लोगो

THE SEAT OF
KNOWLEDGE
THE HEART OF
TRANSFORMATION

DOCTORAL PROGRAM for WORKING PROFESSIONALS

Expand the frontiers of knowledge

The Doctoral program for Working Professionals PhD(WP) at IIM Shillong is a unique doctoral level program in management for working professionals in order to meet the requirements of the employer organization.

The goal of the program is to prepare enthusiastic executives and teaching professionals who contribute to the field of training, management research and consulting practice, launch an academic career and help to strike a balance between the theory and practice of management.

The PhD(WP) program endeavours to co-create knowledge in all aspects of Management Education for sustainable development and to develop independent researchers with strong ethical values. The program is committed to inculcate in individuals the necessary knowledge and skills to co-create original cross functional interdisciplinary knowledge and contribute towards creating high quality research. The program will enhance the working professionals’ and teaching professional’ domain knowledge.

Chairperson's Message

A warm welcome to the Doctoral Program in Management for Working Professionals (PhD-WP) of IIM Shillong. Since the inception of the Doctoral Program for Working Professionals (PhD-WP) in 2019, we aim to nurture and promote multidisciplinary and domain-specific world-leading research for theorists and practitioners. Our distinct academic approach is designed to enable scholars to unleash their potential and excel as researchers, educators, and scholars in the future. The PhD-WP endeavors to co-create knowledge in all aspects of Management Education for sustainable development and to develop independent researchers with strong ethical values. The program is committed to inculcating in individuals the necessary knowledge and skills for knowledge co-creation who will excel in their respective areas as educators and produce high-quality research through the publication of quality work of an international standard. The doctoral dissertation work provides an opportunity to do quality research and co-create original cross-functional interdisciplinary knowledge. As you begin your journey at IIM Shillong, it is important that you understand the program that you have registered for, and the very reason for your being at this place. This handbook will provide you with all the necessary information about the program. It contains the details about the program, the expectations from you as far as the academic standards, as well as a general discipline, are concerned, about the usage rules of the Knowledge Center (library) that will be your companion in your quest for knowledge. Please go through this handbook carefully and understand all that is contained in it. Please come with the handbook during the Immersion Program, where I will be happy to answer any of your queries. You shall also take the pledge and submit the undertakings on that day. Wishing you an enjoyable and enriching time at IIM Shillong.

Program Vision

The PhD(WP) Program at IIM Shillong offers intellectually curious working professionals an opportunity to gain advanced research skills to complement their practical knowledge. The program enables professionals to acquire interdisciplinary research expertise on a part-time basis over a period of three to four years. The program will equip professionals to produce high-quality research output of international standards through specialized research training and global collaborations. ; and empowers them to offer practical and sustainable solutions facing businesses and managers. This program will facilitate professionals to pursue varied career avenues such as academia, management consultancy, training, coaching, and research.

EXPECTATIONS FROM THE PROGRAM

Competency to search for explanation and potential solutions for operational and strategic level management.
Competency to effectively document the problem and the proposed solution for knowledge creation and transfer.
Competency to systematically communicate one’s ideas/knowledge in chosen domain.

THE PROGRAM ENDEAVOURS TO PROVIDE YOU WITH

Inputs for domain knowledge
Understand knowledge creation process
Critically examine existing body of knowledge
Formulate research questions to aid knowledge generation facilitation by gaps in existing body of knowledge
To devise/design a strategy to extract the potential solution and possible generalization extension
To implement the strategy towards attaining solution for the identified research question
To document the problem, process and solution
To solicit feedback through scholarly publication and get recognized

Competence Goals and Program Objectives

Competency Goal 1

Contemporary managerial problem-solving acumen.
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of management theories and practices to solve business problems.
Programme Objectives:
The students should be able to:
PO 1a: Analytically examine the Managerial Problem using their domain knowledge.
PO 1b: Develop critical thinking abilities to understand, analyze and communicate innovative alternatives for decision making.
PO 1c: Anticipate and adapt to disruptions catalyzed by emerging technologies.

Competency Goal 2

Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills.
Students will be able to demonstrate ability to lead themselves and others for business decision making.
Programme Objectives:
The students should be able to:
PO2a: Develop critical thinking abilities to understand and analyse the research problems using relevant tools and techniques
PO2b: Formulate researchable problems across different management domain
PO2c:  Apply quantitative and qualitative methods of research
PO2d: Demonstrate the ability to make original and significant intellectual contributions to the scientific knowledge base in their area of research

Competency Goal 3

Awareness of ethical and sustainability challenges in business and society.
Students will demonstrate awareness of ethical and sustainability challenges in a changing GLOCAL order.
Programme Objectives:
The students should be able to:
PO 3a: Recognize ethical issues in different global business contexts.
PO 3b: Demonstrate awareness about the sustainability challenges in decision making.

Competency Goal 4

Demonstrate ability to teach students in academic settings.
Our scholars will be able to demonstrate the necessary teaching skills and ability to engage in research-oriented careers
Programme Objectives:
The scholars should be able to:
PO4a: Demonstrate professional and academic writing.
PO4b: Demonstrate skills required for teaching management.

Immersion Program for PhD WP 2025 & 2026 Batch
WISDOM SPEAKS

Amit Kumar
Scholar, Doctoral Program (WP)
Batch- 2025

The PhD immersion program at IIM Shillong has been an enriching journey of academic rigor and personal reflection. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Dean, the Program Chair, and the distinguished faculty whose commitment to academic excellence has made this experience truly inspiring.On the very first evening, while exploring the vast and serene campus nestled amidst the clouds, we had the unexpected privilege of meeting a senior Strategy professor. His words of wisdom left a lasting impression on us, offering profound insights into leadership, purpose, and the essence of meaningful scholarship. I am particularly looking forward to his upcoming lecture on Indian Mythology and its Implications for Contemporary Business—a theme that beautifully blends tradition with modern management thought.The following morning presented us with an awe-inspiring sight—the entire campus draped in a blanket of clouds. The mesmerizing view was more than just a visual delight; it felt symbolic of the clarity and depth this journey is meant to bring to our research pursuits.The days that followed were filled with engaging sessions, thought-provoking discussions, and impactful workshops. Each interaction reinforced the importance of discipline, inquiry, and collaborative learning.I feel deeply blessed to be part of this elite group of scholars. Along with that privilege comes a sense of responsibility—to contribute meaningfully to academia, to honor the ethos of this institution, and to carry forward the spirit of learning that IIM Shillong embodies.

Eureka Kharkongor
Scholar, Doctoral Program (WP)
Batch- 2025

The PhD Immersion Programme at IIM Shillong was an inspiring and intellectually enriching experience that provided an excellent introduction to doctoral research. The thoughtfully designed sessions, engaging faculty interactions, and collaborative learning environment offered valuable insights into the rigor and expectations of the PhD journey.Coming from the corporate world, I found the programme to be a meaningful bridge between industry experience and academic research. The faculty members were exceptionally approachable, encouraging thoughtful discussions and fostering a culture of curiosity and inquiry. Their guidance strengthened my confidence in embracing the challenges of doctoral scholarship.Surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the Shillong campus and supported by outstanding academic infrastructure, including an extensive library, the immersion created an ideal environment for learning and reflection.I am grateful to the Dean, faculty members, and the PhD Office for their dedication and warm support. The programme has reinforced my commitment to pursuing impactful research, and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone aspiring to embark on a doctoral journey.

Sharad Gupta
Scholar, Doctoral Program (WP)
Batch- 2026

My name is Sharad Gupta, CEO of WNN and former Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Innovation Officer at Escorts Kubota Limited. Over the last 27 years, I have had the privilege of leading marketing strategy, brand building, and business transformation initiatives across renowned organizations including Xerox, Tata Infomedia, Bates, and Kubota Corporation.As the business landscape continues to evolve rapidly through digital transformation, AI, and changing consumer behaviour, I felt the need to deepen my academic foundation and contribute more meaningfully to the future of marketing. Pursuing a PhD, for working professionals, in Marketing at IIM Shillong is a significant step in that journey.I chose IIM Shillong because of its academic rigor, distinguished faculty, research-oriented curriculum, and strong reputation for excellence in management education. Its global accreditations, including AACSB and EQUIS, reflect the institute’s commitment to world-class standards in teaching and research.Beyond enhancing my professional consulting capabilities across diverse industries, I aspire to contribute to academia by mentoring and teaching future business leaders. IIM Shillong provides the ideal ecosystem to bridge industry experience with scholarly research and create meaningful impact in both business and education.I am proud to be a part of the IIM Shillong doctoral community.

Priye Ranjan Choudhary
Scholar, Doctoral Program (WP)
Batch- 2026

While building brand strategy over nearly 19 years, I’ve learned that growth starts by connecting seemingly unrelated data points and translating insights into meaningful business decisions. Across organizations like Birlas, Samsung, Lixil, Sony, Panasonic, and Hewlett Packard, I’ve seen that the most enduring brands are built on deep consumer understanding and empirical evidence.
After years of working at the intersection of brands, consumers, and growth, I reached a point where I wanted deeper inquiry and a more rigorous understanding of the forces shaping consumer choice and business decisions.That journey brought me to the PhD program at IIM Shillong, an institution distinguished by AACSB and EQUIS accreditations, reflecting globally benchmarked academic standards. What stands out even more is its interdisciplinary ecosystem, where marketing intersects with strategy, economics, analytics, technology, and behavioral inquiry. As a practitioner, I came here seeking greater depth. As a scholar, I’m learning to transform experience into evidence and insights into knowledge. And that transition from building brands to advancing understanding is what makes this journey deeply rewarding.