Phase 1: Training In Research

During Phase 1, students receive thorough and sophisticated training in the latest methods of inquiry and state-of-the-art knowledge. The program is taught entirely in English. Training in a chosen field Students lacking a business background may be required to follow courses from our Master of Sciences in Marketing or our Master of Sciences in Innovation and Technology Management. The specific choice of courses will be made on an individual basis. Possible courses include marketing management, management of innovation, brand management, and others. Training in research PhD students must participate in at least 300 hours of advanced PhD seminars over the first two-year period, including seminars on the most commonly used methodologies in business administration research (minimum: 200 hours). The goal is to provide students with the skills needed to effectively use a wide range of methods. Depending on their chosen concentration, students can choose which methodologies they wish to study in-depth. Methodological Seminars Year 1 Research Design Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning Introduction to Qualitative Research Qualitative Methods Questionnaire and Scale Development Regression Analysis Qualitative Analysis Introduction to Theories of Management Experimental Design Year 2 Publishing and Reviewing Successfully Pedagogy Advanced Seminars in Strategic Management, in Marketing, in Behavioral Finance and in OT/OB Qualitative Track: Ethnography/Philosophies of Management/Alternative Qualitative Methods/Theory Development/Qualitative Comparative Analysis/Computer-assisted text Analysis Quantitative Track: Multivariate descriptive Statistics/Econometrics/Experimental Analysis Practical training in research Immediately upon beginning the program, students are integrated into research teams and start working on at least one research project. Within these projects, they may be expected to perform several tasks, such as performing a literature review, investigating conceptual and theoretical developments, learning data collection supervision, designing experimental procedures, and writing a specific part of an article. Students must also participate in internal research workshops. These workshops are usually organized on a weekly or bi-weekly basis by the various departments. They include presentations by internal or external participants and reading seminars. Students are also regularly asked to present their research at these workshops. To pass Phase 1 and move on to Phase 2, each student must: Validate all courses and seminars taken and maintain a cumulative GPA of 13/20; Write a first-year paper (empirical papers are preferred); Co-author at least one article for an international conference (e.g. AMA, AoM, ACR, EMAC, AFM, SMS, EGOS, AIMS, etc.); Take and pass a comprehensive exam. This is a second-year paper that must provide a review of a key area of research in the student’s field of study. Submitted papers are similar to those which appear in the Psychological Bulletin, Journal of Economic Literature, or Academy of Management Review. Present a detailed research project for the student’s dissertation. At the end of Phase 1, students who have passed the requirements will be awarded an MPhil degree. In order to ensure that students are progressing adequately, student progress is formally reviewed each year.

Phd in Business Administration

Apply

Apply

At a glance

Program format
Full-time
Duration
4 years to 5 years
Campus
Grenoble
Languages
English
Admission level
4-years Degree to Master's degree or more
Diploma
PhD

Apply

Program format
Full-time
Duration
4 years to 5 years
Campus
Grenoble
Admission level
4-years Degree to Master's degree or more
Diploma
PhD

The PhD program at Grenoble Ecole de Management aims to educate scholars who will become faculty members in leading international business schools or universities. This four to five-year, full-time program is designed to ensure that students are involved in research very early on and develop a solid publication record during their PhD studies. Our program offers a unique combination of strengths. Through a “learning by doing” approach of research and a strong training in research methods, our PhD program prepares our graduates to work at leading international business schools.

The PhD in Business Administration is a doctoral program, which is pursued by students holding Master’s degree. The program’s objective is for the student to develop research expertise in one of the following fields:
• Alternative Forms of Markets and Organizations
• Consumer Behavior
• Energy Management
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Finance, Innovation, and Governance
• Information Systems for Society
• Marketing, Strategy, and Innovation
• Organizations, Work, Identity and Careers
• Strategy, Innovation and Society

Extensive training with a hands-on approach

We offer extensive training in up-to-date methods and theories. Formal training is supplemented by regular research seminars, in which leading experts from Grenoble Ecole de Management and other universities present and discuss their latest research results.

Our program follows a very hands-on approach. From the beginning, PhD students are part of specific research groups and start working on research projects with faculty members.

International publications for a global reach

Our program focuses on publications in international journals. Doctoral theses follow the “3-paper” model. The dissertation consists of three independent but related academic papers, which are submitted to, and sometimes already published in, leading academic journals. This ensures our graduates receive the best possible preparation for their future careers in academia.

Support for PhD research

PhD students are full members of a research team, where they interact with various faculty members in addition to their thesis supervisor. Financial support to attend conferences and doctoral seminars is also provided. Finally, students taking an experimental approach have access to a laboratory equipped with technologies enabling various forms of data collection.

Recognized faculty / Quality supervision

Our faculty members are extremely dynamic and academically successful. The quality of our work and the academic level of the faculty are highlighted by our triple accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA). Even with this recognized success, we continue to prepare for the next challenge and question how we can improve. This culture of innovation permeates not only our research but also the entire school. We are firmly focused on the quality of our program. We keep our program small to ensure that each doctoral student receives the highest quality supervision.

Support to enroll in a “Diplôme National de Doctorat”

The PhD in Business Administration degree from Grenoble Ecole de Management is recognized internationally for high academic standards, publication rates, and its triple accreditation. Through our partnerships with French public universities, it is possible for interested PhD Candidates to register for the “Diplôme National de Doctorat” with one of our partners and receive a doctorate recognized by the French government.

The GEM PhD program provides a challenging and rewarding educational experience. This stimulating research environment exposes PhD students to a wealth of opportunities and provides them with the necessary support to develop their skills according to their area of specialization. Participation in research seminars, conferences and research projects as well as local and international teaching opportunities are the key factors that make this program exceptional and provide PhD candidates with the necessary skills to pursue their future career paths."

Prof. Emmanouela Mandalaki

PhD alumni give a tour of GEM labs, a multipurpose, cutting-edge facility where PhD students conduct data collection.

Next events

Events at GEM

Multi-programs

Grenoble

Graduation Ceremony 2026 –MBA, DBA, PhD in Business Administration Programs

The 28 Feb 2026

Consult

6 good reasons to choose GEM

An internationally recognized and tripleaccredited business school : GEM is recognized by the French Ministry of Higher Education and holds the prestigious "Triple Crown" accreditations (EQUIS, AACSB, AMBA) — a mark of academic and professional excellence.

A diverse, multicultural, and collaborative environment : Join a global community with participants from over 20 nationalities. At GEM, intercultural exchange fosters broader perspectives and builds a worldwide professional network.

A strong commitment to global transitions : Sustainability, energy, digital transformation, and social responsibility are embedded in your learning experience. GEM prepares you to tackle today’s most critical challenges through its dedicated research institutes: EnerG, Future of Work, and Moving Mountains.

An immersive and impactful learning experience : Through its EAGLE 2030 strategy and the GEM Alpine Immersive Learning Journey model, GEM offers a unique pedagogical approach combining in-person learning, virtual formats, and realworld challenges to develop actionable and responsible skills.

Dynamic campuses in strategic locations : Study in Grenoble, Lyon, Paris, or at international partner campuses. Each location offers strong industry connections, immersive Alpine experiences, and an outstanding quality of life.

One-of-a-kind innovation ecosystem in Europe : Located in the “Silicon Valley of Europe”, GEM partners with top organizations such as CEA, STMicroelectronics, and GIANT to deliver cuttingedge programs at the intersection of management, science, and technology — including France’s first Tech MBA.

GEM Alpin Campus

Located in the heart of the Alps, GEM’s Grenoble campus combines innovation, nature, and an outstanding quality of life. Students enjoy close proximity to mountains perfect for skiing, hiking, and mountain biking, while studying in a city known as a scientific and technological hub. Grenoble hosts numerous start-ups, research centers, and international companies, offering students ample opportunities for collaboration, internships, and projects. The city’s compact size allows for a lively and accessible student life.

Discover: The MSc Innovation Strategy Entrepreneurship program

Program specifics

The PhD program is divided into two phases:
• Phase 1: Years 1 & 2 are devoted to courses, seminars, and joint research projects with faculty members.
• Phase 2: Years 3 & 4 are devoted to dissertation work.

During Phase 1, students receive thorough and sophisticated training in the latest methods of inquiry and state-of-the-art knowledge. The program is taught entirely in English.

Training in a chosen field

Students lacking a business background may be required to follow courses from our Master of Sciences in Marketing or our Master of Sciences in Innovation and Technology Management. The specific choice of courses will be made on an individual basis. Possible courses include marketing management, management of innovation, brand management, and others.

Training in research

PhD students must participate in at least 300 hours of advanced PhD seminars over the first two-year period, including seminars on the most commonly used methodologies in business administration research (minimum: 200 hours). The goal is to provide students with the skills needed to effectively use a wide range of methods. Depending on their chosen concentration, students can choose which methodologies they wish to study in-depth.

Methodological Seminars

Year 1

Research Design
Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning
Introduction to Qualitative Research
Qualitative Methods
Questionnaire and Scale Development
Regression Analysis
Qualitative Analysis
Introduction to Theories of Management
Experimental Design

Year 2

Publishing and Reviewing Successfully
Pedagogy
Advanced Seminars in Strategic Management, in Marketing, in Behavioral Finance and in OT/OB
Qualitative Track: Ethnography/Philosophies of Management/Alternative Qualitative Methods/Theory Development/Qualitative Comparative Analysis/Computer-assisted text
Analysis
Quantitative Track: Multivariate descriptive Statistics/Econometrics/Experimental Analysis

Practical training in research

Immediately upon beginning the program, students are integrated into research teams and start working on at least one research project. Within these projects, they may be expected to perform several tasks, such as performing a literature review, investigating conceptual and theoretical developments, learning data collection supervision, designing experimental procedures, and writing a specific part of an article.

Students must also participate in internal research workshops. These workshops are usually organized on a weekly or bi-weekly basis by the various departments. They include presentations by internal or external participants and reading seminars. Students are also regularly asked to present their research at these workshops.

To pass Phase 1 and move on to Phase 2, each student must:

Validate all courses and seminars taken and maintain a cumulative GPA of 13/20;
Write a first-year paper (empirical papers are preferred);
Co-author at least one article for an international conference (e.g. AMA, AoM, ACR, EMAC, AFM, SMS, EGOS, AIMS, etc.);
Take and pass a comprehensive exam. This is a second-year paper that must provide a review of a key area of research in the student’s field of study. Submitted papers are similar to those which appear in the Psychological Bulletin, Journal of Economic Literature, or Academy of Management Review.
Present a detailed research project for the student’s dissertation.

At the end of Phase 1, students who have passed the requirements will be awarded an MPhil degree. In order to ensure that students are progressing adequately, student progress is formally reviewed each year.

This phase is devoted to the student’s dissertation work. The student will choose a PhD supervisor and two committee members who will provide guidance on specific topics.

The chosen committee members may be faculty members at institutions other than Grenoble Ecole de Management. Students may be able to defend their PhD on the basis of their publications.

The doctoral dissertation is designed to demonstrate that the candidate is capable of conducting significant independent scholarly research. It is expected to be of such scope, magnitude, and originality to indicate that the student has acquired sufficient knowledge in an area of study to demonstrate the ability to contribute to the field of study by producing new knowledge or a new outlook.

Discover: Career opportunities offered by the MSc Innovation Strategy Entrepreneurship

PhD candidates produce rigorous, high-impact research, making them highly attractive to the academic job market. The goal of our PhD Program is to develop researchers who can make an active contribution to knowledge and to society. Our program places PhD graduates in academic positions in Europe and worldwide.

Where our PhD graduates work

We currently have alumni in a variety of schools in France (ESCP Europe, EM Lyon, ESSCA, Rennes School of Business, Excelia Business School, Montpellier Business School, TBS Education, KEDGE, Ecole de Management Léonard de Vinci, ICN Business School), the UK (University of Exeter, University of Sussex, University of Liverpool, Manchester Metropolitan University, Cardiff University), the Netherlands (University of Groningen), Denmark (University of Copenhagen), Finland (Aalto University), Norway (Norwegian School of Economics), Sweden (Stockholm School of Economics, Jönköping University), Turkey (Sabanci Business School), Singapore (Singapore Management University), Columbia (Universidad des los Andes), the USA (University of California San Diego, Utah Valley University), Canada (HEC Montréal, , McMaster University).).

DBA or PhD? How to select the best path for your doctoral career

Learn about the the key differences between a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and a PhD in Business Administration at GEM. Discover which path aligns with your career goals and academic interests.

View the webinar

Funding and Fees

Our doctoral students can be fully funded, thanks to a work contract as research and teaching assistant, in which case they are granted a tuition waiver. The program will also consider applications from self-funded students or students who receive funding from another institution. In the latter situation, applications will be processed case by case as they are submitted.

Eligibility Requirements

Master’s Degree
Test score (with certificate) required for all candidates: either GMAT, GRE or TAGE-MAGE. Test preferably taken less than five years ago
English language test scores required for non-native English speakers (except for candidates holding a previous degree from an English speaking organization): TOEFL (above 100 for Internet-Based Text// above 600 for Paper-Based Text) or TOEIC (above 850). Test preferably taken less than five years ago. IELTS: above 7

Prior coursework in business administration is not mandatory for this program. Courses in related disciplines such as economics, mathematics, engineering, statistics, or psychology provide students with the necessary background for successful integration in our PhD program.

Selection Criteria

We recruit our PhD students based on:

Academic excellence (past grades, admission test scores, letters of recommendation)
Coherence of research interests and fit with the focus one of our research teams
Prior work and research experience
Language proficiency

Admission Requirements

In order to be processed, the application must comprise the following documents:

Statement of purpose explaining the reasons for your candidacy (objectives and motivation)
Copies of transcripts and diplomas (certified ones must be sent upon admission)
Copies of transcripts of past grades
TOEFL or TOIEC scores if required (see above): via ETS, use code number 7905 assigned to Grenoble Ecole de Management-Doctoral School.
GMAT or GRE scores: via ETS, select Doctoral School (PhD/DBA programs) as an institution listed for Grenoble Ecole de Management.
Current CV
A recent photograph (passport size)
At least two letters of recommendation completed by faculty or research scholars. They should address the applicant’s motivation, dedication and ability to undertake and successfully complete doctoral work.

Application

The recruitment campaign for the next intake will open December 22th 2025 and close February 28th of 2026. Program start date is September 1st 2026.

NOTE: Students who have an external funding or are self-funded may apply at any time irrespective of the above deadlines. If you are in that case, please start by reaching out to the program coordinator with your CV and description of the funding held.

Discover: Your international experiences during the MSc Innovation Strategy Entrepreneurship

Industry contacts

Grenoble Ecole de Management has excellent contacts in numerous industrial sectors, especially high- tech industries. We are part of GIANT, one of the most ambitious scientific projects in Europe, and this gives us access to exciting projects in fields such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, and alternative energy.

As companies and consumers face new challenges that require new theories and methods of study, our research aims to help shape the future.

An international environment

Our students benefit from an international environment: faculty and PhD students hail from every continent and classes are taught entirely in English . We have established contact with universities and research institutes worldwide, a fact that offers PhD students many opportunities to take advantage of shared projects and presentations with visiting professors. We encourage our PhD students to spend time at our partner institutions as visiting doctoral students.

Finally, our PhD students have the opportunity to teach in English, thanks to our international undergraduate and graduate programs.

Grenoble: a vibrant ecosystem

Grenoble is a wonderful place to live and study. It is not only a university town but also a scientific and industrial center. As a result, the city’s large international community is very active.

The city is literally at the foot of the French Alps, which offers countless possibilities for outdoor activities. It is also only a few hours away from Geneva, Switzerland; Italy; Paris; and the Mediterranean Sea, and there are easy train connections to all destinations.

Although it is difficult to summarize the many unique aspects of our PhD program, we hope we have given you a better feel for what makes it special. And of course, please take a look at what our own PhD students have to say about the program. We look forward to seeing you in Grenoble.

Discover: Our alumni stories and learn about their successes

Discover testimonials from doctoral students

As an associate professor at Emlyon, I have the chance to interact with PhD students or to be in the evaluation committee of different doctoral defenses. This makes me reflect on my PhD years and realize how enriching and happy my PhD life at GEM was! I had the chance to work with an excellent team of researchers, who always treated me as their equal (even if I was far behind their level of expertise), I had access to research tools that some schools only dream of (a research lab among others) and I was encouraged in all the steps of my learning experience by people that I will always consider as my (academic) family."

Prof. Mira Birau

The program is really great. From Day 1 you are incorporated in a multicultural and intellectually stimulating environment. You are rapidly offered work on various research projects with dynamic and passionate people. At the same time, you follow a steep learning curve thanks to the research seminars offered to PhD students."

Prof. Luc Meunier

The first thing to astonish me when I joined the GEM PhD program was the great support we get here as PhD students. We benefit from a high level of academic know-how combined with a young and entrepreneurial state of mind. Additionally, the reasonable size of the cohort makes it possible to be fully integrated within the research teams. At GEM, we are treated as ‘young researchers’ and not as ‘old students.' This makes a major difference! In the end, the PhD program meets all the conditions needed for an exciting and collective research adventure."

Vincent Pasquier

The Doctoral School is committed to valorizing the intellectual impact of our worldwide community of researchers to support the mission of Grenoble Ecole de Management.

As one of the top research-led business schools in Europe, is committed to the mission of growing and nurturing our Doctoral Community.

Learn more about the supportive network:

DBA ALUMNI AMBASSADORS

PHD STUDENT PROFILES

DOCTORAL KNOWLEDGE COMMUNITY JOURNAL

DOCTORAL KNOWLEDGE COMMUNITY BLOG

EVENTS: INFO SESSIONS & WEBINARS

Any further questions? Contact our advisors