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David Evans

Ambitious executives looking for a competitive edge can find it in a Doctor of Business Administration

A MASTER OF Business Administration (MBA) might not be enough to make the ambitious executive stand out in today's crowded job market.

For those looking to add that competitive edge to their curriculum vitae, or even those with a passion for understanding innovative business methods, a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from the University of Newcastle could be just the degree that sets them apart from the rest.

'I think the MBA has enough knowledge for most managers' needs, but the DBA gives students a definite advantage,' said  Bernard Carey,  pro vice-chancellor for the Faculty of Business and Law at Australia's prestigious University of Newcastle.

The Newcastle Graduate School of Business (NGSB), the university's commercial studies arm, runs the three-year programme in partnership with the Hong Kong Management Association (HKMA).

There are 18 course subjects plus a dissertation. Holders of a recognised MBA are exempt from the first year and go straight to  year two.

Year two covers six courses, with subjects ranging from managing organisational change to global corporate governance and social responsibility.

The first half of year three is taken up with courses covering research methods, followed by the students' own research projects.

The programme has three intakes a year - in March, July and November.

NGSB head William Purcell  believes the course's mix of Asian and western study topics and the diverse cultural and professional backgrounds of the students and teachers provides a wide-ranging,  interesting programme.

'Internationalisation will be enhanced through international study,' he said.

Professor Carey said the DBA was not a marketing tool to attract candidates away from MBA courses as its structure, content and target audience did not make it a replacement for an MBA.

'There are a lot of MBAs washing around and there is some advantage to having one,' he said. 'But people want something that says they've advanced a little bit more. A degree that takes you beyond the depth of most degrees.'

According to figures released by the HKMA, close to a third of students enrolling in  the course hold positions as directors or higher, 20 per cent are senior management and 8 per cent are middle management. Of these, more than half have   10 to   20 years of experience.

'Middle managers learn from senior people,' said Professor Carey.

He said the course allowed students to reflect on their experience and use the best of what they have learned to go forward.

'People will ask themselves: 'Why did I become so successful and how can I take that forward?''

The course is designed for senior executives wishing to upgrade and extend their qualifications, and practising managers and business professionals who wish to study  beyond the level of an MBA.

Unlike traditional doctorates, which are almost entirely research-based, a DBA comprises a combination  of class work and research, with a ratio of roughly 70:30.

Professor Carey said there were many business people who would like to study to doctorate level but, because of work and family commitments, would find a pure research degree very demanding.

'I wouldn't advise anyone to do a PhD without very close support,' he said. 'Besides, people who join our programme are not research-orientated.'

The DBA is also being offered in Malaysia in partnership with the Systematic Education Group.

For students who are unable to attend classes regularly, NGSB offers postgraduate programmes on a purely online basis through a company called GradSchool.com.



Degree that stands out from the rest