showSidebars ==
showTitleBreadcrumbs == 1
node.field_disable_title_breadcrumbs.value ==

Ph.D. in Business (General Management)

URL Path for Pages
phdgm
...

Ritu MEHLAWAT

PhD in Business (General Management), 2024

Research Interests
Real estate, digital infrastructure, globalisation
Dissertation
Beyond Borders, Beyond Boundaries: How Globalisation Affects Real Estate Prices ()

Name: PHANG Sock Yong
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Celia Moh Chair Professor of Economics, School of Economics
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Melvyn TEO
Role: Dissertation Chair
Designation: Lee Kong Chian Professor of Finance, LKCSB
University: Singapore Management University

Name: ZHANG Hong
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Professor of Finance, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

...

DANG Dinh Tuan

PhD in Business (General Management), 2023

Research Interests
Impact of commission scheme on property transaction time
Relationships between financial accessibility and property price
Relationships between stock market performance and property price
Dissertation
Can a Tobin tax curb speculation in housing market?
A study on effect in primary market of Hong Kong tax policy ()

Name: GENG Xuesong
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Strategic Management, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: LOW Kee Yang
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Assoc Prof of Law, School of Law
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Chiraphol New CHIYACHANTANA
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Assistant Professor of Finance (Education), Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: LIM Kian Guan
Role: Dissertation Chair
Designation: Professor of Finance, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

...

TAN Kok Yew

PhD in Business (General Management), 2023

Research Interests
- communications
- marketing
- strategic management
- technology
Dissertation
Learning to Outsmart a Crisis: A Strategic Management View on Managing Aviation Crises with Machine Learning ()

Name: GENG Xuesong
Role: Dissertation Chair
Designation: Associate Professor of Strategic Management, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: CHENG Shih-Fen
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Computer Science, School of Computing and Information Systems
University: Singapore Management University

Name: YEO Su Lin
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Communication Management (Practice), Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

...

WU Huimin

PhD in Business (General Management), 2023

Research Interests
ESG
Green economy
Regional Macro economy of ASEAN
Dissertation
Do subsidies promote the R&D Efficiency of Green Innovation? Empirical evidence from China ()

Name: FU Fangjian
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Finance, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: MA Lin
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Assistant Professor of Economics, School of Economics
University: Singapore Management University

Name: LI Jia
Role: Dissertation Chair
Designation: Lee Kong Chian Professor of Economics, School of Economics
University: Singapore Management University

...

Caleb CHU Chun Kwan

PhD in Business (General Management), 2023

Research Interests
Culture
Power
Innovation
Dissertation
Loose Purse Strings, Loose Cultures:
How resources affect cultural tightness-looseness and creativity in large and small organizations ()

Name: Roy CHUA
Role: Dissertation Chair
Designation: Professor of Organisational Behaviour, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Hannah CHANG Hanwen
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Marketing, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Angela LEUNG
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Professor of Psychology, School of Social Sciences
University: Singapore Management University

...

Seema CHOKSHI

PhD in Business (General Management), 2023

Research Interests
Seema's research is related to factors that build trust in Artificial Intelligence and the role of AI Ethics in AI adoption in Management.
Dissertation
Can organizational focus on Responsible AI lead to improved AI adoption by employees? ()

Name: GUO Zhiling
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Information Systems, School of Computing and Information Systems
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Shantanu BHATTACHARYA
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Lee Kong Chian Professor of Ops. Mgmt., Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: WANG Jiwei
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Assoc Prof of Accounting (Practice), School of Accountancy
University: Singapore Management University

Name: GENG Xuesong
Role: Dissertation Chair
Designation: Associate Professor of Strategic Management, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

...

TAN Lai Hing

PhD in Business (General Management), 2022

Research Interests
Artificial Intelligence
Chatbots
Financial services distribution models (including customer experience, distributor experience and employee experience)
Board effectiveness
Leadership
Technology investments in financial services, particularly in insurance
Dissertation
Consumer Reaction to the use of AI Chatbot on Distribution of General Insurance in Singapore ()

Name: Lim Ai Ching
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor, Division of Marketing
University: Nanyang Technological University

Name: GENG Xuesong
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Strategic Management, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Hannah CHANG Hanwen
Role: Dissertation Chair
Designation: Associate Professor of Marketing, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: CHENG Shih-Fen
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Computer Science, School of Computing and Information Systems
University: Singapore Management University

...

Ashish BHARDWAJ

PhD in Business (General Management), 2022

Research Interests
The Higher Education industry
Dynamic capabilities and firm performance
Leadership
Dissertation
Exploring the operationalization of market sensing in a higher education organization ()

Name: Shantanu BHATTACHARYA
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Lee Kong Chian Professor of Ops. Mgmt., Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Havovi JOSHI
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Director, Centre for Management Practice, SMU
University: NA

Name: Patrick THNG
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Principal Lecturer of Information Systems, School of Computing and Information Systems
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Philip Charles ZERRILLO
Role: Dissertation Chair
Designation: SMU-affiliated Doctoral Dissertation Committee faculty, LKCSB
University: Singapore Management University

...

Srishti BANERJEE

PhD in Business (General Management), 2022

Research Interests
Leadership
Culture
Diversity
Dissertation
Why and how do leaders differentiate? ()

Name: Gary GREGURAS
Role: Dissertation Chair
Designation: Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Christian Tröster
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Leadership and Organizational Behavior
University: Kühne Logistics University

Name: BASHSHUR Michael Ramsay
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour & Human Resource, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

...

Stefan Jürg WERMELINGER

PhD in Business (General Management), 2022

Research Interests
Leadership
Authentic leadership
Leader and employee mindfulness
Team development
Performance management
Promotions
Internal mobility
Turnover intention and actual turnover
Leader-Member-Exchange
Dissertation
Team development through leader mindfulness and authentic leadership - Leader mindfulness as an antecedent to authentic leadership and its impact on team development seen in turnover intention, actual turnover, performance, and promotions ()

Name: Jochen REB
Role: Dissertation Chair
Designation: Professor of Organisational Behaviour & Human Resources, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Samantha Sim
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Assistant Professor
University: Nova School of Business and Economics

Name: BASHSHUR Michael Ramsay
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour & Human Resource, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

...

Deddi TEDJAKUMARA

PhD in Business (General Management), 2022

Research Interests
Dynamic Capability of the Firm
Innovation Capability Development
Leadership for Transformational Changes.
Dissertation
Exploring Diversity and Depth of Knowledge, Metacognition, and Individual Ambidexterity ()

Name: Gary GREGURAS
Role: Dissertation Chair
Designation: Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Michael Daniels
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Assistant Professor, Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources Division
University: UBS Sauder School of Business

Name: BASHSHUR Michael Ramsay
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour & Human Resource, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

...

KIM Moo Kung

PhD in Business (General Management), 2021

Research Interests
Mike Kim's research area includes CSR (ESG), Corporate governance, Corporate finance and International business.
Dissertation
REDEFINING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE FIRM: INSIGHTS FROM THE CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DIGITAL PLATFORM-BASED FIRMS AND STOCK RETURNS ()

Name: Johan Sulaeman
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Finance
University: National University of Singapore

Name: GENG Xuesong
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Strategic Management, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Jimmy LEE
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Accounting, School of Accountancy
University: Singapore Management University

Name: LIANG Hao
Role: Dissertation Chair
Designation: Associate Professor of Finance, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

...

Lenz TAN Koon Bin

PhD in Business (General Management), 2021

Research Interests
Lenz has strong interests in the field of behavioural finance and financial trading. He is intrigued that in a rule-based trading environment, it seems that the psychology and bias of the trader determine the trader’s success.
Dissertation
The effects of prior trading performance have on risk-taking of subsequent trading - The House Money Effect. ()

Name: HU Jianfeng
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Finance, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Melvyn TEO Song Wee
Role: Dissertation Chair
Designation: Lee Kong Chian Professor of Finance, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Jimmy LEE
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Accounting, School of Accountancy
University: Singapore Management University

...

LAY Charlie Nhuc Hiang

PhD in Business (General Management), 2021

Research Interests
Monetary policy, macroeconomics, geopolitical trends, digital currencies, and the financial markets.
Dissertation
CBDC: Challenges, conditions, and context for a successful adoption ()

Name: Henry CHAN Hing Lee
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Visiting Senior Research Fellow
University: Cambodia Institute for Cooperation and Peace

Name: Mandy THAM
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Finance (Education), Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: LOW Kee Yang
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Assoc Prof of Law, School of Law
University: Singapore Management University

Name: LIM Kian Guan
Role: Dissertation Chair
Designation: OUB Chair Professor of Finance, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

...

Leon QIU Tianci

PhD in Business (General Management), 2021

Research Interests
n/a
Dissertation
The cost of Cheap Talk: How campaign promises and default contributions affect donation-based crowd funding success. ()

Name: LIM Jamus
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Economics
University: ESSEC Business School

Name: ANG Ser Keng
Role: Dissertation Chair
Designation: Principal Lecturer of Finance, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: LIANG Hao
Role: Dissertation Co-Supervisor
Designation: Associate Professor of Finance, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

...

Alan TEA Jiun Haw

PhD in Business (General Management), 2021

Research Interests
Strategic Management
Dynamic (Managerial) Capabilities
Organizational Behavior
Personality
Cognitive Linguistics
Pragmatics
Dissertation
Microfoundations of Dynamic Managerial Capabilities: A Personality Perspective ()

Name: GENG Xuesong
Role: Dissertation Chair
Designation: Associate Professor of Strategic Management, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Chi-Ying CHENG
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Psychology, School of Social Sciences
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Howard THOMAS
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Professor Emeritus of Strategic Management & Management Education, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

...

CHEN Yongchang

PhD in Business (General Management), 2021

Research Interests
Customer Satisfaction, Customer Experience, Ageing, Digital Transformation.
Dissertation
Two studies exploring the effects of ageing cohorts and channel usage on the antecedents and consequence of customer satisfaction ()

Name: Jin Kyung HAN
Role: Dissertation Chair
Designation: Professor of Marketing, School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Shantanu BHATTACHARYA
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Lee Kong Chian Professor of Ops. Mgmt., School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Marcus Lee
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Marketing, School of Business
University: Singapore University of Social Sciences

...

Vincent LIM Boon Seng

PhD in Business (General Management), 2021

Research Interests
Strategic Management
Dissertation
Do Chief Financial Officers need to be accountants? A study of whether and when accounting qualification may not be necessary for CFOs. ()

Name: Samuel TAN
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Assistant Professor of Accounting, School of Accountancy
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Denis LEUNG Heng Yan
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Professor of Statistics, School of Economics
University: Singapore Management University

Name: TAN Wee Liang
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Strategic Management, School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: David GOMULYA
Role: Dissertation Chair
Designation: Associate Professor of Strategic Management, School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

...

XIE Tianni

PhD in Business (General Management), 2020

Research Interests
Strategic Management, Sustainability, Digital Transformation, Innovation
Dissertation
Dual Agenda Innovation: A Study of How Firms Pursue Economic and Environmental Goals Simultaneously ()

Name: MA Dan
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Associate Professor of Information Systems, School of Information Systems
University: Singapore Management University

Name: GENG Xuesong
Role: Dissertation Chair
Designation: Associate Professor of Strategic Management, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Gerry GEORGE
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Lee Kong Chian Chair Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

...

Dietmar KAPPEL

PhD in Business (General Management), 2020

Research Interests
Strategy
Innovation
Entrepreneurship
Organisational Behaviour
Economics
Dissertation
Resilience as an Organisational Capability:
A study of how firms survive and outperform in disruptive times ()

Name: Gerry GEORGE
Role: Dissertation Chair
Designation: Lee Kong Chian Chair Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Daniel MACK
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Assistant Professor of Strategic Management, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
University: Singapore Management University

Name: Andreas B. Eisingerich
Role: Dissertation Committee Member
Designation: Professor of Marketing Imperial College Business School
University: Imperial College London

Enquiries may be directed to:-

Graduate Research Programmes Office
Singapore Management University
Lee Kong Chian School of Business
50 Stamford Road, #04-01
Singapore 178899
Tel: +65 6828 0882
Email: lkcsbpd@smu.edu.sg


SMU Campus Map

1. Submit Online Application

For New User

For Existing User

For Existing User
(Created before 16 December 2024)

You need to first register for an account with SMU before you can submit an online application form. Click on "Register New Account" below to proceed.

If you have already created an account with SMU, please go directly to the Login page to proceed with your application.

SMU has launched a new application portal on 16 December 2024. If you have already created an account with SMU, please go directly to the Login page to proceed with your application.

Register New Account

Login Now

Login Now

2. Supporting Documents:

Please read the following instructions carefully before completing your application. Supplementary instructions are given in each section of the application form. Once you have completed the form, we suggest you keep a copy for your record. Please complete the application form accordingly and attach copies of the documents as instructed. Your application will only be processed when we have received all the documents and payment.

The following supporting documents are required for the application. A scan or photograph of the documents are to be submitted online or via email to lkcsbpd.admissions@smu.edu.sg.

Verification: Our Admissions Team will contact you again to arrange for a time to have these documents certified true copies at our SMU Campus. Alternatively, you may make an appointment with us to submit the certified true copies of your supporting documents, or have it delivered to us either by hand or by mail to the address below.

  1. Identification Document(s)
    • A copy of front and back of your NRIC (for Singapore Citizens)
    • A copy of front and back of your NRIC, Re‐entry Permit and Passport (for Singapore Permanent Resident)
    • A copy of your passport (for International Students)
  2. Current Detailed Resume

  3. Academic Certificates and Transcripts
    This includes the academic certificates and transcripts for a recognised Bachelor's degree, and where applicable, a Master's degree.

    For non-English certificates or documents, a copy of the original certificates or documents and the notarised / official English translation must be submitted. You will be required to produce the originals or official certified-true-copies of your documents for verification when requested.

  4. Two Referees' Reports
    Two letters of recommendation (referees' reports) which should be provided by members of industry and/or academia. One of the letters should come from the current employer (if applicable).

    In the online application, input in the referees' details (name, mailing address, email address, contact numbers, organization and designation). After the online application is submitted, your referee(s) will receive an e-Referee Report via email from SMU. Referee is required to complete the e-Referee Report and click the submit button at the end of the Report. It will take approximate 5-10 minutes to complete. Please notify your referee(s) to lookout for email.

    Alternatively, you may send the referee report template to your referees via email: Referee Report Template.

    Completed referee template forms should be addressed to lkcsbpd.admissions@smu.edu.sg.

  5. Two Personal Statements
    Please upload the 2 personal statements in the online application form.
    • The American President, Abraham Lincoln once said, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." As a leader your decisions will have tremendous impact on a great many others. Please give an example of when you realized this in your career. (300-500 words)
    • Please state how you believe that a Ph.D. in Business (General Management) will affect your career progression and, or, your professional performance. Please be sure to let us know about some of the factors that affect the competitive capability of your business concern, and the common activities that you engage in to create value for your enterprise. (500-750 words)
  6. GMAT / GRE or SMU Admissions Test
    GMAT / GRE
    A good GRE or GMAT score is needed for admission into the programme. Kindly note that the GMAT / GRE score is valid if taken within the last 5 years. You may first submit the test taker copy of the GMAT/GRE score while requesting the Educational Testing Services (ETS) to send the official score to SMU.

    GMAT Registration Information: https://www.mba.com/the-gmat-exam.aspx
    GRE Registration Information: https://www.ets.org:443/gre/

    SMU’s institution code for GMAT for this programme is F8D-7V-47, and SMU’s GRE institution code is 2861. Applicants are advised to keep an original for their record.

    Or, SMU Admissions Test
    Applicants may take the SMU Admissions Test in lieu of the GMAT or GRE. Details of the test will be sent to the candidate upon the completion of the application. Please click here to view the SMU Admissions Test Factsheet.

  7. Other Supporting Documents (if any)

  8. Application Fee
    Once online application is submitted, please click "Login Now" as Existing User to make your payment online (VISA or Master Card). Payment can be made by cheque or bank draft (to be in favour of Singapore Management University). Online application received without the application fees will not be processed.

Address & Contact Details:

Graduate Programmes Office - PhD(GM) Programme
Singapore Management University
Lee Kong Chian School of Business
50 Stamford Road, #04-01
Singapore 178899
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Contact numbers: +65 6828 0882

Email: lkcsbpd.admissions@smu.edu.sg

Programme Structure and Curriculum

The Ph.D. in Business (General Management) programme is a full-time programme, structured in an Intensive Executive Residential format. More details on the curriculum in the next question.

The first year of the Ph.D. in Business (General Management) programme consists of approximately up to 468 contact hours of lectures and seminars, conducted over a period of 6 weeks. In Year 1, students will be back to SMU campus for a 6-days residential segment (study week) on average of every two months for their 12 credit units coursework. From Year 2 onwards, upon satisfactory completion of coursework and passing of the Qualifying Examination (QE), students will be back to SMU campus for 4 sessions of 3-half days Research Techniques Workshops every quarterly. Students will start to prepare and submit an individual oral presentation of their dissertation topics.  After the presentation has been approved, students can proceed to work on their dissertations under the supervision of the Lee Kong Chian School of Business or its affiliate network.

The minimum duration of the programme is 3 years, though students may take up to approximately 4 years to complete. The maximum duration allowed is 5 years (subject to extension approval for 5th year).

The foundation and research courses in Year 1 coursework are designed to help students familiarise with the various business and research domains, and to be equipped with the skills to conduct rigorous research for the dissertation.  The students are expected to submit the proposal for research topic to the Dissertation Committee by a stipulated date during the mid of Year 2, upon the completion of their coursework and Qualifying Examinations.

There will be no exemption or waiver for the courses.

Students are expected to attend all the courses physically at SMU, and also subsequently to meet regularly with their dissertation supervisor and committee advisory members every 3 months until successful completion of their PhD Dissertation.

For more details, please refer to Programme Structure and Curriculum.

Admissions and Eligibility

The minimum requirements for admission to the programme are:
a) Good Bachelor's degree from an accredited University
b) Good GMAT or GRE results (to be obtained within 5 years from date of application), or SMU Admission Test results
c) Minimum of ten years of relevant work experience
d) Proficiency in English Language. 

More information about preparing and registering for GMAT and GRE can be obtained from the GMAT website and GRE website respectively.
SMU's GMAT institution code is as follows:
Ph.D. in Business (General Management): F8D-7V-47
SMU's GRE institution code for this programme is 2861.

We do not have a minimum GMAT/GRE score as each applicant is evaluated on all the overall credentials as well.

You can send the rest of the application to us, even if you have not taken the GMAT/GRE. However, we will not process your application without your GMAT/GRE score by the end of the application period. You should fax or email us your unofficial scores as soon as you receive them, and if required, arrange with the test centre for the official score report to be sent to the Graduate Research Programmes Office in SMU.

Candidates are encouraged to take the GMAT or GRE. Candidates may take the online SMU Admission Test as a replacement for GMAT or GRE. Test detail will be sent to candidate once the online application is completed.

Applications

To apply for the Ph.D. in Business (General Management) programme, please submit an online application via our website and submit the required supporting documents in hard copies via post or by hand before the application deadline.

Yes, there is a non-refundable application fee of S$300, which is already inclusive of GST.  Kindly note that applications received without the application fee will not be processed.

Partial scholarships may be granted to outstanding candidates at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.  Please contact the Graduate Research Programmes Office for more details.

For more details, please refer to Admission, Fees & Scholarships. 

Teaching

PhD(GM) programme is taught by a team of dedicated SMU faculty who have extensive research experience in their respective areas of specialty. To facilitate the modular delivery of the coursework and to provide a unique doctoral experience, some courses may be taught by distinguished visiting faculty as well.

For more details, please refer to Faculty.

Fee

Amount

Comments

Application

S$100

Non-refundable and non-transferrable.

Tuition

S$137,340

(Inclusive of GST)*

S$12,000 non-refundable deposit upon acceptance of offer/before admission.

First Payment: S$29,202 at the start of programme.

Second Payment: S$41,202 by the mid of Year 1.

Third Payment: S$27,468 by the beginning of Year 2.

Fourth Payment: S$27,468 by the mid of Year 2.

The tuition fees are valid for 4 years of the programme. There may be a fee waiver for the 5th year. Additional tuition fees inclusive of GST (S$20,000 before GST) is required per annum for the 6th and 7th year.

*Goods and Services Service Tax (GST) is a tax collected on behalf of the Singapore Government and will be charged at the prevailing rate. Amounts above based on the Dec 2023 intake.

Note: Base tuition fees before GST do not change once student enters the programme, and it does not include meals, air travel, and accommodation expenses incurred in Singapore and overseas. Singapore Management University reserves the right to alter tuition fees for the new incoming cohorts when required.

Admissions Intake and Application Period

There are 2 intakes each year which commence in May and December.


Apply for May Intake

Apply for Dec Intake

Online application period

Closing: 30 January

Closing: 30 August

Completion of SMU Admissions Test

2 weeks before

application closing date

2 weeks before

application closing date

Interview and admission consideration

By 20 February

By 20 September

Offer, Online Matriculation, Tuition Fee payment

By 15 March

By 15 October

Admissions Criteria

  • Good Bachelor's degree from an accredited University
  • Good GMAT or GRE results, or good SMU Admission Test results
  • Minimum of 10 years of preferably relevant work experience
  • Proficiency in English Language

Selected applicants will be scheduled for an Admission Interview by the Admissions Committee as part of the application process. For more details, please contact us (lkcsbpd@smu.edu.sg) before applying.

The Transformative Power of Mindful Leadership: Insights from Dr Nina Tan

From the glass-clad boardrooms of corporate powerhouses to the verdant campus of SMU, Lee Kong Chian School of Business (LKCSB) Adjunct Faculty Nina Tan's journey is one of drive, curiosity, and tenacity.

Following an illustrious career in the corporate world, Dr Tan pursued her PhD in Business Management at SMU — delving into Business Management, Leadership and Organisation Behaviours, and Human Resources.

Read More

Are customers happier in an ageing and digitalising world?

As demographics shift, and services transform, how are businesses meeting the needs of their customers? As Chen Yongchang, SMU PhD candidate in Business (General Management) discovered, seniors are less satisfied than younger customers, and going digital is not always ideal in keeping customers satisfied and loyal.
Read More

Can businesses balance their ESG goals and growth comfortably? Totally.

Is balancing ESG values with revenue generation is an insurmountable challenge? In SMU PhD in Business (General Management) candidate Tianni Xie (Tracy), she proposes that firms are more likely to achieve superior environmental and economic performance (E2) performance by engaging innovation that integrates environmental goal with economic goal, and by making deliberate decisions along the innovation process to achieve both goals.
Read More

Why Workplace Transparency is Trending Now

We speak with Tan Hwee Hoon, SMU LKCSB Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour & Human Resources., whose research interests include Interpersonal Trust in Organisations, on what workplace transparency means during the pandemic and the ways in which companies can cultivate a culture of candour and openness.
Read More

Examining the Real Costs of US Manufacturing Decoupling Strategies

"When the top two economic superpowers lock horns in a trade scenario, there will be repercussions felt globally," notes Jonathan Chee, a Doctor of Philosophy in Business (General Management) Graduate at the SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business.
Read More

Why sustainable investing is becoming mainstream

What’s in a name? Sometimes, it can clearly signal a changing of the times.
Read More

Some of our distinguished Faculty members involved in the programme include:

Click here to access to SMU faculty Directory.

Srinivas K.Reddy

Professor of Marketing 
Director, Centre for Marketing Excellence
Academic Director, LVMH-SMU Asia Luxury Brand Research Initiative

View Profile
Tan Kim Song

Associate Professor of Economics (Practice)

View Profile
GENG Xuesong

Associate Professor of Strategic Management

View Profile
Melvyn TEO

Lee Kong Chian Professor of Finance
Deputy Dean (Faculty & Research)

View Profile
Shantanu Bhattacharya

Lee Kong Chian Professor of Operations Management
Deputy Dean (Programmes)
Academic Director, PhD in Business (General Management)

View Profile
Jochen REB

Professor of Organisational Behaviour & Human Resources; Director, Mindfulness Initiatives

View Profile
Yu Jun

Lee Kong Chian Professor of Economics and Finance; Program Co-Director, Master of Science in Financial Economics

View Profile
Toru YOSHIKAWA

Full-time Faculty
Professor of Strategic Management

View Profile
LOW Kee Yang

Full-time Faculty
Associate Professor of Law; Special Advisor to the Dean, SOL

View Profile
Kapil Tuli

Lee Kong Chian Professor of Marketing
Director, Retail Centre of Excellence

View Profile
Don Ferrin

Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources

View Profile

The minimum duration for the programme is three years. Most students, however, are expected to take approximately four years to complete the programme.  Students are required to apply for extension of study at least 3 months prior starting of their Year 5 and addtional tuition fee are chargable to students. The maximum duration of the programme is five years, unless special prior approval for a longer duration has been granted by SMU

Curriculum

Total graduation requirement = 40 Credit Units (CUs). The curriculum consists of completion of the following:

Year 1
  • Coursework (12 CUs)
Year 2 onward
  • A qualifying examination that demonstrates competency over Year 1 coursework
  • 4 Advance Research Techniques Workshops (3-half day seminars)
  • Completion of dissertation (28CUs)

(A) Coursework (12 credit units):

The courses are designed to familiarise students with the various business domains, their evolution and the current state of research and theory in the domain.  The Research Techniques Workshops are intended to equip the students with the additional skills and insight to conduct rigorous research.

The coursework consists of approximately up to 468 contact hours of lectures and seminars or workshops, conducted over a period of 6 intensive residential segments during the first year of the programme. Each course will be assessed by the instructor, and the method of assessment may be a written examination, take-home examination, project or essay. Instructors will give a grade for each section of the course and the final grade will be based on the overall assessment of the course. Students must pass the courses to the satisfaction of the instructors.

The typical format of a course is generally comprised of three phases:

Phase 1 
(pre-work)		Students are to complete an estimated 15 hours of work per course before each segment, in the form of preparatory readings and/or assignments.
Phase 2
(Segment)		Students are to attend 24 hours per course (total of 12 courses) in SMU during the intensive residential segments.
Phase 3 
(post-segment)		Students may also complete up to 15 hours of work per course, during or after the course in the form of assignments, projects, or other additional course requirements.

List of Coursework Curriculum (subject to change):

  • Marketing Strategy
  • Theory Construction and Research Design
  • Strategic Management
  • Strategic Management II
  • Organisational Behaviour
  • Decision Making & Leadership 
  • Finance
  • Corporate Finance
  • Political Economy : Global and Regional
  • Basic Research Methodology & Statistics
  • Research Methods And Multivariate Statistics
  • Operations Management (0.50CU)
  • Legal Knowledge & Strategy for Senior Management (0.5CU)

Coursework / Segment Dates:
Coursework will be conducted in 6 week-long study blocks (segments) in Year 1. Segments schedule is subject to change.

The following are the segment dates for the intake starting May 2025.


Monday to Saturday (full day Seminar)
Segment 119 - 24 May 2025
Segment 214 - 19 July 2025
Segment 36 - 11 October 2025
Segment 48 - 13 December 2025
Segment 52 - 7  March 2026
Segment 618 - 23 May 2026

The following are segment dates for the intake starting December 2025


Monday to Saturday (full day Seminar)
Segment 18 - 13 December 2025
Segment 22 - 7 March 2026
Segment 318 - 23 May 2026
Segment 4July 2026
Segment 5October 2026
Segment 6December 2026

(B) Qualifying Examination (QE):

After completing 12 credit units of coursework, students are required to pass the Qualifying Examination (QE). There are 4 exam areas in the QE (Finance, Marketing, OBHR and Strategy & Organisation). Students will choose 2 exam areas as their QE.

(C) Dissertation (28 credit units):

(i) Supervision and formation of PhD Dissertation Committee

Upon completion of coursework, students will proceed to work on his / her dissertation. Students will be working on their dissertations under the supervision of his/her Dissertation Committee and are expected to meet regularly with their dissertation supervisor and committee members advisory for one week every 3 months until successful completion of their PhD Dissertation.  

The PhD Dissertation with the Dissertation Committee consisting of one dissertation supervisor (Chair of the Dissertation Committee), one SMU faculty members and one member outside of the discipline group which may or may not be a SMU faculty member. The members of the Dissertation Committee are appointed by the School in consultation with the dissertation supervisor. 

The student is expected to form their Dissertation Committee no later than the beginning of Year 2.

(ii) Oral proposal of dissertation proposal

The student is expected to submit the written dissertation proposal and orally defend the dissertation proposal to the Dissertation Committee upon the completion of the PhD Qualifying Examination and no later than the mid of Year 3.

(iii) Final defence of dissertation

After passing the Oral proposal Defence, student is expected to submit the Final Dissertation to Dissertation Committee no later than mid of Year 4. After reading the written dissertation report, the Dissertation Committee will conduct a final oral examination in which the student will orally defend the final dissertation.  Revision and resubmission of the dissertation may be required by the Dissertation Committee.  The Dissertation Committee will examine the dissertation and make a recommendation to the SMU Graduate Research Programmes Office regarding fulfillment of the dissertation requirement for the degree.

It is expected that all dissertation work is to be performed by the student and that their report is to be 100% original unless properly cited.

Subscribe to Ph.D. in Business (General Management)

Follow us on