Doctoral course by Özgür Arslan-Ayadin from University of Illinois, invited by James Thewissen
This session provides a comprehensive and structured overview of the research and publication process in business schools, emphasizing the integration of academic rigor with practical relevance. It traces the full lifecycle of scholarly inquiry, beginning with idea generation and progressing through to journal publication. The process commences with the identification of a research idea, followed by a systematic literature review that situates the study within the existing body of knowledge and highlights a well-defined research gap. Building on this foundation, the researcher formulates clear research questions and testable hypotheses grounded in established theoretical frameworks. Subsequently, the study advances to data collection and empirical implementation. The methodological stage places particular emphasis on the application of appropriate econometric techniques. The analysis of results considers both statistical and economic significance, with careful attention to the broader implications for practitioners and policy. The writing phase involves organizing the manuscript according to standard academic conventions, including clearly articulated sections such as introduction, literature review, methodology, results, and conclusion. The manuscript is then submitted to a carefully selected journal, where journal choice is guided by considerations of fit, audience, and the nature of the contribution. The peer review process typically involves multiple anonymous referees who evaluate the manuscript’s originality, methodological rigor, and contribution to the literature. Most submissions undergo one or more rounds of revision and resubmission prior to a final publication decision. The session concludes by highlighting key determinants of successful publication, including the development of a compelling research question, a clearly articulated contribution, methodological rigor, and persistence throughout the review process. It also addresses emerging trends shaping research and publication in business disciplines.