Ph.D.

Why Ph.D. in Management Program at Sabancı?

Sabancı Business School is one of the leading business schools in Turkey with its strong academic faculty, focus on research, and close relationships with the industry and provides an intellectually and professionally stimulating environment for doctoral candidates to become internationally renowned scholars. With the guidance of the faculty members, students are actively involved in research and provided with opportunities to participate in research/industry projects. The curriculum is designed so that the students become exposed to alternative research methodologies and topics, yet have the flexibility to explore their interests.
To learn more about our Program and faculty members, please visit our website. If you have any questions or wish to arrange a visit to Sabancı University, please feel free to contact us.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Ayse Kocabiyikoglu
Ph.D. Program Director

The field of Management and Organization encompasses both macro- and micro-level orientations, with a macro-focus on studying organizations, groups of organizations, and inter-organizational relations and the associated higher-level aggregates, and a micro-focus on individual and group behavior within organizations. In the Ph.D. program at Sabancı University, the Management and Organization specialization caters to students interested in either of these research paths or those seeking to integrate both.

The curriculum is structured to equip students with a solid foundation in scholarly research. Beginning with this groundwork, students delve into specialized courses covering organization theory, strategic management, organizational behavior, and cross-cultural psychology. The program further allows students to tailor their academic journey by offering elective courses, enabling them to pursue specific interests and develop a focused research agenda, which becomes the focal point of their dissertation work.

Required Courses

Research Methods in Management and OS
Strategic Management
Organizational Behavior
Organization Theory
Cross-Cultural Organizational Psychology

Elective Courses

Human Resources Management
Organizational Behavior and Leadership
Special Topics in Organizational Analysis I
Philosophy of Social Sciences
Multivariate Statistics
Qualitative and Textual Research Methods
Applied Econometrics

Business Analytics and Operations Management focus on leveraging data, quantitative modeling tools, and statistical methods to improve decision-making in the operations of an organization and includes a wide array of subjects such as operations and manufacturing strategy, service operations, pricing and revenue management, retail operations, health care operations and sustainable operations.

The Ph.D. program curriculum has been designed so that the students are exposed not only to traditional research foundations rooted in quantitative methods and statistics but also to research methodologies from other management disciplines. The flexibility of choosing a curriculum with cross-discipline courses not only increases the variety of academic exposure in this field but also prepares our students in the most extensive and effective ways for their future careers.

Core Courses

Operations and Decision Analytics
Empirical Methods in Operations Management
Probability and Statistics
Modeling in Operations Management
Stochastic Processes

Elective Courses

Judgment and Decision Making
Prescriptive Analytics
Machine Learning
Supply Chain Management

The Ph.D. specialization in Finance emphasizes rigorous analytical training and prepares students to pursue research-based careers in academia or in the financial industry. Theoretical research in finance generally starts with economic models. Researchers aim to understand the mechanisms of financial markets through these models. Understanding the causal relationships between different factors that shape players’ decisions in financial markets provides a powerful tool for investors, firm managers, regulators, and other decision-makers. The initial set of finance courses, mainly taken from the economics program, emphasize the role of theoretical models to build such a framework. The finance specialization curriculum also stresses the importance of empirical methods that are used to test the predictions of the theoretical models. The empirical models discussed in the program are often used in investment, asset pricing, corporate finance, corporate governance, and banking fields.

Required Courses

Empirical Asset Pricing
Empirical Corporate Finance
Microeconomics I-II
Macroeconomics I
Quantitative Methods
Econometrics

Elective Courses

Special Topics in Finance
Derivatives & Risk Management
Money & Banking
Macroeconomics II
Industrial Organization
Applied Econometrics
Game Theory

The Ph.D. program consists of three main components, namely, coursework - usually lasting two academic years, a qualifying examination and a dissertation.
Altogether the completion of program requirements should be expected to take four to five years,
You can reach the regulations concerning each of the components are accessible through the link to the University's website.
Ph.D. students majoring in one of the three main areas of specialization can complete their coursework in two years by fulfilling the course requirements indicated below.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS (With Masters degree)

Course Category	Min ECTS Credits	Min SU Credits	Min Courses
Ph.D. Dissertation	-	-	1
Required Courses	-	3	3
Core Area Courses	-	12	4
Elective Courses	-	15	5
Total	262	30	13

Common Outcomes of Ph.D. Programs:

Develop and deepen the current and advanced knowledge in the field with original thought and/or research and come up with innovative definitions based on Master's degree qualifications
Conceive the interdisciplinary interaction to which the field is related with ; come up with original solutions by using knowledge requiring proficiency in analysis, synthesis, and assessment of new and complex ideas.
Evaluate and use new information within the field in a systematic approach.
Develop an innovative knowledge, method, design, and/or practice or adapt an already known knowledge, method, design, and/or practice to another field; research, conceive, design, adapt, and implement an original subject.
Critical analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of new and complex ideas.
Gain advanced level skills in the use of research methods in the field of study.
Contribute to the progression in the field by producing an innovative idea, skill, design, and/or practice or by adapting an already known idea, skill, design, and/or practice to a different field independently.
Broaden the borders of the knowledge in the field by producing or interpreting an original work or publishing at least one scientific paper in the field in national and/or international refereed journals.
Demonstrate leadership in contexts requiring innovative and interdisciplinary problem-solving.
Develop new ideas and methods in the field by using high-level mental processes such as creative and critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making.
Investigate and improve social connections and their conducting norms and manage the actions to change them when necessary.
Defend original views when exchanging ideas in the field with professionals and communicate effectively by showing competence in the field.
Ability to communicate and discuss orally, in writing, and visually with peers by using a foreign language at least at a level of European Language Portfolio C1 General Level.
Contribute to the transition of the community to an information society and its sustainability process by introducing scientific, technological, social or cultural improvements.
Demonstrate functional interaction by using strategic decision-making processes in solving problems encountered in the field.
Contribute to the solution-finding process regarding social, scientific, cultural, and ethical problems in the field and support the development of these values.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted via online application system only. Applications sent via e-mail cannot be evaluated. For the online application link, click here

Required documents:

1. Online application form

2. Official Transcript

3. Two Letters of Recommendation

The candidate must enter the contact information of the referees into the online application form. The reference letters uploaded by the candidate are invalid. Please check here for the Recommendation Letter Sample.

4. One Passport-sized Photograph

Letter in English explaining the candidate's intention to apply to the relevant program. It must not exceed 2 pages and it must be uploaded under "Documents" in the online application system.

5. Statement of Personal and Professional Purpose

6. GMAT, ALES, GRE or GAT score

The score obtained in the exam must be written in the relevant part of the online system and the document showing the declared exam result must be uploaded to the "Documents" section of the online application system. Original copies should be submitted before admission. If applicants want ETS to send their scores directly to the SBS, they should use our institution number 7100. For detailed information, please visit www.mba.com

•    GMAT: Minimum score of 600 or
•    ALES or e-ALES (Equal weight): Minimum score 82 or
•    GRE (Quantitative): Minimum score of 157 or
•    GAT: Accumulative Test Score (Subject Test): Minimum 82

Note: GMAT, GRE, ALES, e-ALES are valid for five years, GAT is valid for two years.

7. Graduate Diploma with Thesis for Candidates who will apply to the Ph.D. Program with a Master’s Diploma:

• Candidates applying for the Ph.D. Program with a Master's degree must hold a “Master with Thesis” degree.
• Candidates whose diplomas or transcripts do not contain such information must provide an official letter of evidence from their institutions.
• Holders of “Non-thesis Master degree” may apply to the Ph.D. program only upon submission of an official document from their institutions, certifying that they have already been enrolled to the “Non-thesis” program before February 6th, 2013.

8. Foreign Language Exam Certificate
All candidates must submit score sheets that prove that they meet the minimum English proficiency score indicated in the below table. Please enter your score in the corresponding field in the online system and upload your score sheet under Documents.

Accepted Language Exams	TOEFL IBT	YDS, e-YDS, YÖKDİL	CPE	CAE	PTE
Minimum Score	88	73	C	B	74
Validity	2 years	5 years	3 years	3 years	2 years

• The Sabancı University English Language Assessment Exam ELAE Score Sheet does not qualify as a “Proof of Foreign Language Proficiency” under Ph.D. admission requirements.
• If you submit TOEFL IBT, PTE Academic, CAE, or CPE scores and take these exams in Turkey, the exam center must be a state university building.

9. Curriculum Vitae:

Important Notes:

• Please note that if you get accepted to the program, you will need to submit the originals of all official documents required.
• Candidates applying for the Ph.D. Program with a BA degree must hold a minimum of 3.00/4.00 GPA. The candidates who graduated from institutions that apply a scale other than the “X out of 4.00” system must provide a conversion table or an official letter of evidence from their institutions.

2024-2025 Academic year Application Deadlines:

Early Application Deadline: March 22, 2024

Application Deadline: May 31, 2024

Sabanci Ph.D. in Management program is a full-time program and all doctoral students are accepted with scholarships. Scholarship and financial support options are as follows:

Sabancı University Graduate Scholarship: Sabancı University’s “Full Scholarship” is based on academic achievement and includes a tuition waiver, monthly stipend, dormitory/ transportation, private health insurance, laptop, and conference support.

Fo4 2024-2025 academic year scholarship details, please visit https://www.sabanciuniv.edu/en/graduate-scholarships

Tubitak National Scholarship for Ph.D. Students: Sabancı University encourages students to apply for the 2210 - National Graduate Scholarship Program or 2211 - National Doctorate Scholarship Program, which is run by TÜBİTAK-BİDEB, which students use directly. In addition to the scholarships provided by BİDEB, the following opportunities are provided to students who are accepted to the relevant programs.

Aysegul Arsoy Scholarship: It is a type of scholarship given on behalf of Ayşegül Arsoy for her valuable contributions during the establishment and design phases of Sabancı University within the Sabancı Graduate Business School. It is a scholarship provided to doctorate students, and the duration is one year. At the end of this period, the scholarship is converted into a full scholarship with the Graduate School decision.

Isik Inselbag Scholarship : Within the scope of "Isik Inselbag Finance Chair" within the Sabancı Graduate Business School, is a type of scholarship provided to a successful doctorate student at the Sabancı Graduate Business School.

It will be announced later.

Program Profile

Finance Area:

Alper Tunga Demir
Aynur Dilan Tosun
Emine Özgü Özen
Khaoula Agrebi Ep Vural
Melis Türkkan
Merve Meriç Yılmaz
Muhammed Furkan Erdoğan

Business Analytics and Operations Management:

Aslı Gürler Kandemir
Bardia Moghtader
Can Erzi
Derya Yurt
Eda Helin Yıldız
Elvin Zeynalli
Gülçin Özlem Çolak
Kemal Berkay Tüzün
Mahour AbbaspourKhiabani
Merve Özer
Sina Soleimani Zarrin
Şeyma Gözüyılmaz

Management and Organization Area:

Aran Nasiri
Cemre Çınar
Eldar Sedaghatparast Saleh
Habibe Açık
Kağan Sırdar
Yeşim Uygur

Betül Altunsu (Alumni 2023)

Dissertation Topic: Understanding Illegitimacy: Cultural- Cognitive, Normative and Regulative Dimensions

Dissertation Advisor: Behlül Üsdiken

Aleksandra Kaner (Alumni 2021)

Dissertation Topic: The Implications of Perceived Injustice Climate on Organizational Trustworthiness and Job Outcomes

Dissertation Advisor: Arzu Wasti

Afşar Yeğin (Alumni 2021)

Dissertation Topic: Moral Foundations of Supervisor Trustworthiness: Evidence from Two Country Contexts

Dissertation Advisor: Arzu Wasti

Afife Çağla Yılmaz (Alumni 2020)

Dissertation Topic: Partner Selection Following A failure (An Analysis of Turkish TV Series Industry, 2007-2016)

Dissertation Advisor: Remzi Gözübüyük

Ozan Duygulu (Alumni 2020)

Dissertation Topic: Corporate Governance in Turkey, 2000-2018: A Process of Translation

Dissertation Advisor: Behlül Üsdiken

Ali Alipour (Alumni 2019)

Dissertation Topic: Performance Feedback and Risk Relationship: A Cross-Cultural Examination

Dissertation Advisor: Remzi Gözübüyük

Eda Aksoy (Alumni 2017)

Dissertation Topic: Long-Term Oriented Internal Management Philosophies, Their Effects On HRM Implementation and Shop Climates in Franchised Small Business

Dissertation Advisor: Mahmut Bayazıt

Ayşe Başak Topaler (Alumni 2016)

Dissertation Topic: Understanding Variation in the Diffusion of an Unconventional Practice: The Diffusion of English-medium Instruction in the Turkish Higher Education Field

Dissertation Advisor: Behlül Üsdiken

Özgür Rahşan Çetrez (Alumni 2016)

Dissertation Topic: Organizational Form Evolution: Actors, Legal Formation and Authenticity in Islamic Banking and Organic Agriculture in Turkey

Dissertation Advisor: Özgecan Koçak

Türkan Yosun (Alumni 2016)

Dissertation Topic: Marketization of Social Sectors and Strategic Reactions of Social Enterprises

Dissertation Advisor: Dilek Çetindamar

Fikriye Nazlı Şenol (Alumni 2016)

Dissertation Topic: Relational Pluralism and Practice Variantation

Dissertation Advisor: Işın Güler

Kıymet Duygu Erdaş (Alumni 2016)

Dissertation Topic: Workplace Incivility in the Context of Honor Culture

Dissertation Advisor: Arzu Wasti

Uzay Dural Şenoğuz (Alumni 2016)

Dissertation Topic: Understanding the Malleability of Implicit Stereotyping and Implicit Prejudice toward Female Leadership: A Longitudinal Field Study on Municipality Employees in Turkey

Dissertation Advisor: Mahmut Bayazıt

Özge Can (Alumni 2013)

Dissertation Topic: Predictors of Hybrid Organizational Identity: Evidence from the Turkish Theatre Field, 1923-1999

Dissertation Advisor: Behlül Üsdiken

Selin Erdil (Alumni 2011)

Dissertation Topic: A model of dyadic trust: Turkish case

Dissertation Advisor: Arzu Wasti

Ahmet Murat Fiş (Alumni 2009)

Dissertation Topic: Unlocking the relationship between corporate entrepreneurship & performance

Dissertation Advisor: Dilek Çetindamar

Zeynep Erden Bayazıt (Alumni 2006)

Dissertation Topic: Histories, institutional regimes and educational organizations: the case of Turkish Higher Education

Dissertation Advisor: Behlül Üsdiken

Deniz Tunçalp (Alumni 2006)

Dissertation Advisor: The recursive dualism of technology: Reconstructing the process of technology adaptation in organizations

Dissertation Advisor: Ahmet Öncü

Çetin Önder (Alumni 2006)

Dissertation Advisor: Political opportunity, organizational infrastructure & organizational founding: trade unions in Istanbul & Ankara, 1947-1980

Altuğ Tanaltay (Alumni 2023)

Dissertation Advisor: Cross-Cultural Analysis of Emotions on Social Media Branding Communication with Evidence from Big Data

Dissertation Advisor: Nihat Kasap

Bahareh Farhoudinia (Alumni 2023)

Dissertation Topic: Analyzing Effects of Emotions on Fake News Detection: A Covid-19 Case Study

Dissertation Advisor: Nihat Kasap

Arya Sevgen (Alumni 2021)

Dissertation Topic: Optimal Sizing and Location of Energy Storage Systems

Dissertation Advisor: Abdullah Daşçı

Mohsen Bahrami (Alumni 2018)

Dissertation Topic: Behavioral Analytics: Understanding Individual and Group Behavior Using Transactional Big Data

Dissertation Advisor: Burçin Bozkaya

Öznur Özdemir Akyıldırım (Alumni 2009)

Dissertation Topic: Product recovery systems: policy issues and disposition decisions

Dissertation Advisor: Meltem Denizel

Said Gattoufi (Alumni 2002)

Dissertation Topic: Data envelopment analysis: A taxonomy, a meta-review and an extension (confident-dea) with application to predicting cross (OECD) country banking systems’ efficiency

Dissertation Advisor: Muhittin Oral

Mustafa Öztekin (Alumni 2022)

Dissertation Topic: Essays in Empirical Asset Pricing

Dissertation Advisor: Kemal Özgür Demirtaş

Rabia İmra Kırlı Öziş (Alumni 2020)

Dissertation Topic: Essays in Empirical Asset Pricing

Dissertation Advisor: Kemal Özgür Demirtaş

Ali Doruk Günaydın (Alumni 2016)

Dissertation Topic: Essays in Empirical Asset Pricing

Dissertation Advisor: Kemal Özgür Demirtaş

Gül Demirtaş (Alumni 2015)

Dissertation Topic: Essays in Empirical Corporate Finance

Dissertation Advisor: Şerif Aziz Şimşir

Alper Erdoğan (Alumni 2014)

Dissertation Topic: Essays in Empirical Asset Pricing: Turkish Markets

Dissertation Advisor: Kemal Özgür Demirtaş

Contact Us

Program Coordinator

Didem Kocaer

didem.kocaer@sabanciuniv.edu

0216 483 96 71

Ph.D. Program Akademic Coordinator

Ayşe Kocabıyıkoğlu

ayse.kocabiyikoglu@sabanciuniv.edu

Management and Organization Area Academic Coordinator

Nüfer Ateş

nufer.ates@sabanciuniv.edu

Finance Area Academic Coordinator

Yiğit Atılgan

yigit.atilgan@sabanciuniv.edu

Why Ph.D. in Management Program at Sabancı?

Management and Organization

Business Analytics and Operations Management

Finance

Application Process

Program Profile

Management and Organization Concentration Area

Business Analytics and Operations Management Concentration Area

Finance Concentration Area

Ph.D. in Management Programı Introduction Video

Contact Us

Program Coordinator

Ph.D. Program Akademic Coordinator

Management and Organization Area Academic Coordinator

Finance Area Academic Coordinator