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Reg.No. MDH 1.1-23-/14
General Syllabus for Industrial
Economics and Organisations at
Mälardalen University
Valid for all doctoral students admitted to the third-cycle subject area after 16 December 2014.
Doctoral students admitted before 16 December 2014 have the right to complete their studies up to the
public defence of their thesis according to the syllabus that was valid at the time of their admission to
the third-cycle study programme. The doctoral student may also choose to follow the new syllabus.
Deciding authority: The Faculty Board
This document is a policy document for the third-cycle subject area and shall be revised/reviewed no
later than four years after the latest ratification. The School of Business, Society and Engineering is
responsible for
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Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 3
Subject description...................................................................................................................................... 3
Research domain ....................................................................................................................................... 3
Third-cycle subject area ............................................................................................................................. 3
Area- and subject-specific qualitative targets ........................................................................................ 3
Programme structure .................................................................................................................................. 3
Courses ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
Degree of Licentiate ................................................................................................................................... 4
Degree of Doctor ........................................................................................................................................ 5
Supervision ................................................................................................................................................. 5
Preview ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Internationalisation ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Entry requirements ...................................................................................................................................... 6
Selection ........................................................................................................................................................ 6
Examination .................................................................................................................................................. 6
Degree of Doctor ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Degree of Licentiate ................................................................................................................................... 7
Miscellaneous ............................................................................................................................................... 7
Title of degree ............................................................................................................................................... 7
Internationalisation ...................................................................................................................................... 7
Preview .......................................................................................................................................................... 7
Transitional provisions ............................................................................................................................... 7
Appendix A– Degree of Licentiate ....................................................................................................... 7
Scope .......................................................................................................................................................... 7
Outcomes .................................................................................................................................................... 8
Knowledge and Understanding ............................................................................................................. 8
Aptitudes and Accomplishments ........................................................................................................... 8
Ability to Evaluate and Assess .............................................................................................................. 8
Academic Paper ..................................................................................................................................... 8
Appendix B– Degree of Doctor ............................................................................................................. 8
Scope .......................................................................................................................................................... 8
Outcomes .................................................................................................................................................... 9
Knowledge and Understanding ............................................................................................................. 9
Aptitudes and Accomplishments ........................................................................................................... 9
Ability to Evaluate and Assess .............................................................................................................. 9
Academic Thesis (Doctoral Thesis) ...................................................................................................... 9
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Introduction
Pursuant to Chapter 6, Section 25 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), HF, the Faculty
Board at Mälardalen University (MDH) has established subjects which shall be arranged within thirdcycle studies. Each third-cycle subject area shall have a ratified general syllabus in which the main
contents of the study programme, specific entry requirements and other regulations necessary shall be
stated in accordance with HF Chapter 6, Sections 26 and 27.
The School is responsible for establishing and revising the general syllabuses valid for the third-cycle
subject areas for which the School acts as the host School. The Faculty Board ratifies the established or
revised general syllabuses for the subjects in which third-cycle studies are arranged at MDH.
Furthermore the local policy document Rules and Regulations for Third-cycle Studies at MDH (MDH
3.1-382/12) stipulates that the criteria for general entry requirements, description of selection criteria,
description of mandatory modules and requirements for thesis work and course demands shall also be
stated in the general syllabus for the subject. In addition, recommendations for prior knowledge which
do not constitute formal entry requirements, as well as other relevant information, may be given.
Subject description
Research domain
The research domain of Industrial Economics, Work Life and Management comprises all
organisational and economic conditions which concern industrial activities, especially activities in
which technology and technical expertise are realised industrially by manufacturing and serviceproducing private and public organisations.
Third-cycle subject area
In Industrial Economics and Organisations, research in technology, economics and the social sciences
is brought together. This research has a particular focus on industrial regeneration, an area of great
socio-economic significance in view of the restructuring of the economy brought about by globalisation
and technological development. The research is carried out in close cooperation with the private sector
and society in general.
Area- and subject-specific qualitative targets
The general objectives of the third-cycle studies regarding knowledge and understanding, aptitudes and
accomplishments, as well as the ability to evaluate and assess, are laid down in the Qualifications
Ordinance (Higher Education Ordinance, Annex 2, SFS 2006:1053). The Qualifications Ordinance’s
degree requirements and goal attainment requirements to obtain a degree of Licentiate are laid out in
Appendix A, and the corresponding requirements for a degree of Doctor in Appendix B.
Programme structure
For each doctoral student an individual study plan in which the structure of the study programme is
planned in detail shall be established. The study plan shall be updated and reviewed in connection with
every major change in the structure of the study programme and at least once per year.
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Courses
The study programme shall include courses. For each course there shall be an examiner at the institution
which gives the course. The examiner shall ratify a written course syllabus which among other things
shall state the objectives, contents and amount of credits for the course. See further the Rules and
Regulations for Third-cycle Studies.
Within the framework of the doctoral degree of 240 HE credits, studies equivalent to 90-120 credits
shall be devoted to courses and at least 120 credits to thesis work; within the framework of the licentiate
degree of 120 HE credits, studies equivalent to 45-60 credits shall be devoted to courses and at least 60
credits to thesis work. Courses and thesis work should be pursued in parallel and the doctoral student is
recommended to begin the thesis work early on. This work is to be continually reported in seminars in
the form of discussion points and essays.
In the individual study plan shall be stated for example which courses are to, or may be, included in the
study programme for the individual doctoral student, and also how many credits each course comprises.
The following guidelines apply for the structure of the course part of the study programme.
The course part consists of a mandatory part, and a part chosen in consultation with the supervisor. This
applies to both licentiate and doctoral degrees.
During the academic year seminars are conducted in the form of continual discussions based on the
doctoral student’s research within the subject area. The bases of the seminars are the doctoral student’s
memos and excerpts from forthcoming dissertations. The doctoral student is expected to participate
actively in these seminars. For the requirement of “active participation” to be regarded as being fulfilled,
the doctoral student shall have attended at least half of the meetings. The doctoral student is also
expected to attend the public defences that take place at their respective School in order thus to become
familiar with the problems of thesis writing.
In exceptional circumstances and in consultation with the supervisor, courses taken at second-cycle level
may be included in the third-cycle study programme.
In consultation with the principal supervisor, courses from adjoining research areas, and from other
higher education institutions, may be selected.
Doctoral student courses may be read at Mälardalen University or some other higher education
institution (HEI). This also applies to the mandatory courses of the study programme. The doctoral
student’s supervisor validates courses read at other HEIs.
Degree of Licentiate
Guidelines for a Degree of Licentiate are given in the Rules and Regulations for Third-cycle Studies.
In addition the following applies regarding Industrial Economics and Organisations:
The mandatory course part consists of the following modules:
- Introductory course in the third-cycle subject of Industrial Economics and Organisations, comprising
7.5 HE credits,
- Course in Quantitative Research Methodology, comprising 7.5 HE credits,
- Course in Qualitative Research Methodology, comprising 7.5 HE credits.
The mandatory courses may be replaced by equivalent courses at other HEIs.
The remaining 22.5-37.5 HE credits consist of optional courses chosen in consultation with the
supervisor.
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As part of the studies and thesis work the student shall participate in seminars on both the School’s
research activities and other doctoral students’ thesis work. Doctoral students are also expected to
participate as student reviewers at other doctoral students’ thesis seminars.
Degree of Doctor
Guidelines for a Degree of Doctor are given in the Rules and Regulations for Third-cycle Studies.
In addition the following applies regarding Industrial Economics and Organisations:
For a Degree of Doctor at least 37.5 HE credits are required in basic introductory, theory and
methodological courses.
The mandatory course part consists of the following modules:
- Introductory course in the third-cycle subject of Industrial Economics and Organisations, comprising
7.5 HE credits,
- Course in Qualitative Research Methodology, comprising 7.5 HE credits,
- Course in Quantitative Research Methodology, comprising 7.5 HE credits.
The mandatory courses may be replaced by equivalent courses at other HEIs.
The remaining 52.5-82.5 HE credits consist of optional courses chosen in consultation with the
supervisor.
As part of the studies and thesis work the student shall participate in seminars on both the School’s
research activities and other doctoral students’ thesis work. Doctoral students are also expected to
participate as student reviewers at other doctoral students’ thesis seminars.
Supervision
The right to a supervisor and to supervision is regulated in the Rules and Regulations for Third-cycle
Studies at MDH.
Those admitted to research studies have the right to supervision in accordance with current provisions.
The supervisor shall give advice and instructions for the choice of the area and specialisation of the thesis
as well as the carrying out of the thesis work. The doctoral student shall keep the supervisor informed
on a regular basis regarding the progress of the work and seek advice about its structure.
Each doctoral student shall be allocated at least two supervisors, of which one shall be the principal
supervisor with at least docent/associate professor’s qualifications. The supervisors are proposed by the
Council of Supervisors in consultation with the Dean of School and shall be appointed before the
application for admission to third-cycle studies is processed.
The supervisors are appointed dependent on the contents, specialisation and nature of the research
project in question. The principal supervisor shall be employed at MDH.
Preview
Licentiate dissertations and doctoral theses are previewed at a final seminar with an appointed reviewer.
In cases where the doctoral student does not first present a licentiate paper, the doctoral student project
is to be reviewed after roughly halfway through the doctoral studies at a mid-way review. After no later
than one year of full-time studies the doctoral student shall present a planning report.
Internationalisation
Doctoral students should be offered the opportunity of going abroad, participating in international
conferences, and reading doctoral student courses at other HEIs within and outside the country.
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Entry requirements
The general regulations for admission to third-cycle studies are stated in the Rules and Regulations for
Third-cycle Studies.
For eligibility for admission to third-cycle studies in Industrial Economics and Organisations as specific
entry requirements, the research student shall have:
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a degree of Master of Science in Industrial Economics, or a degree of Master of Science which
comprises at least 60 HE credits in Industrial Economics, Business Administration, or
Economics, or
- a four-year Business and Economics degree with a specialisation in Business Administration or
Economics, or
- acquired largely equivalent knowledge in any other way within or outside the country.
Selection
The decisive selection criterion is the ability to benefit from third-cycle studies. In the selection process
previous study results, research merits, the quality of such work of a research or investigatory nature
that has been carried out independently by the applicant shall be taken into account, and further the
applicant’s work experience and other personal qualities that are deemed to be significant for the
applicant’s ability to benefit from third-cycle studies.
In the selection process the School’s prerequisites for offering adequate supervision are also taken into
account, i.e. that there is at least one supervisor of docent/associate professor’s competence who has
adequate knowledge within the applicant’s specific thesis field and who has the possibility of assuming
supervisory responsibility. A funding plan shall also be presented at the time of admission, showing that
there is guaranteed funding for the applicant’s study period.
Examination
Third-cycle studies are concluded with a doctoral degree or, if the student so wishes, a licentiate degree.
The student also has the right, but no obligation, to take a licentiate degree as a stage in the third-cycle
studies.
In the study programme an academic paper shall be included, documented in a licentiate thesis or a
doctoral thesis. General guidelines are laid down in the Rules and Regulations for Third-cycle Studies.
Degree of Doctor
Guidelines for a Degree of Doctor are given in the Rules and Regulations for Third-cycle Studies. In
addition the following applies regarding Industrial Economics and Organisations:
For a Degree of Doctor is required
- a Pass grade on courses of at least 90 HE credits.
- a Pass grade on an approved thesis whose scope corresponds to studies of at least 120 HE credits.
The doctoral thesis shall be examined at a public defence proceeding. Guidelines for the order of the
proceeding and the constitution of the examining committee are laid down in the Rules and Regulations
for Third-cycle Studies at MDH.
The requirements for taking a doctoral degree are a Pass grade on all the knowledge tests included in
the research programme and also the doctoral thesis.
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Degree of Licentiate
Guidelines for a Degree of Licentiate are given in the Rules and Regulations for Third-cycle Studies. In
addition the following applies regarding Industrial Economics and Organisations:
For a Degree of Licentiate is required
- a Pass grade on courses of at least 45 HE credits.
- a Pass grade on an approved academic paper whose scope corresponds to studies of at least 60 HE
credits.
The licentiate thesis shall be examined at a public licentiate seminar. Guidelines for the order of the
proceeding and the constitution of the examining committee are laid down in the Rules and Regulations
for Third-cycle Studies at MDH.
The requirements for taking a licentiate degree are a Pass grade on all the knowledge tests included in
the research programme and also the licentiate thesis.
Miscellaneous
Title of degree
Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Economics and Organisations, or Degree of Licentiate in
Industrial Economics and Organisations.
Internationalisation
The third-cycle subject area actively seeks international contacts. Courses and tuition in English may
occur.
Preview
See the Rules and Regulations for Third-cycle Studies at MDH.
Transitional provisions
Doctoral students admitted before 16 December 2014 have the right to complete their studies up to the
public defence of their thesis according to the syllabus that was valid at the time of their admission to
the third-cycle study programme. The doctoral student may also choose to follow the new syllabus.
Appendix A– Degree of Licentiate
Given below are the degree requirements of the system of qualifications and requirements for goal
attainment to obtain a Degree of Licentiate, Appendix 2, HF.
Scope
A Degree of Licentiate is obtained either when the doctoral student has completed a study programme
of at least 120 HE credits within a third-cycle subject, or after the doctoral student has completed one
part of at least 120 HE credits of a study programme leading to a Degree of Doctor, if the University
decides that such a licentiate degree can be awarded at the University.
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Outcomes
The purpose of the licentiate programme in Industrial Economics and Organisations at Mälardalen
University is to give the student specialised knowledge of the subject of Industrial Economics and
Organisations, basic knowledge of different research methods, as well as insight into the problems that
arise in research and its practical applications. The overriding goal of the study programme is to make
the student a critical and independent researcher in Industrial Economics and Organisations. The
licentiate programme may constitute a freestanding study programme or a partial goal in the research
programme leading to a doctoral degree.
Knowledge and Understanding
For a Degree of Licentiate the doctoral student shall:
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Industrial Economics and Organisations, inclusive of
current specialist knowledge within a limited area of this, as well as a specialised knowledge of research
methodology in general and of the specific research domain in particular.
Aptitudes and Accomplishments
For a Degree of Licentiate the doctoral student shall:
- demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate questions with scientific meticulousness, critically,
independently and creatively, and to plan and undertake, using adequate methods, a limited research
project and other qualified assignments within stipulated time limits and thereby contribute to the
development of knowledge as well as to evaluate this work,
- demonstrate the ability, in national as well as international contexts, to clearly present and discuss,
orally and in writing, research and research findings in dialogue with the academic community and
society in general, and
- demonstrate the skills required to participate independently in research and development work and to
work independently in some other qualified capacity.
Ability to Evaluate and Assess
For a Degree of Licentiate the doctoral student shall:
- demonstrate the ability to make assessments of ethical aspects of his or her own research,
- demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the
responsibility of people for how it is used, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for
the development of such knowledge.
Academic Paper
For a Degree of Licentiate the doctoral student shall have been awarded a Pass grade for an academic
paper (licentiate thesis) of at least 60 HE credits.
Appendix B– Degree of Doctor
Given below are the degree requirements of the system of qualifications and requirements for goal
attainment to obtain a Degree of Doctor, Appendix 2, HF.
Scope
A Degree of Doctor is obtained when the doctoral student has completed a study programme of 240 HE
credits within a third-cycle subject.
For a Degree of Doctor the doctoral student is required to have a Pass grade on an approved thesis
(doctoral thesis) whose scope corresponds to studies of at least 120 HE credits.
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In addition to the goals stated in the Higher Education Ordinance, the Faculty Board at MDH has
ratified joint goals according to the Rules and Regulations for Third-cycle Studies at MDH.
Outcomes
The purpose of the third-cycle programme in Industrial Economics and Organisations at Mälardalen
University is to give the doctoral student specialised knowledge of the subject of Industrial Economics
and Organisations, in-depth knowledge of different research methods, as well as a good insight into the
problems that arise in research and its practical applications. The overriding goal of the study
programme is to make the doctoral student a critical and independent researcher in Industrial
Economics and Organisations, with the ability to plan and carry out research projects.
Knowledge and Understanding
For a Degree of Doctor the doctoral student shall:
- demonstrate a broad knowledge of Industrial Economics and Organisations and a systematic
understanding of the research domain, as well as in-depth and current specialist knowledge within a
limited area of this, and
- demonstrate familiarity with research methodology in general and of the specific research domain in
particular.
Aptitudes and Accomplishments
For a Degree of Doctor the doctoral student shall:
- demonstrate the capacity for scientific analysis and synthesis as well as to review and assess new and
complex phenomena, questions and situations, independently and critically,
- demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate questions with scientific meticulousness, critically,
independently and creatively, and to plan and undertake research and other qualified assignments using
adequate methods and within stipulated time limits, and to review and evaluate such work,
- demonstrate through a thesis the ability to make a significant contribution to the development of
knowledge through his or her own research,
- demonstrate the ability, in national as well as international contexts, to authoritatively present and
discuss, orally and in writing, research and research findings in dialogue with the academic community
and society in general,
- demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge, and
- demonstrate the capacity to contribute to the development of society and to support the learning of
others both through research and education as well as in other qualified professional capacities.
Ability to Evaluate and Assess
For a Degree of Doctor the doctoral student shall:
- demonstrate intellectual independence and disciplinary rectitude as well as the ability to make
assessments of research ethics, and,
- demonstrate specialised insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and
the responsibility of people for how it is used.
Academic Thesis (Doctoral Thesis)
For a Degree of Doctor the doctoral student shall have been awarded a Pass grade for an academic thesis
(doctoral thesis) of at least 120 HE credits.
In addition to the goals stated in the Higher Education Ordinance, the Faculty Board at MDH has ratified
joint goals according to the Guidelines for Third-cycle Studies at MDH.
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