Paris
Doctoral Programme

Corporate finance, asset pricing and banking

Students are trained to apply econometric methods but also to develop theoretical models.

Thesis examples:

• “Anti-Corruption Laws and Firms Behavior: Lessons from the FCPA Enforcement Activity” (Olivier Greusard, under the supervision of Prof. P. Bunkanwanicha, July 19)
• “Non-Regulatory Incentives and Bank Behavior: the Stock-market, Taxes and Social Capital” (José Martin Flores, under the supervision of Prof. C. Moussu, June 19)
• “Bank-firm relationships, competition and asymmetric information”(N. Taillet, under the supervision of Prof. M. Troege, 2022)

Uncertainty, behaviour (effectuation), cognition, sustainable entrepreneurship and legitimation of creative projects

Students tackle issues related to contemporary and emerging entrepreneurial theories.

Thesis examples:

• Conforming or Rejecting Gender Stereotypes among Women Entrepreneurs (Diana Garcia Quevedo, under the supervision of Prof. Caroline Verzat, 2024)

Social studies of accounting

Students unpack the control and performance management issues facing organisations.

Thesis examples:

• « Ethique, quantification et évaluation dans un appel d’offres : la modernisation de l’Etat au prisme de la sélection des consultants » (Eléonore Brouard, under the supervision of Prof. Claire Dambrin,2024)
• “The imaginary infrastructure of AI: an accounting technology” (Elise Berlinski, under the supervision of Prof. Philippe Zarlowski, 2020)

Strategy, organisation, human resource, and organisational change

Students tackle issues from competitive analysis to the study of individual behaviours.

Thesis examples:

• « Incumbents' response strategies to category emergence in the digital platform age. The case of European retail banking (2013-2023) »(Matilde Guilhon, under the supervision of Prof. Régis Coeurderoy, 2024)
• « Travail et non-travail : Telle est la gestion ? Une étude du travail, du professionnalisme et de leurs (non)sens à la lumière des activités de non-travail au bureau » (Sophie Rauch, under the supervision of Prof. Hervé Laroche, 2023)

Consumer behaviour, branding, planning and promotion, channel management, and digital marketing

Students tackle issues pertaining to consumer, corporate and organisational phenomena.

Thesis examples:

• “A sense of who we are”: Towards a better understanding of family identity negotiation through consumption(Mathilde Lapostolle, under the supervision of Prof. Julien Schmitt)
• “Influence de la culture sur les réponses face à une violation de données personnelles” (Christelle Aubert-Hassouni, under the supervision of Prof. S. Macé, 2023)

Sustainability challenges and transitions in management research

Students tackle issues linked to “grand challenges”, environmental and social transitions.

Thesis examples:

• “Building bridges to overcome organisational distance in the supply network” (Anne Ratsimandresy, under the supervision of Joe Miemczyk, 2023)

The official online application process: completion of the application form by candidates, before the deadline specified in the Admission Calendar, and provision of the required documents:

• Motivation letter
• Up to date resume
• Research Statement (1500-2000 words)
• 3 recommendation letters (a minimum of 2 academics and 1 professional if relevant). You may download the template here
• copies of diplomas and degrees,
• transcripts of most recent degrees,
• IELTS or TOEFL results as a proof of English language proficiency (required score: IELTS 7, TOEFL 100).  Both TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS are serving as a proof of a good working knowledge in English. Non-native English speakers applying to the programme are required to take the test unless they have a university degree from an institution located in an English-speaking country. Test score should not be older than 4 years to be acceptable.
• any research material that might be useful (dissertation, paper...) in .pdf format,
• copy of your ID or passport,
• 1 digital photo,
• application fees (20€) and payment agreement

The research statement (around 4-5 pages long) should give you the opportunity to present a research topic you would like to study. This research topic does not necessarily commit you once for all and leaves room forpossible re-orientations. It must however, give you the opportunity to make a first academic contribution - ie to present a topic with a research question, elements of theory to address your research question, and a first idea of your research design. Your research statement should specify the following points:

1. what your research issue is;
2. why this research issue makes sense (theoretical perspective);
3. why this research issue is relevant (empirical perspective);
4. what your research design could be.

This research statement really matters to optimise the match between your objectives and the requirements of a PhD thesis. Of course, we are aware that you are at the beginning of the process. That is why during your first year you are free to consolidate, modify and sometimes redraft your research project.

Your motivation letter will help the jury to understand better what your expectations are, and how you see your evolution in the programme and beyond. Entering a post master programme for four years is a huge decision. We need to be mutually convinced that it is really the right choice for you. Do not forget to justify your choice of specialisation or indicate whether you are still open to different options.