Combined study

4 years

prof. Ing. et Ing. Stanislav Škapa, Ph.D.

Chairman :
prof. Ing. et Ing. Stanislav Škapa, Ph.D.
Councillor internal :
prof. Ing. Alena Kocmanová, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Vojtěch Koráb, Dr., MBA
doc. Ing. Marie Pavláková Dočekalová, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Vojtěch Bartoš, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Mária Režňáková, CSc.
doc. PhDr. Iveta Šimberová, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Miloš Koch, CSc.
Councillor external :
doc. Ing. Petr Pirožek, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Jiří Kraft, CSc.
doc. Ing. Zuzana Dohnalová, Ph.D.

The Company Management and Economics doctoral programme aims to educate experts highly qualified for research in the field of company management, for teaching and doing research at universities, and work in international organizations, domestic and global companies.
Emphasis is put on acquiring deep and systematic knowledge and understanding of theories and mastering modern methods and procedures applicable to economics as a field of science, next on adopting advanced methods for research in economics, company management, and on developing expertise in econometrics.
Students concentrate on their own research, finding solutions to research problems focusing on comprehensiveness and theoretical background of the solutions found. An integral part of students' activities is publishing the research results, their interpretation and subsequent presentation taking different forms (presentation at research forums, at scientific conferences, writing paper, conceiving and presenting research projects, etc.), but above all, writing and defending a dissertation.

A graduate in Company Management and Economics has acquired highly specialized, systematic knowledge of theories, concepts, and methods in the field of company management and economics, which is among the best on an international scale, thus enhancing the engineering expertise and skills, as well as deep and systematic knowledge and understanding of advanced mathematical and statistical methods of quantitative and qualitative data analysis including deep and systematic knowledge of the methods and procedures of scientific work.
Graduates will find jobs of highly qualified experts in research organisations as heads of research and development teams and can also teach and do research at universities, in international organizations, at domestic and global companies.

The study requirements for students of the Company Management and Economics programme can be found in individual curricula.
The key required subject is the Methodology of Science and Research Work in Economics and Management, which is offered in cooperation with the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. The programme's main objective is to teach the students how to do research, to improve their knowledge and practical skills needed for scientific work, as well as to teach them how to write a good dissertation.
The first year also includes the Economics III course aiming to improve the use of analytic tools needed in micro-economy, particularly concerning the analysis of the supply part of market mechanism with special emphasis on mathematical models, acquainting the students also with alternative approaches to demand and supply forming. In the macro-economy part, emphasis will be laid on the theory of exogenic an endogenic economic growth and the theory of state policy, improving the students' capabilities to apply the acquired knowledge in the context of company management. The second year includes the required Academic Writing course to develop the students' communication skills needed to describe their research and general academic genres while improving their stylistic skills typical of academic writings.
In the second year, students are required to choose one of the below listed courses to augment their expertise and skills needed for writing a quality dissertation.
• Theory of Management;
• Sustainability and Circular Economics;
• Information Management;
• Marketing Theory;
• Business Management Theory;
• Theory and Practice of Financial Management;
• Methods of Economic Management of Enterprises;
The required courses and the one optional chosen are then completed by an exam.
Since an individual curriculum must include research activities based on the dissertation focus, starting in the first year, the following research outcomes are required (Research outcomes I-IV):
• In the first year a student must have at least one publication (a contribution to a domestic/international conference proceedings or paper published in a reviewed journal) corresponding to the dissertation focus, having the structure of a research paper with a co-authorship of at least 80%. The student will receive a credit for the fulfilment of this condition from his or her supervisor.
• At least one publication is required in the second year, too, (paper in a Jimp or JSC type journal or a contribution to Defendant-type conference) with a co-authorship of at least 80%. The student will receive a credit for the fulfilment of this condition from his or her supervisor.
• At least one publication is required in the third year (research paper in a Jimp or JSC type journal) corresponding to the dissertation topic with a co-authorship of at least 80%. The student will receive a credit for the fulfilment of this condition from his or her supervisor.
• In the fourth year, too, a doctoral student is expected to publish at least one research paper in a Jimp type journal related to the dissertation focus written by the doctoral student alone, or several papers with a co-authorship totalling 100%. The student will receive a credit for the fulfilment of this condition from his or her supervisor.
The required research outputs as defined above strongly support the internationalization element since the fulfilment of the publishing requirements (particularly in the third and fourth years) is only possible if the papers published are written in English.
Because of the strong accent of the doctoral study on research with outcomes reflected in the dissertation, required is also a presentation of the dissertation research focus to help assess the setting of the dissertation objective, the progress of work on the topic chosen, the expected research contribution of dissertation as well as the research methodology. The student will receive a credit for the fulfilment of this requirement from his or her supervisor.
In order to improve the quality of dissertations, doctoral students must present a "small defence of dissertation" at the supervising department. This defence should help assess the dissertation scientific contribution, the research methodology, and the fulfilment of the main and partial goals of the dissertation. The student will receive a credit for a successful presentation from his or her supervisor.
An integral part of each individual curriculum is the obligation to complete a Foreign Internship - Study Stay in the third or fourth year abroad at a university or research organisation whose research focus is the same as or related to the one of the dissertation. The stay should contribute to the development of the student's expertise and skills in the given problem area, help him or her establish international contacts, broaden his or her experience and provide him or her with opportunities to engage more closely in the scientific community dealing with problems related to the dissertation focus. The length of the stay is one semester. The student will receive a credit for a completed stay from his or her supervisor.
In students of the combined study mode, the stay abroad may take the form of on-the-job stay at a company or institution working on problems related to the dissertation focus.
The student will receive a credit for a completed stay from his or her supervisor.
As an important part, an individual curriculum for a full-time doctoral student will include teaching practice needed to enhance the presentation skills. As a rule, this teaching practice in the first four semesters includes 4 lessons a week on average. For students in the combined study mode, such practice is replaced by their publishing activities with at least one publication (a paper in a type Jimp journal or a contribution to a type D conference proceedings with a co-authorship of 100 % or several publications with the co-authorships totalling 100%. The student will receive a credit for the fulfilment of this requirement from his or her supervisor.
Doctoral students of the combined study mode are not required to appear at the supervising department on a regular basis, however, they have to attend the courses offered, consultations, and other events related to the individual curriculum following instructions by the supervisor.

The Company Management and Economics doctoral programme is offered on the basis of individual curricula set up by supervisors in cooperation with the students. An individual curriculum covers four academic years providing the student with the expertise and skills needed for doing research. A draft of each individual curriculum must be debated and approved by the Doctoral Committee. When conceiving a doctoral study, emphasis is laid upon:
• curriculum / study;
• independent scientific and research activities related to the dissertation focus;
• internationalization supported by stay abroad;
• teaching practice;
The key part of an individual curriculum is the division of the study and completion of the required theoretical and optional courses. The first year includes two required courses:
• Methodology of Science and Research Work in Economics and Management (prof. Ing. Vojtěch Koráb, Dr., MBA)
• Economics III (doc. Ing. et Ing. Stanislav Škapa, Ph.D. person in charge and teacher 60%, doc. Ing. Zinecker Marek, Ph.D., teacher 40%,)
One required specialised course is taught in the second year:
• Academic Writing (doc. PhDr. Milena Krhutova, Ph.D.)
Next, students may choose one required optional course that enhances the expertise and skills necessary for writing a good dissertation. These are the below courses:
• Theory of Management (doc. RNDr. Anna Putnová, Ph.D., MBA);
• Sustainability and Circular Economics (prof. Ing. Alena Kocmanová, Ph.D.);
• Information Management (doc. Ing. Miloš Koch, CSc.);
• Marketing Theory (doc. Ing. Vladimír Chalupský, CSc., MBA, person responsible and teacher 50%, doc. Ing. Vít Chlebovský, Ph.D. teacher 50%);
• Business Management Theory (doc. PhDr. Iveta Šimberová, Ph.D.);
• Theory and Practice of Financial Management (prof. Ing. Mária Režňáková, CSc.);
• Methods of Economic Management of Enterprises (doc. Ing. Tomáš Meluzín, Ph.D.);
Each required theoretical or optional course is completed by an exam.
Since an individual curriculum must include research activities based on the dissertation focus, starting in the first year, research outcomes are required.
Because of the strong accent of the doctoral study on research with outcomes reflected in the dissertation, required is also a presentation of the dissertation research plan to help assess the setting of the dissertation objective, the progress of work on the topic chosen, the expected research contribution of dissertation as well as the research methodology.
In order to improve the quality of dissertations, doctoral students must present a "small defence of dissertation" at the supervising department. This defence should help assess the dissertation scientific contribution, the research methodology, and the fulfilment of the main and partial goals of the dissertation.
An integral part of each individual curriculum is the obligation to complete a Foreign Internship - Study Stay in the third or fourth year abroad at a university or research organisation whose research focus is the same as or related to the one of the dissertation. The stay should contribute to the development of the student's expertise and skills in the given problem area help him or her establish international contacts, broaden his or her experience and provide him or her with opportunities to engage more closely in the scientific community dealing with problems related to the dissertation focus. The length of the stay is one semester.
In the combined study mode, the stay may take the form of an on-the-job stay at a company or institution with a student working on problems related to the dissertation focus. Students staying abroad must also prove their language skills. The student will receive a credit for a completed stay from his or her supervisor.
As an important part, an individual curriculum for a full-time doctoral student will include teaching practice needed to enhance the presentation skills. As a rule, this practice in the first four semesters includes 4 lessons a week on average. For students in the combined study mode, such practice is replaced by their publishing activities.
Next, an individual curriculum includes other, no less important, activities improving a student's research profile. These are in particular applications for grants (such as Junior Projects as part of Specific Research), participation in domestic and international conferences.
The structure and content of a doctoral student's curriculum are part of the BUT Apollo information system.

The Company Management and Economics doctoral programme is intended for graduates in economic Master's programmes.

1. Alternative company theory as a means of company management

   The research will focus on the analysis of the current state of alternative theories of the company and their application in the management of the company and the design of models and theories resulting from these alternative theories, explain the approaches of top management decision-making in real environment.

   Tutor: Škapa Stanislav, prof. Ing. et Ing., Ph.D.

2. Business valuation of start-ups

   Estimation of uture developments and expected cash flows for start-ups is challenging. Aim of the thesis is to examine existing approaches to start-up valuation and propose new suitable modifications.

   Tutor: Režňáková Mária, prof. Ing., CSc.

3. Clusters - green and digital transformation of business models

   The new Industrial Strategy - Green Deal for Europe will lead the twin green and digital transitions. The intention is to find out the role of clusters in digitization and green transformation, to look for synergies between these two processes with the ambition to formulate business models for green digitization of clusters. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the EU’s current digital and green transformation in selected sector?

   Tutor: Šimberová Iveta, doc. PhDr., Ph.D.

4. Determining the risk aversion of a private investor

   The research will focus on the analysis of the current state of private risk aversion determination, tools and methods, and their application in the process of determining risk aversion, and subsequently the design of methodology or models for this determination.

   Tutor: Škapa Stanislav, prof. Ing. et Ing., Ph.D.

5. Environmental, Social and Governance Impacts and Interactions in Sharing Economy

   The aim of this research topic is to investigate sharing economy schemes, interactions of its participants, and environmental, social and governance impacts in sharing economy.

   Tutor: Pavláková Dočekalová Marie, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

6. Changes in the Concept of Human Resource Management in International Context influenced by Pandemic Situation.

   There is intention to define what a ‘new normal’ might be in the are of human resource management. The main goal of dissertation is to design a model of human resource management in culturally determined context and influenced by current situation of COVID-19 pandemic.

   Tutor: Konečná Zdeňka, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

7. Leadership Specifics in a Context of Current Situation in the International Environment.

   Recently new demands and expectations have been required from leaders. The main goal of dissertation is to design a model of effective leadership in a culturally determined context affected by current situation.

   Tutor: Konečná Zdeňka, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

8. Quantitative Methods in Managerial Decision Making

   The research will focus on the analysis of current state of quantitative approach application in company management and on the design of models which are used as a tool for support of managerial decision-making.

   Tutor: Doskočil Radek, doc. Ing., Ph.D., MSc

9. SMEs' default prediction in the context of the external environment evolution

   The aim of the thesis is to analyse the influence of external evnironment factor in default prediction of small and medium enterprises. These factors will be analysed in combination with firm-specific factors.

   Tutor: Režňáková Mária, prof. Ing., CSc.

10. Sustainable enterprise development with respect to managerial and financial challenges

    The goal of the topic is to extend knowledge on the main constraints negatively affecting sustainability potential of Central European enterprises. The value added of the topic relates to the possibility of finding new models and organizational solutions supporting sustainable growth of enterprises.

    Tutor: Balcerzak Adam Przemyslaw, Ph.D.

11. The barriers and challenges for central European enterprises in utilizing Industry 4.0 potential

    The research on the financial and organizational factors affecting the managerial constraints and abilities to take advantage of Industry 4.0 potential, from the perspective of its practical business importance should be considered as the long term value of the current research topic.

    Tutor: Balcerzak Adam Przemyslaw, Ph.D.

12. The Political Economy of Disintegration: Assessing Economic Consequences in terms of Small and Medium Entrepreneurship

    This research aims to identify key factors, which might be critical when considering the current tendencies of disintegration from the perspective of SMEs based the Czech Republic.

    Tutor: Zinecker Marek, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

13. The role of internal entrepreneurship in building competitive potential of SMEs

    The goal of research is to extend knowledge on factors that affect the abilities of SME to develop internal entrepreneurship and to acquire employees with high entrepreneurial skills. The value added of the research relates practical business implications that can be used by SMEs in Central Europe.

    Tutor: Balcerzak Adam Przemyslaw, Ph.D.

14. Use of Digital Tools to Support Companies' Marketing Strategies

    Research focused on the composition and extent of the use of digital tools to support the creation and implementation of marketing strategies in companies.

    Tutor: Chlebovský Vít, doc. Ing., Ph.D.