PhD in MANAGEMENT
Our doctoral program in Strategic Management trains students to produce high-quality research and teaching in the field of strategic management and prepares them to pursue careers as tenure-track faculty at top academic research institutions.
Strategic Management focuses on understanding how organizations might achieve advantage relative to competitors. Ultimately, it views firms as competing for resources and is concerned with decisions that cut across functional, product, and geographic boundaries. Our research, course development, and teaching draws on multiple disciplines, including economics, sociology, and political science with a goal to generate findings and develop concepts that help managers or entrepreneurs improve strategic decisions.
The Strategic Management faculty at Purdue is recognized as one of the top groups in the world in terms of both productivity and influence, and our PhD students consistently compete for and win Dissertation Awards in the Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship Divisions of the Academy of Management.
Special message
Strategic Management covers topics such as business strategy (i.e., how to gain and sustain a competitive advantage) as well as corporate strategy (i.e., how to manage multi-business firms and their associated boundary choices such as outsourcing, platforms, acquisitions, alliances, etc.). Faculty and doctoral students study these problems in various business contexts, ranging from technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship to international strategy.
As a land-grant, research-1 university with science, technology and engineering in its DNA, Purdue provides the resources of a world-class institution and a commitment to accessible, high-impact education. At the Daniels School of Business, this means pairing rigorous research training with a supportive community — ensuring our doctoral students have the mentorship, tools, and momentum to thrive as scholars.
The Ph.D. program in strategic management at the Daniels School of Business has a rich heritage of excellence. It was the first empirical Ph.D. program in the field, birthplace of the field’s flagship journal, and home to the field’s main academic society. As a doctoral student in strategic management, you will receive deep training in the field and disciplines as well as have meaningful research collaboration opportunities with first-rate faculty and Ph.D. student classmates. Graduates are routinely awarded best dissertation prizes and other research awards at academic societies.
Beyond their research excellence, Purdue graduates in strategic management are known for their service to the profession. Daniels’ alums have served as chairs of the Academy of Management’s Strategic Management Division as well as Directors of the Strategic Management Society. They have also frequently been awarded distinguished alumni awards from Purdue for their service to the profession.
Purdue will place you in the heart of one of the nation’s most spirited college towns. You’ll enjoy the energy of a Big Ten campus alongside the ease and affordability of a community with a low cost of living. With Chicago and Indianapolis just a short drive away, you’ll experience an ideal balance of focus, accessibility, and conditions that support a positive doctoral journey.
Explore our Research publications >>
Heejung Byun and David A. Kirsch (2021). “The Morning Inbox Problem.” Academy of Management Discoveries
Mona Bahl, Aldas Kriauciunas, Thomas H. Brush (2020). “How do Ownership Type and Knowledge Transfer Influence Success of Change? A Study of Transition Economy Firms.” Global Strategy Journal
Umit Ozmel, Deniz Yavuz, Tim Trombley, Ranjay Gulati (2020). “Interfirm ties between ventures and limited partners of venture capital funds: Performance effects in financial markets.” Organization Science
Luis A. Rios (2020). “On the origin of technological acquisition strategy: The interaction between organizational plasticity and environmental munificence.” Strategic Management Journal
Donald D. Bergh, Enzo Peruffo, Wan-Ting Chiu, Brian Connelly, and Michael A Hitt (2019). “Market Response to Divestiture Announcements: A Screening Theory.” Strategic Organization
Recent graduates of Purdue's Strategic Management PhD program over the years have secured placements at top research universities in the U.S. and abroad, including...
The OBHR doctoral program requirements consist of:
The curriculum credit hours consist of:
If you have questions about doctoral study in Strategic Management), feel free to contact our PhD Coordinator, Dr. Jeffery Reuer, at jreuer@purdue.edu.
For questions about the admissions process or other PhD programs at the Daniels School of Business, email businessphd@purdue.edu and an Admissions Specialist will connect you with the appropriate department representative.
