Areas of Specialization
Information Systems
The field of Information Systems (IS) is concerned with both the development of Information Systems and Technology (IS&T) and the management of information systems to enhance business administration. Information Systems as an academic area encompasses two broad areas: (1) management of IS&T resources and services and (2) development of IS&T for use in enterprise processes. The primary goal of the concentration is to prepare students to contribute to this field by generating new knowledge through rigorous research and solving industrial/business problems. more info »
International Business
The increased pace of technological advances and improvements in transportation and communications have motivated many businesses to expand across national boundaries. The field of International Business draws upon the knowledge developed across various disciplines such as economics, organization studies, political science, sociology and strategic management. Because doing business internationally entails increased complexities across all business functions, the study of international business requires the scholar to develop multi-disciplinary areas of expertise. The PhD program in International Business helps students to integrate knowledge from a variety of disciplinary and functional areas and to apply this knowledge to the study of important issues in International Business. more info »
Management Science
Management Science is itself an interdisciplinary field within Business Administration disciplines. The over-arching foci of the problems studied are mathematical modeling and micro-economic reasoning. This area provides an ideal concentration for the student with strong mathematical and analytical skills who is interested in the modeling and solution of problems that arise in the modern business. more info »
Marketing
The specialization in Marketing is designed to meet career needs for research, teaching, and problem solving in academia, and selective career needs in business, government, and other types of organizations. The primary focus of the Illinois program is on research excellence. This makes good use of Illinois' distinguished faculty and outstanding facilities for innovative investigation and the development of new decision-making methodologies. The objective of the program is to introduce students to the entire spectrum of marketing thought, thus enabling them to do research in any area of choice. more info »
Organizational Behavior
The field of Organizational Behavior is concerned with the social and behavioral aspects of formal organizations. Historically important topics include worker motivation and morale, reward systems, adaptation, failure and founding. The goal of the Illinois Ph.D. concentration in organizational behavior is to prepare students to contribute to the field by generating new knowledge through rigorous organizational research. more info »
Process Management
The field of Process Management deals with the production and distribution of goods, services, and information. It investigates how an organization can design, improve, execute, and coordinate its numerous business processes, critical issues for business success. The subject of inquiry can vary from tactics to strategy. At tactical level, research might focus on developing methods to utilize resources efficiently or developing decision support systems to manage demand and supply. At the strategic level, topics might include acquisition of new technology, quality management, product design, supply chain design, and business process design. Of particular importance is the integration of these decisions with other business areas. more info »
Strategic Management
Why do some organizations consistently outperform others? This is the motivating question of strategic management. The field explores the fundamentals of organizational intent, the scope of the firm, competitive strategy, technology strategy, competitive advantage, strategy implementation and processes, entrepreneurship and performance. An important aspect of the area is its focus on integration across the various business disciplines. The program is designed to introduce students to the range of strategic management thought and to build their research skills, thus preparing them to contribute to the field as outstanding scholars and teachers. more info »
