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

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. Application of advanced mathematical procedures in the analysis of dynamic business processes 

   Suitable methods of analysing dynamic business processes allow managers to increase the efficiency of the company's management processes. The research will focus on the possibilities of applying advanced mathematical procedures in solving selected dynamic models from business practice designed to support business management decision-making, while using appropriate means of information and communication technologies. 

   Tutor: Novotná Veronika, doc. Mgr., Ph.D.

2. Benefits of smart services provided by enterprises

   Current manufacturers provide to their products also smart services. Smart services offer many benefits for both manufacturing companies and as well as for their customers. The aim of this topic is to investigate which benefits of smart services are significant for manufacturing companies.

   Tutor: Kaňovská Lucie, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Brand Development in Specific High-Tech Industry

   Brand development in high-tech industries require specific theoretical knowledge and implementation approaches. Companies in those industries are developing new business models. Those new business models require new branding concepts which must be based on knew theoretical knowledge.

   Tutor: Zich Robert, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

4. Business Models Sustainable Innovation

   Many authors define business models innovation from the sustainability point of view, but key aspect of all of the expert opinions is that business model is understood as extending beyond the entity of the company, its customers and shareholders, and also including value capture for key stakeholders. The aim is to design methodology for sustainable innovation of the business model through the prototype design of a suitable model for sustainable innovation in selected markets.

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

5. Business valuation in selected business branch (specific issue)

   Approaches to firms’ valuation based on estimation of future cash flows are very sensitive to parameters specific to firms' business branch. Aim of the thesis is to identify the specifics of the chosen branch and incorporate them, as parameters, into the valuation models.

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

6. Business valuation: specific approches to SMEs valuation

   The aim of the thesis will be to investigate existing models of value determination and propose modifications for application in SMEs.

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

7. Circular economy and selected indicators for its evaluation.

   The aim of the thesis will be to analyze the current state of knowledge about circular economy and to propose indicators that evaluate circular economy.

   Tutor: Kocmanová Alena, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

8. Competences desirable for development of a company during and after the digital transformation.

   Digitization of business processes and the associated desirable competences of workers is perceived as one of the key areas of business management. The main goal of the dissertation will be to identify the desired competencies based on the mapping of business processes and to propose such a competency model that will support digital transformation and, consequently, the effective work of workers in the environment of digitized agendas in the company.

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

9. Credit risk model’s employing financial derivates data

   The aim of the thesis is to analyse the information value of combination of macroeconomic and company-specific data in analysing levels of credit risk approximated by CDS spread in the conditions of European countries.

   Tutor: Karas Michal, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

10. Determinants of intra-industry trade in a selected industry

    Intra-industry trade is the simultaneous import and export of products within the same industry. They include the final products also their parts and components. The main goal of the thesis is to examine the micro and macroeconomic factors determining intra-industry trade in a selected industry. 

    Tutor: Łapińska Justyna, dr. hab., prof. UMK

11. Digital Transformation Influences to the Marketing Strategies of the Starting Companies

    Research focused on the actual as well as the long-term influences of the digital transformation of the economy to the changes in marketing strategies of the starting companies.

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

12. Drivers of Corporate Sustainable Value Creation in Selected Industry

    The aim of this research topic is to identify drivers of corporate sustainable value creation in a selected industry and to develop a model which will capture sustainable value creation for the selected industry.

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

13. Economic optimization of measures in the process of cyber risk management

    The research will focus on the analysis of current approaches to cyber risk management in order to design a new model resp. a methodology that will use as a tool to support decision-making in the process of selecting appropriate measures to increase the effectiveness of cyber security management of companies.

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

14. Financial Transactions and Their Taxation

    The OECD's project against BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) has established standards that have had significant impacts in the area of financial transactions. The aim of the thesis will be to assess the existing standards along with the systematization of the existing rules and subsequently to create a methodological guide for tax management in this area.

    Tutor: Brychta Karel, doc. Ing. Mgr., Ph.D.

15. Green competencies of employees and development of responsible innovations in industrial companies

    Green employee competencies are an essential element of the green human resource management. The main objective of the thesis is to examine the impact of green competencies of employees on their innovative behaviour, leading to the implementation of responsible innovations.

    Tutor: Łapińska Justyna, dr. hab., prof. UMK

16. Changes in the enterprise architecture as a result of changes in the corporate environment

    The issue focuses on the analysis of the impact of changes in the corporate environment on enterprise architecture. The aim will be to analyse selected enterprise architecture parameters using mathematical and statistical methods and to propose enterprise architecture innovation of enterprises in the selected industry.

    Tutor: Straková Jarmila, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

17. Impacts of the management paradigm on the corporate environment of enterprises in the selected industry

    The issue solves the impact of the management paradigm on the corporate environment regarding the industry focus and size categorization of enterprises.The aim will be to propose an integrated model of the corporate environment with the specification of impacts and their elimination on enterprises.

    Tutor: Straková Jarmila, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

18. Increasing business performance using robotic manufacturing technology

    Most of business performance measurement systems focus on improvement of existing business processes. Currently implemented controlled robotic production technologies help to reduce production time while maintaining quality and focusing on costs. The aim of the work will be to explore existing approaches for increasing the performance of manufacturing companies and to design a model using new robotic technologies.

    Tutor: Bartoš Vojtěch, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

19. Influence of microeconomic policy of the state to conduct companies

    The theme is focused on a critical analysis of the microeconomic tools and measures of state policy in relation to companies (market players), and firms respond to these measures. Specifically, it will be a solution to price regulation, the problems of externalities, public goods, or problems arising from asymmetric information.

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

20. Intangible Assets and Their Taxation

    The OECD's project against BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) has established standards that have had significant impacts in the area of intangible assets, which importance has been continuously growing. The aim of the thesis will be to assess the existing standards along with the systematization of the existing rules and subsequently to create a methodological guide for tax management in this area.

    Tutor: Brychta Karel, doc. Ing. Mgr., Ph.D.

21. IPO as a tool of capital market development

    The research formulates measures to support the IPO market in the Czech capital market and propose solutions to increase the interest of companies in equity financing.

    Tutor: Meluzín Tomáš, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

22. Key Factors of Business Models Digital Transformation

    Digital transformation is changing the way business happens and works. With the digital transformation, companies are forced to study all processes, systems again. From internal systems to interact with customers and in both modern forms (online and offline). The research question remains, what are the key factors in the digital transformation of business models of today's companies?

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

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

    The aim of the thesis is to analyse the influence of external environment factor in default prediction of small and medium enterprises. A special focus will be paid to factors representing a obstacles in business growth. These factors will be analysed in combination with firm-specific factors.

    Tutor: Karas Michal, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

24. Specifics of mesoeconomics of a selected industry sector in business management

    The topic focuses on the identification of the specifics of the mesoeconomy of the selected industry sector as a factor influencing the enterprise and the design of a model to support managerial decision-making in the field of strategic management.

    Tutor: Janíček Ladislav, doc. Ing., Ph.D., MBA, LL.M.

25. Strategic development of competitiveness on the base of multi-industry co-operation and network based approach

    Trends of development of multi-industry co-operation and entrepreneurial networks open potential for identification of new principles of customer value creation systems. Strategic competitiveness development, based on such value, requires revision of theoretical base and new practical methods.

    Tutor: Zich Robert, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

26. The Economic Importance of Stock Exchanges and the Prospects for its Further Development

    Dissertation will focus on research in the field of contemporary economic importance and functioning of stock exchanges and their trends.

    Tutor: Meluzín Tomáš, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

27. The challenges of smart (digital) servitization in healthcare as an important area of the tertiary sector

    Servitization research has a tendency to focus on manufacturing and often fails to consider how servitization is necessary in other sectors. This topic is focused on the innovation, development and implementation of digitally-supported new services that aim to transform healthcare services.

    Tutor: Kaňovská Lucie, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

28. The importance of servitization and smart (digital) servitization of companies in terms of sustainable development

    The reasons leading companies to the servitization strategy have recently been supplemented with society-wide global trend of striving for sustainable development. The aim of the topic is to map the significance of servitization and smart servitization of companies in terms of sustainable development.

    Tutor: Kaňovská Lucie, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

29. The role of angel investing in the context of start-up projects in a selected sector

    Start-up projects typically face a lack of capital. This has been provided very often by angel investors. While interest of business angels is typically focused on the ICT sector, the amount of capital invested in other sectors has also been increasing recently. This dissertation thesis focuses on the evaluation of angel investors' investment strategies in a selected sector with respect to the life cycle of a start-up project.

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

30. The specifics of the Economic Management of the Family Business

    Research is focused on the identification of the specifics and the proposal of a model for the economic management of the family business.

    Tutor: Meluzín Tomáš, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

31. The use of artificial intelligence methods for data analysis and predictive model creation as a tool of business management

    The use of artificial intelligence methods for data analysis and the creation of a predictive model in the field of sentiment as a business management tool using classical methods, fuzzy logic and artificial neural networks

    Tutor: Dostál Petr, prof. Ing., CSc.

32. Tools and methods for pricing of natural monopolies

    The theme focuses on the critical analysis tools and in particular, monopolistic pricing strategies, respectively. oligopolistic firms operating in sectors which are natural or high barriers to entry.

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

33. 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.

34. Utilization of Modern Indicators to Corporate Measurement and Management

    The aim of the thesis is to identify appropriate indicators of corporate measurement and management. With respect to balance lagging indicators focused on the past and leading indicators focused on the future. The application and their link to the corporate management.

    Tutor: Bartoš Vojtěch, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

35. Value stream models for selected industry as a generator of corporate margin and profitability

    The issue is focused on the decomposition of business processes within the selected industry with differentiation according to the size categorization and scope of enterprises. The aim will be to work out general models of value-creating business flows ensuring the achievement of corporate margin.

    Tutor: Straková Jarmila, doc. Ing., Ph.D.