PhD in Strategic Management and Organization

Strategic Management and Organization is a multi-disciplinary program that provides students with the opportunity to examine a wide range of topics, foundational as well as domain-specific.  

The foundational topics consist of organizational theory, organizational behavior, human resources management, industrial relations, and strategic management. Organizational theory examines the design and structure of organizations; the complementary processes of differentiation (the division of labor and the grouping of functions) and integration (the distribution of authority); the relationship between organizations and their social, political, institutional, and economic environments; and the nature and role of politics, power, and conflict that may result from inherent tensions in coordinating a range of disparate functions and interests. Organizational behavior examines the theories and research pertaining to individual and team behavior in a variety of organizational contexts, as well as the management implications of this research. Typical topics covered include work attitudes, motivation, leadership and culture. Focal behavioral outcomes typically include performance, citizenship, absenteeism and turnover. Human resources management is focused on the employment relationship and exposes students to a variety of theory, research, and management strategies.  A number of substantive literatures are covered (e.g., recruitment and selection, socialization, training and employee development, performance management, employee relations, compensation and rewards).  Industrial relations exposes students to classical IR theories and themes such as industrial relations systems theory, historical development and theories of the labor movement, strategic choice approach, and the roles of the main industrial relations actors (unions, management, and government).Strategic management has as its focus an analysis of the organization in its environment, examining the processes by which organizations position themselves and seek to marshal resources and capabilities to support and implement strategies. It is concerned with how organizations match, or fail to match, organizational capabilities and strengths with external opportunities and constraints.  

Illustrative domain-specific topics include entrepreneurship, family enterprise and technology commercialization. PHD courses in these domain-specific topics are offered on a rotating basis. 

Research conducted in these areas uses either qualitative or quantitative methods (or mixed methods) to examine interesting questions about organizations and people within organizations.

The faculty for this major are members of the Department of Strategic Management and Organization; click here to learn about them and their research. An area representative coordinates the program and sits on the Business Ph.D. Policy Committee. Most administrative matters are handled by the Ph.D. Office for the Business School.

Major Area Course Requirements

Each doctoral student in organizational analysis must complete SMO 705 and any three of SMO 701, 702, 703, 707, 708 and 709.

SMO 701. Seminar in Organization Theory 
This course introduces students to the major schools of thought in organization and management theory. It considers the development of the field, major and foundational works in these schools of thought, and provides a cognitive map with which to evaluate contemporary research and debates. At the end of the course the student will have an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each major perspective.  Prerequisite: Registration in Business PhD Program or written permission of instructor. Approval of the Business PhD Program Director is also required for non-PhD students.

SMO 702. Seminar in Human Behavior in Organization
This seminar examines theory and original research within the field of organizational behavior. The course covers a range of topics, including job performance, work attitudes (e.g., organizational commitment, job satisfaction), motivation, trust, justice, individual differences (e.g., personality), team structure and processes, power, leadership, and organizational culture. The primary emphasis is on the field’s classic, ground-breaking and/or provocative articles. Overall, the course exposes students to current research thinking and strategies within the field.  Prerequisite: Registration in Business PhD Program at the University of Alberta or written permission of instructor. Approval of the Business PhD Program is also required for non-PhD students.

SMO 703. Seminar in Strategic Management 
This course examines the current state of knowledge in strategic management. Topics may include the sources of competitive advantage, the role of industry evolution and technology, the organization of top management, and managerial decision-making and cognition. The course introduces students to alternative theoretical perspectives and available empirical evidence related to these topics.  Prerequisite: Registration in Business PhD Program or written permission of instructor. Approval of the Business PhD Program Director is also required for non-PhD students.

SMO 705. Seminar in Contemporary Issues  
This course is designed to provide a holistic viewpoint on the life and work of a management professor. As students move through their doctoral program and into their first academic jobs, there are several skills and understandings that will be important for them to develop, with the ultimate goal of making their careers ones that are fulfilling. This course helps ground the students in a broad range of the basic skills they will build on over their careers. To that end, this course focuses on professional development, including research, teaching, presenting, and being a positive contributing member of the academe. Prerequisite: Registration in Business PhD Program or written permission of instructor. Approval of the Business PhD Program Director is also required for non-PhD students.

SMO 707. Seminar in Special Organizational Topics 
This course examines special domain-related topics currently popular within organizational research. Topics will vary from one seminar to the next depending on instructor expertise, student interest and advances within the field. Illustrative topics include (but are not limited to) entrepreneurship, family enterprise and technology commercialization.  Prerequisite: Registration in Business PhD Program or written permission of instructor. Approval of the Business PhD Program Director is also required for non-PhD students.Minor Area Requirements.

SMO 708. Seminar in Industrial Relations Foundations
Readings topics will include industrial relations systems theory, historical development and theories of the labor movement, comparative industrial relations systems, and collective bargaining theory.  Prerequisite: Registration in Business PhD Program or written permission of instructor. Approval of the Business PhD Program Director is also required for non-PhD students.

SMO 709. Seminar in Human Resource Management Foundations
A readings seminar that covers related core theories, research and best-practices applications. Topics cover the primary content areas of planning, job design/redesign, recruitment and selection, training and development, performance management, compensation, and various contemporary topics (e.g. international issues).  Prerequisite: Registration in Business PhD Program or written permission of instructor. Approval of the Business PhD Program Director is also required for non-PhD students.

Research Methods Courses   

Other appropriate research methods course may be substituted with approval.

Cognate Minor

A minimum of any four elective courses in a relative discipline.  Elective courses for the Cognate Minor must be approved by the supervisor.