KENT BUSINESSSCHOOL

RESEARCH DEGREESCanterbury and Medway

The UK’s European university

Graduatestudy

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INTRODUCTION

Research at Kent BusinessSchool is ranked within thetop 30 in the UK and theSchool achieved excellentrankings in the 2012Guardian and SundayTimes league tables.

The programmeThe Kent Business School PhDprogramme offers several subjectareas:• Accounting• Finance• Human Resources• Management• Management Science• Marketing• Supply Chain Management• Strategy.

All PhD students undertake originalresearch within their chosen topicand the completed work must beof publishable standard, in the formof scholarly articles or academicbooks.

Your supervisorsWe offer a dynamic research culturewith a team of over 50 research-active academic staff. Postgraduateresearch can take place in anysubject area where staff haveexpertise.

Each student is supported by asupervisory team (usually twomembers of academic staff) whogive guidance about the nature ofthe research, the standard of workrequired, and about the relevantliterature and sources that shouldbe consulted.

Students meet with supervisorseach month to agree upon aschedule of work, and bring writtenwork for comment and discussion.The co-supervisor providesadditional input and ensurescontinuity.

Find out more about the individualresearch interests of Kent BusinessSchool staff at: www.kent.ac.uk/kbs/research-staff

Research trainingAll PhD students attend a KentBusiness School research trainingprogramme that includes:quantitative and qualitativeresearch methodology; philosophyof management research, andgenerating theory. The Universityalso offers complementary trainingand support in a wide variety oftopics such as statistics, computing,literature searches and foreignlanguage skills.

ResourcesOur PhD students also benefit fromdedicated office space with eithera laptop or PC for the durationof their studies plus conferencefunding; research methods training,and full access to the facilities ofthe Graduate School.

Canterbury and MedwayThe Canterbury campus is built on300 acres of parkland and is lessthan 20 minutes’ walk from thehistoric city centre. The new high-speed train service takes you directto London in an hour.

Our Medway campus is just 45minutes from London and 15minutes from Ebbsfleet Internationalstation with Eurostar connections toBrussels and Paris.

www.kent.ac.uk/kbs

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green logistics and network security)with a special emphasis on theinnovative design and analysisof heuristic, meta-heuristics andexact optimisation; DEA; operationmanagement; multi-variate analysis;biometrics; multi-methodology andSoft OR/Systems.

Marketing Particular strengths of the Marketinggroup include applied consumerbehaviour with expertise on socialmarketing, consumer perceptionsof innovations, new productdevelopment, social marketing,marketing communications andpricing. Professor Andrew Fearneheads the Centre for Value ChainResearch, which explores questionsaround the development ofsustainable competitive advantage.His own research involves thestrategic analysis of consumerbehaviour and the co-ordination ofvalue chains in the food retail sector,from field to fork. Andrew andcolleagues have supervisedover 20 PhDs since 2002.

Strategy and InternationalBusiness This research group, headed byProfessor Alex Mohr, carries outmuch of its research in co-operationwith multinational corporations suchas Mercedes Benz, Siemens orBayer. The group members’research interests include themanagement of multinationalenterprises, performancemanagement, professional servicesfirms, social enterprise, and non-market strategies. Current PhD

projects investigate the role ofpolitical strategies in emergingeconomies and the foreign directinvestment in central and easternEurope.

People, Management andOrganisationThis group is led by Professor KatieTruss. Particular strengths includethe management of small andmedium-sized enterprises; gender,diversity and inclusion; employeeengagement; strategic humanresource management and therole of the HR department; aspectsof occupational psychology; themanagement of professionalservice firms; organisationalchange, and international andcomparative management. Groupmembers have expertise in diversemethodologies, including qualitativeand ethnographic approaches;quantitative and multi-level dataanalysis, and the interpretationof large-scale datasets.

Kent Business Schoolresearch is wide-ranging,with a number ofparticular strengths inPhD supervision. Our fiveresearch groups are listedbelow.

Accounting and FinanceProfessor Warwick Funnell headsthis group, which pursues researchin a variety of areas including:financial management in thepublic and profit-seeking sector;environmental and social aspects ofaccounting; accounting history andinternational accounting; financialeconometrics; corporate finance;asset pricing and security pricebehaviour. Quantitative financefor capital markets is a recentlyestablished research strengthfor Kent Business School led byProfessor Radu Tunaru. In particular,Professor Tunaru has developednew methods for property derivativemodelling, receiving best paperaward at the Campus for FinanceConference in 2010 and best paperaward at EFMA in 2011.

Management ScienceThis research group is led byProfessor Said Salhi, who hassupervised a large number of PhDstudents from different countries(21 PhD students to completionduring the last 18 years). The groupcovers a wide range of researchareas in operational research andsystems thinking. Staff researchexpertise includes: logistics (facilitylocation, vehicle routing, including

www.kent.ac.uk/kbs

“What I like the most aboutmy PhD programme atKent Business School ismy partnership with mysupervisors. Their supervisionis excellent because they knowthe process well. Their input isreliable and guides mesurefootedly forward.”

Donna KnowlesDoctoral candidate

RESEARCH

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WORKING TOGETHER

Professor Katie Truss,Head of the PeopleManagement andOrganisation researchgroup at Kent BusinessSchool (KBS), supervisesLuke Fletcher, who isstudying for a PhD inEmployee Engagementand Strategic HRM. Here,they discuss how thesupervisory processworks for them.

Why did you choose Kent?Luke: I knew I would feelcomfortable at Kent. I like the values,culture and ethos Kent provides.

How would you describe therelationship between asupervisor and a student?Katie: The role of a supervisor is toprovide guidance and input to helpthe student at all stages of the PhD.In their first year, students aredefining their research question,which involves an awful lot ofreading, so you offer guidanceas to where to start and how toget through that literature.

In their second year, they begintheir data collection so you makesure they are heading in the rightdirection. In their final year, it isabout motivating them in terms ofwriting it all up. There’s a coachingelement, a mentoring element andalso quite a bit of direction atvarious points as well.

Luke: I remember Katie saying to methat doing a PhD is a bit like getting

L plates for driving; you are tryingto push yourself to learn more andbecome a researcher and yoursupervisor is there to guide youthrough all the major forks in theroad. It is a rollercoaster rideemotionally and intellectually.

What makes Katie a goodsupervisor?Luke: The main thing is that shelistens and supports in a way thatdevelops you as a person and isn’tjust about the PhD but wideropportunities and networks.

Katie has driven me to do all ofthe above. It isn’t just about tickingboxes and doing the thesis,you’re trying to develop yourcareer. Working with Katie has beenamazing. She is a busy academicbut she always finds time to give methe help and support I need. Bothshe and my co-supervisor, MarkGilman, have a wealth of experienceand knowledge, not only of thediscipline but of the practicalitiesof conducting research. I couldn’task for better supervisors.

Why is Luke a good student tosupervise?Katie: Luke is hardworking andfocused, he’s very reliable and I cantrust him to build on the things wetalk about in our meetings. Anotherthing I’ve enjoyed about workingwith Luke is that he has taken partin other research projects in KBS.For instance, he was involved withresearch on engagement within thevoluntary sector, helping to write areport on the dataset and holdinga presentation to the charity on the

findings. He is now writing a casestudy on engagement within a largefinancial services firm, which wehope to have published via the CaseClearing House.

Luke also got involved with a majorseminar series we’ve been running,which was funded by the Economicand Social Research Council. Hehelped to organise the series andplayed a key role in advising uson the design of the DoctoralSymposium that was part of thefinal seminar held at Kent. Throughthe series, Luke got to know peopleand is now in discussion with anAmerican university about anexchange visit to the States. He isalso working with another author ona chapter for a book on employeeengagement, which I, together withthe other organisers of the seminarseries, am editing. All of this hasbeen fantastic experience for Lukeand has developed Luke as anacademic in the widest sense.

How have you found thesupervision process?Katie: Regular contact between thestudent and the supervisor is reallyimportant because when you’redoing a PhD there’s a risk ofbecoming isolated, buried undera mountain of academic papers.Knowing that you have to producea paper of some kind, an updatedocument, forces you to get yourideas down on paper. As a PhDstudent, it’s important to writeregularly because through writingyou consolidate your ideas andlearn to express them to otherpeople.

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Luke: There is a good balancebetween my two supervisors;Mark’s more practical, whereasKatie knows the literature insideout, so it’s a good match.

What’s the difference betweenMaster’s and PhD level study?Luke:Mentoring is the majordifference between a Master’s anda PhD. The student is the driver andthe supervisor is steering you in theright direction. Would you agree withthat, Katie?

Katie: Yes, I would. When studentsstart their PhD they’re incrediblyambitious – they want to change theworld. A lot of the time the role ofthe supervisor is to help the studentto create a manageable project thatthey can realistically do on theirown. You are also trying to helpthe student to develop their ownnetwork. Luke’s second supervisor,[Dr] Mark Gilman also has a biginput because he has a slightlydifferent area of expertise to me.Luke has also met lots of peoplefrom different universities.

How do you make the most ofbeing a PhD student? Luke: I think it’s getting involvedand not thinking I’m here just to do aPhD. You have to engage with what’sgoing on around you in KBS, theUniversity and externally.

How do you think your studiesat Kent will affect youremployment prospects? Luke: In a positive way, I hope! Iwant to be an academic, so I think ithas given me really good prospects.

Katie: If you want to be anacademic now you have to have aPhD. While he’s at Kent, there areother things it is important for Luketo do: one is to get some teachingexperience, there is training fordoctoral students who are going toteach and he is doing that. There’salso a taught element to the PhDand all doctoral students take acourse about quantitative andqualitative methods. Being exposedto a range of methodologies isimportant in terms of developingLuke’s career. He won’t use all themethods in his PhD but, beingfamiliar with a range of methods,will be important for him in thefuture.

Luke: One of the great things aboutKBS is the range of backgroundsand disciplines people come from;I’m from a psychology background,others are from sociology,management, maths or economicsbackgrounds. The diversity is goodfor everyone.

How have you funded yourstudies?Luke: I have a scholarship fromKBS, which covers tuition fees anda maintenance grant towards livingexpenses. Having a fully fundedPhD motivates you to work hard.It also means you don’t have to geta part-time job and can focus onyour work.

Any advice for those thinkingabout taking a research degreeat Kent?Luke: Get involved, take advantageof all the opportunities and utiliseyour supervisors – they’re there tosupport you, so don’t be scared ofthem!

Katie: It’s really important as asupervisor that your doctoralstudents do well. It’s such a massiveinvestment for a student to do adoctorate… it’s three or four yearsof your life and so you want to doeverything you can to help themsucceed.

www.kent.ac.uk/kbs

Terms and conditions: the Universityreserves the right to make variations to thecontent and delivery of courses and otherservices, or to discontinue courses andother services, if such action is reasonablyconsidered to be necessary. If theUniversity discontinues any course, it willendeavour to provide a suitable alternative.To register for a programme of study, allstudents must agree to abide by theUniversity Regulations (available online at:www.kent.ac.uk/regulations).

Data protection: for administrative,academic and health and safety reasons,the University needs to process informationabout its students. Full registration as astudent of the University is subject to yourconsent to process such information.

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APPLYING TO KENT

Entry requirements Applicants must hold a minimum2.1 honours degree and a Master’sdegree with Merit and have a goodstandard of written and spokenEnglish (see below).

All scholarship candidates musthold a first-class honours degree(if still completing their Master’sprogramme) or a Master’s degreewith Distinction. Other high-performing students from top 100international business schools mayalso be eligible.

English languageFor the PhD programme at KentBusiness School you should provideus with an IELTS certificate with aminimum score of 7.0 including 6.5in reading, 6.5 in writing, 6.0 inlistening and 6.0 in speaking oran acceptable equivalent (TOEFLinternet-based or Pearson Test ofEnglish Academic). Applicants forquantitative subjects with verystrong mathematical abilities maybe admitted with a minimum scoreof 6.5. For more information see:www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgrad/apply/entry.html

FundingEach year, Kent Business Schooloffers a range of externally andinternally-funded scholarships for itsPhD programme. The scholarshipstake the form of Graduate TeachingAssistantships and include financialsupport in return for part-timeteaching. The scholarship coverstuition fees at the UK/EU rate plus a

combined salary and maintenancegrant at the full UK ResearchCouncil rate. For full details see:www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/postgraduate/pg_tsandcs.html

Tuition feesFor the most up-to-date informationon tuition fees, visit www.kent.ac.uk/finance-student/fees

Come and visit usWe are pleased to welcomeindividual visitors to Kent BusinessSchool at Canterbury or Medway byappointment. Please contact us byphone or email (see left).

How to applyApplicants should apply online at:www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgrad/apply

If you do not hold a Master’s degreewith Distinction (or a first-classhonours degree if you haven’t

completed your Master’sprogramme) you will be asked topay an application fee of £100(deductible from your first year’sfees).

Further informationPlease contact the Research andPhD Administrator at Kent BusinessSchool:T: +44 (0)1227 823009 E: phdinfo@kent.ac.uk

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LocationCanterbury and Medway.

FacultyFaculty of Social Sciences.

SchoolKent Business School.

ContactResearch Office, Kent Business School, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7PE, UKT: +44 (0)1227 823009E: phdinfo@kent.ac.uk

ApplicationsOnline at www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgrad/apply

Kent: the UK’s EuropeanuniversityKent is known as the UK’s Europeanuniversity. Our two main UKcampuses, Canterbury and Medway,are located in the south-east ofEngland, close to London, and wehave specialist postgraduate centresin Brussels and Paris.

We have a diverse, cosmopolitanpopulation with 140 nationalitiesrepresented. We also have stronglinks with universities in Europe, andfrom Kent, you are around two hoursaway from Paris and Brussels bytrain.

World-leading researchA great deal of the University ofKent’s research has been ranked asworld-leading in terms of originality,significance and rigour, accordingto the Government’s most recentResearch Assessment Exercise.Kent staff were found to beengaged in research of internationaland world-class standing.

Strong academiccommunityKent’s postgraduate studentsare part of a thriving intellectualcommunity that includes staff andstudents from all our locations. Inaddition to lectures, seminars andone-to-one supervisions, you benefitfrom a rich and stimulating researchculture. We have also invested inWoolf College, a modern facility onthe Canterbury campus dedicatedto postgraduates, which combinesaccommodation, as well asacademic and social space.

GENERAL INFORMATION

A global outlookKent has a great internationalreputation, attracting academic staffand students from around the world.Our academic schools are engagedin collaborative research withuniversities worldwide and we offera range of opportunities to studyabroad and an approach that istruly global.

The Graduate SchoolAs a postgraduate student, you alsohave the support of the GraduateSchool, which promotes youracademic interests, co-ordinatestransferable skills trainingprogrammes and facilitates cross-disciplinary interaction and socialnetworking.

FundingKent provides a variety offinancial support opportunitiesfor postgraduate students. Theserange from research studentships,location-specific funding, sport andmusic scholarships, and fundingspecifically for overseas fee-payingstudents. For further information, see www.kent.ac.uk/pgfunding

Enhanced careerprospectsAt Kent, we want you to be in agood position to face the demandsof a tough economic environment.During your studies, you acquire ahigh level of academic knowledgeand specialist practical skills.We also help you to develop keytransferable skills that are essentialwithin the competitive world of work.

Further informationFor information about applyingto Kent, or to order a copy of theGraduate Prospectus, pleasecontact:Recruitment and Admissions Office,The Registry, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ, UKT: +44 (0)1227 827272F: +44 (0)1227 827077E: information@kent.ac.uk

The University also holds OpenDays and postgraduate recruitmentevents throughout the year. Pleasesee www.kent.ac.uk/opendays

COME ANDVISIT US

University of Kent, The Registry, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ T: +44 (0)1227 764000 E: information@kent.ac.ukwww.kent.ac.uk

We hold Open Days at our Canterburyand Medway campuses.

For more information, see:www.kent.ac.uk/opendays

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