Executive Doctor of Business Administration Aalto University

Overview

The Executive Doctor of Business Administration DBA programme from Aalto University has both real-world relevance and academic rigor and focuses on the relevance to the employer and the professional development of the candidate.

Aalto Executive DBA graduates will develop doctoral-level in-depth knowledge of the latest theories and methodologies in business research and act as thought leaders for organizational change. In addition to executive positions, DBA graduates typically work in various expert positions in corporations and the public sector. The DBA research project – finalized in a publicly defended DBA thesis – typically has strong linkages to business and managerial practice. DBA candidates can, for instance, conduct a sizable research project for their employer.

Compared to some more scientifically oriented doctoral programmes, the DBA studies and research place emphasis on the application of theories – the creation and testing of an entirely novel theory is not a necessity. In the Aalto Executive DBA, managerially relevant topics are preferred.

Key Features

• Researcher education in management studies (theoretical and methodological competence)

• Competence to design and implement a sizable research project with a practical orientation

• A collegial network with professors and other researchers and the Executive DBA candidates

• Competence in presenting papers in international seminars and conferences

• Writing and defending an academic doctoral thesis and research papers/articles

• Strengthening own critical thinking and gaining expertise to lead demanding knowledge-based development initiatives in organizations

• Developing thought leadership for better leadership and organizational change