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Studying a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) is a big commitment, but one that can open up career opportunities in the highest levels of management. Here, we look at the key skills you can expect to gain and how these will prepare you to excel workplace.
A Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) is an advanced postgraduate training programme designed for experienced managers and business leaders who are looking to take their career to the next level.
Internationally recognised as the highest qualification available in the field, you’ll gain the expertise, critical mindset and global outlook required to build and lead successful businesses in a rapidly changing world.
Critical thinking, problem-solving and research skills
The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Future of Jobs Report placed analytical thinking, innovation and complex problem-solving as top of the list of skills employers need in coming years.
Amid what’s been dubbed the Fourth Industrial Revolution, WEF believes businesses need to create opportunities, while confidently navigating their way through “an ever-expanding cohort of new technologies, by new sectors and markets, by global economic systems that are more interconnected than in any other point in history, and by information that travels fast and spreads wide”.
One of the main advantages of a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), as compared with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), for example, is the fact it is specifically designed to look at how research can be applied to real-world business challenges. Research can help you come up with new ways of running an organisation and its value chain, or provide the insight to justify new products and services, or to embrace new markets.
On the Global Professional DBA, our goal is to improve your ability to identify and frame problems that are hindering performance, then conduct the necessary research to develop the most appropriate solutions.
Throughout the course, you’ll be working on real business and managerial issues, applying theory to practice, to be able to better understand the needs of industry and translate these into realistic, innovative strategy and practice. You’ll learn how to successfully employ appropriate research theory and methodology in your own doctoral study and professional work.
Strong knowledge of business
The depth and breadth of industry knowledge and experience is what sets senior managers apart from other employees. Having a strong knowledge of the detailed ins-and-outs of your industry and the issues you’ll need to address is essential to good decision making and business growth. You’ll be better placed to quickly identify and capitalise on market trends and new commercial potential.
Studying our Global Professional DBA, you’ll be learning alongside a global cohort of students, each bringing their own valuable contributions and experience to weekly discussion, helping you stay up-to-date with industry trends and market demands.
You’ll also be taught and supported by a faculty with decades of experience, whose international research and consultancy ranges includes local and regional economies, banking efficiency, profitability and productivity, and human resource development.
You’ll be supported to develop the confidence and skills to ask and answer complex questions around the challenges business face. The research project in particular allows you to investigate and solve a problem relating to your own professional experience and interests.
Previous topics have ranged from a case study of UK police culture and engagement in times of radical change, to business model innovation for ocean carriers, and an evaluation of the factors behind incumbent banks decision to launch a digital bank.
There’ll also be plenty of opportunities to discuss news stories and emerging trends. Recent debates taking place in-class, for example, have covered the evolution of Fintech, integration of Blockchain Technology into business, stock performance and the FANGs (Facebook, Apple, Netflix, Google).
Self-reflection and continuing personal development
Working as a senior manager in business requires substantial knowledge and expertise, often covering a broad range of competencies and specialisms, such as finance, organisational development, marketing, and leadership. Not all of these skills can or will be learned on the job, so it is vital to understand the importance of continuing to invest in your own learning journey.
According to Forbes, reflection is crucial to leadership, future planning and success. It’s not only about contemplating past success or lessons learned, it is also taking stock of where you are now and where you want to be in the future.
Our introductory module, Professional Review and Development, enables you to conduct a critical self-evaluation and identify your own learning requirements, both in relation to your doctoral programme of study and your own continuous professional development (CPD).
You’ll be encouraged to be intellectually curious, embrace challenges and seize opportunities for development, documenting your progress in a reflective journal. Tutor-facilitated webinars also offer an opportunity to discuss challenging activities with fellow learners and tutors, sharing real-life experiences and learning from each other.
Are you an ambitious senior manager looking to move into the most senior roles? Find out more about our part-time, online Global Professional Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA):
