byDinesh
Updated on - 2 Jul, 2024
Organizational Behavior Ph.D. is an academic program that prepares individuals for the research and analysis or human behavior within the context of organizations. This is a multidisciplinary program in which learners are exposed to matters such as leadership, group process, organizational culture and development, globalisation, and multiculturalism at the workplace. Taking on average, 4-6 years to complete, the full-time Ph.D. program in Organizational Behaviour is the focus of this paper. The first 2 years focus on class work which includes such areas of study as research methods, statistics, organizational theory and behavior, consumer behavior, social psychology, among others. This is in turn followed by comprehensive exams. Following this comes the stage of carrying out one’s own research and the defense of a dissertation which should present an original research in the area of Organizational Behavior.
Standardized entrance exams accepted for a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior program are: the General Graduate Record Examination which has sections that assess one’s verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing ability; the Graduate Management Admission Test, which determines one’s verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing ability; and, at times, the Miller Analogies Test, which is an examination that measures one’s analogical reasoning ability. The minimum scores needed for the program may also differ from one university to another providing the doctoral program. Letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose are also important documents that should be submitted in the application process.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Doctor of Philosophy (Organizational Behavior) |
| Duration | 4-6 years (Full-time) |
| Course Level | Doctoral Program |
| Eligibility | Master's degree in a related field (e.g., Psychology, Business Administration) |
| Top Colleges | Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, London Business School, etc. |
| Entrance Exam | GRE/GMAT (may vary by institution) |
1. Post-graduate degree in business, psychology, sociology or any other related area with minimum of fifty-five percent marks from a recognized university.
2. University norms based on minimum cut off marks, Good score in National level exams like; UGC – NET, GATE etc., or university conducted exams.
3. Post graduation training which should have involved research methodology and statistics to enable him/her to meet the research requirements of the post.
4. Perfect statement of purpose detailing research areas of interest in relation to the department and relevant faculty specializations.
5. Letter and recommendations from previous thesis supervisor or professors attesting to the student’s research capabilities.
6. Passing the entrance test and interview, which tests most of the candidates’ aptitude, knowledge of subjects, communication ability, and interest in the research carried out in the department.
| Subject | Important Topics |
|---|---|
| Theoretical Foundations of OB | History of Organizational Behavior, Major Theoretical Perspectives (e.g., Social Learning Theory, Agency Theory), Microfoundations of Organizational Behavior |
| Individual Differences & Behavior | Personality & Individual Traits, Motivation Theories & Applications, Attitudes, Values, & Emotions in Organizations |
| Perception & Decision Making | Social Perception, Individual & Group Decision Making, Heuristics & Biases |
| Group Dynamics & Teamwork | Team Formation & Development, Conflict Management in Teams, Group Decision Making & Performance |
| Leadership & Power | Leadership Theories & Styles, Power Dynamics in Organizations, Ethical Leadership |
| Organizational Design & Change | Organizational Structure & Design, Organizational Culture, Planned Change Management |
| Job Title (Specialization) | Average Salary (USD)** |
|---|---|
| Organizational Development Consultant | $90,000 |
| Human Resources Management Professor | $105,000 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $95,000 (Salary can vary depending on licensure) |
| Leadership Development Specialist | $85,000 |
| Workforce Analytics Specialist | $100,000 |
| Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Consultant | $92,000 |