| Program Title: | Doctor of Business Administration |
|---|---|
| Credit Hours: | 57 |
| Delivery Mode: | Face-To-Face |
| Accreditation | Commission for Academic Accreditation, UAE (CAA) |
| Language of Study: | English |
| Duration: | 3 Years |
ADSM’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program is positioned to advance academic excellence, support applied research-driven innovation, and develop high-caliber business leaders capable of contributing to the UAE’s knowledge-based economy. The program’s design combines rigorous academic research training with applied, practice-oriented inquiry, preparing students to produce research that delivers tangible organizational and societal value.
The DBA program is further strengthened by access to ADSM’s Management Incubator, AI Management Institute, International Academic Partners, and industry-recognized partnerships such as CMI, which together provide students with opportunities to engage industry networks, understand real-world performance gaps, and translate research into implementable solutions.
The DBA is a doctorate-level academic qualification in business management practice. It is the highest academic standard for managers seeking to advance business practices. The program is for experienced managers who would like to:
This doctoral-level course equips candidates with advanced knowledge and critical understanding of research paradigms, design strategies, and methodological approaches in business research. Covering epistemological and ontological foundations, it enables students to formulate complex research problems, evaluate methodological choices, and apply qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods rigorously. Students will develop competences in ethical research design, data collection, and analysis, aligning with QFEmirates Level 8 outcomes for independent, original inquiry and contribution to professional practice.
This doctoral-level course provides an advanced examination of innovation and entrepreneurship as drivers of organizational transformation and economic development. Students critically engage with theories, models, and ecosystems that foster entrepreneurial thinking, disruptive innovation, and scalable value creation. Through scholarly inquiry and applied research, candidates will explore how leaders initiate, fund, and manage innovation in complex and uncertain environments, with applicability to organizations. Aligned with QFEmirates Level 8, the course emphasizes intellectual autonomy, critical judgment, and strategic capability in shaping entrepreneurial ventures and innovation strategies across public, private, and social enterprise sectors.
This doctoral-level course critically examines advanced theories and contemporary research in leadership and organizational behavior. Students will explore the dynamics of individual, group, and organizational performance through the lens of leadership practices, cultural contexts, and behavioral science. Emphasizing critical thinking and evidence-based analysis, the course enables learners to evaluate and apply leadership models to complex organizational challenges. In alignment with QFEmirates Level 8, students will demonstrate intellectual autonomy, originality, and the capacity to influence strategic transformation within diverse organizational settings.
This doctoral-level course provides candidates with advanced competencies in applying statistical and quantitative methods to complex business research problems. Emphasizing critical analysis and methodological rigor, the course covers multivariate analysis, regression modeling, structural equation modeling, and data interpretation using statistical software. Students will independently evaluate and apply appropriate techniques to generate original insights, ensuring validity and reliability in empirical research. The course supports QFEmirates Level 8 outcomes by fostering intellectual autonomy, methodological expertise, and evidence-based decision-making in scholarly and professional contexts.
This doctoral-level course develops advanced expertise in qualitative research methodologies to support strategic business decision-making. Emphasizing epistemological grounding and methodological rigor, candidates will explore techniques such as case study, ethnography, grounded theory, and thematic analysis. Students will design and conduct original qualitative research, critically interpret complex data, and apply findings to address real-world strategic challenges. The course aligns with QFEmirates Level 8 by fostering intellectual autonomy, ethical inquiry, and the ability to generate impactful knowledge that informs leadership and organizational transformation.
This doctoral-level course explores advanced principles and practices of corporate and AI governance, emphasizing accountability, ethical leadership, and responsible innovation in complex global contexts. Students critically examine regulatory frameworks, stakeholder dynamics, and emerging challenges posed by AI technologies. Through applied case analysis and research, candidates will evaluate executive decision-making processes, algorithmic transparency, and governance strategies that align with organizational performance and societal values. Aligned with QFEmirates Level 8, the course cultivates intellectual autonomy, critical judgment, and strategic leadership in shaping ethical and accountable systems for the digital age.
This doctoral-level course equips candidates with advanced capabilities in designing and executing mixed methods research to address complex business challenges. Integrating qualitative and quantitative approaches, students will critically evaluate methodological frameworks, triangulate data sources, and apply advanced analytical tools to generate actionable insights. Emphasis is placed on research design coherence, ethical considerations, and strategic application of findings. Aligned with QFEmirates Level 8, the course fosters intellectual independence, methodological sophistication, and the ability to contribute original, data-driven knowledge to professional practice and strategic decision-making.
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this doctoral-level course offers an in-depth exploration of a selected advanced topic in areas such as Leadership, Organizational Behavior, Strategic Management, International Business, Financial Management, Business Excellence, or AI Management. Designed to address emerging trends and complex challenges, the course encourages critical inquiry, original analysis, and application of cutting-edge research. Students will demonstrate intellectual autonomy and methodological rigor in developing insights that inform theory and practice. Aligned with QFEmirates Level 8, the course fosters scholarly contribution and strategic impact within specialized domains of business.
This doctoral-level course guides students through the development of a rigorous applied research proposal that addresses a significant business problem. Working with their Dissertation Supervisors, students will write and present a detailed applied research proposal that emphasizes critical thinking, scholarly synthesis, and methodological precision. Students will define their research questions, justify theoretical frameworks, and select appropriate research designs. Students will also complete a full Literature Review in their dissertation proposal will also The course fosters intellectual autonomy and ethical integrity, preparing candidates to undertake original research with strategic and practical relevance for businesses. In alignment with QFEmirates Level 8, students demonstrate the ability to initiate, plan, and justify a substantial investigation that contributes to professional practice and knowledge advancement.
This 21-credit doctoral-level course represents the research component of the DBA program, requiring candidates to undertake an original, applied research project that addresses a complex, real-world business issue of relevance to a chosen organization. Using primary data sources, students will demonstrate advanced research competence, critical analysis, and strategic insight by integrating theory and practice to produce a substantial, evidence-based applied research project. The project reflects intellectual independence, ethical research conduct, and scholarly contribution to professional practice. In alignment with QFEmirates Level 8, it showcases the candidate’s ability to lead inquiry, influence organizational outcomes, and advance knowledge in the field of business administration.
| DBA Program (Duration: 3 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| CORE COURSES | ||
| Course Code | Course Title | Semester |
| DBA 9101 | Research Design and Data Analysis | Semester 1 |
| DBA 9102 | Emerging Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Business Leaders | Semester 1 |
| DBA 9103 | Organizational Behavior and Theory | Semester 1 |
| DBA 9104 | Statistical and Quantitative Techniques for Business Research | Semester 2 |
| DBA 9105 | Applied Qualitative Research for Strategic Decision-Making | Semester 2 |
| DBA 9106 | Corporate Governance and Financial Risk | Semester 2 |
| DBA 9107 | Data Driven Business Research: Design Mixed Research Methods | Semester 3 |
| DBA 9108 | Global Business Strategy, Sustainability and Ethics | Semester 3 |
| ELECTIVE COURSES – Special Topic in Business and Management (3 CH) | ||
| DBA 9109 | Seminar-based course offering an in-depth exploration of student-selected advanced topics within specialized domains of business. | Semester 3 |
| DISSERTATION | ||
| DBA 9201 | Dissertation Proposal | Semester 4 |
| DBA 9202 | Dissertation | Semester 5 & Semester 6 |