An Investigation into PhD Supervisory Management Styles: Development of a dynamic conceptual model and its managerial implications

Abstract

There has been a substantial increase in the number of candidates enrolled in PhD programmes in the past decade. Whereas the literature is relatively informative with its advice to candidates and supervisors, there is little evidence of research related to supervisory styles and changes of style over the supervisory period. This paper attempts to close that research gap by examining 60 items from the literature related to PhD completion. Eighty key variables identified from the literature were used to build a four‐quadrant supervisory style management grid based on the Blake and Moulton Managerial Grid model. The grid was subjected to a verification study through the results obtained from 12 in‐depth interviews with supervisors. Further, a hypothetical model was developed to examine changes in supervisory style over time, along with the managerial implications for supervisors. The study was taken within an Australian context using the European style of PhD structural practices which do not necessarily reflect the contemporary American model. The study has significant implications for alternative dissertation completion approaches where high levels of supervision are required.