MRes/PhD in Management - Organisational Behaviour

You’ll study behavioural phenomena in various ways and settings, examining different organisations and the people who work in those organisations.

As you progress through the programme, you’ll develop the analytical skills to perform robust field studies, randomised lab experiments, and quantitative research. The programme also includes comprehensive methodological training, with the opportunity to specialise in your chosen field.

You’ll begin on the master of research degree and move on to the PhD (subject to satisfactory progress). The programme gives you the chance to complete work that makes an original contribution to the field of organisational behaviour.

LSE is ranked sixth in the world for social sciences and management. Our academics have multidisciplinary expertise in management, economics, psychology and sociology. You’ll benefit from this cross-cutting expertise and interdisciplinary learning.

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).

Our world-class academics work closely with colleagues from across the School on initiatives like the LSE Behavioural Lab, co-directed by the Department of Management and the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science.

We actively engage with practitioners, policymakers, LSE students and alumni to enhance the quality of working life and change organisational and economic practices worldwide.

• Withey, M. J., & Cooper, W. H. (1989). Predicting exit, voice, loyalty, and neglect. Administrative Science Quarterly, 34: 521-539.
• Galinsky, A. D., Gruenfeld, D. H., & Magee, J. C. (2003). From power to action. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85: 453-466.
• Colquitt, J. A., & Rodell, J. B. 2011. Justice, trust, and trustworthiness: A longitudinal analysis integrating three theoretical perspectives. Academy of Management Journal, 54: 1183-1206.
• Sutton, R. I., & Rafaeli, A. (1988). Untangling the relationship between displayed emotions and organizational sales: The case of convenience stores. Academy of Management Journal, 31: 461- 487.
• Barnes, C. M., Lucianetti, L., Bhave, D. P., & Christian, M. S. (2015). “You wouldn’t like me when I’m sleepy”: Leaders’ sleep, daily abusive supervision, and work unit engagement. Academy of Management Journal, 58(5), 1419-1437.
• Dutton, J. E., & Dukerich, J. M. (1991). Keeping an eye on the mirror: Image and identity in organizational adaptation. Academy of Management Journal, 34(3), 517-554.
• Harrison, D. A., Price, K. H., & Bell, M. P. (1998). Beyond relational demography: Time and the effect of surface- versus deep-level diversity on group cohesiveness. Academy of Management Journal, 41: 96- 107.
• Gersick, C. J. G. (1988). Time and transition in work teams: Toward a new model of group development. Academy of Management Journal, 31: 9-41.
• Chen, G., Kirkman, B. L., Kanfer, R., Allen, D., & Rosen, B. (2007). A multilevel study of leadership, empowerment, and performance in teams. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92(2), 331.
• To Hive or to Hold? Producing Professional Authority through Scut Work Abstract - Ruthanne Huising, 2015.
• The SAGE handbook of social network analysis - Peter J. Carrington, John Scott, 2011| Essential | Borgatti, S.P., & Lopez-Kidwell V. (2016). Chapter 4: Network Theory. In J. Scott, P.J. Carrington, eds. The SAGE Handbook of Social Network Analysis (SAGE Publications Ltd. London).
• Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage - Jay Barney, 1991-03.
• The Categorical Imperative: Securities Analysts and the Illegitimacy Discount - Ezra W. Zuckerman, 1999.
• A Status-Based Model of Market Competition Abstract - Joel M. Podolny, 1993
• Four formal(izable) theories of the firm? Gibbons, Robert, Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 58(2), 2005-10.
• Labor Pains: Change in Organizational Models and Employee Turnover in Young, High‐Tech Firms James N. Baron, Michael T. Hannan and M. Diane Burton, American Journal of Sociology, 106(4), 2001.
• Why Do Liberals Drink Lattes? Daniel DellaPosta, Yongren Shi and Michael Macy, American Journal of Sociology, 120(5), 2015.
• Patterns of Industrial Innovation Abernathy, W.J., & Utterback, J.M., Technology Review, 80(7), 1978.

GRE/GMAT requirement

The GRE/GMAT is required for all applicants. We don't require a specific GRE/GMAT overall score but the test gives us an indication of your aptitude for our programmes.

A strong GMAT or GRE score will count in your favour, but other information, such as your research interests, your examination results, previous qualifications and references are central to our overall evaluation of your application. We recognise that if your first language is not English, the verbal test will be more demanding and we view your score on that basis.

There is no preference for GMAT or GRE but all applications must submit scores at the time of application. Your score should be less than five years old on 1 October 2025.

Find out more about GRE/GMAT, including detail on our requirements and submission of test scores, and LSE’s institution codes.

In the first year of your MRes you'll work on skills training in research design, quantitative and qualitative research methods. You'll take the first of two seminar courses (MG525 or MG505) to provide PhD students with a foundational understanding of established research in Organisational Behaviour with the objective of encouraging them to design novel research that advances the field.

This course will introduce students to the evaluation of established research in micro- and macro-level Organisational Behaviour, progressing through units of analysis from psychology research to organisational theory.

A Social Sciences Perspective of Academic Research in Management

You'll attend the A Social Sciences Perspective of Academic Research in Management. This seminar:

• is run within the Department of Management for all research students
• will develop your understanding of the diversity of specialisms within the Department of Management
• will develop your critical analysis skills.

Faculty group seminars

You'll be invited to attend Organisational Behaviour Faculty Group seminars, and you have regular meetings with your Programme Director.

Research Practicums

From the first year you'll also engage in short 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, coding and data analysis and evaluating findings and implications. It'll also give the opportunity to interact and get to know different members of the faculty group.

In the first year you will take the following foundational courses, but students with previous similar training can take alternative mythology courses with permission:

In the second year of the MRes you'll:

• take the second of the specialist courses covering organisational behaviour
• continue to take a taught courses aligned to your research interests
• join the Advanced Quantitative Analysis for Research in Management with other students in the Organisational Behaviour Programme and the Employment Relations and Human Resources programmes
• complete a supervised research paper in your field of interest which will form an important element in your upgrade to PhD
• continue to work with faculty one-to-one in research practicums.

Once you have successfully completed your MRes and met the regulatory requirements you'll upgrade to PhD candidate at the start of your third year on the programme. You'll work on developing your PhD thesis proposal, continue with your research.

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.

At the start of your final 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

Shoshana Dobrow

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

You'll need to meet certain criteria to progress to each subsequent year of the programme, such as achieving certain grades in your coursework and engaging in all aspects of the programme.

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.

Explore the 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 prepare 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 Organisational Behaviour 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 PhD alumni for up to five years after completing your PhD.

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