Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA)

Business Transformation, Sustainable Business and Entrepreneurship

Become a Change Maker by shaping and leading the Business Transformation your Industry needs

The acceleration of change is the signature of the 21st century. Business is the place where opportunities have the potential to become reality. Hence, Business transformation is at the heart of the World Transformation.

Business School Lausanne (BSL) has shaped the Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) to look beyond the success or innovation of a specific company.

The DBA program combines the wide spectrum and in-depth understanding of doctoral studies, with the realism and focus of field action.

A research starting in the field with outputs aimed for the field

The BSL DBA program is intended for those with previous managerial and leadership experience who wish to make a significant contribution to the enhancement of professional practice in the field of management. The process which will lead to this transformation will be undertaken via the critical review and the systematic application of appropriate theories and research to professional practice.

DBA graduates are expected to produce a significant Doctoral-level transdisciplinary study output that advances research in business and management fields and is relevant to be put in to practice.

The DBA thesis, based on the research that is carried out throughout the program, is the primary piece of work that will be assessed for the award of the actual Doctorate.

A program designed for professionals across the globe

The duration of the program is from three to six years, depending on if it is undertaken as a full-time or a part-time academic undertaking for the student. The BSL DBA program is essentially a distance-learning program. All seminars of BSL’s Doctoral School held in Lausanne are optional, even though highly recommended. The students who will attend will both acquire invaluable insights via face-to-face interaction with instructors while also gaining mutually beneficial contact with fellow Doctoral students from across the globe.

Elements such as the research question, the subject, the candidates’ network, their chosen research methodology along with factors such as the candidates’ proficiency in English and writing capacity can all have an influence on the duration of the program. Furthermore, we understand that due to the vocational nature of their chosen studies, the evolving professional obligations of the candidate can also affect the length of time that is required to achieve the DBA, hence the availability of less restrictive timescales.

Solving a problem: what a DBA is ultimately about!

If you are wondering whether a DBA journey is the right thing for you, you need
to read what follows!

A DBA research and dissertation is an incredible experience that enables you
to establish a bridge between two worlds: the world of business and the world
of research.

How is that so?

At Business School Lausanne, we consider that every DBA research and
dissertation aims to enable you to transform business while advancing
academic research at the same time.

In other words, the objective of every DBA research lies within a transformative
contribution to your industry on a two-fold level: the level of business and the
level of academic production through research

BSL Signature Features

Studying at BSL comes with a number of advantages that you will not find with other business schools. Some of the outstanding features of studying at BSL include:

A Personalized approach
Throughout the different phases of your Doctoral journey, you will not only receive personalized support from your appointed supervisor, but also from the BSL Doctoral School Team in helping you, at all stages of your research, identifying the right focus to keep.

Real business transformation
Our faculty consists exclusively of academics who are also seasoned and currently active business practitioners. As such, they are aware of the latest trends and business knowledge in terms of business transformation. They all teach the Mega Trends shaping the industry they are an expert of, be it in terms of innovations and entrepreneurship, sustainable development, digitalization or big data.

A research community and global network
Over 60 nationalities are represented by BSL’s student body and faculty, allowing you to develop an important global network for life.

Watch what happens during our Doctoral Acceleration Weeks at BSL

Program Format

Duration: 3 to 6 years

with the possibility of extension of up to an additional 3 years, depending on the student’s academic undertaking

Course work:

  • Two non-mandatory one-week seminars per year (DBA Acceleration Weeks – DAW)
  • Webinars
  • Individually supervised research

Because business never stops, you do not have to stop doing business while getting your DBA!

Solving a problem: what a DBA is ultimately about!

Read more!

BSL’s Doctoral School is an essential part of the BSL academic community, connecting researchers, faculty, students and practitioners.

Learn more about the Director of the Doctoral School