Doctor of Business Administration

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The degree of Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) is a research doctorate. The D.B.A. often requires coursework beyond the masters' level in addition to research that results in a dissertation that contributes to business theory or practice.

[edit] Contribution

The choice of "D.B.A. or Ph.D.?" is always relevant for those considering a doctorate and its contribution. 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.

[edit] 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. Furthermore in Argentina the achieved degree of Doctor in Administration accounts with recognition by the National Commission of University Acreditation^[1] which is accepted as much as Latin America, India as in the European Countries.

[edit] 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.

In Argentina the equivalent title is the Doctorate in Administration that entails the fulfillment of an MBA or equivalent.

[edit] Notable Persons with DBA Degrees

CK Prahalad - management consultant, author, and the Paul and Ruth McCracken Distinguished University Professor of Corporate Strategy at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.
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 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.
P. Chidambaram - Home Minister of the second fastest growing economy, India.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Schools Offering DBA Degrees

[edit] Argentina

NU of M - Doctorate in Administration Offered, Argentina.
NU of R - Doctorate in Administration Offered, Argentina.
Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina - Doctorate in Administration Offered, Argentina.