INDUSTRY VOICES “The DBA degree takes as its point of departure that scholars are also practitioners. I am always surprised when encountering a management scholar who looks down on business people who pursue their doctorate while working. Are the people who are grappling with the practical problems of business on a daily basis not particularly well-suited to theorise them? In guiding the doctoral programmes at GIBS, I constantly see the value of having practitioners interrogate business scholarship; after all, ours is an applied field. Our advanced- stage students and graduates have shared with us the many benefits of their doctoral studies in the context of their professional practice, including more rigorous thinking, writing more clearly and improved business practices in general.” Helena Barnard , academic head of doctoral programmes, Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa “Graduate studies in Latin America are fairly recent. The first master’s- level programmes were created in 1941 at the Central University in Venezuela, and in 1946 at the Inter- American Institute for Agricultural Sciences (known today as CATIE). Doctoral programmes are much more recent and they are offered in specific fields, not as an umbrella degree as with the Doctor of Philosophy qualification. Today, dozens of universities throughout the region offer both master’s and doctoral degrees. However, the DBA is still rare. Fewer than 15 universities offer it in Latin America, and most of these programmes are not accredited internationally. This book will undoubtedly contribute to raising awareness about the relevance of the DBA, and hopefully will also lead to an increase in demand for this type of qualification in the region.” Ruben Guevara , professor of strategy & leadership, PUCP Business School, Centrum Catolica University, Peru “The brand of the DBA is not just owned by business schools, but by students and alumni themselves. It is they who drive impact on their organisation, industry
particularly useful for prospective students, as well as for those industry leaders who are thinking of encouraging their senior managers to enrol in the DBA programme.” Geetha Ravishankar, interim DBA programme director, College of Business and Social Sciences, Aston University, UK “For decades, I mulled over the idea of joining a doctoral programme. ‘But look here’, I said to myself. ‘With my MBA, I’m in my comfort zone, so is this just an ego trip? Or might it be something that benefits me and my company?’ I wondered how I could achieve the right balance between, on the one hand, three or more years concocting a thesis, and on the other, playing hide-and-seek with my grandchildren. My age also gave me pause for thought: maybe I was simply too old to commit to all that studying. ‘What is the difference between a PhD and a DBA, and which one is better’, I pondered. ‘And what is the purpose of a DBA? Is it just a passing fad,or is it here to stay – could it even become a game changer?’ I also thought about whether, given the various ups and downs in my career, there were any hard lessons that could somehow ‘morph’ into knowledge in order to create a positive impact for others. I agonised over these and many other questions for quite a while. Today, with at least another year to go for my thesis, I agree with Ulysses, that the risk of plunging on to the rocks is indeed daunting, but it is a challenge that simply had to be taken up. If only Michel and Stephen had edited their book before 2020; that would have made arriving at the
and communities. As such, the DBA is growing in value as these senior managers, consultants and academics use their research for real-world applications. Schools have a duty to both nurture and promote that brand by providing an excellent experience and equipping graduates with skills that will stand them in good stead through rigorous research standards and high-quality training and supervision, as well as via accreditations and collaborations. It is through our marketing and communications activities that schools provide stakeholders with access to students’ scholarly and highly relevant research work. In this way, students may best demonstrate the value of their DBA and expand their networks. At the same time, prospective students see the evidence of how a DBA can transform their career by gaining recognition as an expert in their field.”
Jinnie Hinderscheit, marketing manager, Grenoble Ecole de Management, France
“The DBA offers professional managers a unique and valuable opportunity to leverage their extensive experience by equipping themselves with research techniques, thereby enhancing their effectiveness in obtaining rational business solutions. When experience is combined with research capability it acts as a force multiplier that immensely benefits managers, as well as the industry in which they work. This informative book provides a balanced perspective to prospective DBA students by answering a number of crucial questions, including what a DBA study programme entails; what commitment level is required; how the qualification helps augment managerial effectiveness, and how it differs from a PhD. Featuring contributing authors from world-class faculties, I am sure it will be
right decision so much easier.” Robert Stoll, CEO, Stoll Group
Professor Michel Kalika is the president of the Business Science Institute in Luxembourg and emeritus professor at the University Jean Moulin, Iaelyon School of Management in Lyon Stephen Platt is the quality and accreditation manager for the Business Science Institute and an associate expert at Headway People recruitment consultancy Ambition readers can buy the book at a discounted rate by using this link, https://tinyurl.com/5e6v5h5r and entering the code, dba30launch
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