Doctor of Business Management

Purpose

Although the quailification provides training for an academic career, the purpose of the Doctor of Business Management (DBM) qualification is also to develop researchers who can contribute meaningfully to the body of knowledge in the field of business and ultimately participate in addressing complex socio-economic local and global challenges.

The DBM qualification will develop researchers with advanced research competencies and specialisation, who can engage theoretically, practically and innovatively on critical issues in the field of business.

Rationale

This qualification provides an articulation opportunity for Master's graduates who have the potential to undertake advanced research as revealed, inter alia, their performance in their dissertation.

Also, this qualification will address the national needs with regard to increasing the pool of Doctoral graduates by 2030 as indicated in the National Development Plan (NDP). Not only is the number of academics who possess a Doctoral Degree, but the capacity to produce the required number of Doctorates is generally limited. The institution would therefore like to contribute to addressing these challenges by creating an additional opportunity for individuals to pursue their Doctoral studies and provide specialisation for an academic career.

The National Development Plan (NDP) which sketches the 2030 vision for South Africa emphasises knowledge production as being the rationale for higher education. However, it also stresses a major challenge that only 34% of academic staff holds Doctorates. Thus, the institution is very cognisant of the "calling" and keen in creating opportunities for more South Africans to pursue Doctoral studies, considering that the capacity of public institutions to offer similar qualifications may be limited.

The White Paper on Post-School Education also cites inadequate and insufficient levels of research and innovation which are linked to the economic development. The aforementioned document also categorically states that "solving social and economic problems in South Africa needs high levels of research. Furthermore, it is alluded that public institutions cannot cope on their own to produce Doctoral candidates. Thus, this institution will contribute to addressing this challenge by providing an additional opportunity for someone to purse Doctoral studies.

The Minister of Higher Education and Training is on record for constantly raising concerns about the dwindling number of academic staff with Doctorates and the limited capacity of public institutions to produce Doctoral graduates. This concern extends to the early retirement of productive researchers with capacity to produce Doctoral graduates who will fill the vacuum created by these retirements.

It is also stated in the NDP that South Africa needs to increase the percentage of academic staff with Doctorates within the higher education sector from 34% to 70% over the next 20 years. This responsibly cannot be shouldered primarily and solely by public institutions. This private institution also regards addressing this national imperative as their responsibility, since graduates of this qualification, as professionals or entrepreneurs, will contribute to addressing socio-economic challenges in our country. They may also qualify to supervise and evaluate the research of others in the area of specialisation concerned.

Thus, through offering the DBM, the institution will be able to contribute significantly to the body of knowledge along with leading international business schools. One criterion for internationalisation is the publication of research in internationally accredited journals. Thus, by offering a Doctoral programme, the potential to increase publications will be greatly enhanced.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In principle, the institution allows for applicants who do not meet the formal academic admission requirements to be considered for alternative admission through the RPL system within the framework of SAQA's National Policy for the Implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning (SAQA, 2013).

RPL into the DBM qualification takes place on an individual, student-by-student basis, and involves a multi-faceted assessment of the prior learning that is in place, and our RPL procedures emphasise the general principle that must be followed: "satisfied that the applicant has competence in the appropriate field of intended study at the appropriate entry level of the target qualification".

Applicants who have reached a mature age (minimum is 28 years) with satisfactory relevant work experience, but do not have the necessary formal qualification, may be admitted through the RPL process subject to the successful completion of the RPL evaluation process.

RPL applicants are required to prepare Portfolios of Evidence, containing evidence from four sources, including

• Formal learning (e.g. certificates, academic transcripts, etc.).
• Informal learning (e.g. job descriptions, employment contracts, etc.).
• Work products (e.g. statements from employers, evidence of work performed by the applicant, etc.).

Entry Requirements

• A relevant Master's Degree, Level 9.

• Advanced Research Methodology (non credit bearing).
• Thesis, 360 Credits.

• Critically evaluate and select the appropriate research philosophy and research method/s for their study.
• Comply with ethical issues in business research.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply advanced statistical and other scientific data analysis techniques to address a research problem.
• Collect and analyse research data and demonstrate its value in business decision-making.
• Develop and present a research proposal suitable for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
• Demonstrate the ability to conduct high level independent research using advanced research methods, analyse and communicate the findings through development of a high quality academic output in the form of a thesis.
• Contribute to the body of knowledge in their area of research and advance a specific management discipline.
• Develop and present peer-reviewed academic articles and papers at academic and professional conferences.
• Compile work of quality to satisfy peer review and merit publication.
• Demonstrate the potential to supervise and evaluate the research of others in the area of specialisation concerned.

The Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated way to the Exit Level Outcomes.

• Conduct independent research intended to make an original contribution to the field.
• Interact with the Supervisor on an ongoing basis, incorporating the Supervisor's feedback where appropriate.
• Submit a complete doctoral thesis that is passed by the Internal Examiner.
• Have one scholarly article, or one scholarly paper, based directly on his or her research accepted for publication in an accredited journal or presentation at a peer-reviewed academic or professional conference.
• Present a written thesis of at least 40,000 words, and defend it orally to a panel of experts.
• Write and formally defend a research proposal.

Integrated Assessment

Both formative and summative assessment is used in this DBM qualification as follows

In terms of the formative assessments, the candidate must

• Complete an advanced but non-credit bearing research methodology course.
• Write and formally defend a research proposal.
• Conduct original, high-level independent research within the stipulated timeframe through ongoing interaction with, and to the satisfaction of, his or her Supervisor.
• Have one scholarly article, or one scholarly paper, based directly on his or her research accepted for publication in an accredited journal or presentation at a peer-reviewed academic or professional conference.

In terms of the summative assessment, the candidate must

• Present a written thesis of at least 40,000 words.
• Defend his or her thesis orally to a panel of experts.