Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Research
A Dual-Degree Program in Advanced Business Research
- PROGRAM DETAILS
- Program Structure
- Program Features
- Master-In-Passing
- Admissions
- Tuition
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- RELATED PROGRAMS
- Doctor of Business Admiinistration
- Doctor of Management
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- APPLICATION & ADMISSIONS
- Application & Information Package
- Online Application
- Admissions Contact
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Research at Monarch Switzerland represents the highest academic qualification offered by the institution and the cornerstone of its identity as a Global Doctoral Institute of Advanced Management Studies. The program is designed for candidates who seek to contribute to management scholarship through disciplined, independent research that deepens understanding of organizations, leadership, and society.
At Monarch, the capacity to research is regarded as the highest expression of professional maturity. The PhD welcomes both early-career academics and experienced professionals who wish to engage in rigorous scholarly inquiry while remaining connected to their professional practice. This reflects Monarch’s conviction that research and practice are complementary forms of learning—each enriching the other and fostering responsible, ethical leadership.
A distinctive feature of the program is Monarch’s Master-in-Passing framework, through which candidates who complete the doctoral degree are automatically awarded the Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Business Research as part of the dual-degree structure. In certain cases, candidates may also elect to conclude their studies early and obtain the M.Phil. as a terminal award, subject to completion of the required thesis work and academic approval.
The PhD emphasizes intellectual independence, methodological rigor, and reflective interpretation. Candidates are encouraged to explore the human and ethical dimensions of management, to challenge assumptions, and to generate insights that contribute to a more thoughtful and sustainable global economy. Guided by Monarch’s faculty mentors, doctoral researchers pursue original studies that bridge theory and lived experience.
Program Structure
The doctoral journey follows a clearly defined structure that reflects the intellectual and developmental progression of advanced research. Each phase builds upon the last, guiding the candidate from the acquisition of core research competencies to the formal defense of the completed doctoral manuscript.
This structured approach ensures both academic rigor and individual flexibility. Candidates advance through a sequence of learning and research milestones designed to strengthen their methodological expertise, theoretical insight, and scholarly independence. Faculty supervision and institutional review are integrated at every stage, ensuring that each candidate’s work meets the highest standards of doctoral scholarship.
The following phases outline the academic framework of the PhD in Business Research, detailing the path from initial preparation to the culmination of the doctoral degree.
The doctoral journey follows a clearly defined structure that reflects the intellectual and developmental progression of advanced research. Each phase builds upon the last, guiding the candidate from the acquisition of core research competencies to the formal defense of the completed doctoral manuscript.
This structured approach ensures both academic rigor and individual flexibility. Candidates advance through a sequence of learning and research milestones designed to strengthen their methodological expertise, theoretical insight, and scholarly independence. Faculty supervision and institutional review are integrated at every stage, ensuring that each candidate’s work meets the highest standards of doctoral scholarship.
The following phases outline the academic framework of the PhD in Business Research, detailing the path from initial preparation to the culmination of the doctoral degree.
Preparatory Phase
The Preparatory Phase establishes the foundation for doctoral study, equipping candidates with the skills and conceptual grounding required for independent research. During this stage, candidates complete a series of Research Skills Courses that cover research design, qualitative and quantitative methodologies, academic writing, critical thinking and the philosophy of science. These courses are designed to build both methodological competence and critical awareness, preparing candidates to engage thoughtfully with academic literature and theoretical frameworks.
Proposal Phase
Building upon the foundation established in the preparatory stage, candidates enter the Proposal Phase, where they begin the formal design of their doctoral research. Under the guidance of a supervising professor, candidates participate in the Research Proposal Perfecting Module, an individualized mentorship process aimed at refining the scope, structure, and academic rigor of the proposed study. The module emphasizes the formulation of a clear research question, the integration of relevant literature, justification of methodology, and the articulation of ethical and theoretical frameworks. The Proposal Phase culminates in the submission and approval of the Research Proposal by the Administration, marking the formal transition from coursework to the research stage of the doctoral journey.
Research Phase
The Research Phase marks the transition from proposal design to active inquiry. Under faculty supervision, candidates implement their approved research design, conducting fieldwork, case studies, interviews, or conceptual analyses as appropriate to their methodological approach. This stage emphasizes disciplined execution and reflective engagement — ensuring that data collection, interpretation, and theoretical framing remain aligned with the research objectives. Throughout this process, candidates continue developing the first three chapters of their dissertation, refining the theoretical context, literature review, and methodology in light of emerging insights from the field. The Research Phase culminates in the completion of the fieldwork and preliminary analysis, establishing the empirical and conceptual foundation upon which the final manuscript will be built.
Manuscript Phase
The Manuscript Phase represents the synthesis of the entire doctoral journey. Drawing on findings from the field and on the evolving theoretical framework, candidates complete the final chapters of the dissertation — presenting analysis, discussion, and conclusions that demonstrate scholarly depth, methodological rigor, and originality of thought. This stage also involves a comprehensive review and integration of earlier work, ensuring that the full manuscript reflects coherence between theoretical framing, research design, and interpretation of results. The outcome is a dissertation that not only contributes to academic knowledge but also reflects the candidate’s intellectual growth as an independent researcher. Upon completion of the manuscript, candidates proceed to the Presentation Stage, where they formally defend or present their work before the academic or review committee.
Presentation Stage
The final phase of the academic programs culminates in the Viva Voce, the formal oral defense of the doctoral dissertation before the Academic Committee. This stage demonstrates the candidate’s ability to articulate and defend their research findings, methodological choices, and theoretical contributions within the context of established scholarship. To support this process, candidates complete a Presentation Preparation Course, which provides structured guidance in synthesizing complex research arguments, responding to academic critique, and communicating the significance of their work to both scholarly and professional audiences. Successful completion of the Viva Voce marks the conferral of the doctoral degree
The structured progression of the PhD in Business Research ensures that each candidate develops the full range of scholarly, methodological, and analytical competencies expected of a doctoral researcher. By the conclusion of the program, candidates demonstrate mastery of independent inquiry, critical thinking, contribute original insights to the field of management, and embody Monarch Switzerland’s commitment to advancing ethical, evidence-based leadership and research excellence.
Program Features
The PhD in Business Research at Monarch Switzerland is designed to provide both intellectual depth and practical relevance. The program’s features reflect Monarch’s commitment to individualized mentorship, academic rigor, and scholarly excellence within a flexible structure that supports working professionals. Each element of the program reinforces the development of independent research capability, ethical awareness, and global perspective expected of doctoral scholars at a leading international institute.
- Theoretical doctoral program emphasizing original contribution to knowledge
- Faculty supervision by experienced researchers and senior academics
- Flexible distance-based structure suitable for working professionals
- Integrated M.Phil./PhD framework recognizing both progression and completion through the Master-in-Passing and Master-in-Exit pathways
- Embedded dual-degree structure awarding the M.Phil. in Business Research either in passing or as a terminal qualification
- Access to Monarch’s global scholarly community and digital research resources
Together, these features embody Monarch Switzerland’s philosophy of doctoral education—one that unites scholarly independence with intellectual discipline and ethical purpose. Candidates emerge not only as researchers capable of producing original knowledge, but as reflective leaders equipped to influence management practice and thought on a global scale.
Master-in-Passing
The PhD in Business Research at Monarch Switzerland incorporates a flexible and academically rigorous framework that recognizes both progression and completion through the Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Business Research. The M.Phil. serves as an integral element of the doctoral journey, reflecting Monarch’s commitment to accessibility, progression, and academic integrity within advanced management research.
Master-in-Passing (Default Award)
Candidates who successfully complete all doctoral requirements are automatically granted the M.Phil. in Business Research in passing upon conferral of the PhD. This recognizes mastery of research design, theoretical framing, and analytical competence achieved throughout the doctoral program, and affirms the integrated nature of Monarch’s dual-degree structure.
Master-in-Exit (Terminal Award)
Candidates who wish conclude their studies prior to the completion of the PhD program for personal, professional, or research-related reasons may qualify for the M.Phil. as a terminal award by submitting a completed five-chapter master’s thesis. The M.Phil. in this form does not require an original contribution to knowledge, distinguishing it clearly from the doctoral award. Rather, it represents a complete and academically defensible qualification that affirms the candidate’s ability to conduct structured research and engage critically with management scholarship at a high level.
Through both the Master-in-Passing and Master-in-Exit pathways, Monarch Switzerland ensures that every candidate’s academic effort culminates in a meaningful qualification. This dual structure reflects Monarch’s commitment to combining scholarly excellence with human understanding, recognizing the diverse ways in which individuals contribute to the advancement of management knowledge.
Admission & Entry Requirements
Admission to the PhD in Business Research is selective and based on academic preparation, professional experience, and demonstrated research potential. Applicants must normally hold a recognized master’s degree or equivalent qualification and show capacity for independent, critical inquiry. Prior research or publication experience is advantageous but not required.
Experienced managers and professionals holding a bachelor’s degree may also be considered for admission upon the recommendation of the Dean, where their professional achievements and leadership record are deemed to provide sufficient equivalence for doctoral-level study.
Applications are reviewed by the Academic Board to ensure alignment between proposed research areas and Monarch’s supervisory expertise. Candidates are expected to demonstrate intellectual curiosity, maturity, and a clear sense of purpose in pursuing advanced scholarly inquiry.
Tuition
The PhD in Business Research is structured around a 36-month standard duration, designed to accommodate the research and writing demands of advanced doctoral study. Tuition is assessed on a quarterly basis for the duration of the candidate’s active registration in the program. The quarterly tuition fee is €3,250, payable at the beginning of each academic quarter. This approach provides flexibility for candidates while ensuring continued access to supervisory support, academic resources, and institutional services throughout the research process. Detailed information regarding tuition fees, administrative charges, and payment procedures is provided within the Application and Information Package, available upon request.
