University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

The programme emphasises rigorous training in research methods and theory, preparing students to conduct original empirical and/or analytical research in management and operations. Coursework typically covers advanced research methods and statistics, microeconomic foundations for managerial decision-making, organisational theory and behaviour, operations and supply‑chain management, technology and innovation management, and strategy.

Students take core doctoral seminars in research design, quantitative methods (including econometrics and multivariate analysis), and qualitative methods where appropriate. Area seminars focus on topics such as service operations, production and logistics, supply‑chain analytics, new product development, organisational change, leadership, and strategic management. Regular research seminars expose students to faculty and visiting scholars’ work and to ongoing doctoral research across the college.

The PhD is structured around progressive stages: advanced coursework, comprehensive/qualifying examinations, development and defence of a dissertation proposal, and completion of an original doctoral dissertation that contributes to theory and/or practice. Students often gain teaching experience through graduate teaching assistantships and participate in collaborative research projects with faculty.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a strong undergraduate degree and typically a master’s degree in business, economics, engineering, or a related discipline; exceptional applicants with only a bachelor’s degree but with outstanding academic records may also be considered. Successful candidates demonstrate strong quantitative preparation (for example, coursework in statistics, calculus, operations research or econometrics), evidence of research potential, and clear alignment between their interests and faculty expertise.

Required application materials usually include academic transcripts, a statement of purpose outlining research interests, a curriculum vitae, letters of recommendation (typically three), and samples of academic work if available. Standardised test scores (such as the GRE or GMAT) may be required or recommended depending on the applicant’s background. International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements through recognised tests unless exempt.

Career prospects

Graduates of the programme commonly pursue academic careers as faculty members in business schools, departments of management, operations research, or industrial engineering. Many begin as tenure‑track assistant professors, focusing on teaching and research. Other career paths include research roles in think tanks and public policy institutes, advanced analytics and strategy positions in industry, senior operations and supply‑chain leadership roles, and consultancy focused on organisational effectiveness and process improvement.

The programme’s emphasis on rigorous methods and applied problems also suits those seeking research scientist or senior analyst roles in technology firms, logistics companies, healthcare organisations, and multinational corporations with exposure to Asia–Pacific markets.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Mānoa

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Shidler College of Business provides a distinctive research environment with a strategic location in the Asia–Pacific region, which benefits scholars interested in comparative, cross‑border and regional studies. Doctoral students work with faculty who conduct research on management, operations, supply‑chain resilience, and innovation with practical relevance for island economies and global networks.

The college offers close faculty mentoring, opportunities for collaboration with interdisciplinary centres, and access to industry partners across Hawaiʻi and the broader Pacific Rim. Doctoral candidates typically receive funded support through assistantships or fellowships, gain teaching experience, and participate in conferences and workshops to build their publication record and academic networks.