DBA International Programme
Ful
ϔ
illing Ambitions
Ful
ϔ
illing
Ambitions
Our ambition is to be an enabler in the development and success of managers
and organisations worldwide, through unique Action Learning programmes,
providing answers to current management issues.
The DBA International Programme is offered in English and is seen as the
pinnacle of all business administration qualifi cations. It is our mission to
offer this Doctor of Business Administration to Senior Professionals,
Chief Executive Offi cers and Senior Managers in order for them to
experience professional advancement, develop research skills and a
scientifi c attitude through the encouragement of original research at
doctorate level whilst adding new theory and/or fi ndings to the existing
body of knowledge in business administration.
Do you have the ambition to enrich yourself and take your professional
development to the next level? We will support you during this exciting
journey.
Marcel van der Ham
DBA International
Programme
You are an experienced, successful manager. You have an MBA or similar
quali
ϔ
ication. You feel that you need a deeper understanding of the issues you
face and more systematic ways of investigating options and possibilities. You
feel that only by stepping back and taking the time, and putting the issues
you face into a broader context of theoretical knowledge, will you be able
to develop the kinds of breakthrough solutions you are looking for. You are
enthusiastic about personal, professional and organisational development
and are motivated to contribute to management thinking and practice by
researching and developing new ways of doing things.
To achieve your goals, you are willing to spend a great deal of your time over the next 40 months on study and research. Centred on questions you choose, you want to develop your conceptual understanding in the context of important, practical business problems you and your organisation face. You also want the challenges and changes that working with a peer group of international professionals will bring. All these ambitions will materialise in the Action Learning approach in this DBA programme.
The DBA International is a blended learning programme especially tailored for executives who cannot put their careers on hold. The freedom and fl exibility of this programme will allow you to balance the demands of your career and personal life while developing your skills and capabilities through a signifi cant study of original research aimed at improving practical decision-making as well as increasing the understanding of organisational and business life.
Doctor of Business Administration
A Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a management practitioner’s degree and, while not a requirement, continued involvement in an organisation is important for keeping the learning, theoretical and methodological contents of your DBA studies in a practical context. A DBA is focused on developing a scientifi c attitude, not just completing a research project. The rigorous application of research methods within a theoretical framework, is a skill which will serve you throughout your career. Apart from that,
Action Learning methodology helps to create a thorough understanding of the business and cultural context, in which the research is to be carried out.
Structure
The programme is structured in four phases. In the fi rst phase, you will be challenged to develop your own identity and vision as a researcher as well as improve your skills needed for
continuous learning. What motivates you? What kind of problems fascinate you? The focus is on developing your professional identity and drive as a researcher and on defi ning and refi ning the problem areas which fascinate and motivate you.
The second phase is focused on developing your skills as a researcher, the instruments of your profession. What research skills do you need to master? What approaches are best suited for different problems? A DBA degree is about developing your capacity to act in the world. The tools you bring to your work are as important as your motivation and vision.
The third phase is focused on integration. Are you able to unite your vision and motivation with your knowledge and intellectual capacities to address and resolve specifi c organisational problems? Problems of organisational design and action are, at heart, problems of knowledge. Faced with an intractable business problem, can you generate the knowledge needed to resolve the problem by formulating a researchable question and doing
the research? Can the answers you come up with be implemented? Can you put it all together? In this third phase you develop your professional identity and capacities into an integrated whole,
focused on implementing solutions to business and management problems.
The fi nal phase is the thesis research and writing. The focus in this phase is consolidation and elaboration. Through your research, you will apply and internalise the learning of the fi rst three phases. You will also contextualise your research, placing it in a larger body of theoretical work and practical, strategic, organisational problems. This phase is aimed not only at ensuring that you are capable of conducting world class research into business and management problems. It is also aimed at elaborating the connections between the various problems which have intrigued you during your studies and which are likely to be of enduring concern in your professional career.
Bene
ϔ
its
On completion of the programme you will: • have made a contribution to theory and the practice of management;
• be capable of undertaking rigorous research in the fi eld of business and management; • have developed a broad understanding from multiple perspectives of business and management issues;
• be able to critically assess your own thinking and impact as a manager and become more effective in your work interactions;
• have developed an acute understanding of your speciality within the broader context of organisational and managerial action; • have become a refl ective practitioner with a scientifi c approach to management and organisational problems;
• recognise the strengths of group effort and have developed strong cooperative work habits.
Accreditation
BSN degree programmes are accredited/certifi ed by the Dutch (NVAO), the Swiss (eduQua) and the American (ACBSP) accreditation bodies. The DBA International Programme is currently in candidacy accreditation status at ACBSP and will be eligible for accreditation consideration at the end of 2015.
Nauman Ali
London School of Business & Finance, Lecturer, United Kingdom. Student International DBA
“This DBA International
Programme incorporates
Action Learning methodology
which is a new and interesting
experience for me. This tool
allows me to make a difference
in my professional life and helps
me to understand the importance
of collective learning and
development. The structure of
this programme is very effective.
It allows me to look at the
theoretical frameworks and
research methodology aspects
in a broader spectrum.
The applicability of the content
related to the programmes is
extremely valid and the staff of
Business School Netherlands
have facilitated a very productive
and interesting experience so far.”
Structure and content
Learning settings
Learning takes place in three phases:
• three sets of modules delivered at week-long workshops;
• your participation in your Action Learning Set; • the advice, support and guidance of your thesis supervisors.
Module Delivery
You will be making three trips to participate in the delivery of the core modules. Each time you will be attending a set of workshops associated with one of the fi rst three phases of the programme.
The fi rst set of workshops, held in Buren in The Netherlands, will introduce you to the programme. It will involve fi ve intensive days of work and discussions as the foundations for Action Learning are laid and current theories and practices of business and management are presented and discussed. This set of modules focuses on putting your concerns, your motivations, and your reasons for wanting to become a practical researcher, into the broad context of organisational and management research. Relating your interests to this ongoing stream of research, enables
you to defi ne your passion and understand how the problems which fascinate are related to other management and business issues. These workshops will lay the foundations for your future learning and research.
The output from this fi rst set of modules will be an ‘X-Ray’ report on your work organisation. You will be asked to apply the theories you learn, both in the module workshops and in your independent study, to an organisation. This exercise is aimed at broadening your view of organised action and its organisational context, and gaining a better understanding of your own perspective and biases. This exercise will develop your identity as a researcher by clarifying your motives and interests. It will stretch your theoretical understanding, point you to the gaps in your knowledge, allow us to assess your needs, and provide a foundation for your thesis proposal.
You will start working on your Action Learning Refl ection Assignment, this assignment is due for submission at the same time as your Research Proposal. It is developed in refl ective dialogue with your set-advisor.
Phase Module/Activity Major Assignment/ Location Assessment
Duration of teaching block 5 days in month 1 of study I Introduction to Action Learning
Advanced Practice in Business and Management - 1
Organisational ‘x-ray’ Draft
Action Learning Refl ection assignment, fi rst draft
Buren, Netherlands
5 days in month 4 of study II Foundations and Design of
Management Research
Methodological Position paper
First draft of thesis proposal 2nd draft al refl ection assignment
Buren, Netherlands
6 days in month 12 of study III Advanced Practice in Business
and Management - 2
Thesis research proposal Final submission Refl ection Assignment
Prague, Czech Republic
between months 16 - 40 of study IV Thesis Research and
Presentation
Thesis Writing and Oral Viva defence
Buren or video conference
In the second set of workshops, which take place in Buren, Netherlands you will develop your skills and knowledge as a researcher. It will focus on the philosophical issues related to knowledge
generation and use, and on the design of research in business and management. Here you will be forced to think about what knowledge is, how it is generated, and how it is used. The development of a scientifi c attitude requires not just that we view common understandings with scepticism and base our arguments on theory and evidence; it also demands that we make conscious decisions about how we understand our world and what constitutes evidence for action in it.
At the conclusion of these modules, you will be asked to write a paper expounding your methodological preferences. This exercise is a vehicle for thinking through your research preferences and consolidating your methodological position. It provides a means for us to assess your development as a thinker and points to where diffi culties may lie ahead in your thesis research. At this point you will also be asked to write a fi rst draft for your research proposal. This will be presented during the third set of workshops at the beginning of the second year.
The third set of modules, lasting six days, will be held in Prague in the Czech Republic. As part of phase three of the programme, it is designed to do two things. Firstly, to provide an advanced forum for the exposition and discussion of current thinking in organisations and management, and secondly, to provide a means for you to develop your theoretical positions and solidify your thinking about your
thesis research. You will be presenting your research proposal to the faculty and your peers for discussion and assessment. There will be plenty of opportunities to discuss your ideas and progress with faculty. The focus of these workshops depends very much on you and your development as a well-rounded researcher.
Action Learning Sets
The second setting for learning is your Action Learning Set (ALS). An ALS is liberating. By this we mean that it provides a structure where individuals can develop their ideas in a fl exible and supportive environment. The constant interaction with peers and advisors results in an interplay between theory, experience and practical problems that facilitates rigorous and creative inquiry.
Self-study, the workshop modules, and your thesis work are all supported by your ALS. An ALS ties your theoretical learning to practical issues relevant to you and your peers, management experiences. Through the ALS you are put into an environment which is motivating, has a practical focus, where you can benefi t from other perspectives and experiences, where feedback is timely and direct, and where you can develop your skills in analysis and presentation, as well as leadership and persuasion. An ALS promotes team thinking and mutual success. An ALS honours diversity by encouraging and validating multiple perspectives. By contributing your perspective to your colleagues’ problems, and vice-versa, your ALS contributes to a broadening and deepening of your learning. The ALS is facilitated and coached by the Action Learning
Coach, while substantive issues can be referred to advisors, methodologists, and your thesis supervisors for guidance.
Your ALS is your core reference group. It is the thread which runs through the entire programme. And, together with the faculty and others in the programme, the members of your ALS will provide professional support throughout your ongoing career.
Thesis Supervision
The fi nal setting for your learning is your relationship with your thesis supervisor. From your fi rst year in the DBA International Programme, you should be thinking about who you would like to invite to be your thesis supervisor. The person you choose will have a major infl uence on the direction of your studies. Your thesis supervisor is teaching and conducting research in your area of interest. He or she is the one who will recommend new directions in reading and theory development, critique your work, and support you in your thinking and efforts. He or she will advise you concerning standards as well as your readiness to stand for fi nal, oral examination. Your thesis supervisor can give you opportunities to assist you in your own research, adding to your experience and possibly resulting in co-authorship of scholarly articles. Your choice and management of a thesis supervisor will make your academic career in the DBA International more productive, satisfying and rewarding.
Pedagogical Approach
You are the centre of attention during the DBA International Programme. What you bring is your personality, your experience and perspective, the practical challenges and opportunities you face in your work, and your knowledge, creativity and energy. What we provide is our expertise and knowledge, our extensive experience in creating a supportive learning environment in which you can develop your own ideas and interests. We back you, challenge you, guide you and provide the environment where you can stretch your mind and develop. A large part of this is done through Action Learning.
From the beginning, in the fi rst set of modules, you will be immersed in an Action Learning
environment. This means that following a brief introduction to its principles and methods, subsequent learning activity will take place using Action Learning methods. The goal is fourfold.
Firstly, to ensure that discussions of theory and methods are grounded in the practical and intellectual problems which you bring with you. Secondly, to bring you and your classmates’ diverse perspectives and personalities to bear on these issues. Thirdly, to put you in a position whereby your ability to communicate and persuade is tested and improved. And fi nally, to lay the social foundations for the internet-based Action Learning which will support your individual study on your return home.
As part of your application, you will have prepared two questions. The fi rst is motivational. Why are you interested in pursuing a DBA? The second is substantive. What research questions interest you and what might your thesis topic be? Discussions of theory will originate from these questions. It is the role of the fi rst module faculty to guide you from your practical and intellectual concerns to the streams of research literature which inform and contextualise them. It is the role of the Action Learning Coach to facilitate a critical but supportive discussion. It is the role of the Action Learning Set to bring their varied reading and experience to their discussions of your work, and to critique your thinking. Together, the faculty, the coach, and the ALS, work to move you from a topic that fascinates and motivates you to a research question, framed by a body of theoretical literature, rigorously thought through and ready for investigation.
Action Learning is emotional and behavioural as well as intellectual. It aims to develop your personal capacities and professional effectiveness as well as intellectual capabilities. The DBA International will, during each workshop series, engage you in what we call “Intervision”. The objective of Intervision is to develop your personal capacities and effectiveness by examining your habits of character. Focusing on specifi c work situations, Intervision is invaluable for improving performance and outcomes. The emphasis is on refl ection, helping you think through how you can become more effective and professional in your work interactions.
Faculty and Online Resources
As a DBA International student, the resources of Business School Netherlands are at your disposal. Diverse faculties with international reputations are there to advise and assist you. For a blended programme of distance learning combined with on-site workshops, online resources are of critical importance. BSN has substantial online facilities available for its students. The online learning facilities are also fi rst rate. Our sites will be deployed in support of both the Action Learning Sets and the modules delivered at the on-site workshops. Each module has a site containing reseach material, core and supplementary readings, a discussion board and other resources. Members of each Action Learning Set communicate and interact through their own customisable site.
Danny Zandamela
First National Bank, CEO FNB Africa, South Africa
Student International DBA
“The DBA International
Programme, of Business
School Netherlands provides a
unique learning experience; the
candidates are drawn from a
diversity of countries and
professional disciplines. The
quality of the learning is also of
a high standard, providing a
stimulating and satisfying
experience. The programme is
suf
ϔ
iciently
ϔ
lexible in structure to
accommodate the more senior and
mature professional who is seeking
to add depth to his other professional
attributes with the opportunity to
become a subject matter authority
in the chosen thesis subject
and direction.”
Admission requirements
For admission to this programme, applicants will be required to:
• hold an MBA, or a Masters qualifi cation in a relevant area, and
• have at least fi ve years experience
• be in a professional capacity with signifi cant responsibility or
• be in a senior management role or
• be the Managing Director/Chief Executive Offi cer of a small to medium-sized enterprise or
• be in an equivalent position;
• be pursuing, or have pursued, a signifi cant career in professional or business areas that fall within the research interests of Business School Netherlands, and
• display evidence of the potential to do doctoral level work, and
• have written and verbal fl uency in English. For non-native English speakers, a minimum TOEFL mark of 580 on the paper based test or 237 on the computerized test, or 91 on the internet based test, or a 6.5 on the IELTS standard is required.
In exceptional circumstances, consideration may be given to applicants without a Master’s degree who:
• hold a good fi rst degree in a relevant discipline;
• have exceptional work experience demonstrated by professional advancement;
• can demonstrate continued education and professional development since graduation.
Application and Selection Procedures
To discuss enrolment procedures for this programme, please contact [email protected]
The Admissions Committee will process the application within one month of its receipt and you will be informed by mail of your acceptance to the programme.
Information
For more information about the DBA International Programme, please contact the Programme Manager at Business School Netherlands.
While specifi c questions need to be addressed to the Programme Manager you are invited to visit our location to get a feel for what we do and who we are.
Information
and enrolment
Business School Netherlands De Raadskamer
Herenstraat 25 Buren
T. +31 (0)344 579 030 [email protected]
Business School Netherlands
Our pro
ϔ
ile
Business School Netherlands was established in 1988 based on our belief that traditional executive education programmes failed to meet the training and development needs of business managers. We are the fi rst European institution to become affi liated with the World Institute for Action Learning. In 1991 we began to offer our Dutch language MBA using the Action Learning methodology.
Business School Netherlands is the market leader in MBA training in the Netherlands. With an annual MBA student intake of over 350 students, this leadership position was recognised by Intermediar, the independent Dutch ranking body and publication. This body has ranked our MBA curriculum 1st in the Netherlands in the last three of their biannual rankings and readers of Management Team in 2012 ranked BSN as the best MBA-provider 2012/2013.
The quality of our programmes and our Action Learning approach to executive education, has been the foundation for our development and expansion. We currently offer executive education programmes in several languages in other European countries, as well as in Africa and Asia. Our English language International Action Learning MBA® is our fl agship programme, as we continue to develop an international community of Action Learners.
Besides its degree programmes, Business School Netherlands also offers special skills and management development courses, and short courses customized to meet the requirements of specifi c clients. These programmes are closely integrated with our clients’ needs and goals and place heavy demands on faculty capabilities. To ensure that we are always abreast of the latest developments in management theory and practice, and that we are able to meet the demands of our clients, we maintain relationships with a broad array of academic and professional faculty. Drawing on expertise as it is needed, rather than tailoring programmes to a fi xed set of resources means that we are always ready to effectively and effi ciently meet the next challenge.
Information
The DBA is aimed at the practicing manager or consultant. We believe that a scientifi c approach and attitude are fundamental to solving business problems. Through this DBA programme, we offer the international student a unique combination of resources and experience dedicated to developing their capabilities.
Business School Netherlands De Raadskamer
Herenstraat 25 Buren
T. +31 (0)344 579 030 E. [email protected]
