a faculty member assigned to assist you in navigating your decided track, and to coordinate other faculty in the joint mentorship of students in the first two to three years of study.
Once you have passed your comprehensive exam, the role and responsibilities of academic advisor transfer to your dissertation advisor. This faculty member supervises your academic activity during your dissertation phase.
Both tracks can be divided into three groups of mandated coursework: seminars, research methodology and managerial skills requirements. You can find the details below.
Doctoral students will participate in a minimum of 12 credit hours of research seminar experience. This includes mandatory participation in MGO 795: Seminar in Operations Management during the first two semesters of doctoral study. The balance of seminar requirements may be met with further participation in MGO 795, as well as participation in MGO 796: Seminar in Strategic Management, MGO 798: OMS Workshop and/or other doctoral research seminars as approved by the student’s academic advisor.
Doctoral students will participate in a minimum of 12 credit hours of research seminar experience. This includes mandatory participation in MGO 796: Seminar in Strategic Management during the first two semesters of doctoral study. The balance of seminar requirements may be met with further participation in MGO 796, as well as participation in MGO 795: Seminar in Operations Management and ECON 611: Mathematics for Economists. Other doctoral research seminars, as approved by the student’s academic advisor, can also be considered. PhD students in the strategy and entrepreneurship track usually choose from operations management, economics, finance, marketing, and organizational behavior and human resources.
Two seminars (6 credits) MGO 796: Seminar in Strategic Management, plus two courses from the following list:
ECON 611 Mathematics for Economists
MGB 734 Organization Theory
The aim of this course is to provide the analytic techniques and tools to help develop an understanding of how competitive advantage can be created and sustained. This is an integrative course that examines the firm as a whole and adopts the perspective of the general manager. It draws together and builds on ideas from courses in functional areas such as marketing, finance and operations. There is extensive use of cases. Specific topics covered include analyzing industries, analyzing firm resources and capabilities, understanding organization structure and management systems, developing competitive strategies and understanding competitive behavior, determining the scope of the firm, developing corporate strategies, managing the multi-business firm, and understanding corporate governance mechanisms.
Credits: 3
Semesters offered: Fall 2024
Fall 2024 (08/26/2024 - 12/09/2024)
| Reg. Num. | Section | Type | Topic | Days | Time | Location | Instructor |
| 16361 | WED | LEC | W | 6:30 - 9:10 p.m. | Jacobs 112 | Krupski, Michael Dennis | |
| 23649 | SWED | LEC | W | 6:30 - 9:10 p.m. | Jacobs 112 | Krupski, Michael Dennis | |
| 18352 | SAT | LEC | S | 12:30 - 3:10 p.m. | Alfier 104 | Krupski, Michael Dennis | |
| 23650 | SSAT | LEC | S | 12:30 - 3:10 p.m. | Alfier 104 | Krupski, Michael Dennis |
The course will walk you through the process of starting a new technology-based venture--from idea generation to commercialization. Through mini lectures, guest speakers, class pitches, and business plan presentations, you will acquire skills in conceptualizing, developing and managing a successful new venture involved in or affected by technological innovation. These skills will then be applied to a class project focused on the development of a technology-based idea. The course is designed for graduate students in arts, sciences, engineering, health sciences, law, and management. The course will be particularly useful if you have a desire to found a technology venture at some stage of your career or anticipate working in an entrepreneurial or innovative environment.
Credits: 3
Semesters offered: Spring 2024
Spring 2024 (01/24/2024 - 05/07/2024)
| Reg. Num. | Section | Type | Topic | Days | Time | Location | Instructor |
| 23701 | S3O | SEM | MW | 3:30 - 4:50 p.m. | Jacobs 110 | Krzan, Celine | |
| 19855 | S2O | SEM | MW | 5 - 6:20 p.m. | Jacobs 112 | Neubert, Robert Alan |
A basic understanding of the global business environment is essential to everyone. Understanding the global economy is necessary for all engaged in business and careers regardless of the size or type of business or career endeavor. The class will discuss the strategy of international business issues involved in today's global world. In general, the major topics of global business will be discussed to give students a working vocabulary and basic level of knowledge and skills involved in today's global business. For example, the course will explore the interrelation of government and business across borders and the economic dynamics between countries/regions, including a general overview of the international monetary system, international trade and foreign direct investment. The main premise of this course is that significant business knowledge and skills are increasingly defined by a complex system of cross border, global transactions. Firms face challenges in staying competitive in a global environment of producers, suppliers, and customers where countries are increasingly opening their borders to trade and investment.
Credits: 3
Semesters offered: Fall 2024 | Winter 2024
Fall 2024 (08/26/2024 - 12/09/2024)
| Reg. Num. | Section | Type | Topic | Days | Time | Location | Instructor |
| 15583 | F1O | LEC | T | 6:30 - 9:10 p.m. | Cooke 127A | Ptak, Scott T |
Winter 2024 (12/28/2023 - 01/19/2024)
| Reg. Num. | Section | Type | Topic | Days | Time | Location | Instructor |
| 10335 | SPMB | LEC | W | 6:30 - 9:15 p.m. | Arr Arr | Kim, Kenneth A | |
| 10334 | PMBA | LEC | W | 6:30 - 9:15 p.m. | Arr Arr | Kim, Kenneth A |
This seminar provides a critical review of theory and empirical research in the supply chain and operations management area, along with closely related areas such as e-commerce, and marketing management and logistics. Particular emphasis will be on exposing students to seminal works in modeling and empirical research methods that have been employed to investigate new issues of topical interest in the supply chain e-commerce areas. We will cover an eclectic collection of state-of-the-art research articles that may be helpful in developing viable research agendas for doctoral students.
Credits: 3
Semesters offered:
Competence in areas of accounting, finance, and marketing are prerequisite requirements for certain of these courses. Competence can be established by taking graduate courses in these areas. Independent studies may be used in lieu of any of the above courses which are not offered regularly.
No comprehensive exam is required for the PhD minor in Strategy and Entrepreneurship.