PhD in Business Administration
1. Structure of the Programme
THE DOCTORAL PROGRAMME
The Department of Business and Public Administration (BPA) offers a Ph.D. programme in
Business Administration. The Ph.D. programme is intended for students (Cypriots and nonCypriots) from accredited universities with postgraduate qualifications at the Master level.
The programme is offered in Greek and English.
Graduates of the programme will be qualified to: pursue an academic career in government
and/or private universities in Cyprus or abroad; be employed in public or private organizations;
engage in activities of an advisory/consultant nature.
Financial support for doctoral students in the Department is the same as that for all doctoral
programmes at the University. Scholarships (i.e, reduction of / exemption from tuition fees and
/ or financial support towards research / teaching project) are granted based on available
resources (e.g., funded research programes, donations from other sources, etc.), always in
accordance with applicable regulations of the University.
Admission Criteria
The basic criterion for admission is academic performance. Specific admission criteria are
defined in the relevant rules of the University of Cyprus. In addition, candidates must:
•
Hold a postgraduate, Master-level qualification in a relevant subject from a recognized
university (or submit a certificate confirming that the Master level qualification will
be obtained before the beginning of the doctoral program).
•
Prepare and submit a preliminary research proposal that outlines the proposed research
topic.1Specifically, the proposal must include:
 The research question (s) and its significance
 The research method (s) - how the question (s) will be approached
 The essential literature on the specific question (s)
 Schedule for completion of the Ph.D.
 Students must also provide complete degree transcripts for their Master level
and undergraduate study
Note: The preliminary research proposal is requested for purpose of evaluating the candidates and the direction
they wish to follow. A student’s proposed subject of research will not necessarily be the subject of his /her
doctoral thesis. The thesis topic for students admitted to the program will be decided jointly by the student, his/her
supervisor/s and teacher/s in accordance with the provisions of the Rules of Postgraduate Studies of the
University, taking into account both the interests of the student and the research fields of the supervisor/s and
teacher/s.
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Request that at least two academic references in support of their application are sent to
University of Cyprus (applicants should note the names and contact details of their
academic references on their application).
Submit certificates and other relevant documents, e.g., samples of prior academic and /
or professional experience (publications, surveys, digital work, etc.).
Submit evidence of very good knowledge of the English language.
Programme Structure
The programme´s requirements correspond to the Doctoral Programme requirements as
defined by the Rules of Study at the University of Cyprus, and are divided into three parts
(total 240 ECTS).
The subjects required for the first part of the programme represent 60 ECTS (i.e., 6-10
courses). Three of these courses are foundation courses in the specific field the student has
decided to focus on. Depending on previous academic preparation (e.g., successful completion
of relevant postgraduate courses in another academic institution), the student may be partially
or fully exempted from the above courses. Upon completion of this first part of the programme,
the student must successfully sit a comprehensive exam.
The second part of the programme relates to the manner of conducting the research, focusing
on issues related to Management (this part represents 120 ECTS).
The third part, the writing stage of the dissertation, is credited with 60 ECTS. This could take
the form of a comprehensive study (thesis) or a series of essays on a specific research area. The
thesis must be an original work that makes a significant contribution to the field. The aim is to
produce research results that are publishable in refereed international journals.
Νote: The specific procedures and criteria required by/for the programme (e.g., exemption
from courses, assignment of supervisor, comprehensive exams, submission / evaluation of
research proposal, evaluation of the thesis) will comply in full with the applicable Rules of
Graduate Studies of the University of Cyprus. For this reason they are not repeated here,
except where stipulated by the University.
Type and Description of Courses
The programme includes courses of quantitative and qualitative content, which touch on
matters of epistemology, methodology, methods of quantitative analysis and qualitative
research, finance, management, management science, operations management and marketing.
The curriculum for each student is adjusted according to his/her chosen field of concentration.
The courses offered are the following:
(a)
Common Core Courses
• Epistemology in Business Administration
• Research Methods in Business I (Quantitative Methods)
• Research Methods in Management II (Qualitative Methods)
(b)
Advanced Courses
• Organizational Behavior
• Organizational Theory
• Strategic Management
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• Human Resource Management
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• Operational Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Service Management
• Applications of Optimization Methods
• Planning under Uncertainty
• Strategic Marketing
• Consumer Behavior
• Marketing Models
• International Marketing
• Advanced Topics in Marketing
• Microeconomics
• Econometrics
• Microeconomics / Game Theory
• Industrial Organization
• Theory of Consumer
Instruction will be in the two languages, Greek and English. The courses will be taught
provided a sufficient number of students register for them. In the cases where the number of
students registered for a course is small, this course will follow the structure of a seminar or
independent study under the supervision of departmental faculty. The majority of courses will
be offered by the department, while useful and relevant courses from other departments of the
University of Cyprus will also be utilized (i.e. Psychology, Finance/Accounting, Economics,
etc.) on the basis of university or departmental regulations.
Project Management
The project management is entrusted to a three-member Steering Committee of Postgraduate
Studies (comprised of academic faculty), which is appointed by the Departmental Board. The
term of the Steering Committee is three years. The tasks of the Committee include:
a)
Notice of job applications and assessment (including the assessment of preliminary
research proposals of candidates)
b)
Coordination of comprehensive examinations and supervision of doctoral theses in
accordance with the Rules of the University
c)
General Management of Programme
d)
Submission of an annual activity report to the Department Council
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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Common Core Courses
BPA 630 Epistemology in Business Administration (10 ECTS)
The course provides tools for generating ideas and translating them into formal theories in the
various fields of business administration. The aim is to offer students clear guidance for
defining constructs, thinking through relationships and processes that link constructs, and
deriving new theoretical models (or building on existing ones) based on those relationships. Ιt
will illustrate how to use causal analysis as well as grounded and emergent approaches to
theory construction. Students will learn to distinguish between moderation and mediation as
well as developing ideas across theoretical and analytical levels. The explicit aim of the course
is to provide students with a deeper appreciation for theory building.
BPA 640 Research Methods in Business Administration I (Quantitative Methods) (10
ECTS)
The overall aim of the course is to provide econometric analytical tools to PhD students to help
identify the appropriate econometric technique given their research question and the available
data. Students will be able to distinguish between different econometric models and understand
the limitations and pitfalls of each taught tool.
BPA 631 Research Methods in Business Administration II (Qualitative Methods) (10
ECTS)
The course will consist of three main components:
1. It will provide the students with hands-on knowledge on how to conduct a qualitative
research project with a particular interest in how to make a research topic workable,
how to collect and analyze qualitative-type data (e.g., visual methods, narratives,
questionnaires, ethnography, biography, interviews) and how to select cases.
2. It will discuss qualitative research methods in relation to dominant theoretical
perspectives and the quality criteria of research projects today.
3. By actively participating in an intensive supervisory process, the course will provide
the students with a good platform for developing their own research methods and
project.
Depth Courses
BPA 632 Organizational Behavior (7.5 ECTS)
This course is designed to increase the understanding of students of the diversity of
organizational contexts by introducing them to a framework for understanding the way
organizations function and the behavior of individuals and work groups within them. Diversity,
continuous application of new technologies and ever-greater interdependence, between
individuals, work groups, and organizations, drastically challenge the skills and creativity of
modern managers.
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BPA 633 Organizational Theory (7.5 ECTS)
This course is an introduction to the major theoretical approaches and debates in organizational
theory, which draws primarily on sociology and secondarily on economics, psychology, and
political science. The purpose of this course is to provide you a roadmap for you to roam the
terrain of organizational theory. Accordingly, we will start with the classics and then trace the
history of ideas as the field has evolved to the present.
BPA 634 Entrepreneurship & Innovation (7.5 ECTS)
It will use theories of innovation and entrepreneurship to explore how effective organizations
engage in these two strongly integrated processes, exploring product, service and process
innovation and demonstrating the role of innovation as a driver of organizational growth and
competitiveness.
BPA 635 Strategic Management (7.5 ECTS)
The course provides a broad, multi-disciplinary introduction to the study of business strategy,
with a particular emphasis on its behavioral and economic foundations. Different schools of
thought and their evolution will be analyzed, discussed and compared.
BPA 636 Human Resource Management (7.5 ECTS)
The objective of this course is to introduce students to the theory and practice of Human
Resource Management (HRM) in organizations. Issues such as the strategic importance of
HRM, the role of Managers and Employees of the organization in HRM issues, recruitment,
selection, performance appraisal, HR planning, compensation and benefits and training and
development will be analyzed in the course. In addition, students will have the opportunity to
analyze a variety of practical situations where the theories behind the practice of HRM are
applied.
BPA 641 Operations Management (7.5 ECTS)
The intent of this course is to further provide theoretical and methodological concepts/tools for
the management of operations and the decision-making process within the scope of the supply
chain. Competitive advantage driven by supply chain strategy has been a common practice in
the business environment in the past few years. Most of the strategies involve improving
operational efficiency either through cost reductions or increase capital efficiency. Decisionmaking regarding operational issues is one of the most common tasks within organizations.
This course will enhance students' ability to perform the quantitative analysis necessary and
understand the management issues in order to make good operational decisions within the
supply chain. Coverage is topical and will include supply chains issue and strategy, operations
management framework, the Six Sigma approach, quality management, demand and supply
planning, inventory deployment/control, and transportation networks optimization. Other
topics will be added as the course progresses. The introduction of concepts via cases is
preferred whenever appropriate.
BPA 642 Supply Chain Management (7.5 ECTS)
This course examines major challenges in managing efficient supply chains. It illustrates
various strategic and tactical supply chain issues such as product design, virtual integration,
information-sharing strategy, outsourcing, procurement, distribution strategy, and risk
management. Additionally, it offers an opportunity for students to explore emerging supply
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chain issues. The course will utilize case studies to examine issues related to supply chain
management.
BPA 643 Service Management (7.5 ECTS)
The service sector is today one of the largest and fastest-growing components of most
developed and developing economies. Most manufacturing firms also encompass extensive
service functions in addition to production operations. This course focuses on the unique
aspects involved in the design and delivery of service operations, both within "pure" service
organizations (banking, retailing, transportation, travel, hospitality etc.) but also within the
service functions of manufacturing. The course further examines important design and
operation issues relating to electronic and consulting services. The course takes a theoretical
and methodological viewpoint with a bias towards operations, while further considering
marketing, IT and human resource management, all of which need to be integrated in order for
the service firm to gain a competitive advantage. Students completing this course will be
exposed to the basic theoretical and methodological approaches related to such issues as
service delivery design and management, service quality and customer satisfaction, yield
management and waiting line systems. Students will gain an appreciation of the complexities
involved in managing service encounters and implementing changes, and further appreciate
entrepreneurial opportunities in services.
BPA644: Applied Optimization Modeling (7.5 ECTS)
Optimization models provide an effective framework for analyzing diverse quantitative
problems to support operational and tactical business decisions. This course presents different
model forms and examines their capabilities and limitations in addressing various practical
business problems. Students develop modeling skills that involve: ability to formulate different
classes of optimization models; familiarization with suitable software tools to numerically
solve models; application of models in diverse business problems drawn from operations,
financial planning, marketing, etc; ability to derive economic interpretations and insights from
the results.
BPA645: Planning under Uncertainty (7.5 ECTS)
Uncertainty is prevalent in all business endeavors (e.g., due to randomness in economic
factors/agents, market volatility, changing customer preferences, and even unpredictable
catastrophic events). Ignoring impacts of uncertainty on operational, tactical and, most
importantly, on strategic decisions can be perilous for businesses. Prudent planning requires an
understanding of sources of uncertainty and means to quantify and mitigate the potential
consequences. The focus of this course is on risk measurement and risk management. The
course examines various sources of risk, presents metrics for measuring risks and develops
quantitative models that appropriately incorporate risk mitigation measures in order to support
decisions in the face of uncertainties and ambiguities. Stochastic programming and robust
optimization models, as risk management tools, are examined through practical examples for
various business problems.
BPA 650 Strategic Marketing (7.5 ECTS)
This course aims to assists students to gain an in-depth understanding of fundamental strategic
marketing issues. Emphasis will be placed on the analysis of the environmental and market
forces that influence marketing activities, the assessment of marketing resources and
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capabilities, and the development and execution of an overall marketing plan that will enable a
firm to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage and superior performance in the
marketplace. The course will also examine relevant strategic management theories including
the resource-based view of the firm, industrial organization theory, dynamic capabilities
theory, and contingency theory. By the end of the course students should be familiar with the
key strategic marketing theories and concepts, comprehend the extant strategic marketing
literature, and develop and advance their own research interests in the field.
BPA 651 Consumer Behavior (7.5 ECTS)
This course examines fundamental principles, concepts and theories of consumer behavior.
The course emphasizes both the psychological as well as the sociocultural factors that
influence the consumer decision-making process. The course aims to familiarize students with
research in the field of consumer behavior and present current theoretical and methodological
approaches to various aspects of consumer behavior. Upon completion of this course students
will be able to analyze and critically assess the extant research, develop innovative research
ideas, form testable research hypotheses, and specify rigorous empirical approaches.
BPA 652 Marketing Models (7.5 ECTS)
The objective of this course is to introduce students to the quantitative models that are
currently employed to investigate marketing-related research problems, and improve various
aspects of marketing decisions. Upon completion of this course students will be able to build
their own models and explore research questions.
BPA 653 International Marketing (7.5 ECTS)
This course aims to help students understand the distinct characteristics of international
marketing, and identify the main challenges faced by firms that expand their marketing
operations in overseas markets. The course analyzes the complex environmental forces that
influence international marketing strategies and programs such as economic, social, political,
cultural and legal dimensions. It also presents the strategic planning process that should be
followed in order to develop appropriate international marketing program that satisfy the
unique needs and preferences of customers across different country-markets. Drawing on the
relevant academic literature, the course will examine international trade theories, the
internationalization process of the firm, multinational firms and foreign direct investments, and
other research paradigms that have influenced the evolution of international marketing as a
distinct academic discipline. By the end of the course students should be familiar with the key
international marketing theories and concepts, recognize the main research streams in the field
of international marketing, understand the alternative methodological approaches that are
commonly employed in order to investigate international marketing phenomena, and develop
innovative research ideas for advancing the existing body of knowledge.
BPA 654 Advanced Topics in Marketing (7.5 ECTS)
This course introduces students to current marketing problems and research challenges.
Students will be encouraged to perform a critical analysis of recent developments in the
general social and economic environment and assess the influence of such changes on
contemporary marketing theory and practice. The main topics include environmental and
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green marketing, corporate social responsibility, the role of digital interactive media and social
networks, the diffusion of technological innovations, and health care marketing.
ECO 661 Microeconomics (10 ECTS)
The course will begin with a review of the classic theories of consumer and producer behavior
and proceed with the description of basic market structures and the analysis of factor markets.
It will then lay out the basic principles of game theory under conditions of both complete and
incomplete information. These will be the tools for the analysis of topics in modern
microeconomic theory such as bargaining auctions, moral hazard and adverse selection.
ECO 663 Econometrics (10 ECTS)
Probability Theory. Random Sample. Regression, Prediction and related notions. The Linear
(Normal) Regression Model: Estimation, Hypothesis Testing, Misspecification Testing.
Generalized Linear Regression. Elements of Time-Series. Heteroskedasticity and
Autocorrelation. Dynamic Linear Regression. Nonlinear Regression. Multivariate Regression
Systems. The Simultaneous-Equation Model. Generalized Method of Moments. Limited
Dependent Variables. Panel Data Models.
ECΟ 651 Μicroeconomic Analysis ΙΙ (7.5 ECTS)
This course continues the analysis of the principles of microeconomic theory and is divided
into two parts. The first part will develop the basic principles of game theory under conditions
of both complete and incomplete information and will apply these to the analysis of problems
such as collusion, bargaining, auctions, moral hazard, and adverse selection. The second part
will serve as an introduction to general equilibrium theory and its extensions, and will discuss
the general theorems of welfare economics.
ECO 612 Industrial Organization and Policy (7.5 ECTS)
Industrial organization is concerned with the study of imperfectly competitive markets. The
course aims to develop an understanding of competitive interaction in such markets; to
introduce the empirical methods used to analyze them; and to outline the basic policy
principles that govern their operation. Indicative topics include estimation of supply and
demand, estimation of cost and production functions, monopoly regulation, oligopoly models,
collusion and cartels, mergers, product differentiation, barriers to entry.
ECO 641 Consumer Behavior and Applications (7.5 ECTS)
The objective of this course is to provide comprehensive knowledge of consumer theory with
emphasis on the use of econometric techniques and data for the empirical analysis of consumer
behavior at the individual and aggregate level. Following a brief review of the fundamental
principles of consumer theory (preferences and constraints, optimization and duality) the
course will focus on demand analysis as a tool for studying behavioral and welfare aspects of
consumer theory. Separability, aggregation, dynamics and participation will also be examined.
The last few lectures of the course will concentrate on topics drawn from applied demand
analysis topics including externalities and public goods, cost of living indices and quality,
equivalence scales, intrahousehold allocation and the analysis of tax and benefit reforms.
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