The PhD offers an interdisciplinary training path aimed at equipping students with a solid theoretical foundation in business disciplines, including accounting, finance, and management, combined with advanced skills in quantitative methods and computational tools. The emphasis is on integrating theory and empirical evidence, supported by methodological rigor. Students are trained to work with complex and heterogeneous data and to assess the impact of business decisions.

The program addresses key contemporary challenges, including the adoption of artificial intelligence and the use of structured and unstructured data in organizational processes. In this context, it promotes the development of empirical models and advanced quantitative tools for the analysis of organizational behavior, strategic choices, and the dynamics of complex economic systems.

The program is structured over three years. The first year is dedicated to intensive coursework, providing a strong methodological foundation through compulsory and elective courses, as well as seminars and workshops. The following years are primarily devoted to the development of independent research projects, supported by close supervision and active participation in the international academic community. Within the framework of a specific international joint supervision (co-tutelle) agreement concluded with a foreign university, PhD candidates may be awarded a double doctoral degree.

A defining feature of the program is its strong international orientation. English is the working language for all activities, and the program's international dimension is strengthened through the involvement of international scholars in teaching and supervision. Students are encouraged to undertake research mobility periods abroad and to participate in international conferences and scientific networks. A mobility allowance equal to 50% of the doctoral scholarship is provided during the period spent abroad.

The program promotes continuous interaction with academic and non-academic stakeholders, including research centers, companies, and public institutions. This approach ensures alignment with international scientific standards and enhances the relevance of research outcomes in real-world decision-making contexts, fostering the integration of applied perspectives and empirical evidence into research activities.

Graduates of the ISBA PhD are equipped to operate in complex organizational environments characterized by high information intensity and sophisticated decision-making processes. The program offers students the opportunity to build a versatile and future-oriented profile, preparing them for careers in academia as well as for high-level roles in organizations where analytical thinking, data-driven decision-making, and research skills are increasingly valued.

Graduates pursuing an academic path are prepared to contribute to the advancement of business and management research, with a particular focus on decision-making, organizational processes, and strategic behavior. They are trained to design and conduct rigorous research that integrates economic theory, quantitative methods, and data analysis within an interdisciplinary framework. These profiles are equipped to tackle complex research questions through robust and replicable research designs, as well as to teach and mentor students in advanced educational settings.

Graduates oriented toward managerial careers are well positioned to support and lead organizations in processes of digital, organizational, and sustainable transformation. Thanks to their strong quantitative and methodological background, they are able to integrate strategic objectives, organizational constraints, and data-driven insights into business decision-making. They contribute to the development and evaluation of evidence-based strategies, enhancing organizational performance, competitiveness, and adaptability.

Graduates are also prepared for roles as consultants and data-driven decision-makers, supporting organizations through the systematic analysis of data and the modeling of economic and organizational phenomena. They are capable of working with complex datasets, developing descriptive and predictive models, and evaluating alternative scenarios to inform strategic choices. They are trained to communicate analytical results effectively to decision-makers, contributing to more transparent, informed, and consistent decision-making processes.