A Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) is the pinnacle of practical business degrees.
While a DBA is a serious undertaking that is studied by business executives over a period of between three and six years, it can prove to be a sound personal investment that offers a competitive edge in the workplace.
At the same time as helping to expand senior managers’ leadership capabilities, critical thinking and decision-making skills, the programme allows participants to undertake business-focused research that can be directly applied to corporate challenges, business practices and management to facilitate real change in their organisation.
Better career opportunities at an executive level
There are many reasons why you might want to consider studying for a DBA.
A recent analysis of workforce data collected by the Office for National Statistics shows a boom in the number of c-suite job roles over the past decade and a half.
Having a DBA can offer a competitive advantage as you learn advanced managerial skills designed for those upper management, executive and leadership positions. You create new thinking in your organisation and direct its impact.
For anyone who has a background of working in management and leadership positions, studying for a DBA provides the opportunity to explore specific areas of research that can benefit their own business or employer, as well as opening up more personal career opportunities at an executive level.
Tap into a wealth of professional and academic expertise
Coventry Business School’s DBA is based within the Centre for Business in Society.
The Business School is also home to the Centre for Financial and Corporate Integrity, meaning participants can draw upon the two Centres’ contemporary research and pool of renowned experts in a variety of relevant fields.
Coventry’s DBA programme is cohort-based, with groups of up to 10 candidates who are mentored throughout by an expert academic team.
These small and focused cohorts give DBA candidates the chance to engage directly with experts in the field, as well as being able to exchange knowledge with fellow DBAs, who come from a range of business backgrounds and countries.
Each cohort is given training in research methods, and develops the skills required to create, undertake, write-up and disseminate research.
Short modules provide intensive and focused periods of contact with the supervising academic team and with the other candidates in each cohort, ensuring that students’ independent study remains on track to maximise the impact it can offer their organisation.
‘A great benefit to my career’
Eman Almulla, a DBA student at Coventry, who is studying employee wellbeing and its impact on happiness within the workplace in the UAE, said: “This programme has vastly supported me towards improving my research management skills, my cognitive abilities on how to gather the most relevant information and data from the highest quality sources, and how to critically evaluate and analyse this information and transform it into meaningful conclusions.”
“It’s raised my self-confidence and taught me how to be innovative, as well as how to be responsive and resilient against unexpected challenges. This programme was of great benefit to my career as it exposed me to different ideas which have completely changed my perspective on how I view things with regards to employee happiness and wellbeing.”
Birmingham solicitor Nicola Cardenas Blanco comments: “Being a DBA candidate provides an experience that has provided fulfilment in many more ways than I had ever contemplated. The research process has provided me with a real appreciation of the extent and depth of study in my sector. Working with a magnificent team of supervisors, and with great peers, committing to this research to make a positive, tangible difference and develop my own skills along the way, is something I shall never regret”.
Haitham Alfannah, a CEO in Oman, chose to begin a DBA at Coventry Business School to back up with a strong academic qualification his 20+ years of experience. “I wanted to train my mind to think in a more structured way, with a clear approach that allows me to be more methodological in my work and in my thought processes.”
“The first year of my DBA programme has positively impacted my work, I have noticed that it has changed my thought processes. It has changed how I attend to certain issues, and most important how I observe and interact with colleagues. I strongly feel that my journey in the DBA has enhanced many good qualities in my personality. This elevation is derived from the research I have done, as well as the interaction with other candidates and most important, my interaction with my supervisor.”
Research with impact
Coventry University has a long tradition in business education, with successful graduates from Coventry Business School over the last five decades now occupying high profile positions worldwide. The two internationally recognised Research Centres underpinning this DBA programme are at the forefront of leading research into responsible business, the digital economy, sustainability, economic development, societal and workplace inclusion, new business models, governance and financial integrity. Their research influences policy and makes a difference. Your doctorate could, too.
