The Research Programmes Office (RPO) is the central point for all formal inquiries regarding postgraduate research programmes at the KNUST School of Business (KSB). Our office is located in the Postgraduate Building, 2nd floor (Room SF 04). We offer personal consultation hours from Monday to Friday (8am to 5pm). We are also available for meetings via Zoom and MS Teams (please arrange a date via e-mail). The school has appointed a PhD Coordinator to assist PhD students with advice and information regarding all aspects of the PhD programme at KSB.
The main responsibilities of the Reaserch Programmes Coordinator are to support Doctoral and MPhil candidates and their supervisors, maintain a high standard of postgraduate research education and ensure compliance with all pertinent regulations and instructions. The main duties of the coordinator include the following:
- To provide information and advice on doctoral education (such as seminars, scholarships, conferences, etc) to the department’s current and prospective doctoral students
- To organize orientation seminars, introduce new doctoral students to their specific departments and update the doctoral website with current information about doctoral education at KSB
The primary objective of the PhD in Business Management is to cultivate exceptional scholars who will embark on distinguished careers in education and research. The program is also designed to facilitate the production of socially beneficial research. Consequently, the research must address contemporary issues within the business sector, aiming to enhance business management practices, foster social responsibility, and inform governmental and industrial policies.
The program is designed to provide candidates with a comprehensive understanding of contemporary management concepts and best practices in business. Students will collaborate closely and intensively with a supervisory team comprised of faculty members from the KNUST School of Business (KSB) to generate new knowledge in their areas of interest, which may include Management Information Systems, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Leadership and Organizational Development, Marketing, and Human Resource Management. This collaborative environment will facilitate interdisciplinary discourse and the exchange of ideas among KSB faculty, industry experts, and candidates, enabling them to review and explore innovative concepts while developing analytical skills essential for effectively addressing complex real-world challenges.
The program aims to equip students to pursue a diverse array of career opportunities, particularly within academia, research, and business consulting. The PhD program is a full-time course of study, typically spanning three to four years.
The Research Programmes Office (RPO) typically has several key responsibilities and functions, which may include:
- Program Administration: Overseeing the administration of research programmes, including managing applications, admissions, and student progress.
- Policy Development: Establishing and implementing policies and guidelines related to research, ensuring compliance with institutional and regulatory standards.
- Support Services: Providing support to faculty and students, including guidance on research methodologies, funding opportunities, and ethical considerations.
- Training and Development: Organizing workshops, seminars, and training sessions to enhance research skills and knowledge among faculty and students.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Tracking the progress and outcomes of research projects, assessing their impact, and reporting findings to relevant stakeholders.
- Communication and Outreach: Disseminating research findings and promoting the research programs through publications, conferences, and public engagement activities.
- Quality Assurance: Ensuring the quality and integrity of research conducted within the institution by maintaining high academic standards.
- Advisory Role: Acting as a resource for faculty and students, providing advice on research strategies, best practices, and career development opportunities.
- Funding Coordination: Assisting in the identification and application for research funding, including grants and scholarships, and managing financial resources for research activities.
These functions contribute to fostering a vibrant research culture within KNUST School of Business, supporting the development of scholars, and advancing knowledge in various fields.
Admission to the PhD program occurs once annually, and at the time of application, all applicants must possess:
- A Bachelor's (Honours) degree with First-Class or Second-Class Upper Division, or its equivalent, from a recognized higher education institution.
- A Master’s degree by research in a relevant business and management subject area (e.g., Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Marketing, Accounting and Finance, Strategy, Human Resource Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Management Information Systems, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, International Business, or Hospitality and Tourism), or its equivalent, from a recognized higher education institution.
Applicants holding a Master’s degree by research in a non-business discipline from a recognized higher education institution, in conjunction with a professional qualification in the relevant discipline area for which they are applying, will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
At the time of application, applicants must possess strong Bachelor’s degrees (First-Class or Second-Class Upper Division or their equivalents) and Master’s degrees (MPhil, MBA, MSc, or MA) in the relevant fields (e.g., Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Marketing, Accounting and Finance, Strategy, Human Resource Management, Supply Chain Management, Management Information Systems, International Business, or Hospitality and Tourism), from a recognized higher education institution.
- Completion of the admission application form in full (online).
- Payment of the requisite application fees
- Submission of relevant certificates (e.g., academic certificates and transcripts). Note: Foreign certificates must be certified by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).
- Submission of two (2) academic recommendation letters attesting to the applicant's ability to undertake doctoral studies.
- Submission of a personal statement outlining the motivation to pursue the degree program.
All applicants are required to submit a 3-to-5-page research proposal (1.5 spaced, 12-point font size, 1-inch margins, and inclusive of references and appendices) that addresses the following:
- Initial title of the research
- Explanation of Research Problem: Applicants should explain the research problem and discuss its significance, addressing its implications for theory, practice, and policy.
- Research Objectives: Following the discussion of the research problem, applicants must clearly articulate the objectives of their research.
- Contribution to Knowledge: Applicants should explain how their proposed research will contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the identified field of business and management, as well as how it can assist managers and policymakers in addressing significant challenges within the domain.
- Methodological Issues: Applicants must briefly elaborate on the following methodological aspects, with each addressed in a separate paragraph:
- Context of Proposed Research: Describe the context in which the proposed research will be conducted (e.g., agriculture, healthcare, Fintech, banking, mining, etc.).
- Data Collection Approaches: Indicate the methods of data collection that will be employed, specifying whether qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods will be utilized.
- Proposed Sampling Frame: Discuss the proposed sampling frame and provide a rationale for its selection.
- Informants/Respondents: Identify the proposed informants or respondents and outline the criteria that will be used for their inclusion or exclusion in the sample.
It is strongly recommended that applicants engage in discussions regarding their proposals with academic staff at the KNUST School of Business and secure a tentative agreement from a faculty member (at the senior lecturer rank) who would be willing to supervise the proposed research. The name of the supervising academic staff member should be clearly indicated on the cover page of the proposal.
We offer the following Specializations in our PhD Business and Management Programme
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Management Information Systems
- Procurement and Supply Chain Management
- Human Resource Management
- Accounting Finance Marketing
- Organizational Leadership
- Hospitality and Tourism Management
Three (3) Academic Years (Full Time only)
Successful candidates will start in the first semester of the ensuing/following/succeeding academic year and be required to be physically resident on KNUST campus during the entire duration of study, including weekend classes, seminars, industrial visits and examinations.
- Candidates must purchase an eVoucher at the following banks: Ghana Post Offices, Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB), Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG), Ecobank or at the Accounts Office of the School of Graduate Studies, KNUST.
- Upon payment of the money, candidates will receive an eVoucher containing an application number and PIN that will grant access to the online admissions portal.
- Candidates should then proceed to the online admissions website: https://apps.knust.edu.gh/admissions/ to begin the application process.
The fees for 2024/2025 have not been set yet. As a guide, the fees for PhD Business and Management (Full – Time) for the 2023/2024 academic year were as follows:
- Ghana Students (per annum): GH¢18,000
- International (per annum): GH¢18,000
Your fees will cover the cost of your study at KSB, as well as registration charges, tuition, supervision, examination and library services.
Limited numbers of PARTIAL scholarship awards may be available to highly deserving candidates from low-income and disadvantaged backgrounds. Preference will be given to deserving female applicants.
More information about financial aid and scholarships/fellowships available to graduate students include:
- Center of Applied Research Innovation in Supply Chain-Africa (CARISCA) Affordable Sustainability for Logistics Networks in Ghana (ASONG)
- OR Thambo Chair Scholarship (KNUST)
- Director of Students Affairs (DOSA)
- International Programmes Office (IPO)
- Ghana Scholarship Secretariat
- Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND)
- The Regional Transport Research and Education Centre, Kumasi (TRECK)
Coordinator
Deputy Cordinator
