Doctor of Business Administration

Purpose

The main purpose of this qualification is to develop high-level research capability in students so that they may make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of a discipline or field. Emphasis is placed on self-directed reading and scientific scrutiny. Students will be encouraged to give attention to the convergence of international and local knowledge sourced from credible repositories.

The curriculum, which requires candidates to submit a full thesis, will also contain non-credit bearing coursework which will provide students with the requisite research skills and knowledge to enable them to demonstrate research capability that is in keeping with the level of the qualification.

Rationale

Doctoral studies mean doing, as well as learning about, research. Doctoral education is, by nature, an individual experience; each person's route to the Degree is different when a range of factors is considered, including:

• The field in which the candidate is studying and the broad subject area, whether single subject or multi-disciplinary.
• An individual's experience (academic and personal and professional life) before registering for the Doctorate.
• The qualification selected.
• The institution at which the candidate is enrolled.
• The form in which skills training is provided.
• A candidate's relationship with the supervisory team, the members of which may be based in different providers or in collaboration with industry.
• Candidate's relationship with peers.

This is not a complete list but it highlights the inadvisability of generalising about the educational experience of a Doctoral candidate. The content, structure and engagement with a Doctoral programme vary significantly according to the candidate's subject area and personal circumstances.

At the heart is the development and production of new knowledge. "To begin with, Doctor of Philosophy (PhDs) are an essential part of the knowledge economy. Completing a PhD is all about creating fresh knowledge, discovering new things and developing new skills. It is a Degree meant for those who seek greater depth of knowledge in a specific area." With a PhD, 'one can make a difference', according to Professor Paul KH Tam, Pro Vice Chancellor and Vice President (Research), University of Hong Kong. It is about pursuing knowledge for the passion of acquiring knowledge. If one is fortunate, one's discovery/invention may even change society.

It is commonly accepted that pursuing and completing a PhD has the following features, where

• Doing and learning about original research provides a different experience for each individual, but every discipline has clear expectations of what this means for the candidate who is working towards a Doctoral qualification.
• Irrespective of the type of qualifications, provider or subject, certain elements are central to the success of Doctoral qualifications: an enabling research environment; supervision that is appropriate to the candidate and the stage he/she has reached in the qualification; access to resources and development opportunities; opportunities for peer interaction and support; entry into the academy, demanding but fair academic standards; and the need for the candidate to take responsibility for his/her own learning and research output.

It is common knowledge that both public and private research-oriented organisations require individuals on an ongoing basis who possess this qualifications with specific research expertise in business and management. This should contribute to greater sustainability on the development front in terms of growth and poverty elimination.

Besides this, there remains the national challenge to raise the representation of previously disadvantaged groups, particularly females, with these qualifications. This is also evident in the staff composition of business schools which have generally low numbers of black and female academics and researchers with PhDs. In addition to this, there is a general shortage of academics and researchers in business schools with this qualification in business and management.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In the MANCOSA Policy on Student Recruitment, Admissions and Selection the following provision has been made for admission of students into a doctoral programme via RPL.

"7.8 RPL (Postgraduate, Master's and PhD)

It is possible in exceptional circumstances to gain entry into a programme on the basis of RPL. A small number of applicants who do not meet the minimum entry requirements will be considered for acceptance via RPL.

The applicant must

• Be at least 30 years of age.
• Have a minimum of 10 years relevant work experience.
• Submit a Portfolio of Evidence (CV; transcripts and certificates; personal letter of motivation; letter of recommendation from employer; employer report detailing technical and soft skills; current job profile; detailed list of qualifications and work experience; proof of company registration in case of a business owner).
• Undertake a cognitive ability assessment.
• Be available for a personal or telephonic interview on a date specified by MANCOSA.

All RPL applications are subject to evaluation by the Student Admission and Selection Committee."

In the original application for accreditation of this qualification, it was stated that no provision will be made for admission by RPL. However, this will apply only to the initial offerings of the programme since this is the first time that MANCOSA will be offering a doctoral qualification. Therefore, further and more detailed information for admission via RPL into the DBA will be developed and integrated into the existing MANCOSA RPL policies and procedures.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirement for admission into the Doctoral Degree is either a

• Master of Business Administration Degree (MBA), Level 9.

Or

• Cognate Master's Degree, Level 9.

Or

• Cognate Research Master's Degree, Level 9.

This qualification comprises a compulsory module at Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules Level 10, 360 Credits

• Thesis, 360 Credits.

1. Integrate and contextualise comprehensive and systematic knowledge of one or more disciplines or fields, with depth, specialisation and up-to-date, benchmarked knowledge.
2. Think epistemologically and relate theory into practice via an informed and critical understanding of the theory and research methodology of one or more disciplines or fields and an understanding of how these relate to research problems in their specific arena of employment.
3. Select and apply research methods effectively, and undertake a research project in the area of business and management.
4. Deal with complex problems using the intellectual, research and technological resources and tools provided by a discipline or profession.
5. Effectively retrieve and process information, and engage critically with current research and scholarship in an area of specialisation.
6. Present and communicate academic or professional work effectively, using the full resources of an academic discourse appropriately.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes:

• Demonstrate the importance of the single major research project as the principal output of a Doctoral Degree with rigour and format of the final assessment process.
• Assess and identify gaps in knowledge or skills informally through discussions with the supervisor.
• Submit a substantial body of original work for assessment.
• Demonstrate and address the research question and a critical evaluation of the extent of a thesis.
• Conduct an oral examination.
• Demonstrate how they are able to respond to academic argument as it arises.
• Defend research in the viva, and demonstrate deep knowledge and understanding of the field of study, and originality of thought, either in the creation of new knowledge or in the novel application of existing knowledge.

Integrated Assessment

There are two main forms of assessment

- Initial Research Proposal

This proposal, which is submitted on registration and refined together with the students and the provisional promoter is evaluated by the Admissions Panel by means of an interview. The assessment will be both formative and summative in nature.

- Thesis

The final assessment of the Doctoral programme constitutes the following distinct aspects.

- Evaluation of the thesis by Examiners

The thesis will be evaluated by one internal examiner and two external examiners, of which the promoter and/or co-promoter may not be one. There will be elements of both summative and formative assessment in this process.

- Defence of dissertation/Viva Voce Examination

During this examination the registrant is engaged in debate on his/her work. The thesis is defended on the basis of a presentation of its main results. The major aim will be to confirm that the registrant is completely conversant with the research and the field of study in order to establish that the doctorate has been duly earned

The assessment will be purely summative.