Luis Andrés Araya defended his PhD thesis at the Universitat de Barcelona Business School on September 4th, 2017. He has been director of the Administration and Business School at the Miguel de Cervantes University (Chile) for several months now. He is also researcher and director of the master’s in Strategic Management at the same university. At the Health Institute of the Andrés Bello University Luis Andrés Araya is an advisor, while he is lecturer at the University of Chile, the Alberto Hurtado University and the Diego Portales University, among other higher education institutions.
Are you satisfied with your current academic and professional position?
I am very happy because I am a young professional. I have the opportunity to develop myself not only as a researcher and as a teacher, but also in managerial positions. I have got the impression that I can make a contribution in each of my positions. This makes me feel good as a person and as a professional.
Do you think that the PhD in Business at the UB Business School has been decisive to get your current positions?
Yes, I think so, as it gave me the tools to become a good researcher and to lead research teams. Moreover, the rigorous training allowed me to know myself better and be more humble and tolerant. I learned skills that you cannot find on books and articles, but are essential if you want to grow professionally.
Why did you decide to pursue the PhD in Business and why did you choose the UB Business School?
I chose a PhD in Business because in Chile and Spain I did undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the area of management and business. During my undergraduate degree I understood that I wanted to become an academic, and therefore I had to pursue a PhD. When I checked the PhD in Business programme at the University of Barcelona I saw that it met all my requirements and that if I managed to complete the programme I could become an academic and researcher.
In 2005 I did an exchange at the University of Barcelona. During this period I was amazed by the Catalan culture and a said to myself that I would come back and do a PhD. When I checked the PhD programme at the UB Business School I saw that it met all my requirements and that if I managed to complete the programme I would be able to successfully present myself as an academic and a researcher.
Would you recommend the PhD at the UB Business School to your colleagues?
Of course. I think that the PhD in Business at the UB Business School is a programme with a very high academic level, taught by top researchers and creates a research and personal growth environment.
After having completed the PhD, what piece of advice would you give to current and future PhD students?
Even if the training side of the PhD programme is fundamental, I find of utmost importance the role of the thesis director or tutor. The quality of the thesis depends largely on this figure. In my case, I was lucky to work with Dr. Merce Bernardo and Dr. Jaume Valls.
It is crucial that the PhD thesis is directed by an academic with a wide experience and that enjoys international recognition in his or her field of study. It is also important that this academic has research networks and a constant scientific output.
At the same time, every candidate needs an adequate methodology and research techniques, which are the basis of the PhD thesis. Therefore, I would advise every PhD student to attend scientific meetings, research seminars and courses that teach research techniques and methodologies.
What can you tell us about your experience while writing your PhD thesis?
While writing the PhD thesis a fight with oneself takes place. Fears and insecurities arise and emotions spring up. It is a period of self-awareness, which requires large doses of self-control. It is a long period of time, during which we question our work and think that we are not capable of delivering a thesis that meet the demands of a PhD. However, you need to stay strong and be brave enough to overcome fears and feel that all hurdles can be overcome with effort, persistence and humbleness and attain success.
What are your professional and academic mid and long-term goals?
In the mid-term I would like to keep publishing in significant indexed scientific magazines of my field, and participate in important national and international conferences. I would also like to improve my positioning as a researcher and be renowned for my research topics. In the long-term I wish to hold strategic positions in universities and public management.