Job and Research

The PhD program generally comprises three years, depending on specific progress during the program. New doctoral groups start in the summer and winter semesters (March and October, respectively). In advance, the participating universities select suitable candidates for PhD positions. Prerequisites for admission include a first-class Master's degree in a relevant sub-discipline such as Business Administration, Computer Science, or Information Systems, significant professional experience, a well-defined research proposal, and a convincing personality.

In parallel with talent selection, corporate partners are sought for the program. The split between job and research is 80/20. Therefore, corporate partners offer 80% of positions with content relevant to their own innovation strategy. The company-related content is captured in advance through documents and discussions. Subsequently, a matching process is conducted between the candidates' interests and competencies and the available company profiles. The filling of the defined company position can take place before or directly with the start of the academic program.

International Cooperation

The PhD program is a pioneering initiative that emphasizes global cooperation and cross-cultural academic exchange. The program is structured around a unique partner model that includes renowned universities from Israel (Tel Aviv University), Finland (Aalto University), Switzerland (University of St. Gallen), Romania (UBB), and Great Britain (UoW). The international structure aims to offer students diverse perspectives, access to world-class research facilities, and the opportunity to collaborate with leading experts.

Dissertation and Defense

The pivot point of the PhD program is the dissertation, a relevant research work that provides new insights in the field of research. The dissertation process includes:

• Creation of a Research Proposal: Presentation and defense of a research idea to describe the planned research project.

• Implementation and Publication of Sub-projects: Execution of research projects, analysis of results, and publication of at least three sub-publications in relevant journals and at suitable conferences.

• Defense: Presentation of the dissertation before a review committee, defense of the methodology, results, and conclusions.

Doctoral Seminars and Methodology

The Design Science Research (DSR) approach is set as the methodological framework for the implementation of individual research projects. This refers to the development and evaluation of a practice-relevant artifact (e.g., a prototype, framework, or code) that takes into account relevant theoretical foundations and the concrete requirements of the application environment. DSR is particularly suitable for the scientifically grounded development of practice-relevant prototypes, methods, and processes. The individual phases of the DSR approach are supported by six doctoral seminars, each lasting an entire week. Some doctoral seminars are held at partner universities abroad.

The individual seminars relate to the following focal points:

• Research Idea and Research Proposal: Research Design, Introduction to Design Science Research.

• Analyzing the Knowledge Base: Systematic Literature Reviews, Multivocal Literature Reviews, Identifying Research Gaps, Research Contributions.

• Analyzing the Application Environment: Requirements Engineering, Artefact and System Design.

• Developing Design Science Artefacts: Methods and Tools for the Conceptualization of Models, Model-based Thinking, Model Deployment.

• Evaluation and Testing of Design Science Artefacts: Test Design and Test Implementation, Working with Test Data.

• Publishing in Top Journals and Conferences: Dissemination of Research Results, Communication Impact and Contributions, Writing a Dissertation, and Defending Research Results.