Established on 31/01/2013 Faculty Board of School of Business and Economics Revised on 07/06/2017 Ref. no.: FAK 2017/3032-4.1.1.2 Third-cycle courses and study programmes at Linnaeus University are regulated in the Swedish Higher Education Act and Higher Education Ordinance, in addition to local regulations for third-cycle courses and study programmes established by the university. The university s working, decision-making and delegation regulations specify which body issues the decision. General study plan for third-cycle courses and study programme in Business Administration Scope of the education Degree of Doctor Generally, the degree of doctor requires four years of full-time study and after completed education of 240 credits, including one course component worth 90 credits and an academic dissertation (doctoral thesis) worth 150 credits. Degree of Licentiate Generally, the degree of licentiate requires four years of full-time study and after completed education of 120 credits, including one course component worth 50 credits and an academic dissertation (licentiate thesis) worth 70 credits. Course and study programme targets Degree of Doctor To be awarded the Degree of Doctor, the following outcomes must be met: Higher Education Ordinance, Annex 2 Qualifications Ordinance Knowledge and understanding For the Degree of Doctor the third-cycle student shall demonstrate broad knowledge and systematic understanding of the research field as well as advanced and up-to-date specialised knowledge in a limited area of this field, and demonstrate familiarity with research methodology in general and the methods of the specific field of research. 1
Competence and skills For the Degree of Doctor the third-cycle student shall demonstrate the capacity for scholarly analysis and synthesis as well as to review and assess new and complex phenomena, issues and situations autonomously and critically, demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues with scholarly precision critically, autonomously and creatively, and to plan and use appropriate methods to undertake research and other qualified tasks within predetermined time frames and to review and evaluate such work, demonstrate through a dissertation the ability to make a significant contribution to the formation of knowledge through his or her own research, demonstrate the ability in both national and international contexts to present and discuss research and research findings authoritatively in speech and writing and in dialogue with the academic community and society in general, demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge and demonstrate the capacity to contribute to social development and support the learning of others both through research and education and in some other qualified professional capacity. Judgement and approach For the Degree of Doctor the third-cycle student shall demonstrate intellectual autonomy and disciplinary rectitude as well as the ability to make assessments of research ethics, and demonstrate specialised insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used. Degree of Licentiate To be awarded the Degree of Licentiate, the following outcomes must be met: Higher Education Ordinance, Annex 2 Qualifications Ordinance Knowledge and understanding For the Degree of Licentiate, the third-cycle student shall demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the field of research including current specialist knowledge in a limited area of this field as well as specialised knowledge of research methodology in general and the methods of the specific field of research in particular. Competence and skills For the Degree of Licentiate, the third-cycle student shall demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues with scholarly precision critically, autonomously and creatively, and to plan and use appropriate methods to undertake a limited piece of research and other qualified tasks within predetermined time frames in order to contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as to evaluate this work, 2
demonstrate the ability in both national and international contexts to present and discuss research and research findings in speech and writing and in dialogue with the academic community and society in general, and demonstrate the skills required to participate autonomously in research and development work and to work autonomously in some other qualified capacity. Judgement and approach For the Degree of Licentiate, the third-cycle student shall demonstrate the ability to make assessments of ethical aspects of his or her own research, demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning. Entry requirements Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, Section 35 The requirements for admission to third-cycle courses and study programmes are that the applicant 1. meets the general and specific entry requirements that the higher education institution may have laid down, and 2. is considered in other respects to have the ability required to benefit from the course or study programme. General entry requirements Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, Section 39 A person meets the general entry requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if they: 1. have been awarded a second-cycle qualification 2. have satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or 3. have acquired the equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad. The higher education institution may permit an exemption from the general entry requirements for an individual applicant, if there are special grounds. Specific entry requirements Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, Section 40 3
The specific entry requirements laid down shall be essential for students to be able to benefit from the course or study programme. These requirements may comprise: 1. knowledge from higher education courses and study programmes or corresponding courses and study programmes. 2. specific professional or vocational experience, and 3. requisite language skills or other conditions determined by the course or study programme. Specific entry requirements for the subject of Business Administration Specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies in Business Administration are as follows: a minimum of 90 credits in the subject of Business Administration or in subjects linked to third-cycle studies in Business Administration or equivalent knowledge acquired otherwise, in Sweden or abroad at least 15 credits in second-cycle or third-cycle studies in the subject of Business Administration or in subjects linked to third-cycle studies in Business Administration, including an independent academic project at first or second-cycle level a good knowledge of English. Application Applications for third-cycle studies are regulated in Local admission regulations. To apply for the third-cycle studies, the appropriate application form shall be used. Students must include documents that confirm they meet the general and specific entry requirements, in addition to other documents required. Evaluation and selection criteria Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, Section 41 The higher education institution determines which assessment criteria shall be used in determining the ability to benefit from the courses and study programmes. In selecting between applicants who meet the requirements laid down in Sections 35 and 36 their ability to benefit from the course of study programmes shall be taken into account. However, the fact that an applicant is considered able to transfer credits from prior courses and study programmes or for professional or vocational experience may not alone give the applicant priority over other applicants. 4
When assessing ability to benefit from the studies in the subject of Business Administration, primary focus will be placed on: i) scholarly skills documented in academic work, particularly the quality of academic papers from second-cycle studies and other academic projects, ii) course grades, particularly from second-cycle studies, iii) the impression the applicant makes on the education council based on their qualifications, and iv) interview assessments. The application is further strengthened through the relevance and originality of the thesis plan, and through feasibility within the given timeframe, i.e., four-years of fulltime third-cycle studies and the equivalent of two years of full-time education for a licentiate degree. Admissions Admissions are regulated in Linnaeus University s local admission regulations and Local rules for third-cycle studies. Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, Section 36 A higher education institution may only admit applicants to third-cycle courses and study programmes who have been appointed to doctoral studentships or awarded doctoral grants. The higher education institution may, however, admit applicants who have some other form of funding for their studies if it considers that the funding can be guaranteed during the entire period of study and that the applicants can devote enough time to their studies to enable their completion within four years in the case of a licentiate degree or a licentiate degree in the fine, applied and performing arts or eight years in the case of a PhD or a doctorate in the fine, applied and performing arts. Funding available for third-cycle studies at Linnaeus University includes employment as a doctoral student (internally or externally funded), external funding through employment with another employer, reserved funds for lecturers, self-funding and scholarship funding. If an applicant wishes to be admitted using other means of funding than internally funded doctoral employment, the sustainability of the financing plan shall be assessed. Education allowance does not apply to Linnaeus University. More details of the funding requirements are available in the Local Rules for third-cycle studies. Regarding the departmental resources necessary for admission, the head of department must be able to prove that there is sufficient funding, insurance, supervisors and workplace available for four years of full-time studies. The principal supervisor, assistant supervisor and examiner will be appointed in conjunction with admission. In conjunction with new admissions to the third-cycle studies at Linnaeus University, course credits and completed thesis work that can be included at third-cycle can result in a reduction of the financing period and accumulated activities. The deducted period, which may only reach an equivalent of the total 5
activities accumulated previously by the doctoral student (for example a doctoral student with the final aim to complete the degree of licentiate admitted to complete a degree of doctor) shall take place with the doctoral student s best in mind, without more research funding than necessary being used. The deducted period must be documented in the admission decision, the individual study plan and in Ladok. Organisation of third-cycle studies The organisation of third-cycle studies is regulated in Local rules for third-cycle studies and in the university s working, decision-making and delegation regulations. Supervisor Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 28 At least two supervisors shall be appointed for each doctoral student. One of them shall be nominated as the principal supervisor. The doctoral student is entitled to supervision during his or her studies unless the vice-chancellor has decided otherwise by virtue of Section 30. A doctoral student who so requests shall be allowed to change supervisor. Requirements One principal supervisor and at least one assistant supervisor shall be appointed for each doctoral student. A principal supervisor must have a minimum qualification of docent and employed by Linnaeus University (unless special circumstances exist), and have undergone supervisor training or equivalent. An even distribution of genders between supervisors is to be attained to the greatest extent possible. Diversity is generally sought in the subject of Business Administration. The principal supervisor may not be the examiner. The assistant supervisor may be the examiner, only prior to the Research Proposal. Tasks The main tasks of a supervisor are to help the doctoral student develop into an independent researcher with a scholarly attitude and to support the doctoral student through their studies so the qualitative targets can be met. Together with the doctoral student, the principal and assistant supervisors plan the supervision. Planning shall be stated in the individual study plan, likewise the division of responsibility and work between the principal supervisor, assistant supervisor and examiner. It is the duty of the principle supervisor to establish and revise the individual study plan. Supervisors will help with the choice of thesis topic and together with the doctoral student, structure this in a way that will make completion of the studies in the given timeframe possible. It is also the supervisors duty to review the manuscript and other material, suggest relevant literature and confer with the examiner and the doctoral student about the courses to be included in the studies. The supervisors must also prepare the doctoral student for the public defence of the thesis. 6
Examiner Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 32 Examinations that form part of third-cycle courses and study programmes shall be assessed in accordance with the grading system prescribed by the higher education institution. The grade shall be determined by a teacher specially nominated by the higher education institution (the examiner). (SFS 2010:1064) Requirements An examiner will be appointed to each doctoral student in conjunction with their admission. Examiners must have a minimum qualification of docent and employed by Linnaeus University (unless special circumstances exist). The principal supervisor may not be the examiner. Tasks After consultation with the principal supervisor and the doctoral student, the examiner decides which courses are to be included in the studies and their scope. They also have the overall responsibility to ensure the results are entered into the Ladok system. In consultation with the supervisor, the examiner will decide on which previous studies or activities such as courses, or course components may be accredited. The examiner is responsible for ensuring the examination and assessment of the thesis manuscript has been conducted prior to the application for the public defence of the doctoral thesis, and verifies when all presentations have been completed so that the degree of licentiate or doctor can be awarded. Department and head of department Generally, doctoral students work at a department. As the department s manager, the head of department has overall financial responsibility and is responsible for continuous working environment tasks related to both the physical and psychosocial work environment. Structure and contents of the studies Individual study plan Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 29 An individual study plan shall be drawn up for each doctoral student. This plan shall contain the undertakings made by the doctoral student and the higher education institution and a timetable for the doctoral student's study programme. The plan shall be adopted after consultation with the doctoral student and his or her supervisors. The individual study plan shall be reviewed regularly and amended by the higher education institution to the extent required after consultation with the doctoral student and his or her supervisors. The period of study may only be extended if there are special grounds for doing so. Such grounds may comprise leave of absence because of illness, leave of absence for service in the defence forces or an elected position in a trade union or student organisation, or parental leave. 7
The individual study plan is a work plan for the study route, thesis work and supervision up until graduation. The plan is created by the principal supervisor and the third-cycle student, in consultation with the examiner. It is to be reviewed at least once per year. The review must clearly state the progression of the studies. It is the duty of the principal supervisor to ensure that the study plans and reviews are implemented. If the parties who establish and revise the individual study disagree on the content, description of division of responsibility and work, undertakings and/or reviews, and one party cannot agree upon signing the individual study plan, the matter must be dealt with in accordance with Linnaeus University s decision making and delegation regulations. Departmental duties Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5, Section 2 Those appointed to doctoral studentships shall primarily devote themselves to their studies. Those appointed to doctoral studentships may, however, work to a limited extent with educational tasks, research, artistic research and administration. Before a PhD or a doctorate in the fine, applied and performing arts has been awarded, however, duties of this kind may not comprise more than 20 per cent of a full-time post. This work is referred to as departmental duties. Doctoral students whose appointment comprises 50 %, may not include departmental duties in their employment. Departmental duties are funded by the department for which the work is being conducted, and are usually financially regulated within the doctoral student s employment. In practice, this means that a doctoral student s period of study may be extended by the number of hours spent teaching. Ideally, doctoral students will not conduct any departmental duties in their first year, as thesis work should be prioritised. Courses Tuition is in the form of individual supervisions, courses and seminars. The student is expected to actively participate in research seminars for the subject throughout their studies. The examiner determines the elective courses to be included in the degree, after consultation with the doctoral student and the principal supervisor. External courses provided by other higher education institutions or departments may be included after an assessment of each case by the examiner. The decision to accredit such a course shall be made based on documentation in the form of records obtained from Ladok, course certificates and other information about the course content. The accreditation will be documented in the individual study plan and Ladok. The following calculation refers to higher education credits as credits. Degree of Doctor Compulsory courses Philosophy of Science 7.5 credits Methodology and methods 30 credits (of which at least 7.5 credits qualitative and at least 7.5 quantitative features) 8
Active seminar participation 7.5 credits Total compulsory courses 45 credits Elective courses Within or outside elective subject courses 45 credits (of which a maximum 15 credits in individual courses) Total courses 90 credits Degree of Licentiate Compulsory courses Philosophy of Science 7.5 credits Methodology and methods 22.5 credits (of which at least 7.5 credits qualitative and at least 7.5 quantitative features) Total compulsory courses 30 credits Elective courses Within or outside elective subject courses 20 credits (of which a maximum 7.5 credits in individual courses) Total courses 50 credits Course syllabuses Management of course syllabuses at third-cycle level is specified in the Local rules for third-cycle studies. Course examinations Each course is examined through an oral or written examination, or a report or presentation. The examination format is chosen by the course examiner and is specified in the syllabus. Each examination is assessed by the course examiner and the grade of either pass or fail is awarded. Advanced seminar Participation in the advanced seminar aims to provide the student with training in participation in academic discussions within the subject, and the ability to discuss their work in an academic forum. Doctoral thesis The thesis component comprises 150 credits. 9
For the degree of doctor, the student must compose an academic dissertation (doctoral thesis). The thesis shall be based on individual research and be significant to research within the chosen research area. The requirement for independence does not exclude the thesis work from being included in a larger research project. The thesis may be a cohesive academic project, a monograph thesis, or a compilation thesis. A monograph thesis is usually an integrated, cohesive sole-authored manuscript divided into chapters, that addresses one and the same theme. It is recommended that doctoral students who wish to do so from the start, or at least at an early stage of the thesis process focus on writing a monograph thesis. The thesis should not exceed 300 printed pages. A compilation thesis should normally contain the equivalent of three to five articles as well as an introductory chapter (kappa). The articles must be of such a standard and quality deemed suitable for publication. One of them should be accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal or in an anthology of a high quality. In addition to a summary, the introductory chapter may include a discussion of the theoretical basis of the work, and links to existing research. The introductory chapter should also discuss the connection between the articles. If any of the articles have been co-authored, the individual author contributions shall be specified in the preface. A thesis with two or more co-authors can be approved for a doctoral thesis if the authors' individual contributions are evident. The thesis can be written in Swedish or English. If the thesis is written in Swedish, there must be a summary in English. If the thesis is written in English, there must be a summary in Swedish. 10
Quality assurance of thesis work The preliminary subject of a doctoral thesis is to be chosen in consultation with the principal supervisor upon admission to third-cycle studies. The thesis topic should be specified and defined at the earliest possible stage. The following public seminars are conducted within the framework for the doctoral thesis: The Research Proposal (RP) seminar should be conducted no later than at the end of the second semester. This is intended to discuss the feasibility of the project proposed by the doctoral student, to emphasise that the doctoral student continues with the topic, and to provide advice prior to continued work. The RP shall include: a description of the current, academic topic along with a theoretically based explanation of the interests, and the subject s position related to different possible theoretical approaches a definition of the aim of the research project and its theoretical and practical relevance a discussion of possible methods and justification of the method the doctoral student intends to use a schedule. Three external reviewers shall be present at the seminar, of which one will have docent skills and a minimum of a doctoral degree, one will have a doctoral degree or higher and the third will be a doctoral student. The doctoral student s principal supervisor will be the chair. Immediately after the seminar has been carried out, in consultation with the principal supervisor and external reviewers with doctoral degrees, the examiner will decide whether the doctoral student s RP can be approved. Once the RP has been approved, the doctoral student will receive 3.5 credits for the planned thesis work. A midway seminar is conducted once the doctoral student has completed around half of the work required for a completed doctoral thesis; usually during the sixth semester. The seminar is structured in the same way as the RP seminar. Once the midway seminar has been approved, the doctoral student will receive a further 42.5 credits for the planned thesis work. The final review will be conducted once the thesis is deemed to be near completion, generally during the ninth semester. It aims to provide the doctoral student with final recommendations prior to completion of the thesis. One of the three external reviewers at the final seminar will be from outside the School of Business and Economics. Otherwise, the same conditions as for the three previous seminars will apply. Once the final review has been approved, the doctoral student will receive a further 42.5 credits for the planned thesis work. The specified times are those usually expected from a doctoral student with an 80 % degree of activity at third-cycle level. Doctoral students with a different degree of activity are expected to follow the specified times that have been adapted to their schedule. In addition to the compulsory seminars, the supervisors, examiners and doctoral students shall agree on additional seminars. 11
Licentiate thesis The thesis component comprises 70 credits. For the degree of licentiate, the student must compose an academic dissertation (licentiate thesis). The thesis shall be based on independent research and be of a high academic quality. The requirement for independence does not exclude the thesis work from being included in a larger research project. The licentiate thesis may be a cohesive academic project, a monograph thesis, or a compilation thesis. A monograph licentiate thesis is usually an integrated, cohesive sole-authored manuscript divided into chapters, that addresses one and the same theme. It is recommended that doctoral students who wish to do so from the start, or at least at an early stage of the thesis process focus on writing a monograph thesis. The licentiate thesis should not exceed 150 printed pages. A compilation thesis should normally contain the equivalent of two-to-three articles as well as an introductory chapter (kappa). The articles must be of such a standard and quality deemed suitable for publication in an academic forum. The licentiate thesis can be written in Swedish or English. Licentiate theses written in Swedish are to have a summary in English. Licentiate theses written in English are to have a summary in Swedish. Quality assurance of licentiate thesis The preliminary subject of a licentiate thesis is to be chosen in consultation with the principal supervisor upon admission to third-cycle studies. The thesis topic should be specified and defined at the earliest possible stage. The following public seminars are conducted within the framework for the licentiate thesis: The Research Proposal (RP) seminar and final review will be conducted following the rules for doctoral thesis seminars. In addition to the compulsory seminars, the supervisors, examiners and doctoral students shall agree on additional seminars. Examination of doctoral thesis The doctoral thesis shall be defended at a public defence of doctoral thesis. An application for the public defence of doctoral thesis must have been received by the deciding body no later than two months prior. The application is to be made using the Anmälan om disputation form. See Local rules for third-cycle studies for details of what is to be included in the application. Notification of the date of the defence of a doctoral thesis ( spikning ) must take place at least three weeks before the defence. The spikning physically takes place at the university library and electronically through publication on the university DiVA database. The thesis may be a monograph or a compilation thesis. A minimum of 100 copies must be available when notification of the date of defence is made. The thesis may not be corrected or supplemented after the defence. Linnaeus University Press will supply university regulations for the design of the thesis. 12
The external reviewer must be suitable for the role of docent at the least (unless special circumstances exist) and be from another higher education institution. An examining committee must include three or five members. At least one member of the committee must be from outside Linnaeus University. The committee shall have no more than one member who is active in the same subject/environment as the doctoral student. All committee members should be docents at the least, or have similar skills. The doctoral student's supervisors may not be included in the examining committee. Both genders shall be represented in the examining committee. Diversity is generally sought in the subject of Business Administration. The regulations for participation in the examining committee of a doctoral thesis also apply if a substitute joins the group in the event of the death of an original member. Deviation to the above (plus the external reviewers docent skills) are to be justified in the application for the public defence. The doctoral thesis will be awarded the grade of fail or pass. When the grade is awarded, consideration shall be paid to the content and defence of the thesis. For the degree of doctor, passing grades must have been obtained for the courses included in the studies and the doctoral thesis. Once all the requirements for the degree of doctor have been met, it is the responsibility of the examiner to ensure this is documented in Ladok. The student must apply for the degree. Examination of licentiate thesis The licentiate thesis shall be defended at a public seminar. An application for the licentiate seminar must have been received by the deciding body no later than two months prior. The application is to be made using the Anmälan om licentiatseminarium form. See Local rules for third-cycle studies for details of what is to be included in the application. Notification of the date of the seminar must take place at least three weeks before the licentiate seminar. The notification shall be conducted electronically via the university publication database DiVA and posted on the website. The thesis may not be corrected or supplemented after the seminar. The faculty determines the graphic layout for a licentiate thesis. External reviewers, examining committees and chairperson will be appointed for a licentiate seminar. The grade for a licentiate thesis is awarded by the examining committee. The external reviewer must be suitable for the role of docent at the least (unless special circumstances exist), however hold a minimum of a doctoral degree or equivalent skills, and be from another higher education institution. An examining committee must include three or five members. At least one member of the committee must be from outside Linnaeus University. The committee shall have no more than one member who is active in the same subject/environment as the doctoral student. All committee members should be docents at the least, or have similar skills. The doctoral student's supervisors may not be included in the examining committee. Both genders shall be represented in the examining committee. Diversity is generally sought in the subject of Business Administration. The regulations for participation in the examining committee of a doctoral thesis also apply if a substitute joins the group in the 13
event of the death of an original member. Deviation to the above (plus the external reviewers docent skills) are to be justified in the application for licentiate seminar. The licentiate thesis will be awarded the grade of fail or pass. When the grade is awarded, consideration shall be paid to the content and defence of the thesis. For the degree of licentiate, passing grades must have been obtained for the courses included in the studies and the doctoral thesis. Once all the requirements for the degree of doctor have been met, it is the responsibility of the examiner to ensure this is documented in Ladok. The student must apply for the degree. Prefix to degree title For research degrees within the subject of Business Administration, the prefix economics or philosophy will be used. Possible interim regulations in relation to earlier general syllabuses Third-cycle students admitted based on previous general syllabi may still complete their degree in accordance with these documents, provided the current higher education ordinance is followed. Doctoral students admitted to the older syllabuses, ref. no. 571/2008-64 and ref. no. 770/2004-64 may change to the applicable general syllabus by applying to the decision body. 14