Hi,

While I obviously don't know the full ins and outs of the situation - It looks like there could be big changes ahead at Leeds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WJSvMpTax8 I'm not sure as to how this will impact on either of the departments you are applying to though.

Of course, such cuts, although perhaps not quite as extreme, look quite likely elsewhere as well.

Hi,

Would it not be possible to nod, smile and say what a wonderful idea this is. Only to go back in a few weeks time and discuss how, while visual methods are innovative, the literature, as yet, is quite sparse? I think an awful lot of the PhD process is being able to manage your supervisor(s) and their expectations.

Hmm…

Interesting thread! I suppose:

1.) Autonomy
2.) The prospect of having a (semi-)autonomous job in the future.
3.) Lifestyle / collegiality
4.) The notion that I may (in whatever miniscule way) contribute to my chosen area of interest.

You said you would like to hear from the group as to its opinion regarding online education... I gave you mine... You retorted that my statement is biased.... Perhaps other people hold a different point of view... Irregardless, that's my opinion.

I can only hope for your sake when you aply for jobs in the future you are lucky to meet people as well informed as your good self.

Hi,

I don't know if this helps - But I'm quite certain during my whole career, if I'm fortunate enough to have one in academia, that I'll ever reach the dizzying heights of my supervisors. I can only echo what Sue has said...

Gramsci once called for 'pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will'! I suppose that's something I always try to remember...

Very few people would argue against on-line courses being more accessible. However, in terms of pedagogy, surely one-to-one contact with a world-leading expert in your chosen field is preferable to contact mediated through some form of electronic communication? Is this not even more so with regards postgraduate research?

Ajyoakum – You seem to valorise ‘lived experience’ above and beyond research. Perhaps this is why you imply universities are not part of the ‘real world’? Parenthetically, while yes you are a professional in terms that you are paid employment. In terms of the sociology of professions, it is generally recognized that HRM is striving for professional status and not necessarily a profession as such.

Hi,

While I know that this is subject-specific to some extent - I always find it really useful to read the bibliography first. It tends to gives a broad map of the field. Its also quite interesting to see what sorts of cliques there are e.g. Who always cites whose paper's.

I also find it useful to check on Google Scholar who has cited the paper I'm reading - That way it is possible to see how others have read it.

Hi,

I don't know if this helps - But I have a horrid propensity to run through conversations I've had with my supervisors again. More often than not, I worry about what I've said. And most of the time wished I'd framed something differently.

Could this be something rather innocent? Perhaps your second supervisor is just not to over work you? Maybe they think back to when they were a PhD student and think that this would be the workload they would prefer? As you're now two years in to your PhD it is likely that they don't want to burden you too much.

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your situation.

Just out of interest - Have you tried applying for positions in other disciplines? Nearly half of those who work in Business and Management Schools have never specifically studied either Business or Management as such. Previously I've been taught by people who have PhDs in a range of subjects; Sociology, Psychology, Economics etc.

======= Date Modified 11 Oct 2009 21:13:57 =======
======= Date Modified 11 Oct 2009 21:13:21 =======
Hi,



A quick Google of MBA and Corporate Social Responsibility throws up dozens of US Business Schools which teach CSR on their MBA. I guess those who teach on these programs may have an interest in supervising a PhD in this area.



Have you come across The Journal of Business Ethics? Perhaps it would be worthwhile looking at the profiles of either those on the editorial board or those who have recently published here.

Hello again,

So, in turn:

1.) If you were going to undertake the Masters with a view to going on to the PhD I would guess it might be worth to look at potential supervisors. I suppose Glenn Morgan at Warwick would be ideal. If you start to read the literature and profiles of those at these universities you will see who fits in here.

2.) This would be for your good self to decide – Although it is my understanding that due to the ‘financial crisis’ many people from a management / finance background may also be looking in to this.

3.) While I don’t know the full details – Bath, Leicester and Queen Mary all seem interesting places to be. Further afield both Copenhagen and Lund may be worth a look.

4.) Perhaps it would be worthwhile contacting lecturers now and broadly explaining your situation. Something along the lines that you would be willing to self-fund for the Masters but would look for funding for the PhD. If you had a broad interest in social theory and could frame your application around this it may grab someone’s attention.

All the best.

Hi,

Have you looked at either Warwick or Lancaster yet?

Warwick has a strong organizational behaviour research unit which runs a Masters course which ESRC recognize for training purposes. Lancaster has Management Learning which offers a Master in HRD / Consulting and Organisation, Work & Technology which offers a Masters in HRM & Knowledge Management. Again, I think both of these courses are recognized by ESRC.

Would you be looking to self-fund? It can be expensive for international students.

Warwick and Lancaster tend to have large amounts of funded places but these tend to very competitive.

Hi,

After the thread about interacting I thought I would try and be more active and lurk less…

As someone who is just about to start his PhD in a Management School I just wanted to raise an issue with ‘economically useful’ / ‘proper’ courses. Specifically related to the quantitative methods involved in derivatives and risk management which have provided jobs for various maths, science and engineering graduates. Surely the billions which governments have had to pour into supporting the banking system within the last year would bring into question the extent to which these courses are ‘economically useful’?

I'm in Organizational Theory - In the UK the biggest management conference that I'm aware of is CMS, this year's conference has 25 streams and two of which are on International Business / Management (http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/wbs/conf/cms2009/streams) . Its a biennial conference with the next conference commencing on Monday!

The other two conferences I'm hoping to follow are SCOS (http://www.scos.org) and EGOS (http://www.egosnet.org) - Although these are focussed on Organizational Symbolism.

If you had an interest in labour process there is ILPC (http://www.ilpc.org.uk)

Failing that Leicester, Queen Mary and York seem to hold regular events if you were interested in a 'critical' approach. These tend to be much cheaper to attend too.

Or there's always British Academy of Management (http://www.bam.ac.uk/site/cms/contentEventViewEvent.asp?chapter=1&e=1298).

Hi,

In addition to the authors not getting paid for their work - There is also the issue of academic reviewers not getting paid too!

For those that are interested – This might be worth a read: http://www.freeourbooks.org.uk/