The doctoral programmes at IIM Kozhikode are guided by a vision to develop rigorous, independent, and thoughtful researchers in management. The programmes aim to nurture doctoral students who possess strong disciplinary grounding, methodological capability, and the ability to engage critically with complex managerial and societal issues. The emphasis is on cultivating academic integrity, analytical clarity, and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to management scholarship.

Aligned with this vision, the programmes seek to build the theoretical depth, methodological skills, analytical abilities, and scholarly communication capabilities required for high-quality research. Doctoral students develop an understanding of relevant theories and frameworks, gain proficiency in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches, and strengthen their ability to interpret, synthesize, and present scholarly ideas. These capabilities support the development of independent inquiry that advances both management theory and practice.