Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

This module starts with advanced underlying principles and progresses into a self-or organisational-reflective approach based on empirical data and current trends for local, national, and global leadership approaches. This module also reflects upon leadership as an ongoing process of experience-based learning and refining using principles such as transparency, information flow, fail-safe, access to consultation, and seamless execution that, once practiced at an individual level, can be replicated across the organisation.

This module helps the students to develop the skills and knowledge needed for contemporary practice in their chosen professional field. Students will develop knowledge of the many factors that contribute to understanding the professions in their social context. They will identify the capabilities, attributes, and authority they bring to the programme and what makes them the professionals they are with their own unique practice developed with time and experience.

This module enables the students to develop their understanding of quantitative and qualitative research skills, enhancing their ability to conduct rigorous research, analyse data, and reach sound analytical conclusions, which can form the basis for the development of effective service delivery in professional organisations. Students will develop a thorough understanding of a broad range of data analysis methods, and equal emphasis will be given to the teaching of qualitative and quantitative research and study designs.

This module covers strategy formation, entrepreneurial manifestation of the strategy, and the mitigation of risks by integrating conceptual, empirical, and case methods in order to ensure that these perspectives are simultaneously considered. The module also critically examines the global nature of entrepreneurial activity to, for example, create or manage profit, social or high-tech ventures, and firms based on the economic, societal, and regulatory international environment.

This module introduces students to the operational and strategic issues that they are likely to face when conducting and implementing research in professional practice. Students will learn how to clearly differentiate between the professional researcher and professional practitioner roles and will explore the challenges of undertaking research in a professional setting. The module will critically discuss the ethical and consent issues pertaining to research in professional practice and introduce research governance procedures and protocols.

This module enables the students to develop their theoretical, methodological, and research skills to enhance their ability to conduct rigorous research and reach sound analytical conclusions, which can form the basis for the development of effective service delivery in professional organisations. Students will develop a thorough understanding of the principles, theories, and epistemology of research and make links with the data analysis methods discussed. Students will be guided and supported in conducting research in practice exercises by developing a pragmatic research proposal for an applied research project.

This module gives the students the opportunity to demonstrate an original contribution to their subject, field, or profession, through original research or the original application of existing knowledge or understanding to produce a DBA thesis.