Admission
Doctoral Studentship in Societal Impact and Thought Leadership

    Call for Applications

    Doctor of Science in Management Program, SBM ITB
    Admission Batch 2 – 2026

    In our continuous effort to encourage research that creates a tangible impact on society and to strengthen the institution’s position as a hub for thought leadership, the Institute for Sustainable Business, School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung (SBM ITB), invites applications from outstanding master’s graduates who are interested in pursuing doctoral study through the Doctor of Science in Management (DSM) Program.

    This studentship is intended for candidates whose research interests are aligned with Societal Impact and Thought Leadership, particularly in relation to sustainable and entrepreneurial business.

    For the 2026 admission period, this studentship will be awarded to 2 (two) selected candidates who demonstrate strong academic potential, research commitment, and alignment with SBM ITB’s agenda in societal impact and thought leadership.

    About the Studentship

    The Doctoral Studentship in Societal Impact and Thought Leadership provides selected candidates with the opportunity to pursue full-time doctoral study at SBM ITB while working closely with faculty members and research groups whose work is aligned with  community-based economic development and entrepreneurial business.

    The studentship supports doctoral research that is expected to contribute not only to academic publication, but also to the development of insights, frameworks, models, and evidence-based recommendations that may inform organizational practice, community development, public policy, and sustainable business transformation.

    Research Focus

    In line with the institution’s vision, interested applicants are required to prepare a research proposal focusing on Societal Impact and Thought Leadership with one of the following topics and discuss it with the PIC of the project.

    1. Navigating Innovation and Corporate Entrepreneurship in Indonesian SOEs under Institutional Dual Pressures
      This research examines how Indonesian state-owned enterprises (SOEs) manage innovation, corporate entrepreneurship, and organizational ambidexterity amid the dual pressures of industrial downstreaming (hilirisasi) and organizational consolidation under Danantara. The study explores how SOEs balance efficiency, public service obligations, and long-term competitiveness while sustaining innovation and new business development. It aims to generate theoretical insights and practical frameworks to support SOE transformation, innovation capability, and sustainable growth.
    2. Community-Based Circular Economy: A Socio-Technical and Entrepreneurial Systems Approach
      This research investigates how community-based circular economy systems emerge and scale through the interaction of social structures, technological practices, and entrepreneurial initiatives. Using the Teras Hijau Project (An SBM ITB’s Societal Impact Project) as an urban living laboratory, the study explores how urban communities transform waste and underutilized resources into social, environmental, and economic value through collective action and grassroots entrepreneurship. The research aims to develop an integrative framework for sustainable and scalable community-based circular economy models.
    3. Designing Sustainable Business Models for Dual Value Creation: Balancing Citizen Wellbeing and Environmental Stewardship in High-Growth Digital Platforms
      This research explores how digital financial platforms can be designed to create dual value by delivering both commercial performance and measurable social and environmental outcomes. Focusing on the fintech ecosystem in Southeast Asia, the study examines how business models, incentives, and performance metrics can be aligned with citizen wellbeing and environmental stewardship. The research aims to develop a validated Dual Value Business Model (DVBM) Framework to support sustainable digital platform innovation across ASEAN.
    4. Strategic Human Capital Development for Community-Based Forest Management: A Model for Strengthening Social Forestry Governance in Emerging Economies
      This research examines how strategic human capital development can strengthen governance and sustainability in social forestry programs. The study investigates how competency development, leadership capacity, knowledge transfer, and organizational learning contribute to the effectiveness of community-based forest management institutions. It aims to develop a scalable human capital development model that supports stronger social forestry governance in Indonesia and other emerging economies.
    5. Human Capital Readiness and Digital Empowerment in Social Forestry: An Integrated Framework for Sustainable Rural Transformation;
      This research explores the role of human capital readiness and digital empowerment in supporting sustainable rural transformation within social forestry communities. The study examines how digital competencies, knowledge management, and technology adoption influence governance effectiveness, community empowerment, and livelihood development. The research aims to develop an integrated framework to guide digital transformation and capacity building in rural and forest-dependent communities.
    6. Measuring Human Capital Impact on Social Forestry Performance: A Multilevel Analysis of Capability, Productivity, and Community Resilience.
      This research investigates how human capital influences the performance and sustainability of social forestry programs across individual, organizational, and community levels. The study examines the relationships between human capital capability, knowledge sharing, productivity, governance effectiveness, and community resilience. It aims to develop a comprehensive measurement framework that identifies key drivers of successful social forestry outcomes and supports evidence-based policy and management interventions.
    7. Constructing a Comprehensive Societal Impact Assessment Model for Community Engagement Programs Based on Logic Model and Theory of Change Frameworks
      This research develops an integrated societal impact assessment model for Community Engagement Programs (CEPs) by combining the Logic Model and Theory of Change (ToC) frameworks. The study examines how community engagement initiatives generate social, economic, environmental, institutional, and behavioral impacts over time, while accounting for stakeholder and contextual dynamics. The research aims to produce a validated framework that helps organizations systematically measure, manage, and enhance the long-term societal impact of their community engagement programs.

    Since this is a project-based doctoral studentship, prospective applicants are required to consult with the Person in Charge (PIC) of the relevant research project before submitting their application. This consultation is intended to help applicants understand the research objectives, expected contribution, and alignment between their proposed doctoral research and the selected project.

    Please contact the Institute for Sustainable Business (Lembaga Bisnis Berkelanjutan/LBB) to have further information about the PICs of the projects.

    Eligibility

    In addition to meeting the general admission requirements of the Doctor of Science in Management Program at SBM ITB, applicants must:

    1. Hold a master’s degree, preferably in management, business, economics, social sciences, public policy, sustainability, entrepreneurship, or other related fields.
    2. Demonstrate strong academic performance and research potential.
    3. Show a clear interest in the above-mentioned topics or related research areas.
    4. Submit a doctoral research proposal aligned with one of the available research topics under consultation of the PIC of the project.
    5. Be committed to full-time doctoral study and to completing the doctoral program within three years.
    6. Be willing to work full-time under the supervision of SBM ITB faculty members and participate in research-related activities connected to the assigned research project.
    7. Demonstrate the capacity to produce high-quality academic outputs, including scholarly publications.

    Funding details

    The studentship provides funding support for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory academic and research progress.

    The funding package includes:

    • Full tuition fee coverage for three years;
    • Monthly stipend of IDR 2.5 million;
    • Opportunities to be involved in research activities, academic discussions, and thought leadership initiatives at SBM ITB.

    Duration

    The studentship is offered for a maximum period of three years. Selected candidates are expected to commit to full-time doctoral study during this period.

    Pre-Application Inquiry

    Prospective applicants who are interested in this studentship may firstly contact the Institute for Sustainable Business (Lembaga Bisnis Berkelanjutan/LBB) to inquire about the research themes and potential alignment with the studentship.

    Please contact: lbb.sbm@sbm-itb.ac.id

    The email inquiry to LBB is intended for preliminary information regarding research alignment and studentship focus. It does not replace the official DSM admission process through the ITB admission website.

    Application Procedure

    This studentship is open only to prospective applicants of the Doctor of Science in Management Program, SBM ITB.

    Applicants must complete the official admission process for the Doctor of Science in Management (DSM) Program through the ITB admission website for Batch 2 – 2026.

    The application deadline for Batch 2 is: 1 July 2026

    In their doctoral application, applicants are expected to prepare a research proposal based on one of the research projects listed above. The proposal should clearly explain the research problem, theoretical foundation, proposed methodology, expected academic contribution, and potential societal or practical impact.

    The proposal should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to formulate a doctoral-level research problem, engage with relevant academic literature, design an appropriate methodology, and articulate potential academic and societal contributions.

    Information about the DSM Program is available at: www.sbm.itb.ac.id/id/program-akademik/dsm/

    Further information about how to apply to the DSM Program is available at:

    www.sbm.itb.ac.id/id/program-akademik/dsm/Admisi/

    Selection Process

    Candidates will be considered for the studentship based on:

    1. Fulfillment of the DSM admission requirements;
    2. Quality and feasibility of the proposed doctoral research;
    3. Alignment between the proposed research and the Societal Impact and Thought Leadership theme;
    4. Academic track record and research potential;
    5. Commitment to full-time doctoral study and timely completion;
    6. Potential contribution to SBM ITB’s research, societal impact, and thought leadership agenda.

    Only selected candidates will be awarded the studentship.