Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Course overview

The DBA programme provides a route to the highest level of academic study appropriate to experienced practitioners who seek to contribute to practice in their sector/ discipline. The programme builds upon a participant’s professional experience and their potential as change agents within their practice setting. The programme will develop the necessary research skills and capabilities to enable the participants to initiate, implement and evaluate evidence-based organisational change.

Throughout the programme participants will be encouraged to develop as scholarly practitioners bringing advanced discipline and professional knowledge to their practice setting. While undertaking the programme participants will demonstrate their capabilities as change agents, and develop a track record of strategic organisational development, which will support their personal, and career development as leading advanced practitioners in their sector/ discipline.

What you'll study

DBAs will be awarded to candidates who have demonstrated:

• The creation, interpretation and application of new knowledge in business administration, of a quality to satisfy peer review and contribute to knowledge and practice in that professional context
• A systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of an area of professional practice
• The general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of improved practice and understanding at the forefront of the relevant discipline (s) and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems
• A detailed knowledge and understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry.

Plus, the additional aim recognising the practice-based nature of the DBA that candidates must have demonstrated:

• A contribution to professional practice underpinned by robust research-supported evidence.

This programme is designed to provide candidates with the advanced research skills to support a substantive piece of original research.

As a Professional Doctorate the programme aims to support preparatory study to improve underpinning knowledge, skills and techniques.

The programme also aims to enable participants to acquire a critical understanding of the nature of advanced study and research methods to enable them to:

• Display mastery of a complex and specialised area of knowledge and skills employing advanced skills to conduct research
• Undertake advanced technical or professional activity and accept accountability for related decision-making including use of supervision
• Create and interpret new knowledge which is at the forefront of an area of professional practice
• Propose, discuss, evaluate and defend such knowledge and scholarship with peers
• Conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge or applications
• Apply and develop appropriate techniques and methodologies applicable to research and advanced scholarship
• Work independently dealing with complex and unpredictable situations in professional or equivalent environments
• Learn and apply practical and research skills associated with undertaking high-level independent research and study
• Enhance their capabilities applicable to advanced practice.

In addition, for the award of a DBA the programme has the additional aim to enable candidates to initiate, implement and evaluate a programme of practice-based research projects which lead to organisational change.

How you'll learn

The DBA is structured in three phases with a preparatory phase to support participants in making the transition into Doctoral level study.

The programme is offered on a part-time basis. Candidates typically undertake research in their workplace, with a view to producing change in the organisation, so full-time attendance is not feasible. Throughout the first 12 months, candidates must attend a series of five campus based workshops totalling 20 days of contact. Attendance is mandatory, and candidates are required to retake missed workshops at a later date. Except for exceptional circumstances (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), there is no option for online delivery of these workshops. No workshops are offered after the first year of study.

Candidates meet with their supervisors every four weeks. Meetings can take place in person or, if not possible, on-line using Teams, Zoom or other similar services agreed by the candidates and the supervisor.

A Research Degree Development Agreement (RDDA) will be submitted at the start of each year. This is an agreement outlining what research activities and deliverables the PGR is expected to have completed across the academic year in time to be submitted for consideration at Progress Review Panel (PRP) or discussion at Mid-phase Review (MPR). PRPs and MPRs happen in month 12 of the PGRs’ academic year.

The programme is divided into three phases. Assessment and progress into the next phase take place exclusively during the Progress Review Panels (PRP).

The PRP is a formal assessment of the candidate’s progress, and involves a Chair and an Independent Subject Expert, the latter of whom will read the candidate’s written output and consider whether it is of the appropriate level for a doctoral degree, and whether sufficient progress has been made.

The MPR is to ensure that the PGR retains focus on their research and is keeping on track. MPRs also focus on the welfare of the candidate. MPRs are conducted between the Director of Study and the candidate.

Candidates may progress through the phases at different pace to that outlined above within a maximum registration period of seven years.

Phase 1

Phase 1 will develop participants’ research themes, through literature review, and methodology. Candidates work to create the foundation of their DBA, establishing the context, research questions (via a literature review) and methodology. It is typically concluded in 12 to 24 months. Successful completion of Phase 1 involves submitting a draft literature review chapter (up to 10,000 words), a draft methodology chapter (up to 10,000 words) and a critical reflection of personal and professional development (up to 3,000 words).
During the first year of the DBA, candidates are required to attend a series of five workshops. The objective of these workshops is to provide the candidates with a baseline of skills and knowledge that helps them progress in their DBA.

Phase 2

Phase 2 is a series of organisational change research projects undertaken in the practice-setting, normally completed within 2 to 3 years. Work completed in phase 1 and 2 is assessed at Progress Review Panel. Candidates conduct empirical research, organised in one to four practice-based projects. The findings for each of these projects are then typically written as individual chapters which together should total up to 32,000 words. Candidates must also submit a second critical reflection (up to 7,000 words) of their personal and professional development in time for PRP 3. Phase 2 is complete when the candidate has passed PRP, usually in 24 to 36 months.

Phase 3

Phase 3 is completion of a critical review of their Doctoral work and the identification of their original contribution to knowledge and professional practice. The DBA will be awarded after a successful defence of their final thesis consisting of a portfolio of work completed as part of the programme.
Candidates assemble their thesis. This phase is typically completed in 12 months and may not require an MPR to be convened. If a review is required (MPR 3), candidates are asked to submit a final critical reflection of their work (no more than 15,000 words long), and any substantial changes they will have made to the previously reviewed chapters.
Due to the structure of the programme and design of the outputs to broadly correspond to the final structure of a DBA thesis, PGRs are supported and guided through their progress towards success in the programme.
Due to the focus on producing actionable knowledge, all candidates are asked to identify a practice-based mentor from their professional setting, to support them throughout the programme. The role of the mentor is to help make sure that the research is relevant, addresses business issues, and has a positive impact on the organisation. The mentor should be someone whose role and position in the organisation allows them to promote change and advocate for the candidate’s work.
Candidate and mentor are expected to meet and consider how the directions of the research can be beneficial to the organisation. The mentorship should focus on the long-term and strategic aspects of the impact, not on generating findings which address short-term, tactical issues.

The DBA uses a cohort approach which has been found to offer additional support to candidates at the beginning of the programme compared to a ‘traditional’ PGR programme. This is especially important given that the DBA on a part-time basis, and the candidates have typically left Higher Education several years before joining the programme.

Assessment

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.