Organisational impact, by turning theory into practice
The Executive DBA places emphasis on highly relevant, workplace-based research, by producing truly actionable knowledge in the context of the student’s organisation.
Rather than focusing on creating narrowly defined and theoretical scholarly research, the programme’s practically oriented approach is highly beneficial to working professionals and the businesses they work for.
The research produced by students during the course allow the immediate integration of actionable knowledge and critical thinking skills into their working environments.
Completing the programme gives managers the skills to help their organisations solve truly challenging problems, not only during the programme, but most importantly, after graduation.
Some examples, of impact research undertaken by our students are:
- Creation of recovery strategies and initiatives following major natural disasters in USA
- Development of a bespoke leadership evaluation and development tool used in management consultancy interventions
- Design of a technology transfer process for a major international food security programme in Mozambique
- Avoidance of COVID-related deaths in a chain of UK care homes
Not just a PhD for managers
Our Executive DBA is not simply a PhD for managers.
Whilst being equivalent in status and challenge to a PhD, our Executive DBA programme is more appropriate for those pursuing professional rather than academic careers.
The pedagogy of the programme is based on research aimed at understanding how to best equip students with the skills to undertake organisational research.
This means the course is specifically tailored for people who want to do research within a business environment, and represents the highest level of academic qualification.
Compatible with working-life
The Executive DBA has been designed taking into consideration the professional commitments of working part-time research students.
The programme is part-time and delivered in hybrid format, which facilitates students can complete their course without interfering with their job obligations.
The researcher development stage (pre-thesis), combines online classes with four on-campus residencies, which take place during weekends.
Face-to face residencies bring high added value to our students, as they provide the opportunity to discover the university’s research ecosystem, and discuss their ideas with academics and guest speakers experienced in publishing at top level research publications.
However, students who find themselves unable to come to Liverpool are still able to take part remotely.
During the thesis-development stage, students can stay in touch with their individual supervisors remotely, and group workshops for the Doctoral Development Plan modules are delivered online.
The programme can be completed in 4.5 years, but to accommodate to unexpected personal or professional situations, students can take up to 7.5 years.
Find out more about the Executive DBA structure
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