BUSINESS AND LAW. Institutions and business: value, rules and social responsibility

The PhD Program in Business and Law addresses, in light of the structural crisis we are currently facing, the role of institutions and businesses in fostering a synergistic approach aimed at developing innovative and efficient business models, managerial approaches, and institutional procedures. This is all guided by the principle of sustainability as outlined in the multidimensional perspective adopted by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The program is designed to train scholars and professionals capable of understanding the importance of values and regulations in promoting responsible and sustainable business and institutional practices. 

EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING OBJECTIVES

The PhD Programme in "Business and Law" aims at integrating the tools of Business Administration, Management and Corporate Finance with the Legal Methodology, through an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach. Specifically, by focusing on multiple and diverse aspects (like human capital, financial variables, marketing skills, governance and measurement tools, transparency and accountability, legal rules and principles, fundamental rights and freedoms, relevant regulatory techniques) the doctoral training is addressed to provide the keys for understanding, analyzing, and critically evaluating the complex scope of the interrelated institutional and business dynamics, as they evolve in light of socio-economic and political evolution as well as technological innovations. The educational path therefore contextualizes traditional business and legal categories within the current socio-economic reality, which is globally interconnected through financial, commercial, social, and digital interactions. As a consequence, it will be given evidence to new forms of "hybridization" that have been developing between, on the one hand, institutional processes and, on the other hand, business and market processes, which intersect at various levels of national, sub-national, supranational, and transnational governance, in order to better promote sustainability, subsidiarity and social responsibility, including the intergenerational perspective. In summary, the entire doctoral programme is inspired by the pursuit of deeper knowledge and understanding of suitable tools aimed at promoting and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Multidisciplinarity and the promotion of interdisciplinarity, which characterize the PhD programme in B&L, aim to train professionals equipped with the economic, business, and legal analytical skills necessary to contribute to innovation and the sustainability of governance processes, both in the corporate and public sectors. The PhD programme, therefore, trains professionals with high-level and autonomous abilities to address the multiple and complex design and management needs of companies, organizations, and institutions. As a result, the professional profile is characterized by autonomous and cross-disciplinary competencies in research, analysis, and synthesis, enabling the examination of economic, organizational, managerial and legal scenarios, their evolving conditions (including those stemming from technological developments) and constraints, as well as current business opportunities, operational conditions, ex-ante and ex-post impacts of corporate or institutional policy decisions.

Thus, the profile of a PhD graduate in B&L is suitable for holding high-level research positions in both academic and managerial settings, within public and private entities, service companies (including financial services, utilities, and the third sector), industrial enterprises, and public administration offices. The main career opportunities for PhD graduates include research—at universities or public and private institutes— independent professional activity, high-level positions in companies or other organizations, whether public or private, national or international.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The PhD Programme is a third level study programme, accessible by holders of a University Degree achieved in Italy (Italian Laurea Specialistica o Laurea Magistrale) or a University Degree granted in Italy according to the Italian academic system prior to Ministerial Decree 509/1999, amended by the Ministerial Decree 270/2004. It is also accessible by holders of a Degree granted by a foreign University which is equivalent to an Advanced Degree (Italian Laurea Specialistica) or Master Degree (Italian Laurea Magistrale) or any equivalent (for duration and content) academic Master Degree.
At the end of the training and research programme, after passing the final exam, students will be awarded with the title of Doctor of Philosophy ("PhD").

For all admission requirements:
Rules for students

EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

The PhD Programme is structured in three years:

1. First year
   The first year is mainly dedicated to taking courses, seminars and examinations. During this period, the topic of the PhD thesis must be defined. Attendance at two-thirds of the lectures and passing all scheduled examinations are required for admission to the following year  (see: rules for students).  

2. Second year
   In the second year, in addition to completing courses, seminars, and taking examinations it is strongly recommended that PhD students undertake a research and study period abroad of at least six months. This allows students to start working on the PhD thesis in cooperation with foreign scholars and to attend seminars and conferences organised by foreign institutions.

3. Third year
   The third year is primarily dedicated to the PhD thesis.

For administrative information and regulations on PhD Programmes:
Visit UNIBS website