Executive PhD in Business Management
Designed for senior executives and experienced professionals, this selective Executive PhD programme offers a personalised research journey bridging academic knowledge and management practice.
Create meaningful impact today and shape a responsible business world for tomorrow through evidence-based thinking and original research.
6 residential weeks
Part-Time
September 2027
OBJECTIVES
Crafted for working professionals, EDHEC's Executive PhD in Business Management is a high-quality, doctoral-level programme that can be pursued alongside your professional career, leading to a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA). Combining academic rigour with executive practice, it equips experienced leaders with the analytical and research capabilities needed to address complex organisational challenges and generate evidence-based impact.
- Create net-positive business impact
- Pursue a fully personalised intellectual trajectory
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Generate original, actionable insights
This transformative Executive PhD programme enables you to produce research that informs executive decision-making, shapes organisational strategy, and contributes to the future of business and society.
Elevate your thinking. Expand your influence. Redefine your legacy. Unleash Tomorrow.
BENEFITS
Why Choose an Executive PhD?
EDHEC's Executive PhD in Business Management enables senior professionals to undertake a part-time, hybrid doctoral programme in parallel with their professional careers, combining rigorous research with real-world application.
Throughout the programme, you will strengthen your analytical capabilities, strategic thinking, and research skills to address complex organisational challenges.
The Executive PhD enables you to turn executive experience into original research, elevate your intellectual leadership, and create lasting impact within your organisation and beyond.
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Address real-world business challenges through rigorous research
Use advanced research methods to investigate complex managerial and organisational issues.
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Strengthen your thought leadership and expertise
Develop a distinctive voice in your field, grounded in evidence, theory, and practice.
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Drive innovation and organisational transformation
Generate insights that can support strategic renewal and meaningful change.
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Elevate your executive profile
Gain the intellectual depth and doctoral-level credibility to engage with senior strategic issues.
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Join a selective international community
Connect with experienced peers, leading faculty, mentors, and industry experts.
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Contribute to the future of responsible business
Produce research that helps organisations respond to complex economic, societal, and environmental challenges.
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Generate tangible business impact through applied research
Support evidence-based solutions to strategic challenges facing the organisation.
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Enable innovation and strategic renewal
Bring new frameworks, methods, and insights into business transformation initiatives.
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Develop leadership for the next era
Strengthen the analytical, critical, and reflective capabilities of senior talent.
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Build competitive advantage through thought leadership
Position the organisation at the forefront of knowledge, expertise, and informed decision-making.
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Deepen your long term contribution
Strengthen your engagement with your organisation while developing the knowledge, perspective, and research capabilities to contribute at a higher level.
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Access global insights and academic networks
Benefit from connections to faculty expertise, international perspectives, and research-driven knowledge.
PROGRAMME
Turn insights into action!
In this Executive PhD programme, you will engage with the key challenges reshaping business and society today, from strategy, strategic foresight and organisational transformation to innovation, entrepreneurship and technological disruption.
You will also explore critical issues related to sustainability and societal impact, including CSR, responsible consumption and net-positive business models, as well as emerging developments in behavioural marketing, customer experience and digital transformation.
Participants develop advanced methodological expertise across qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods research, alongside the theoretical rigour required to generate original knowledge and make meaningful contributions to both academic research and professional practice.
OVERVIEW
EDHEC’s Executive PhD is a transformative experience for senior professionals ready to redefine leadership and thinking.
It builds the intellectual depth and research mastery needed to turn uncertainty into opportunity and ideas into lasting business impact.
Throughout your journey, you will learn to translate evidence into action, using research as a catalyst for innovation and purposeful growth.
Lead with purpose - starting now.
WHY THIS PROGRAMME?
In a world defined by disruption and transformation, this programme places you at the heart of responsible leadership and net positive business by equipping you with :
- Advanced research and analytical capabilities to make evidence-based decisions
- Strategic insights to drive meaningful progress and sustainable growth
- A lifelong learning mindset aligned with EDHEC’s Generations 2050 vision
WHAT YOU WILL GAIN
As a thought leader, you will inspire change – guiding your organisation toward sustainable growth, shaping the next generation of management practice, and leaving a legacy that endures.
You will emerge as a C-suite-level strategist, a sought-after consultant, and an influential voice in academia and industry, recognised for your ability to create new insights and drive meaningful changes.
Value Beyond the Degree: Community, Continuity & Impact
- Graduates join an active alumni network, supporting lifelong learning, collaboration and continued professional development.
- Beyond Coursework: Active integration into EDHEC’s research community through seminars, doctoral conferences, and personalised mentorship.
- Participants belong to wider research community, fostering intellectual exchange, peer learning and exposure to diverse perspectives.
- The programme is expected to deliver a strong return on investment, through enhanced expertise, career development and tangible impact within organisations.
The Executive PhD offers an unparalleled opportunity for ambitious senior leaders to step back, broaden their perspective, and immerse themselves in transformative ideas. This experience will equip you to lead with vision, drive innovation, and create a lasting impact.
Professor Martin Wetzels
Professor Martin Wetzels
EDHEC RANKINGS
Financial Times since 2021
Financial Times 2026
Financial Times 2024
SIGEM 2025 - Le Parisien 2025
CURRICULUM
Experience a cutting-edge, personalised learning journey that blends rigorous research training with real-world application.
The programme integrates core and specialised courses, interactive research seminars, mentoring workshops, and international conferences – creating a dynamic environment where knowledge and practice continuously reinforce each other.
Core methodological courses lay a rigorous foundation of state-of-the-art analytical techniques, research methodologies, theoretical lenses, and a focus on net positive business. You then deepen your expertise through specialised modules and mentoring, exploring emerging ideas and building mastery in your chosen field.
Your journey culminates in a PhD dissertation, developed in close collaboration with EDHEC’s world-class faculty, who provide tailored, one-to-one guidance on research with both academic depth and strategic industry relevance.
This individualised mentorship empowers you to shape a research agenda fully aligned with your professional ambitions and establish yourself as a future thought leader.
Year 1: Foundations of Research & Net-Positive Business
Each participant benefits from structured supervision, continuous feedback and structured progression milestones, ensuring both academic rigour and steady progression throughout the programme.
Main Topics:
- Management Research for Net Positive Business
- Theory Development in Management Research
- Fundamentals of Qualitative Research
- Qualitative and Mixed Research Methods
- Fundamentals of Quantitative Research
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Basic Quantitative Analysis
Year 2 and Year 3: Specialisation & Advanced Research Methods
Deepen expertise and specialisation through tailored courses and high-impact research bootcamps.
Main Topics:
- Advanced Quantitative Analysis
- Case Study and Action Research
- Phenomenological and Interpretive Research
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Unstructured Data Analysis
Year 4: Dissertation & Contribution to Practice
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The dissertation is a bridge between scholarship and managerial practice - generating insights that are both scholarly robust and managerially relevant, and that extend across organisations, industries, and beyond.
Year 1 and Year 2
You will take part in six immersive residential sessions across EDHEC’s Lille, Paris, and Nice campuses (September, January, and April).
These intensive modules build a strong foundation in research design and analytical methods, guided by EDHEC’s internationally recognised faculty.
Year 2 and Year 3
You will deepen your expertise through tailored specialisation courses and high-impact research bootcamps led by leading international scholars in your field. These experiences strengthen your methodological knowledge and prepare you to contribute new insights to both academia and practice.
Year 4
Finalisation of the dissertation and defence.
Beyond coursework, participants are actively integrated into the research community, attending and preparing for cutting-edge research seminars, doctoral conferences and receiving individual mentorship from their dedicated EDHEC supervisor.
Each academic year concludes with a formal review meeting, where participants present their research progress, receive in-depth feedback from their supervisors, and refine their roadmap for the year ahead.
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Strategy, Entrepreneurship & Operations - Innovation, resilience, and long-term value creation
Net positive business models, innovation and foresight, and digital technologies and transformation, circular economy models, supply chain resilience, international business, human–machine interaction.
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Marketing - Responsible marketing in digital and AI‑driven markets
Consumer behaviour, AI‑powered analytics, digital platforms, branding, pricing, services, health and wellbeing, and sustainable marketing.
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Management & Humanities - Leadership, ethics, and societal impact
Leadership, organisational behaviour, careers, wellbeing, sustainability, business ethics, whistleblowing, AI ethics, and geopolitical influences on business.
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Accounting, Control & Law - Governance, regulation, and accountability
Financial and non financial reporting, auditing and compliance, management control systems, corporate and tax law, business and human rights, and the impact of AI on legal and governance frameworks.
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Economics & Finance - Finance, markets, and data‑driven
Asset pricing, investment management, corporate finance, financial econometrics, machine learning, and climate related financial risks.
The faculty fosters a co-creation approach to research and provides the opportunity to collaborate with inspiring academics and industry experts.
At EDHEC, research goes beyond theory — you actively create, shape, and experience it firsthand. You are invited to join projects that bridge insight and impact.
This hands-on approach gives participants direct access to cutting-edge thinking, while actively shaping solutions with tangible impact. By working side-by-side with thought leaders in their fields, participants accelerate their research capabilities, grow high-value professional networks, and generate ideas with immediate potential for business growth and innovation.
This journey opens doors to emerging topics reshaping global business strategy — from AI-powered decision-making and net-positive business models to digital ecosystems and platform-based value creation.
This Executive PhD is more than research. It is co-creating the future of business with impact.
FACULTY
World-renowned international faculty and research centers
Learn from an outstanding team of leading international scholars.
The Executive PhD in Business Management features a world-class faculty of experts from different business disciplines. Our faculty boasts a remarkable record of publications and editorial contributions in leading international journals across all fields of the business domain.
Their numerous teaching awards, extensive PhD supervision experience, and prestigious appointments at leading universities, alongside senior-level collaborations with major corporations, governments, and supranational organisations, attest to their unparalleled reputation for excellence and expertise in research.
Learn more about our faculty and their publications
Michael Antioco
Michael Antioco
Paolo Antonetti
Paolo Antonetti
Naeem Ashraf
Naeem Ashraf
Tuba Bakici
Tuba Bakici
Pierre-Jean Barlatier
Pierre-Jean Barlatier
Foresight, Innovation and Transformation Chair Affiliate
Chiara Belletti
Chiara Belletti
Shiko M. Ben-Menahem
Shiko M. Ben-Menahem
Fabian Bernhard
Fabian Bernhard
Family Business and Psychology
Ludovic Cailluet
Ludovic Cailluet
EDHEC Centre for Responsible Entrepreneurship Director, Family Business Chair Research Associate, Global Economic Transformation & Technology (GETT) Track Director
Marie-Cécile Cervellon
Marie-Cécile Cervellon
Mohamed Hédi Charki
Mohamed Hédi Charki
Sylvain Colombero
Sylvain Colombero
Arne De Keyser
Arne De Keyser
Maria Figueroa-Armijos
Maria Figueroa-Armijos
Ivan Gordeliy
Ivan Gordeliy
Dominik Hettich
Dominik Hettich
Xing Huan
Xing Huan
Viacheslav Iurkov
Viacheslav Iurkov
Fatma Jemaa
Fatma Jemaa
Sachin Kamble
Sachin Kamble
Foresight, Innovation and Transformation Chair Member
Abdul Karim Khan
Abdul Karim Khan
Yenee Kim
Yenee Kim
Alena Kostyk
Alena Kostyk
Rania Labaki
Rania Labaki
Thomas B. Long
Thomas B. Long
Loick Menvielle
Loick Menvielle
Rachel Le Marois
Rachel Le Marois
Mashiho Mihalache
Mashiho Mihalache
Julia Milner
Julia Milner
Ariane Ollier-Malaterre
Ariane Ollier-Malaterre
Camille Pradies
Camille Pradies
Selina Pei
Selina Pei
Kumar Ranjan Rakesh
Kumar Ranjan Rakesh
Management in Innovative Health Chair Research Associate
Rene Rohrbeck
Rene Rohrbeck
Madlen Sobkowiak
Madlen Sobkowiak
Director of the MSc in Sustainable Business Transformation
Amin Sofla
Amin Sofla
Ahmed-Chemla Tahoun
Ahmed-Chemla Tahoun
Arash Talebi
Arash Talebi
Jana Thiel
Jana Thiel
Nuria Tolsá-Caballero
Nuria Tolsá-Caballero
Riccardo Valboni
Riccardo Valboni
Wim Vandekerckhove
Wim Vandekerckhove
Joëlle Vanhamme
Joëlle Vanhamme
Academic Director EMBA
Cédric Verbeeck
Cédric Verbeeck
MSc in Data Analytics & Artificial Intelligence Director
Cedric Verbeeck, PhD, is Professor of Operations management and Director of the MSc in Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence at EDHEC Business School.
Martin Wetzels
Martin Wetzels
Academic Director of the Executive PhD in Business Management
Anne Witt
Anne Witt
EDHEC Augmented Law Institute Researcher
David H. Yoon
David H. Yoon
PROFILE
Who is the Executive PhD in Business Management for?
This programme is designed for:
- Senior executives seeking transformation and deeper strategic insight.
- Consultants in leading firms aiming to strengthen their expertise.
- Professionals transitioning to academia or teaching.
If you aspire to:
- Create net-positive business impact through purposeful, evidence-based research.
- Pursue a fully personalised intellectual trajectory guided by world-class international faculty.
- Generate original, actionable insights that influence executive decisions and drive meaningful change.
…then the Executive PhD in Business Management is tailored for you.
Follow our official LinkedIn page to receive regular updates on programme insights, upcoming live webinars, doctoral seminars, and original research publications from our world-class faculty and participants. Join our network of senior leaders and thought leaders today.
A recognition that echoes our Executive PhD in Business Management’s ambition: connecting rigorous research with real-world organisational challenges and developing leaders capable of translating research insights into responsible decision-making and concrete action.
ADMISSIONS AND FINANCE
The Executive PhD is designed for experienced professionals with a strong track record, ensuring a highly selective cohort whose members bring substantial professional expertise and the capacity to engage successfully in doctoral-level study. Equally important are their motivation and ability to commit to a demanding intellectual journey, which supports high levels of engagement, progression, and programme completion.
For the Executive PhD in Business Management the following admission requirements apply :
- A Master’s Degree in a business or management related discipline, MBA, or equivalent qualifications or experience
- Preferably five to ten years of professional experience
- English proficiency test (TOEFL or IELTS) for non-native English speakers or equivalent qualifications or experience
- Abbreviated Research Proposal with a special focus on industry impact
The Admission process consists of the following steps :
- Application Form including an Abbreviated Research Proposal
- Screening and Selection
- Interview with the Academic Director of the Executive PhD in Business Management
- Admission Board
The tuition fee for the programme is €68,000 excl.VAT
(2026–2027: €28,000 | 2027–2028: €20,000 | 2028–2029: €20,000)
This fees does not include travel, accommodation, and other expenses related to courses or events.
Scholarships and EDHEC Alumni discounts are available. In addition, EDHEC’s research policy allows participants to apply for funding to attend conferences and research events.
FAQ
Questions in this category relate to the Executive PhD in Business Management.
More detailed information can be found by downloading the brochure on this page.
You can also contact us by phone or email.
A master’s degree or equivalent is required (a graduate-level qualification recognised internationally.)
This includes: MBA (Master of Business Administration), MSc or Master in Management, other postgraduate degrees in relevant fields such as marketing, strategy, leadership or operations.
Yes. Holding an MBA is an excellent foundation for pursuing an Executive PhD.
Any program with a strong business focus—such as marketing, strategy, leadership, or operations—can be a suitable pathway.
Research experience is useful but not required.
The focus is on applying rigorous research methods to real-world business challenges, so prior research experience is not expected.
The program provides comprehensive training in research methods and academic writing.
EDHEC Business School has designed its Executive PhD programme in line with international academic standards and awards a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA).
The Executive PhD programme is tailored to executive needs, but offers all the academic rigour of a traditional PhD.
The Executive PhD lasts 40 months, structured around courses, research seminars, and thesis work.
An Executive PhD combines academic rigor with practical application.
Unlike a traditional PhD, it is designed for senior professionals who want to address real-world business challenges through evidence-based research.
It emphasizes original research and scholarly contribution.
An Executive PhD in Business Management is designed for experienced executives and senior professionals who wish to develop advanced research expertise while addressing important business and organisational challenges.
At EDHEC, the Executive PhD in Business Management programme leads to a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), combining doctoral-level research training with a strong focus on managerial relevance and impact.
This is a part-time programme that can fit around work responsibilities.
Classes are delivered on campus (e.g., Lille, Paris, Nice) with some additional online components. Participants attend 6 in-person residential sessions.
You will conduct purposeful, evidence-based research aligned with your professional challenges, aiming to create a net-positive business impact.
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