Advanced Research in Economics and Management

The PhD programme in Advanced Research in Economics and Management is a highly qualified three-year course designed to train researchers capable of tackling the challenges of research in the economic and managerial sciences with methodological rigour and innovative vision.
The study programme provides doctoral students with a solid interdisciplinary preparation, advanced analytical tools and international organisations. 

Enrolment in the PhD course is open to holders of:

• Master's or specialist degree
• Bachelor's degree from the previous system (old system)
• Similar academic qualification obtained abroad, recognised as equivalent to those mentioned above second-level academic qualifications, for the sole purpose of participation in the competition for admission to the PhD course

Undergraduates may also apply for admission to the selection, with the obligation to obtain their degree by 31.10.2025

To consult the Call for Proposals and the Course Schedule click on the following link:

The PhD is divided into the following stages:

• 1st year, acquisition of research fundamentals and definition of the thesis project;
• 2nd year, development of the thesis and period of visiting research at international universities or research centers;
• 3rd year, completion of the dissertation and participation in national and international scientific conferences.

The first year is devoted to the acquisition of the basic knowledge required to structure a solid and coherent research project. The training activities are divided into three pillars: 

• Theories and Methods, with theoretical and methodological courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, management theories, bibliographical research, research design, quantitative and qualitative techniques, tools for data analysis
   
• Applications, with seminar and teaching activities built in coherence with individual research topics, aimed at the critical analysis of specific cases and contexts
   
• Soft skills and scientific communication, with transversal activities dedicated to the development of transversal, linguistic and digital skills, considered essential for research design, communication and management

The course enables the development of doctoral research projects in a variety of theoretical and applicative fields, embracing both political, applied and agri-food economics, as well as the economic-business disciplines (business economics, economics and management of enterprises, economics of financial intermediaries), with a focus on the methods of analysis supporting these disciplines. Research is developed in areas of scientific and social relevance, with both academic and managerial spin-offs.

In particular, the thematic areas activated include:

• Innovation and competitiveness: industrial policies and sustainable growth models
• Branding and value creation: impact of innovation on marketing and consumer behavior
• Corporate governance and innovation: new models of control and performance measurement
• Corporate Finance: capital structure, investment strategies, and risk management
• Innovation and sustainability in agrifood supply chains
• Ethics and sustainability in the relations between economy, business, and society

Training is divided into two levels:

• Methodological and multidisciplinary,  mainly concentrated in the first year, to provide transversal knowledge on quantitative and qualitative analysis methods, modelling techniques and data processing tools;
• Specialised, developed in the following two years, with the inclusion of the doctoral student in a research group consistent with his/her project and with the provision of a stay at a qualified foreign institution to support internationalisation and methodological comparison.

The total training load is 180 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) over the three years, with an average of 60 ECTS per year. At least 40 ECTS are dedicated to curricular training activities, of which 35 in the disciplinary field and 5 in the interdisciplinary field. The acquisition of credits requires active attendance and a positive assessment by the teacher responsible for the course or laboratory.

Scientific progress is monitored through annual reports, mid-term evaluations of the research project, and public presentations before the Faculty Board and interested parties. Particular emphasis is placed on participation in scientific conferences, publication of articles in peer-reviewed journals and the inclusion of doctoral students in national and international research networks.

The course is intended as a doctoral programme, based on a solid integration of theoretical investigation, methodological innovation and international openness, capable of training scholars and professionals ready to face the challenges of contemporary economics and management with competence and vision.

The PhD programme in Advanced Research in Economics and Management aims to prepare researchers and professionals capable of making significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge and the management of contemporary economic and managerial dynamics, with a rigorous, innovative, and interdisciplinary approach.
The objective is achieved through the transmission of advanced analytical tools, qualitative and quantitative methods, and project skills that enable PhD students to make complex decisions in the economic and management fields, operating with autonomy and critical awareness in academic, institutional, and corporate contexts.
The didactics, articulated in courses, seminars and workshops, is designed to sharpen the ability to analyse, support the development of original research projects and promote active participation in the international scientific community. The educational structure of the PhD programme is divided into three fundamental dimensions.
 

• Methodological training: the doctoral students will acquire advanced skills in economic and managerial analysis, focusing on both quantitative methods and qualitative analysis. The programme places particular emphasis on computational techniques and tools for collecting, processing and interpreting data.
• Disciplinary specialization: each doctoral student is assigned to a research group that aligns with their academic discipline, thereby facilitating a tailored and comprehensive training programme aimed at cultivating a dissertation that is both scientifically robust and innovative.
• International experience:  participation in research programmes at foreign universities and centres of excellence is strongly encouraged, to foster comparison with advanced methodologies and integration into international scientific networks.