MPhil/PhD in Management - Information Systems and Innovation

On this programme, you’ll gain the quantitative and qualitative skills to contribute robust socio-technical research to the field of digital innovation, with the opportunity to specialise in your chosen area. As you progress, you’ll learn how to define problems and research questions, collect and analyse data, and apply your empirical observations to develop theoretical ideas.

You’ll begin your studies on the MPhil and move on to the PhD (subject to satisfactory progress).

LSE’s Information Systems and Innovation Faculty Research Group is one of the largest of its kind in the world. We have wide-ranging research strengths, with expertise in digital ecosystems, organisational technologies, security and privacy, health and financial services. During your studies, you’ll have the chance to complete a substantial piece of original research in your chosen field.

LSE is a globally renowned research university ranked sixth in the world for social sciences and management. As a student, you’ll be joining a world-class community of academics and doctoral students who contribute to pioneering research in various management disciplines.

We're also ranked second in the UK by percentage of overall four and three stars in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).

• Kenneth Laudon & Jane Laudon Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm, Global Edition Paperback 2019
• Robert Galliers Mari-Klara Stein The Routledge companion to management information systems, Taylor & Francis, Abingdon, Oxon Routledge 2018
• Robert D Galliers (Ed) & Wendy Currie (Ed) The Oxford Handbook of Management Information Systems: Critical Perspectives and New Directions (Oxford Handbooks) Hardcover, 2011
• Boyka Simeonova (Ed) & Robert D. Galliers (Ed) Cambridge Handbook of Qualitative Digital Research 2023

GRE/GMAT requirement

GMAT or GRE is recommended, but not mandatory. It must be no more than five years before 1 October 2025, and must show full and percentile scores for all sections.

Find out more about GRE/GMAT

In your first year you'll take:

• taught courses in qualitative and quantitative methodology and analysis
• one additional specialist methods courses depending on your research needs
• two specialist courses to deepen your knowledge of current research practices and theoretical approaches in Information Systems and Digital Innovation.

You'll engage in short duration research projects, called Research Practicums, with different members of Faculty. The rotation of practicum assignments will include one-to-one training and collaboration that provides you better understanding of the research process, such as:

• literature reviews
• applied research methods
• data analysis
• evaluating findings and implications.

It will also give the opportunity to interact and get to know different members of the faculty group.

Each week during term time you'll attend the Information Systems Seminar, hearing from a range of academic speakers from within the Faculty Group, student researchers and external speakers.

In the Autumn Term of your second year, you'll prepare and submit your PhD Proposal. It'll be examined in the form of a viva with a panel from the Faculty Group.

Once you've upgraded to PhD you work on your research and writing. You'll have the opportunity to undertake further training if needed and participate in the Advanced Quantitative Analysis for Research in Management with other students on different programmes. You'll continue to attend the Information Systems Seminar and be encouraged to engage with research events and conferences.

During the third and fourth year of your programme you'll continue to meet regularly with your supervisors. You'll focus on your PhD Thesis, research and writing papers for presentation at conferences and publication and continue to participate in your Faculty Group seminars. Your progress will be monitored, and you'll be asked to present to the Faculty Group and your supervisors during the year.

At the end of your third year, you'll present your final year plan which outlines your timetable to completion and submission of your thesis, and actively engage and promote yourself in the Job Market.

Our mission

Welcome to the Department of Management. Our mission is to inspire superior management practices by fostering a comprehensive understanding of individuals, teams, organisations, and markets, along with the psychological, social, political, and technological contexts that influence them.

By studying with us, you'll gain access to a world-leading centre for education and research, uniquely positioned within a world-class social science institution at the heart of a truly global city.

The environment

Join a vibrant intellectual community comprising world-renowned faculty, astute students, dedicated and responsive professional services staff, and high achieving alumni. Through pioneering research and high-level teaching, you'll receive comprehensive, intensive, and rigorous methodological training to help you become an expert in your specialist fields.

The rich and culturally diverse learning environment at LSE’s Department of Management, will not only enrich your experience through developing a broad perspective and understanding, but also unlock an invaluable network of global peers.

Create a better world

We go beyond the boundaries of a traditional business school by integrating diverse disciplines such as economics, marketing, data, and analytics. Our comprehensive approach ensures that students gain a profound and multifaceted understanding of the business world, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to excel in a dynamic global environment.

Join us in our vision to create a better world, where a profound understanding of management drives positive change in both business and society.

Discover more about our programmes and research.

Department of Management

Who's who

Edgar Whitley

Programme Director

The application deadline for this programme is 15 January 2025.

If you’d like to be considered for any funding opportunities, you must submit your application (and all supporting documents) by the funding deadline.

See the fees and funding section below for more details.

The fee is likely to rise over the full duration of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with fee levels recommended by the Research Councils.

Learn more about fee status classification.

The fee is likely to rise over the full duration of the programme in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (ie, four per cent each year).

Learn more about fee status classification.

Progression and assessment

Successful completion of work required for each year is a necessary condition for re-registration in the following year. You'll need to meet certain criteria, such as achieving certain grades in your assignments.

During the second year of registration, you submit a research proposal for your upgrade to PhD.

You're required to complete your PhD thesis within four years and should allow three to six months for revisions and submissions.

Your final award will be determined by the completion of an original research thesis and a viva oral examination.

Students who successfully complete the programme often embark on an academic career.

Career and placements of previous Department of Management PhD students

Teaching

The department aims to give all qualified doctoral students the opportunity to teach. Developing teaching skills and experience is an important component of the students' career development and prepares you for future academic roles. To make this experience as valuable as possible we draw on the support from the LSE's Teaching and Learning Centre.

Throughout the programme, you're expected to participate in Information Systems and Innovation Faculty Research Group research workshops, enabling you to grow familiar with the process of presenting and discussing academic papers with experienced faculty, and provide opportunities for networking. Funding is also available for you to attend and present papers at academic conferences.

LSE Careers has a team dedicated to PhD students offering a wide range of resources and advice. You'll receive regular updates on career events and workshops offered by LSE Careers and the LSE’s PhD Academy. Research based employment opportunities are communicated to students in our newsletters and email updates.

All career services are available to PhD students, and for PhD alumni for up to five years after completing your PhD.

Browse LSE’s wide range of services for PhD students and research staff.