The degree of Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) is a research doctorate that focuses upon business practice. The D.B.A. (like the Ph.D.) often requires significant coursework beyond the masters level. Upon successful completion the title of "Doctor" is awarded and the post-nominals of DBA can be used. The D.B.A. may often be interdisciplinary in approach and/or content.
The choice of "D.B.A. or Ph.D.?" is always relevant for those considering a doctorate and its contribution. The research focus of the typical D.B.A. addresses applied business issues, with the results providing professional outcomes that are of direct relevance to the student's business or profession. Research is both theoretical and practical. The D.B.A. thesis is at the same level as a Ph.D. in terms of effort, rigour, contribution to knowledge, supervision and assessment. A Ph.D. in the meantime is more concerned with developing theory and is more appropriate for people who wish to become professional researchers.
Therefore a typical D.B.A. program has a dual purpose ? to make a contribution to both theory and practice in relation to business and
management, and to develop professional practice through making a contribution to professional knowledge. Hence D.B.A.candidates tend to seek not only to make a contribution to knowledge but also to inform and impact practice.
Recognition
The D.B.A. is sometimes virtually identical to the Ph.D. in Business Administration. The U.S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation recognize numerous research-oriented doctoral degrees such as the D.B.A. as "equivalent" to the Ph.D. and do not discriminate between them [1]. In the United Kingdom, the Economic and Social Research Council [2] recognises PhD and DBA programmes at approved institutions. The EDAMBA is the European Network of Doctoral Programmes in Business Administrations [3], and helps participating schools to improve the quality of their provision and also provides a Summer Research Academy to support students from participating schools.
Structure
Typical entry requirements include MBA, MSc (Mgt) or similar Masters degrees, or equivalent qualifications in general management, or in a functional field by examination awarded by a professional body. Often Universities will also ask for significant experience in a managerial or professional supervisory position involving responsibility for strategic or professional development issues. The D.B.A. normally requires a significant thesis, dissertation or final comprehensive project including a formal defense and approval by nominated examiners or an officially sanctioned and qualified doctoral review committee. The degree is conferred when all coursework, testing, and written research is completed satisfactorily and when it has been examined, reviewed and approved by the awarding institution.
The D.B.A. degree may have a specialization such as management science, technology management, organizational behavior, economics, or finance. Many business schools offer both D.B.A. and Ph.D. programs in various fields. Curricula may be offered on a full-time or part-time basis. Under the Bologne Process [4] it is stated that the normal duration of a doctorate should correspond to 3-4 years of full time study.
Notable Persons with DBA Degrees
Clayton M. Christensen - is the Robert and Jane Cizik Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School, with a joint appointment in the Technology & Operations Management and General Management faculty groups.
Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries - is the The Raoul de Vitry d'Avaucourt Chaired Professor of Leadership Development at INSEAD and director of the INSEAD Global Leadership Centre.
Michael E. Raynor - is a Canadian writer, a consultant with Deloitte Consulting LLP, the Distinguished Fellow with Deloitte Research, and an expert on business management practices.
Julia Teahen - is the President of Baker College Online, the online campus of Baker College, a private, non-profit, educational institution in the fields of business and technical management.
The University Context
Acknowledging the diversity of structures and nomenclature used in different universities, it is expected that responsibility for the overall quality of a D.B.A. program within the University context will reside within the Research Degrees Committee (or equivalent), rather than any other structures which might regard it as a taught course. D.B.A. programs must have a specific set of university regulations and must be subject to appropriate quality approval processes. Regulations should include reference to protocols for treating ethical issues in research, including those involving researchers working within the organisation that employs them and/or having access to privileged information.
Dauphine (Paris Dauphine University) - Both EDBA and PhD Degree Programs offered with completion options in LUISS University, Rome and Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA.
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