Administration, business, and economics provide a broad base of understanding commerce. While administration is more focused on management issues, business examines the different disciplines involved such as distribution, accounting, marketing, human resources and operations. Economics is the study of the factors driving business, like supply and demand.

Requirements for the PhD program often involve the student having already obtained a Master’s degree. Additionally, a thesis or dissertation primarily consisting of original academic research must be submitted. In some countries, this work may even need to be defended in front of a panel.