The document describes the Executive PhD Program at Antwerp Management School. It aims to develop the next generation of business leaders by combining rigorous academic research with practical business relevance. Participants gain expertise in their field through membership in Competence Centers and apply their research to address contemporary business issues. The four-year, part-time program involves coursework, supervised research, and defending a dissertation. It provides opportunities for professional growth, knowledge transfer, and becoming part of the faculty. The goal is to produce research that benefits both academia and business.

1. EXECUTIVE
PHDPROGRAM—“Nextgenerationbusinessleaders”-APhDProgram
KnowledgeTransferwillbecomethemost
importantassetofthe21stcentury.

2. 32Executive PhD Program
PROF. DR. BART CAMBRÉ
— DIRECTOR OF KNOWLEDGE & RESEARCH,
HEAD OF THE ANTWERP MANAGEMENT SCHOOL
COMPETENCE CENTERS, PROFESSOR OF BUSINESS
RESEARCH METHODS AND HOLDER OF THE CHAIR
ON BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS
Which one of us can claim to possess all the knowledge we need to face the challenges confronting
our organizations today? How can we create knowledge based on contemporary scientific insights,
while also taking the practical implications in offices and on factory floors into account? Why
should we search for answers separately, when together we can achieve so much more? We would
like to collaborate with Executive PhD students and other partners by setting up projects and
research focused on specific topics to search for knowledge and insights that are both interesting
on a content-level and relevant on a practical level. Our combined expertise will create added value
for all participants. We want to concentrate on specific themes and excel at them. With each PhD
Research Proposal, we strive for ‘thought leadership’ in our fields of expertise, we want to detect
trends faster and look for the answers we need, together. As an Executive PhD student, you will be
part of one of our Competence Centers, participating in our story of co-creation, engagement and
knowledge creation and transfer.
PROF. DR. PATRICK KENIS
— ACADEMIC DEAN OF
ANTWERP MANAGEMENT SCHOOL
In the long-term there will be a shortage of talented Faculty who will be capable, on the one hand,
of applying academic rigor to real-world business issues and, on the other hand, of transferring this
knowledge through inspiring teaching and lecturing. Antwerp Management School wants to tackle
this future issue by initiating an Executive PhD Program. Participants will get the opportunity to
come and teach at Antwerp Management School or to continue their research activities in one of
our Competence Centers.
PROF. DR. PAUL MATTHYSSENS
— DEAN OF ANTWERP MANAGEMENT SCHOOL
As the Dean of Antwerp Management School, I strongly believe that competitive, yet sustainable
advantages in both management education as well as in the business world can only be achieved
through responsible decision-making throughout all activities and strategic decisions. I’m
convinced that rigorous academic research with an immediate relevant impact on the real world is
absolutely necessary for growing in a highly competitive environment. One of the main objectives
of Antwerp Management School when it comes to management and business education is thus
to make the shift from mere knowledge transfer – the traditional aim and intent of management
education- to the broader development of responsible managers, leaders and ‘Global Citizens’ who
create and transfer knowledge to improve both business, society and academia. We hope you will
embark with us on this journey. It will boost your career, benefit your company and thus the wider
society in which you work and live. Thanks in advance for your enthusiasm and creativity...
WELCOME
Leading today’s rapidly changing business with in-depth and rigorously researched insights. Staying
ahead of the competition by relying on evidence-based management research. Meeting the triple
bottom line while improving professionally. These are the challenges leaders face today. The Executive
PhD Program at Antwerp Management School offers high potentials a unique learning opportunity that
combines the latest academic knowledge with practical relevance. It offers a competitive advantage
to its participants in every respect. Choosing our Executive PhD allows our participants to boost their
critical thinking, improve their solution-oriented assessment, and enhance their skills to underpin,
defend and implement new ideas.
Having obtained an Executive Doctorate myself, I know what it takes to combine work with undertaking
in-depth research that spurs reinvigorated business initiatives. It’s a life-changing learning journey that
requires a great deal of time management, open-mindedness and above all, perseverance. However,
it’s highly rewarding in terms of personal development while making a significant contribution to both
practice and knowledge. The unique approach of this Executive PhD Program lies in combining all
these aspects – both on a professional and practical level – while surrounding every PhD candidate
with top-notch academic support and a myriad of opportunities to bring their research to the forefront
of innovative solutions.
It is my personal aspiration to help design a program that will have a significant impact on the
participants’ professional life, their organizations, and even wider society. In doing so, we truly live
up to the School’s values to help executives in create sustainable value to become Global Citizens,
mastering the art of making decisions and leading people. This Executive PhD Program brings one
extra value to the table: making a difference by generating applicable knowledge.
Dr. Hugo Marynissen, DBA
Academic Director Executive PhD Program
Welcome to the Antwerp Management
School’s Executive PhD

3. Executive PhD Program 4 5
WHY?
WHAT?
Why should you enroll in the Antwerp Management School’s Executive PhD Program?
The Executive PhD Program is a high quality, doctoral level, research degree that has a real impact on business and society.
Participants will acquire new mindsets and methodologies to approach current business issues they are confronted with in their
organizations or in society. The Program also benefits the participant’s personal development.
Since it is Antwerp Management School’s ultimate ambition to be the most customer-centric Business School, we offer our
participants additional support and service. We want to offer our participants a top-level Executive PhD Program with a ‘Premium’
look-and-feel from the beginning until the end (and beyond!) ;
What is Antwerp Management School’s Executive PhD Program about?
The Antwerp Management School Executive PhD Program is a four-year, part-time research-based Program aimed at senior
executiveslookingtoapplyrelevantknowledgeandresearchskillstocontemporarybusinessproblemsintheirindustryorworkplace.
The doctoral degree is recognized by partner universities from all over the globe.
Why take the Executive PhD Program that Antwerp Management School offers instead of any other PhD Program?
ASSETS
You will expand your professional network by meeting
with other C-level senior executives and thought
leaders;
AnetworkofinternationalFacultycombinesacademic
excellence with real-life business experience;
Participants receive full membership of the Antwerp
Management School Competence Centers and obtain
direct access to top academic thinkers in their field of
interest;
Strong case-based research orientation;
Unrestricted and open access to seminars and
conferences organized by Antwerp Management
School’s partner schools;
Full access to the libraries of Antwerp Management
School and the University of Antwerp and to various
online libraries and knowledge databases;
This Program should represent the pinnacle of the
participant’s personal and professional development;
You will become one of the highly valued Faculty
Members of Antwerp Management School
Membership of an alumni lecturing network (that will
support participants in their lecturing and research
interests after completion of the Program);
The research topics that are addressed are actual
business issues;
It’s a part-time Program;
ABOUT
THE EXECUTIVE
PHD PROGRAM
The Executive PhD Program developed by Antwerp Management School is a high-level support
Program for Executives and C-level managers with the strong ambition to bring state-of-the-art
knowledge and excellent research skills into the workplace and into society.
The Executive PhD Program combines rigorous academic research and teaching with relevant real-
world business impact, thus contributing to both academia and business.

4. Executive PhD Program 6 7
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
A LITTLE MORE INTO DETAIL
PHD-CIRCLE
The Executive PhD Program supports all elements of
Antwerp Management School’s Strategy model and
Research objectives as stated in the different Competence
Centers. It is designed to ensure:
Participants become part of a PhD-circle (= a cohort of PhD-students starting their Executive PhD Program at the same time). The
idea behind these PhD-circles is that although the individual PhD research proposals will differ (different angle, different topic,
different industry, different background, etc.); the process is very similar (a number of specific ‘milestones’ are part of any PhD:
formulating a research question, choice of methods, decisions on theory and analysis, formulation of conclusions, etc.).
These milestones will be shared and discussed within the circle. As such a PhD-circle combines rigorous supervision by an
experienced PhD-supervisor with relevant inter-vision with the other PhD-students who learn by reading and discussing each
other’s work.
Furthermore, the support provided by a PhD-circle will be extremely useful for adapting to the academic world: academic writing,
working on conference papers, presenting academic research and so on.
This collaborative learning approach spurs teamwork and leadership skills.
Over a period of 4 years, successful PhD candidates will gain
competencies crucial for further intensifying their career
span successfully, both in Academia and Industry. In this
respect, they will:
The Program is aimed at senior executives with over
10 years of relevant management experience, working in
organizations that typically operate on an international
level. A significant proportion holds Board-level or CEO
positions.
The advancement of practice-based knowledge through
original research, predominantly – but not exclusively – in
the areas of the Antwerp Management School Competence
Centers;
Acquire the latest theoretical and practical knowledge
in their chosen management field and learn the skills of
advancing knowledge through methodologically-robust,
practice-based research methods;
Demonstrate the ability to develop original contributions
to existing knowledge;
Learn the skills needed to transfer knowledge in both
academic and business environments, in oral and written
form.
A steady flow of academic research output and publications
with a built-in handicap for case-based research;
The positioning of Antwerp Management School as a
unique high-value executive education institution with
program components not offered by competing schools;
The strengthening of Antwerp Management School’s
Alumni network with senior executives.
The Executive PhD
Program combines
academic rigorous
research and teaching
with relevant real-
world business impact,
thus contributing to
both academia and
business.“
“

5. Executive PhD Program 8 9
STRUCTURE OF THE ANTWERP MANAGEMENT
SCHOOL EXECUTIVE PHD PROGRAM
The Executive PhD is divided into 2 general stages. Stage 1 provides participants with all the necessary research
skills that are required to embark on a doctoral research project and to be able to write a PhD research proposal.
Stage 2 focuses on supervised research, learning advanced teaching and lecturing skills, and culminates in the
defense of a doctoral dissertation.
With the acceptance of their PhD research proposal
and the appointment of a PhD supervisor, participants
progress to Stage 2. Over a period of 24-30 months,
participants proceed with their research, write and
eventually defend a doctoral dissertation. During
this stage, participants are expected to grow their
competenciesinpresenting,discussingandpublishing
their research.
Participants are expected to attend doctoral Research
Colloquia and seminars on academic publishing,
writing teaching cases and facilitate case study
discussions in academic and business environments.
In Stage 2 participants are managed through a PhD-
circle, which is based on topical themes.
Towards the latter stages of their research,
participants are offered membership of an alumni
lecturing network (PETRA Network), which will
help them find and organize occasional and part-time
academic lecturing and research engagements after
the completion of their Executive PhD Program.
The Program contains both compulsory and elective
elements, which should lead the participant to a PhD
within 4 years.
Stage 1 is expected to last 16-18 months. Participants
acquire in-depth knowledge about quantitative
and qualitative management research methods.
Considerable attention will also be devoted to
literature search and to the skills needed to transfer
knowledge. They gain broad insights into their
specialization through membership and collaboration
within the Antwerp Management School Competence
Centers. Every intake is developed according to
a ´cohort´ principle with a network of Faculty
supervising, guiding and advising the entire intake.
Successful completion of all modules and assignments
provides all the elements required for an academically
robust PhD research proposal.
2. EXECUTIVE PHD PROGRAM: CONTENT
Acquire Knowlegde
Transfer Knowlegde
Develop Knowlegde
YEAR 1 YEAR 3YEAR 2 YEAR 4
1. EXECUTIVE PHD PROGRAM: STRUCTURE
STAGE 1
THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM
SETTING THE STANDARDS
YEAR 1 YEAR 3YEAR 2
Coursework
Examination
Research Proposal
Coursework
Research Idea
YEAR 4
STAGE 2
BECOMING A NEXT GENERATION
BUSINESS LEADER
Supervised research
Learning advanced teaching and lecturing skills
Defence of a doctoral dissertation
PhD - circle meetings
Participation in conferences and seminars
Membership of the Antwerp Management School Competence Centers

6. Executive PhD Program 10 11
“This Program
should present the
pinnacle of the
participant’s personal
and professional
development.”

7. Executive PhD Program 12 13
FINANCIAL BENEFITS
SME conditions;
Training vouchers;
LEARNING METHODS
Residential seminars
PhD-circle meetings
Workshops
Lectures
“The Executive PhD
Program nourishes
talent to become the
next generation of
excellent business
leaders.”
VEERLE DEPARCQ
— PROGRAM MANAGER
EXECUTIVE PHD PROGRAM
ADMISSION CRITERIA & PRICING
Antwerp Management School only admits participants to the Executive PhD Program with the intrinsic motivation and
willingness to contribute to academic research and to become the next generation business leaders. Candidates must
hold an MBA or Master’s degree from an accredited academic institution and must have at least ten years of professional
experience in the field of management. The Program is taught in English thus an excellent knowledge of oral and written
English is required.
Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
REGISTER NOW
For start dates, fees, requirements and admission procedure, please refer to our website:
www.antwerpmanagementschool.be/ExecutivePhD
QUESTIONS?
Veerle Deparcq
T +32(0)3 265 47 63
E veerle.deparcq@ams.ac.be
ANTWERP MANAGEMENT SCHOOL
Sint-Jacobsmarkt 9-13 / B-2000 Antwerpen
T +32 (0)3 265 47 58
F +32 (0)3 265 47 34
E info@antwerpmanagementschool.be
ACCREDITATIONS & RANKINGS
MBA or a Master’s level university degree in a relevant
field;
Minimum 10 years of relevant managerial experience;
Demonstratedacademicandprofessionalprogression;
Pre-selected research field and a research proposal,
which should demonstrate high potential for high
performance capability in applied business and
interdisciplinary research and which is consistent
with the Antwerp Management School’s priorities as
defined by the Competence Centers’ domains;
Two letters of recommendation (one academic and one
business);
Successful completion of the intake procedure.
An updated CV;
“

8. 15Executive PhD Program 14
ABOUT
ANTWERP
MANAGEMENT
SCHOOL
With more than fifty years of excellence in management education, Antwerp Management School has
enabled innumerable participants to achieve executive leadership positions in Belgium and beyond.
Founded as part of the University of Antwerp, Antwerp Management School has now evolved to
become an internationally renowned Business School with several international acknowledged
Programs.
Antwerp Management School differentiates itself by its thorough entrepreneurial character and
no-nonsense approach. It’s a research-driven Business School with the different Competence Centers
as the beating heart of the organization.
MISSION STATEMENT
Antwerp Management School is an international business
school preparing future managers and leaders for key roles
in the global business community. We help our customers in
creating sustainable value by cultivating talent to become
Global Citizens, mastering the art of making decisions and
leading people.
As the mission states, Antwerp Management School aims to
prepare future managers for key roles in the global business
communityandpassionatelypromotesresponsiblemanagement,
entrepreneurship,sustainability,leadershipandprofessionalism.
Antwerp Management School’s mission has been anchored in
a ‘Mission House’ (see Figure 1) that shows the way in which
Antwerp Management School wants to contribute to developing
the leadership qualities and the responsible management skills
of these ‘Global Citizens’ who want to contribute to a sustainable
society.
The basis of this ‘Mission House’ is formed by state-of-the-art
management knowledge that is also embedded in a business and
organizational context. It is not about pure knowledge; it’s about
knowledge that is linked to practice.
In addition to this basis Antwerp Management School
distinguishes three central pillars:
1. Self-knowledge that leads to better cooperation with others,
2. A global perspective that leads to ingenuity for providing
adequate and responsible solutions to problems and issues,
3. Social awareness and societal consciousness, which
contributes to the development of a sustainable society.
The desire to find an answer to a practical
business problem was my initial ‘itch’ for
embarking on an executive doctorate.”
DR. HUGO MARYNISSEN
“
MISSION HOUSE
— ACADEMIC DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE
PHD PROGRAM
Figure 1
“STATE-OF-THE-ART” MANAGEMENT KNOWLEDGE
ANCHORED IN A BUSINESS & ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
GLOBAL CITIZENS,
MASTERING THE ART OF MAKING
DECISIONS AND LEADING PEOPLE
SELF-
AWARENESS
GLOBAL
PERSPECTIVE
SOCIETAL
CONSCIOUSNESS
leading to
cooperation
leading to
ingenuity
leading to
sustainability

9. Executive PhD Program 16 17
PROF. DR. BART CAMBRÉ
— DIRECTOR OF KNOWLEDGE AND RESEARCH AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF
BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS AT ANTWERP MANAGEMENT SCHOOL
Executives nowadays are
confronted with terabytes of
data, generated from the constant
measurement of businesses and
employees. Business Research
Methods help you to evaluate how
to make sense out of the data, how
to decrease bias and how to make
judgments on the use and misuse of
data analysis and reports. Together
we will counter the often cited
quote that there are three kinds
of lies: ‘Lies, damned lies, and
statistics’ (Disraeli).”
“

10. 19Executive PhD Program 18
The Executive
PhD Program is
designed to be
academically rigorous
and intellectually
challenging, while
retaining the ‘look-
and-feel’ of a Premium
executive development
Program.”
ABOUT THE AMS
COMPETENCE
CENTERS
The Antwerp Management School Competence Centers offer a practical and unique answer to the
complex challenges of the present-day society. Companies and organizations need tailor-made,
innovative solutions and specific knowledge for the business issues they are confronted with. The
Competence Centers bring together companies and academic researchers to do research and to
co-create sustainable solutions that create value for all partners involved. Thus the participants in
this inspiring network gain credibility as ‘thought leaders’ in their field of expertise. This is a win-win
situation for all participants in the network.
As an Executive PhD Student you will become part of one of these Competence Centers. Via this full
membership you will get direct access to top academic thinkers in your field of interest and get the
possibility to start co-creating sustainable value for the future.
Why become a researcher?
Because doing research in one of our Competence Centers is
exceptionally stimulating and rewarding, because Business
School research has its roots in the real world, therefore it has an
immediate impact on business and society.
Why become an academic?
Because being an academic professor is extremely
entrepreneurial: you get to create and transfer knowledge which
has a direct impact on your field of expertise; you get to share
ideas and insights with other thought leaders and experts in an
interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary environment; you get
to develop yourself and others as the next generation business
leaders and as a person. There isn’t a single argument for not
becoming one! You’re most welcome to join the Antwerp
Management School Faculty corps.
A CAREER IN BUSINESS
ACADEMIA, AN
EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY
TOWARDS RIGOR AND
RELEVANCE
“

11. ANTWERP MANAGEMENT SCHOOL /
THE AUTONOMOUS MANAGEMENT SCHOOL
OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ANTWERP
‘t Brantijser / Sint-Jacobsmarkt 9-13 / B-2000 Antwerp
T +32 (0)3 265 47 58
F +32 (0)3 265 47 34
E veerle.deparcq@ams.ac.be
www.antwerpmanagementschool.be
PROGRAM MANAGER
EXECUTIVE PHD PROGRAM
Veerle Deparcq
Quality and Accreditation Manager
E veerle.deparcq@ams.ac.be
ACCREDITATIONS AND RANKINGS
ANTWERP MANAGEMENT SCHOOL
FOLLOW US ON
ACADEMIC DIRECTOR
EXECUTIVE PHD PROGRAM
Dr. Hugo Marynissen
E Hugo.Marynissen@ams.ac.be