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IARSA

Academic programmes

Executive Doctor of Business Administration

A doctorate studied without interrupting your career, delivered as a face-to-face and online hybrid for working executives.

EDBA

Advance your career by studying for a doctorate without interrupting your work, with this face-to-face and online hybrid programme. Advance your leadership and experience competencies to conduct research and share your insights through thought leadership, publishing and effective action, alongside a global community of practitioner-scholars.

The EDBA was designed to fit the demanding lifestyle of executives and professionals. It is a part-time, professional-based programme for working professionals who would like to take their critical and analytical skills to a new level and enhance their professional credentials in business and public administration, with the aim of preparing business managers and future leaders.

The EDBA is for great leaders who comfortably combine success with responsibility, create impact on society, transform their own organisations, take well informed decisions and focus on performance management. Participants may specialise in areas such as management science, technology management, organisational behaviour, coaching and mentoring, economics or finance, or other practical fields.

The qualification scope covers the primary business functions and aims to provide a holistic study of the core organisational issues that executive management would be expected to take responsibility for. It provides a programme of learning for those who want to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of organisations, and of how executive management can help to achieve organisational and strategic objectives.

During the programme, participants will

  • Develop critical self-reflection and self-awareness to enhance personal and professional development at senior management level.
  • Develop research skills for the senior level of management.
  • Analyse effective methods, procedures and systems for defining, planning and scheduling, controlling and organising project activities.
  • Assess organisational performance through strategic analysis and strategic formulation, preparing to take responsibility and managerial roles in strategic planning, decision making and organisational change.
  • Determine and apply appropriate research methods to business management problems.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts involved in business and management related problems, to make appropriate decisions based on sound reasoning and analysis and create the organisational solution.
  • Conduct, evaluate and apply research designed to explain, forecast and improve the performance of the management system of the organisation.
  • Develop skills, capabilities and understanding in managing and organising a research project in line with professional and ethical principles.
  • Evaluate and synthesize scholarly literature to generate research that will significantly contribute knowledge in business management.
  • Work as an independent researcher to make a contribution to knowledge through original and independent research.

Entry requirements

  • Hold an MBA or Master's level qualification in a relevant field
  • Have a minimum of five years professional experience
  • Be employed in a senior management capacity, a significant leadership role or an equivalent position, or be in the process of making that career move
  • Have access to reliable email and internet services

Curriculum

  • Foundations of Research in Behavioural Science
  • Opportunities in a Data Driven Economy
  • Corporate Growth and Risk Strategies
  • Driving Innovation and Design
  • Navigating the Changing Business Environment
  • Analyzing Quantitative Data
  • Methodology Core Seminar
  • Disciplinary Core Seminar
  • Thesis Research, Data Collection Strategy
  • Thesis Research, Discussion and Contribution Chapter
  • Dissertation Defense

Thesis topics and learning support

Any topic can be considered that deals with management, finance, human resources, marketing, supply chain management, public administration, international relations and many more.

Applicants are given full support through an online learning platform to prepare them for the thesis, with the support of a supervisor. At the thesis stage there is no need to buy any learning material.

Careers

The Executive DBA opens a variety of careers and encourages learners to gain the skills, knowledge and understanding that will help them achieve their goals and aspirations. Graduates can seek director or senior manager roles in human resources, supply chain, entrepreneurship, marketing, sales, finance, manufacturing, technology, retail, banking and health services. They can also teach anywhere in the world in their specialised field.