My doctoral journey, to discover how boards influence company performance outcomes, has turned into a pilgrimage of a kind. I have been journeying, full-time, for three years so far (if you include the six months spent doing pre-requisite work). Some days have been diamonds, some have been stone. The journey has become all-consuming, however the end seems to be in sight! The data collection is done, the analysis is well advanced, and the writing of the thesis document is underway. At this stage, I'm hopeful of reaching a major milestone in December: the submission of the thesis for examination. Here's a snapshot of how I have been allocating my time in recent weeks:
  • About one-quarter of my time has been spent analysing data (over 6GB of sound recording files, 650MB of board papers and 1000 pages of related documentation), to try to make sense of what's really going on beneath the surface, because there is more to it than what can be seen.
  • Another quarter of my time is spent writing. The thesis document is starting to take shape. A couple of chapters are now completed to a "solid draft" stage, and the rest are starting to take shape. I have also written three conference papers and reviewed several others this year.
  • Another quarter is spent in board meetings (I have one directorship at present) or facilitating the Institute of Directors' professional development courses.
  • The remainder of my time is spent thinking. Well, that's what I call it anyway—reading articles and journals, debating the merits of various concepts and pondering ideas. Most of the pondering happens when I am out on my bike, so it's not all bad!

Looking ahead, the main priority is to draw everything together. Writing will start to dominate, particularly as the analysis effort winds down. In fact, apart from preparing two presentations—for my talks at the British Academy of Management (Belfast, Northern Ireland, 9–11 Sep) and at the European Conference on Management, Leadership and Governance (Zagreb, Croatia, 13–14 Nov)—the focus is writing.

And so the journey continues. There is plenty to keep me busy over the next few months, but at least the journey is more downhill than up now! Thank you to the many folk who have offered encouragement and support along the way, I appreciate it. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, either about the research or the way I'm tackling things, please get in touch.