Faculty Ofmanagement and Law

Faculty ofManagement and Law

Programme Specification

Programme title:Doctor of Business Administration

Academic Year: / 2016-2017
Degree Awarding Body: / University of Bradford
Partner(s), delivery organisation or support provider (if appropriate): / N/A
Final and interim award(s): / Final award:
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
[Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level 8]
[Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) level 7]
MSc in Management Research
Postgraduate Diploma in Management Research
Postgraduate Certificate in Management Research
Programme accredited by (if appropriate): / N/A
Programme duration: / 48 months minimum – 84 months maximum
QAA Subject benchmark statement(s): / N/A
Date of Senate Approval: / 17th December 2001
Date last confirmed and/or minor modification approved by Faculty Board / October 2015

Introduction

In accordance with the University’s mission ‘Making Knowledge Work’, the School of Management aims to provide excellence in a range of business areas. We are committed to the belief that business education should be offered in a way that facilitates rather than constrains. It should provide a thorough grounding in core business disciplines as well as offering participants the opportunity to specialise in a specific business area. This programme contributes to those aims offering practising managers and professional staff the opportunity to combine the best of academic knowledge with the best of practitioner knowledge so as to push forward the boundaries of understanding of business and management. This involves equipping you with the skills and knowledge required to work effectively in rapidly changing and challenging environments. You will develop the competences to think critically and strategically and identify complex research programmes needed to develop new approaches or new knowledge that will drive organisational change and make a significant contribution to the development of your chosen profession. The programme is supported by experienced researchers and practitioners from a wide range of academic backgrounds and cultures to assist you in developing in-depth knowledge of research methods and the ability to apply them to real business and management issues.

Programme Aims

The programme is intended to produce managers and leaders who, through gaining in-depth knowledge about research methods, are able to apply them to exploring organizational and managerial practices. You will do this through combining your academic and business expertise so as to contribute to the development of knowledge of and/or professional practice in organizations.

Programme Learning Outcomes

When you have completed the programme you will be able to:

To be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Certificatein Management Researchat FHEQ level 7, students will be able to:

LO1Interpret the nature and philosophy of management research

LO2Identify appropriate research methodologies for addressing areas at the forefront of the discipline

LO3Select suitable methods for the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.

LO4Understand the importance of ethical practices in research, and conform with high standards of ethics in research;

LO5Analyse the results of research, using qualitative, quantitative or mixed-method techniques

Additionally, to be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diplomain Management Researchat FHEQ level 7,students will be able to:

LO6Discuss the state of the art in one or more specialist areas of management theory, thus demonstrating a systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge at the forefront of the discipline or professional practice

LO7Critically assess the suitability of the research methodologies used in other research projects and in your own work

Additionally, to be eligible for the award of Degree of Masterin Management Researchat FHEQ level 7, students will be able to:

LO8Communicate and disseminate research outcomes to a variety of audiences

LO9Demonstrate understanding of how to translate theory or research into practice;

Additionally, to be eligible for the award of DBA at FHEQ level 8, students will be able to:

LO10Create and interpret new knowledge through original research into business and management

LO11Conduct a significant research project in your own (or other) organization(s)

LO12Demonstrate specialist knowledge in your area of professional practice through the application of research outcomes.

LO13Address major challenges for business and society in the 21st century. These may include but are not limited to such issues as globalisation, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable development.

Curriculum

The programme is structured in two parts: Part 1 consists of eight taught modules and Part 2 relates to the doctoral research-based element. Part 1 consists of 180 credits, and Part 2 of 360 credits, with total volume of 540 credits.

The 8 modules in Part 1 allow you to cumulatively develop knowledge of and experience in research methods. In order to progress to Part 2, you will complete a Confirmation of Progression report and defend your research plans in front of a panel consisting of the DBA Director of Studies and one or more members of academic staff. The Confirmation of Progression report must comprise the three first chapters of the thesis – Introduction, Literature Review and Methodology – and also include a plan for how the research will be carried out.

Progression to part 2, the thesis phase, is subject to satisfactory performance in the taught stage of the programme and in the defence of the Confirmation of Progression report.

In Part 2 of the programme, you will produce a 50,000 word thesis (360 credits) based on original research carried out within an organisation(s).

Postgraduate Certificate in Management Research: Students will be eligible to exit with the award of Postgraduate Certificate if they have successfully completed 60 credits at level 7 from the list of the modules below and achieved the award learning outcomes.

Postgraduate Diploma in Management Research: Students will be eligible to exit with the award of Postgraduate Diploma if they have successfully completed 120 credits at levels 7/8 from the list of the modules below and achieved the award learning outcomes.

Degree of Master in Management Research: Students will be eligible to exit with the award of Degree of Master if they have successfully completed 180 credits at level 7/8 (all modules) from the list of the modules below and achieved the award learning outcomes.

FHEQ Level / Module Title / Type
(Core/
Option/
Elective) / Credits / Semester (s) / Module Code
7 / Introduction to research methods at doctoral level / Core / 20 / N/A / MAL7007-B
7 / Research Philosophy / Core / 20 / N/A / MAL7008-B
7 / Qualitative research methods for doctoral studies / Core / 20 / N/A / MAL7009-B
7 / Quantitative research methods at doctoral level / Core / 20 / N/A / MAL7010-B
8 / Critique of management research studies / Core / 20 / N/A / MAL8004-B
7 / Literature reviewing for doctoral studies / Core / 20 / N/A / MAL7011-B
8 / Advanced studies in management and business studies (1): The practitioner as author / Core / 30 / N/A / MAL8008-C
8 / Advanced studies in management and business studies (2): Translating research into practice / Core / 30 / N/A / MAL8009-C

Degree of DBA

FHEQ Level / Module Title / Type
Core/
option/
elective / Credits / Semester (s) / Module Code
8 / DBA Thesis / Core / 360 / N/A / BAM8002-T

Students will be eligible for the award of Degree of DBA if they have successfully completed at least 540 credits and achieved the award learning outcomes.

The curriculum may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures.

Learning and Teaching Strategy

School of Management programmes aim to combine academic rigour with practicality and relevance to professionals and managers. They aim to reflect best practice and innovative thinking and research. The approach, therefore, to teaching and learning aims to integrate applied and theoretical knowledge. The DBA in particular facilitates the development of knowledge at the forefront of the discipline.

The philosophy underpinning the taught part of the DBA is that mature students such as those attracted to the DBA learn best by reading, doing, then reflecting on that doing, before beginning the cycle again. Each module builds on the learning achieved in previous modules, so learning is cumulative, and all modules relate to each other. Initially you are introduced to research, and you will undertake a small, mixed method study which is then used in a subsequent module as the focus for developing understanding of the philosophy of research. You are then introduced to more advanced qualitative and quantitative research methods taking forward your earlier work and developing a more in-depth understanding of research methods, the philosophy underpinning research, and a continued refining of your own research aims and questions. The emphasis then switches to developing an understanding of a particular field through focusing on techniques for critically assessing research in your own chosen sub-discipline. As you progress through the modules you will apply the ability of critical review to a wider range of literature in your chosen sub-discipline and search more widely for methods or research outcomes from other disciplines that may be transferred to add value to your own work. This review allows them to identify gaps in knowledge in the sub-discipline, consider creative methods to find ways of extending knowledge in the sub-discipline and to explore how to become a practitioner author through studying how to write for academic journals. You will undertake a pilot study writing it up in the format of a journal paper so as to gain experience of that form of academic writing. You will then develop an understanding of the issues of translating research into practice, a fundamental aspect of a DBA. You will be expected to reflect on the insights already developed into the key issues you are tackling, and explore how such findings, if replicated in a bigger study, could be translated into practice. This takes you to the progression to the research stage, bringing all the elements together in a the Confirmation of Progression report that is presented and defended. Successful completion of the Confirmation of Progression prepares you for the main research stage and ultimately writing the thesis. During the main research phase you will attend peer review workshops that enhance understanding, provide motivation and support, enable networking, prepare you for presenting your work to non-specialists, give opportunities for the cross-fertilisation of ideas and will expose you to research from outside your specialist area.

Teaching in Part 1 is in intensive study blocks of 3-5 days, and after each study block you will have 6-8 weeks in which to undertake the work required by the module. During this period you must focus on self-directed study, in liaison with (in the first year) the module tutor and (in subsequent years) your supervisor. There are eight inter-linked, taught modules that take you from an introduction to research to transfer to doctoral status.

One of the School of Management’s main aims is to address major challenges for business and society such as globalisation, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainable development. We will seek to prepare you to be able to contribute to the debates in these key areas and to critically appraise the relationships between the social, environmental and economic dimensions. The peer review workshops will be the forum in which these topics will be explored in depth: you will be asked to relate your evolving ideas to these and any other major challenges identified by the DBA students themselves. We recognise that DBA students are often at the cutting edge of developments in globalisation, CSR, business ethics, sustainable development, etc., and our aim is to ensure that all participants can learn from each other as well as from academic staff. Our intention is to encourage debate amongst peers so that you will continue to develop your own values and understanding of sustainability and CSR in a global context and how it applies to your own situation. The international nature of the DBA student cohort will expose you to perspectives that you may not otherwise come across and the peer to peer debate is an essential part of the DBA learning and teaching strategy.

Assessment Strategy

Assessment processes test both knowledge of the disciplines and their application and limitations. The range of assessment methods used throughout this programme have been specifically designed to be progressive in terms of developing critical analysis and writing skills in addition to addressing specific learning outcomes as indicated in the previous section. Also, they benefit from increasing levels of formative feedback as you progress through the modules and then the research phase with the final thesis being the “capstone” or synoptic assessment that encompasses all the learning outcomes.

Assessment for the early 20 credit modules is by means of one 4000-7000 word coursework paper, and for the Advanced Studies 30 credit modules it is by means of one 8000-10000 word paper. While the modules are set at level 7, they are nevertheless taken by doctoral students who must be challenged to a higher degree than Master’s students. DBA coursework also needs to provide direct input into the DBA thesis.

Non-credit-bearing, informal formative assessment of presentations will be made by academic staff and peers on the programme. The later papers are expected to follow the format of academic journal papers, although the focus will differ between modules. If you fail to meet the required standard in any module you will be given feedback and asked to revise the original paper to bring it to the expected standard.

In the first year’s four taught modules, the module leader first marks all papers, which are then second marked by the module leader of the next module in the timetable, you will always receive formative as well as summative feedback to help you to understand not just the techniques of research but also the culture of constructive critical review that is essential for success. In subsequent years, your supervisor first marks papers, but the Directors of Studies or module leader second mark, to ensure consistency between supervisors. During the main research phase you will develop a close working relationship with your supervisor who acts as a “sounding board” for ideas as well as mentoring you through to the preparation of the final thesis.

Assessment Regulations

This Programme conforms to the standard University Regulations which are available at the following link:

For a Degree of Doctor of Business Administration, you must have acquired 180 credits at level 7/8 in the taught modules, and 360 credits at level 8 for the thesis.

All elements in Part 1 must be passed before progressing to Part 2, although a fail mark between 35% and 39% in one module can be condoned. Where a candidate has not attained the required level in any module (grades at 40% and above) they must submit work for supplementary assessment. Supplementary assessment will be by re-submission of the work, taking into account the feedback received. Only one re-submission will be allowed for each module. Candidates will be provided with feedback in support of all decisions.

In Part 2 a panel comprising normally of the Directors of Studies and one or more other members of academic staff will assess the Confirmation of Progression report, and internal and external examiners appointed to examine the thesis must be satisfied with its content before the candidate will be considered for the award of doctor.

Admission Requirements

The University welcomes applications from all potential students and most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular programme. Consideration of applications will be based on a combination of formal academic qualifications and other relevant experience.

The standard entry requirements for the programme are as follows:

Consideration of your application will be based on a combination of your formal academic qualifications and relevant managerial or professional experience.

The University of Bradford has always welcomed applications from disabled students, and these will be considered on the same academic grounds as are applied to all applicants. If you have any form of disability you may wish to contact the Directors of Studies before you apply to ensure that reasonable adjustments can be made to facilitate your studies.

For admission to the DBA you will normally have successfully completed an MBA with average performance of merit or higher within the ten years prior to applying to study on the programme. You will also normally have worked for at least five years at middle or senior managerial levels since completing your MBA. Entry to the programme on a similar basis may be possible if you possess a relevant master’s degree, or equivalent, from an approved HEI or awarding body, rather than an MBA. Relevant masters’ degrees will normally have included aspects relevant to an understanding of business administration, organisations, and management. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate capacity for studying in the English language with an IELTS (or equivalent) score of 6.5 or above (with no sub-test less than 6.5), and evidence of having studied or worked in an English-speaking environment. You will be able to discuss your application with one of the programme team.

Recognition of Prior Learning

If applicants have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate and recognise this learning in order to provide applicants with exemptions from specified modules or parts of the programme.

Minor Modification Schedule

Version Number / Brief description of Modification / Date of Approval (Faculty Board)
1 / Removal of Thesis Research Proposal / June 2016
2