Research is a critical activity linked to other important activities such as teaching, publishing, and consulting. Faculty pursue research to expand their knowledge and sharpen their professional competence. Their research output takes the form of papers presented in reputed international/national conferences, publications in peer reviewed journals, case studies, books, project reports submitted to industry/government, etc. In addition, networking with several international institutions of higher learning has augmented the existing research capabilities of  faculty members.

The Ph.D. Program

The Ph.D. Program of the ICFAI University is rigorous and interdisciplinary. The intensity of the program demands energy and zeal in the pursuit of greater insight into the chosen topic and a willingness to master all essential components of academic research. The program has four phases, namely, Coursework, Qualifying Examination, Preparation of Research Proposal and Thesis Work and Submission of Thesis.

The objective of the course work is to impart scholarship and to equip the candidate with latest developments in the discipline. A candidate has to complete the minimum required number of credits for the award of Ph.D. Degree as indicated in the Table below. The total credits to be completed are 40, normally 10 per semester.

Distribution of Credits

The qualifying examination tests the candidate's knowledge in the prescribed areas and his/her ability to apply the same in research. On completion of the qualifying examination, the candidate registers for the independent study courses and prepares the research proposal under the guidance of a Doctoral Advisory Committee. Once the research proposal is approved the candidate starts work on the Ph.D. Thesis. The candidate is expected to complete the Ph.D. Thesis in four semesters after his/her registration in the Ph.D. Thesis course. On completion of the thesis it is submitted for evaluation. Based on the viva-voce examination-cum-defense of the thesis by the candidate, he/she is awarded the Ph.D. degree by the ICFAI University.

The candidate is expected to complete the Ph.D. Program within a maximum period of six years.

Research Publications

Case Studies: Prizes in International Case Writing Competitions
2007 Innovation at Whirlpool - Creating a New Competency: First prize in the Corporate Coaching category in the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Case Writing Competition, 2006. Smart Communications Inc., and Indra Prastha Ice and Cold Storage Ltd (A): Joint First prize winners in the Managerial Issues in Transitory Economies Category, EFMD Case Writing Competition, 2006 (Cases co-authored by the Faculty).
The Body Shop: Social Responsibility or Sustained Greenwashing?: Third prize in the Oikos Sustainability Case Writing Competition 2007, organized by University of St. Gallen, Oikos Foundation for Economy and Ecology, Switzerland. The betapharm Acquisition: DRL’s Inorganic Growth Strategy in Europe: First runner up prize in the John Molson MBA Case Writing Competition 2006, organized by the John Molson School of Business, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.  Carrefour’s Strategies in China: Second runner up prize in the John Molson MBA Case Writing Competition 2006.
2006 Wal-Mart’s Strategies in China: Second runner up prize in the John Molson MBA Case Writing Competition 2005. Allied Irish Banks – The Currency Derivatives Fiasco: First prize in the Managing Risk Category, in the EFMD Case Writing Competition, 2005. 2005 IKEA’s Innovative Human Resources Management Practices and Work Culture: Second prize in the Central and East European Management Development Association (CEEMAN’s) 11th Case Writing Competition in 2005. Li & Fung: The Global Value Chain Configurator: Second runner up prize in the John Molson MBA Case Writing Competition 2004. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy: Finalist in the ‘Dark Side IV’ Case Writing Competition 2004, organized by Critical Management Studies Interest Group of the Academy of Management. 2004 DoCoMo – The Japanese Wireless Telecom Leader: First prize in the Eighth Regional Asia-Pacific Case Writing Competition, organized by the Management Development Centre, Hong Kong. FedEx vs. UPS in China – Competing with Contrasting Strategies: First runner up in the Eighth Regional Asia-Pacific Case Writing Competition.