DBA Introduction
| Module title | DBA Introduction |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEMM187 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | |
| Module staff | Dr Michelle Civile (Convenor) |
Module description
This module serves as an introduction to the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program offered by the University of Exeter. It aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the programme structure, expectations, and resources available to support your academic journey. Through this module, DBA students will gain insight into the core structure of the programme, and the underpinning professional and academic development officering of support. We will discuss the taught modules in stage 1 which make the MRes award, the transition into stage 2 which focus on the research project, and requirements for completion of the programme.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aims for this short introductory module are as follows:
- Provide an introduction to DBA programme. This will provide an overview of the Exeter DBA program, its objectives, and how it differs from other doctoral programs.
- Build an understanding the stages of the DBA journey, from initial proposal to final thesis submission.
- Outline the role of supervisors and the support available through the University of Exeter and general resources for Management Doctoral students.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Understand the purpose and structure of the Exeter DBA programme
- 2. Identify the key elements of the DBA journey, including research stages and milestones.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Develop strategies to navigate through the different stages of the DBA program effectively.
- 4. Apply personal development strategies to a community of practice to support your continued development throughout the programme
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Reflect on the importance of professional and academic development in the context of the DBA program
Syllabus plan
The academic content of the module includes but is not limited to:
- An introduction to the objectives and features of the Exeter DBA programme
- An overview of the structure of the program, including the stages leading to the MRes award in Stage 1 and the subsequent transition to Stage 2 focused on the research project.
- Understanding the sequential stages of the DBA journey, starting from the initial proposal stage.
- Overview of the role of supervisors in guiding DBA students through their research journey.
- Examination of the academic and professional development resources available through the University of Exeter to support DBA students.
- Strategies for effective navigation through the different stages of the DBA program, including time management, goal setting and peer learning through a community of practice.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 7 | Contact hours - The includes on-campus and online delivery |
| Guided Independent Study | 7 | Contact hours - The includes on-campus and online delivery Guided independent study through online learning activities |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Review of individual performance on group exercises | During tutorials | 1-5 | Verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Bougie, R., Sekaran, U., & Sekaran, Uma. (2020). Research methods for businessâ?¯: a skill-building approach. (Eighth edition / Roger Bougie and Uma Sekaran.). Wiley.
- Bozeman, B., Lindsay, S., Nelson, J. P., & Bretschneider, S. (2023). Speaking truth to power … or to the Ivory tower? Public affairs researchers’ reports of practitioners’ use of their research. Public Management Review, 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2023.2252819
- Grafström, M., Jonsson, A., & Klintman, M. (2023). Embracing the academic–practice gap: Knowledge collaboration and the role of institutional knotting. Management Learning. https://doi.org/10.1177/13505076231213056
- McCabe, A., Parker, R., Osegowitsch, T., & Cox, S. (2023). Overcoming barriers to knowledge co-production in academic–practitioner research collaboration. European Management Journal, 41(2), 212–222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2021.11.009
- Saunders, M. N. K., & Lewis, P. (2017). Doing research in business and management: an essential guide to planning your project (Second edition.). Pearson Education.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 0 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 01/06/2024 |
| Last revision date | 18/02/2025 |
