Business Administration

Kobe University has one of the most respected graduate schools of business administration in Japan. In their first 2 years at the graduate school, with the goal of developing the core research skills necessary for the final 3 years of the program, each student, under the supervision of their advisor, selects coursework from nine core courses and three research methodology courses. Over the following 3 years, students concentrate on writing a Ph.D. thesis, in close consultation with the members of their Ph.D. dissertation committee.

As of April 2015, Kobe University offers Global Master’s Programs (GMAPs) in the fields of Business Administration, Economics and Law. In GMAPs, all coursework and research supervision are conducted in English. Global field research/practicum is incorporated into the curriculum to bridge research with practice in a global context. For instance, the GMAP in management is the SESAMI (Strategic Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Alliance Management Initiatives) Program, which emphasizes entrepreneurship and sustainability along with strategic and marketing management. The SESAMI Program offers the Ph.D. as well as the Master’s degree.

MBA Program

In 1989, the School established an MBA program for practicing managers and professionals in response to the needs of the professional community. The School has developed a unique pedagogy of research-focused education. Using this method, students who share similar interests in resolving contemporary business problems form a project team, develop and refine a research theme, and develop a resolution through theoretical modeling as well as by conducting field research. The MBA program has been accredited and rated Excellent by ABEST21.

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This curriculum consists of “lectures” and “seminars”. In lectures, students should learn and acquire knowledge and methods research in systematically. In seminars, they should exercise their knowledge and methods in practice. 

Lectures are categorized into 3 groups;

1. Group 1 offers specialized basic knowledge in business,
2. Group 2 offers basic knowledge of research methods and
3. Group 3 that offers advanced matters in every field. Under the supervision of his/her advisor, he/she should select and take lectures tailored to his/her research interest. 

Seminars are taken under supervision of an advisor and students conduct research to accomplish their master’s thesis. Master’s theses are evaluated by his/ her supervisor and 2 or more judges. In the process of writing a master’s thesis, students will improve the ability to research and acquire new knowledge of business administration.