University of Southern California

PhD Program

Research

Research topics include the study of groups and individuals and how they affect and are affected by the organization; the effects of organizational structure and environmental demands on behavior; the study of strategic and organizational change; and corporate boards and top management teams.

Community Learning

The MOR Ph.D. program is based on the belief that preparing for a career in academia involves considerable participation, interaction and responsibility. You will:

  • Interact with faculty frequently and intensely, developing your knowledge and research skills and eventually getting published in top academic journals.
  • Hone your teaching skills through faculty instruction and as a teaching assistant (possibly teaching your own course). Be actively involved in our distinguished speaker series, brown-bag sessions and special-topic groups.

MOR Faculty

Our faculty members and doctoral students publish in the most selective and prestigious top-tier journals, including:

  • Administrative Science Quarterly
  • Management Science
  • Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes
  • American Economic Review
  • Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Sloan Management Review
  • Management Perspectives

In addition, the Center for Effective Organizations, headed by Professor Ed Lawler, is one of the world’s leading institutes for applied management research.

Faculty Honors

Leadership Excellence magazine top thought leader rankings:

  • Irwin Award for Scholarly Contributions to Management
  • Organizational Behavior New Concept Award
  • McKinsey Best Paper Award (Strategic Management Society)
  • Human Resource Scholarly Contribution Award

Faculty Professional Leadership Roles

MOR faculty serve on editorial boards and in leadership positions throughout the field, including:

  • Associate Editor of the Academy of Management Journal
  • President, Academy of Management
  • Member, Academy of Management Board of Governors

Learn More

Explore the Management and Organization department to learn more about current research and faculty activities.