Doctor of Business AdministrationDBA

Contemporary issues in organisations and management

The module aims to help students familiarise themselves with fields of inquiry that could then inform their own DBA project choices. You will be trained in the processes of knowledge creation and knowledge application and you will learn about how to write a literature review that identifies specific research gaps worthy of exploration. The module builds on the core principles of the entire DBA programme and, therefore, focuses on a) students’ contribution to knowledge and practice, b) the examination of contemporary organisational issues, c) an agenda of sustainable and socially responsible management practice and d) students’ professional career and research skills development.

As such, the aims of the module are to support students to:

• Write in an appropriate academic style
• Develop an awareness of research paradigms in developing a literature review
• Learn the techniques needed to develop a literature review
• Understand the process of theory/knowledge creation and theory/knowledge application to practical examples in problem-solving
• Identify research gaps in academic and practitioner literature
• Gain expertise in a social science and scientific research fields by examining key debates and recent developments in terms of theory
• Understand what appropriate theory to integrate with professional practice
• Write a literature review in a subject area of their choice

Developing as a practitioner researcher

This module will enable students to develop awareness of what is involved in being a practitioner researcher and undertaking ethical work-based research associated with responsible and sustainable management practice in an organisational context. The concepts of positionality and reflexivity will be explored, and will support students in identifying the factors that influence the identification of the problem and the factors that influence practitioner research choices when planning ways to explore this problem. Candidates will actively consider the ethical issues that need to be taken into account when undertaking practitioner research including changing roles and identities, risk and organisational reputation.
They will be enabled to explore their own contexts more critically and reflexively with the aim of finding sustainable solutions to key challenges in the working environment. Development of professionals with these capabilities is key to tackling the ‘wicked’ problems confronting organisations and societies

Fundamentals in organisational research design

This module introduces the student to the theoretical and practical foundations of empirical research design and how these may be applied to practice-based contexts. It includes core interdisciplinary principles of research design that span methodological traditions and explore contemporary methodologies relevant for the practice-based nature of a DBA research project. You will learn how the research designs that you use ultimately depend upon the nature of the research questions you are asking and the type and kinds of evidence that are available. You will learn about the strengths and weaknesses of a range of research designs and the inevitable trade-offs that occur in the research design decisions that must be made in undertaking practice-related research and learn how to evaluate research in terms of rigour and robustness. This will include reflections on the role as practitioner researcher, the complexities of practical problem-solving and inquiry and how research may inform evidence-based decision-making in practice.

Impacting organisational practice: research pilot study

This module provides students with the opportunity to devise and undertake a small scale research or consultancy project on a specific topic relevant to their area of interest. It will also provide a vehicle for reflection on the impact of the study on the organisational context and on personal progress as a practitioner researcher and/or researcher-consultant

Students will devise a research or consultancy proposal identifying the aim, context, rationale, knowledge gap, proposed methodology and ethical issues relevant to the study. The proposal will be agreed by the DBA academic team. For the consultancy proposal, this will also be agreed by the organisation.

The agreed proposal will form the foundations for a small-scale research or consultancy study which potentially could make a contribution to knowledge and to practice in the identified context.

Following completion of the study students will provide a reflexive account on the potential impact of the study on the organisational context and on their own development as practitioner/consultant researcher

The aims of the module are to:

1. To devise, undertake and report upon a small scale research/consultancy study into a specific topic relevant to their area of interest

2. Reflect upon the impact on practice in the identified context of the knowledge generated by the study

3. Reflect upon the impact on personal development as a practitioner/consultant researcher and identify future development needs

Planning your DBA journey

This module introduces students to the nature and purpose of a professional doctorate and enables them to begin to map and plan their DBA journey. It includes reflexive activities which will support their development and progress as practitioner researchers particularly in relation to the principles which underpin the programme, ie inclusivity and responsible, sustainable management practice, and the development of creative, confident and connected professionals. They will begin to identify their own area of interest, why this is significant and the context within this area of interest sits. They will also be required to undertake self-analyses of skills and capabilities and use the knowledge gained to plan and reflect upon appropriate development activities.

Organisational research project

This is the final module of the London Metropolitan University DBA student’s professional doctoral journey. It provides the teaching, learning and assessment framework as well as support mechanisms to enable students to complete their substantial practice-based doctoral research project. Utilising the problem-solving skills and competences that students have developed throughout the DBA programme, they must identify a practice-based problem area and/or organisational challenge and seek a solution through their doctoral project.

This DBA is designed to meet the needs of various professions and advance professional practice or use practice as a legitimate research method.

Students’ work must include a significant piece of practice-based empirical research demonstrating critical investigation, independent thought and research creativity. Students must make an original contribution to knowledge and practice by generating new applications or understanding that extend the frontier of knowledge in an area of professional practice.

Indicative Structure of submitted document
Students are able to select between two distinct routes to conduct your applied doctoral research project:
- a practice-based research project informed by and seeking to impact a real phenomenon in organisational or business context through knowledge creation.
- a consultancy project informed by and seeking to advise on a real organisational issue. Students will work closely with an organisation to provide a solution or deeper awareness of a defined problem through applied research.

Educational Aims
This applied module aims to enable students to:

• Integrate prior knowledge and research skills into an in-depth investigation of a specific organisational problem or issue and present the results
• Facilitate the identification of topical issues in a professional field of interest
• Assimilate theories and concepts drawn from different cognate areas and the wider organisational literature
• Develop and implement strategies in problem identification, research design, data collection, analysis, synthesis and in building evidence-based arguments
• Synthesise knowledge, experience and reflective practice to continually develop professional skills and competences
• Communicate effectively and disseminate research output and creative solutions to relevant and targeted audiences

Throughout the duration of the doctoral project, there will be regular meetings with the allocated supervisory team which will ensure that individual support and monitoring of progress takes place.

There will be an emphasis on sharing knowledge and experience while reflecting in particular on practise-based research. Student progress will be monitored at regular intervals by the supervisory team and peer review at key stages will also provide feedback opportunities.

As members of the wider research community within the Business School and the University, students will have the opportunity to attend and engage in a wide range of research activities, training and events. These beneficial opportunities may help students to extend networks and to draw upon a broad disciplinary base to enhance their chosen area of study.

Support with advanced research methods may be provided by the supervisory team and also via research group meetings, dedicated school and university-level events and contextual discussions, as required.