Doctor of Business Administration DBA

Course title:	DBA
Apply:	direct to the University via the Research Graduate School
Start (pt):	September
Mode:	part-time
Duration:	4-5 years part-time
Location:	Putteridge Bury campus
Faculty:	The Business School
Department:	Department of Strategy & Human Resource Management

Summary

The Doctor of Business Administration is aimed at experienced and well qualified managers, consultants, and management educators who wish to make a substantial and original theoretically informed contribution to management practice through personal research at an advanced level.

In contrast to a conventional PhD, the knowledge involved in a DBA relates to issues of professional, as well as academic, importance, and to matters which have a direct impact on the participant's organisation; a measure of company involvement is expected.

Why choose this course?

We provide a high quality learning environment specially adapted to student needs
The academic staff involved in the DBA programme are all active researchers and have significant experience of supervising research degrees
Our learning environment combines the best of the new and the traditional. We provide an engaging and interactive experience for student participants
Business courses ranked 15th in the UK

Career Opportunities

The DBA represents a logical and progressive development from MBA and other Masters or senior professional management qualifications.

Upon completion of the DBA participants will be well-placed to drive forward new plans within their own organisation or to make a transition at senior level to other organisations.

Teaching/learning methods and strategies

Delivery Mode

The most appropriate approach to attendance and delivery is on a part-time basis, structured in a way that facilitates attendance by participants, who are senior managers, with substantial occupational commitments. In addition to the face to face meetings, online resources and VoiceIP video conferencing will be used to facilitate better communications between staff and students.

The University of Bedfordshire DBA consists of Three stages, described in more detail below.

Stage 1

This consists of three taught courses and the programme of supervised private study and research. Private study will be extensive.
The courses are:

Research Methods
Addressing the first aim in particular, the course consists of a review of epistemological positions; research design, methodology and techniques; research ethics; and analysis techniques. Additional attention is to be paid to the qualitative/intepretivist/constructivist positions.

Change Agent Practice
By dealing with material on the roles of internal and external consultants and examining the issues and constraints pertaining to the role of the change agent, this course addresses the second aim of the programme in particular.

Strategy
This course has been introduced as a reflection of the importance of strategic and corporate factors in the kinds of issues that programme participants handle in addressing their research question during their empirical work.

Stage 2

This stage, which comprises year 2, corresponds more closely to the arrangements pertaining in a conventional doctoral programme.

A major seminar presentation of literature review and initial empirical findings ensure that the cohesiveness amongst participants, established through the years 1 and 2 taught elements, continues.

Participants would be expected to present a formal synopsis of their research to date at their own seminar, showing progress anticipated within the framework outlined in the Research Proposal document presented at the end of year 1. The level of detail is expected to be comparable to an RS4-related MPhil /PhD transfer presentation. Each participant is expected to attend all seminars, not simply his or her own.

The programme of supervised study and research continues, with a requirement for a minimum of 12 hours of supervisory contact per year. Clearly, the pattern of tutorial meetings with supervisors will vary from participant to participant, and though times are provided for in the tables, to reflect the minimum requirement, it is expected that alternative times may be agreed between the supervisor and participant as it suits them; one can envisage circumstances in which a greater degree of contact might be required, or a different balance required between Director of Studies and Second Supervisor, within the annual total of 12 hours, quite apart from the home-overseas variation.

Stage 3

This stage, which comprises the third year onwards, corresponds most closely to the arrangements pertaining in a conventional doctoral programme.

Prior to the submission of the thesis and preferably by the end of the third year, the participant is expected to have produced one paper of publishable or conference-presentation quality. It is anticipated that the taught components of Stages 1 and 2 and the seminar presentations will add to the programme of supervised study and research of previous years in supporting the development and production of these papers, themselves an appropriate outcome of steady private work towards the final Thesis.

While there is no formal requirement for publication, the ultimate appearance in a journal or conference is beyond the scope of control of the DBA programme. The participant however should be supported and encouraged to seek publication, by the Director of Studies in liaison with the DBA Director.

The programme of supervised study and research continues.

When ready, the participant presents
a written thesis
which is defended in a viva-voce examination

Assessment

Participants are expected to prepare a detailed research proposal, and pass taught subjects by the end of year 1.

A major seminar presentation is expected in year 2, while in year 3, one publishable papers must be submitted.

The submission and assessment by viva-voce examination of a 55,000-word thesis in year 4 or 5 completes the programme requirements.

Further details about the course

Research interests within the Department are wide-ranging. This is a selection of current and past DBA research topics.

'The Development of a Framework for Managing Disruptive Innovation in the UK Recorded Music Industry'

'Reorganisation of NHS primary care groups into an NHS trust'

'Managing emotional labour in the service encounter An investigation into the applicability of commercial banking concepts and practices in central banks.'

'Mass customisation: customers and manufacturers as co-designers of products.'

'Acquisitions as a methodology for corporate growth: pre- and post- acquisition organisational & cultural factors.'

'Universities' strategic repositioning: reaching out to the mature educational market with lifelong learning initiatives in a time of resource constraint.'

'Origination, progression, adoption and rejection of management change programmes: the value or otherwise of management fads and fashions.'

'Developments in accreditation & international recognition in the Grandes Ecoles: why now, and what implications for the European tertiary sector?'

'Addressing cultural, organisational and human components which supplement Six Sigma & related schemes in managing resistance to change.'

Entry requirements

An MBA, MSc (Mgt) or similar Masters, or equivalent qualification in general management, or in a functional field by examination awarded by a professional body.

At least five years experience in a managerial or professional supervisory position involving responsibility for strategic or professional development issues.

Attendance

The DBA consists of a programme of three taught courses (Research Methods, Reflective Analysis, and Change Agent Practice) and research under tutorial supervision, running over 3 to 6 years part-time.

The taught elements of the programme are delivered through attendance on one afternoon and evening per month in years 1 and 2.

Find out more

Details about how to apply for a research degree are available from the Research Graduate School.

For detailed queries about the programme please contact:

Dr John Beaumont-Kerridge
DBA Programme Director
University of Bedfordshire
Park Square
Luton LU1 3JU

E: jbk@beds.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)1582 743847

Related Links

• The Research Graduate School

General Enquiries

• www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply for information about standard entry requirements, application routes, open days, fees and funding.
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