PhD in Business Research

A Dual-Degree PhD Program in Advanced Business Research

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Research at Monarch Business School Switzerland represents the institution’s highest academic qualification and reflects its long-standing identity as a Swiss Doctoral Institute of Advanced Management Studies. Designed for experienced managers, consultants, executives, and early-career academics, the program provides a rigorous and structured pathway for candidates seeking to generate original knowledge in management through independent, methodologically robust, and ethically grounded research.

At Monarch, the capacity to research is regarded as the highest expression of professional maturity. The PhD welcomes both early-career academics and seasoned 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 within complex organizational environments.

The program emphasizes intellectual independence, methodological rigor, and reflective interpretation. Candidates are encouraged to explore the human and ethical dimensions of management, challenge prevailing assumptions, and generate insights that support a more thoughtful and sustainable global economy. Guided closely by Monarch’s faculty mentors, doctoral researchers pursue studies that intentionally bridge theory and lived experience, producing work that is academically rigorous while also grounded in organisational reality.

A distinctive component of Monarch’s approach is the dual-award structure, which enables candidates to progress through the Master-in-Passing (M.Phil.) in Business Research before completing the full doctoral dissertation. This integrated framework aligns with European traditions of advanced research training and ensures that candidates develop deep competence in research design, qualitative inquiry, reflective analysis, and theoretical engagement.

Graduates of the PhD in Business Research emerge as scholarly practitioners capable of advancing management thought, contributing to academic and professional communities, and engaging meaningfully with global challenges through responsible and informed research.

Program Structure of the PhD in Business Research

The doctoral journey follows a clearly defined structure that reflects the intellectual and developmental progression of advanced research as recognized within the broader European academic tradition. The sequence of phases aligns with the research competencies articulated in the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) for advanced study , supporting the development of high-level analytical skills, independent inquiry, and scholarly contribution.

Each phase builds intentionally upon the last, guiding candidates from the acquisition of core methodological competencies to the formulation of a research agenda, the execution of disciplined inquiry, and ultimately the formal defense of the completed doctoral manuscript. This structured progression ensures that candidates steadily refine their ability to conceptualize complex management phenomena, engage critically with the literature, and design and conduct meaningful research that contributes to the advancement of management knowledge.

While academically rigorous, the program also maintains a degree of flexibility that respects the professional responsibilities of working executives and scholar-practitioners. Candidates advance through a series of learning and research milestones—each supported by experienced faculty mentors—designed to strengthen their theoretical insight, methodological proficiency, and intellectual independence. Institutional oversight and academic review are integrated at every stage, ensuring that all doctoral work reflects Monarch’s high standards of scholarly excellence.

The following phases outline the academic framework of the PhD in Business Research, presenting a clear pathway from initial preparation through to inquiry, writing, and 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.

Dissertation Phase

The Dissertation 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.

Key Program Features

  • • Milestone-Based Doctoral Framework
  • • Original Theoretical Contribution
  • • Integrated M.Phil. Dual-Degree Pathway
  • • Close Faculty Supervision
  • • Structured for Working Professionals
  • • Ethical & Responsible Scholarship
  • • Global Research Community Access

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.

Scholarly Focus The PhD emphasizes original contribution to knowledge through advanced theoretical development and critical reflection on management and organizational practice.
Faculty Supervision Candidates work under the close supervision of experienced researchers and senior academics, ensuring methodological depth and scholarly excellence throughout the research journey.
Flexible Structure The milestone-based format accommodates working professionals, allowing candidates to progress at a manageable pace while maintaining professional commitments.
Research Phase During the research phase, candidates engage in sustained inquiry and critical reflection that connects theory to practice. While grounded in theoretical development, the program promotes active engagement with contemporary issues through academic publication, conference participation, and dialogue with leading scholars and policy thinkers. This approach ensures that doctoral research remains both intellectually rigorous and socially relevant, reflecting Monarch’s emphasis on responsible scholarship and applied impact.
Dual-Degree Framework The program incorporates Monarch’s integrated degree structure, recognizing progression and completion through the Master-in-Passing (M.Phil.) in Business Research and Master-in-Exit (M.Phil.) pathways. This structure acknowledges mastery of research design, analytical reasoning, and theoretical synthesis achieved throughout the doctoral journey.
Global Research Access Candidates gain access to Monarch’s international scholarly community, digital research resources, and doctoral mentorship network supporting global academic engagement.

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.

Program Research Philosophy

The Monarch PhD in Business Research emphasizes independent scholarly inquiry grounded in the European tradition of critical reflection and theoretical contribution.
Candidates are encouraged to explore management as a human and social science, seeking meaning beyond metrics or application.

Doctoral research at Monarch values intellectual autonomy, methodological rigor, and interpretive depth.
Each candidate is supported in developing a distinctive voice as a reflective scholar—one capable of shaping contemporary management thought through reasoned, ethical, and original insight.

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 of the PhD in Business Research

All doctoral programs at Monarch Switzerland follow a milestone-based structure designed to accommodate the research and writing demands of advanced professional and academic inquiry. 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. Candidates may alternatively request a monthly payment schedule to facilitate financial planning and continuity of study. This approach ensures ongoing access to supervisory guidance, academic resources, and institutional services throughout the research process.

Candidates who require additional time beyond the standard 36-month duration may continue their registration on an annual extension basis at 50% of the regular tuition rate. This continuation rate applies for all subsequent 12-month periods, allowing candidates to complete their research and dissertation at their own pace while maintaining full academic standing.

Detailed information regarding tuition fees, administrative charges, and payment procedures is provided within the Application and Information Package, available upon request.

Who Should Apply

The Monarch PhD in Business Research welcomes reflective professionals and academics who wish to deepen their understanding of management as a scholarly discipline and contribute to its ongoing theoretical development. Graduates emerge as thought leaders and researchers prepared to influence both academia and practice.

•Senior or executive managers seeking intellectual renewal
•Academics pursuing advanced research and publication
•Consultants and advisors expanding into reflective practice
•NGO / IGO professionals engaged in global policy and governance
•Scholars dedicated to ethical and responsible management research
Monarch Business School Switzerland crest – PhD in Business Research program