York's PhD is distinguished by its diverse methodological approach to research and emphasis on pedagogical training. It contributes to the growth of HRM as a unique discipline, while acknowledging its interdisciplinary foundations.
Students completing the York PhD in HRM program will have a distinct advantage over similar graduates from other schools in North America. In addition to knowledge and expertise in quantitative research methods, students will gain exposure and training in alternative methods that critically evaluate the ontological assumptions and epistemological approaches of much of current HRM scholarship. While positivist approaches continue to dominate research activity in HRM, there is an increasingly important role for qualitative research methods, located in an interpretivist paradigm. Faculty associated with the PhD program in HRM have extensive expertise in both positivist and interpretivist research. Furthermore, this expertise covers many bases within interpretivism itself. This breadth and diversity of training is not typically available in most institutions in Canada.
Students will also receive more rigorous training in university teaching and pedagogy compared to what most other programs offer. For years, there has been a growing emphasis on the need to produce high quality teachers as well as high quality researchers and HRM professionals. While almost all Ph.D. programs recognize the value of excellent teaching, few programs actually incorporate pedagogical training into their courses. Given the belief in the value of generating excellence in teaching and research, this program makes pedagogical training a requirement.