The objectives of the PhD specialization in Information Systems (IS) are to promote theoretical and applied research on topics related to information systems practice with a combined focus on scientific rigour and relevance. 

Faculty in the IS Area conduct research on diverse topics including the business value and impacts of information technology, managing resistance to information systems implementation, Coordination in fast response organizations, Knowledge management, management of information security, predictive analytics, adoption and impact of healthcare IT, online search and advertising, and social media, by using a variety of methodologies. IS faculty members are funded by external agencies and also enjoy a fruitful working relationship with the business community that provides a rich environment for field research. 

Current Area Research Topics

• The Impacts of
  • E-commerce on firms,
  • IT on multinational corporations,
  • IT using a multi-level analysis of slack resources
  • ERP on organizations
  • IT usage on managerial work
  • Electronic integration of health care
  • New digital channel introduction
  • IT outsourcing
  • Software Patents
• Development of qualitative, interpretive and case methodologies for use in research on how organizations use information technology
• Understanding and managing resistance to change associated with information systems implementation
• Practices of fast response organizations
• Examine Consumer Behavior, Firm’s Strategies, Impact and Analytics in the Context of
  • Online Dating,
  • Digital Music,
  • Online Search and Advertising,
  • Social Media and
  • Online Platforms for Crowdfunding, Crowdsourcing
• Healthcare transformation
• Management of information security
• Predictive analytics
• Implementing Enterprise Resources Planning Systems (ERP)
• IT innovation, IT championship, and IT literacy
• Adoption of clinical information systems by healthcare professionals
• Computer supported coordination systems
• Knowledge management
• Network perspective of online communities

Specialization Requirements

A typical set of course requirements will include a minimum of 12 courses  (over 4 semesters). Further, these 12 courses should consist of

a) 5 IS seminars
b) 2 courses in a support field
c) 3 Method courses
d) 2 required courses – Pedagogy and Statistics (at Faculty of Management, McGill)

IS Seminars/Courses

• Organizational Impacts of IT
• IT Acceptance and Usage
• Strategic Management of IT
• Qualitative, interpretive and case methods in management research
• IT and Digital Economy
• Research Methods in IT (HEC)
• Critical Analysis of IT (HEC)
• Theory Building (HEC)
• Technology and Collaboration
• Literature Reviews in IS

Note: The PhD course schedule (of the joint program) can be accessed online.

Typical Support Fields

• Strategy/Organizational Theory
• Organizational Behaviour
• Marketing
• Operations Management
• Economics and Applied Economics
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Computer Science