DOCTORATE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION TURN EXPERIENCE INTO KNOWLEDGE AND MAKE A REAL IMPACT ON YOUR BUSINESS LIVE. LEARN. LEAP.

Everyone is familiar with the word ‘research’. But many people misunderstand how rich, complex and diverse it is – and underestimate the level of rigor that goes into it. Yet creating new knowledge is the foundation of all learning. It’s how we progress and make an impact – it’s vital to society.

The DBA programme helps you develop the skills, methods and mindset to turn your business experience and insights into rigorous knowledge – giving you an even deeper understanding of your field.

When you’re ready to make your contribution to the academic community – and society as a whole – we’ll be here to welcome you.

I look forward to meeting you soon.

Prof Dr Brecht Cardoen Academic Director Doctorate in Business Administration

2 CONTENTS

Why join our DBA programme? 4

Programme outline 5

• Learning stage 6

• Research stage 10

Graduation requirements 12

Supporting you throughout your journey 13

Meet your faculty 14

How to apply 15

Practical information 17

Where you’ll be studying 18

Ready to learn more? 20

3 WHY JOIN OUR DBA PROGRAMME?

There are so many reasons to start a doctoral journey. To deepen your business understanding from a theoretical perspective. To engage in academically robust, practice-based research. To create new knowledge – and make an even greater impact on your organisation, your sector or even society. And who better to achieve all of these things with than a triple-accredited and two leading universities? In our DBA programme, you carry out academic research alongside your professional career. We take a flexible approach – you tailor the content to suit your ambitions. When you join us, you become part of a diverse community of academics and professionals from all over the world. You share experiences, insights and ideas with participants who have business expertise, but want more academic experience. And you leave with a PhD degree from two top institutions.

WHO WILL YOUR FELLOW PARTICIPANTS BE?

Our DBA participants come from different sectors and industries – and they have diverse academic backgrounds. They have many ambitions for the programme – to gain deeper understanding, move into an academic career or excel in their business. But they all have one thing in common – they are extremely motivated and driven by intellectual curiosity to better understand a specific issue.

4 PROGRAMME OUTLINE

The DBA is a four-year doctoral programme, comprising two stages:

• Learning stage (18-24 months) • Research stage (24-30 months)

LEARNING STAGE RESEARCH STAGE YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3 YEAR 4 RESEARCH PROPOSAL SEMINAR

Introduction Quantitative Quantitative to academic research I research II research BUILDING UP Individual and guided thesis work RESEARCH CAPABILITY Studying Qualitative organisations Research research & individuals skills

Literature Field- review specific exam PhD DOCTORAL Doctoral Doctoral PhD pre- ASSIGNMENTS seminar I seminar II defence Pilot Research defence study proposal

ENGAGEMENT IN THE Conference Conference Conference Conference ACADEMIC COMMUNITY

PERSONAL Teaching skills, research skills and business skills electives GROWTH

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LEARNING STAGE

The objective of this first stage is to develop You’ll need to attend all of the courses – your research skills. You’ll participate in five and dedicate time to preparing for each week-long modules that cover the entire one, studying afterwards and completing research cycle and the research skills you assignments, papers and exams. need to complete your doctoral journey. At the end of the learning stage, you’ll Each course takes place on campus. They’re take part in a formal presentation of your intensive sessions supported by our online research proposal. learning platform, where you can discuss content and ideas with your colleagues and submit your assignments.

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Each course covers a different element of the research cycle:

1. INTRODUCTION TO 3. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH I ACADEMIC RESEARCH This course covers fundamental Scholarship isn’t just a set of tasks to quantitative research designs and complete. It’s a craft – and there are analysis techniques. many ways of practising it. This course You’ll learn how to apply these designs introduces you to various styles of and techniques and interpret the findings scholarship and gives you opportunities – and select the right approaches for to try them out. By the end of the course, your research question. You’ll also be you’ll start to find your own voice and able to evaluate the techniques and develop your own style. You’ll also need analysis you use – and those others use. to write an assignment outlining the impact you want your research to have. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to select an appropriate sample – while understanding the limitations of different 2. STUDYING ORGANISATIONS sampling techniques. You’ll define AND INDIVIDUALS constructs and develop ways to measure them to use in survey questionnaires. In this course, you’ll explore the And you’ll understand and apply the paradigms in the field of organisational principles of true experimental design studies. You’ll compare different methods and the power to test causality. and identify where to position your research within organisational theory. You’ll also know how to: You’ll learn to structure your research in • Report the descriptives and first line with rigorous academic standards exploratory data analysis for different – and start to develop your long-term quantitative research methods research agenda. • Apply the principles of hypothesis testing and interpret the results • Apply linear regression modelling and interpret the results

7 4. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH II 6. RESEARCH SKILLS This course shows you how to evaluate These sessions are designed to help the goodness-and-fit of a linear regression you pursue your doctoral journey in a model – and modify it according to your responsible, effective way – and develop sample and the problem you’re analysing. the skills you need to do your research. You’ll explore the concept of analysis of We share relevant sources and examples to variance. help you deal with specific challenges. By the end of the course, you’ll be able The sessions include: to design the data structure needed for • Managing your PhD logistic regression analysis and evaluate the • Literature search and review outcome of logistic regression models. You’ll • Ethics and research integrity also be able to apply logistic regression • Academic writing and getting published for predictive analytics and identify where • Creating spillovers and having impact you could use more advanced data mining • Doing a good review techniques. • Presenting with impact Finally, you’ll be able to identify the • How to get most out of an academic differences between supervised and conference unsupervised learning – and apply and evaluate unsupervised learning techniques.

5. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH This course explores the key characteristics of different qualitative inquiry traditions and approaches – including grounded theory, phenomenology, ethnography, narrative research, case study research and action research. You’ll understand how to apply these traditions and approaches in business and management research – and explore the process of carrying out qualitative research. You’ll learn how to judge: • The appropriate qualitative research design for a specific research problem • The appropriate data analysis strategy for a specific research problem • The appropriate type of data collection or generation for a specific research problem while also considering quality issues and ethics. You’ll develop and implement a data collection protocol – including interviews, documents and observations. And you’ll be able to effectively analyse and report results from qualitative data analysis.

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ASSIGNMENTS On top of the course-related assignments, you’ll need to complete four doctoral assignments during the learning stage:

LITERATURE REVIEW FIELD-SPECIFIC EXAM This is a comprehensive summary of This is a written exam based on a reading literature from your field. You’ll need to list from your supervisors. The literature will review both theoretical and empirical comprise seminal work you need to know work. in your field. Alternatively, you can join an external reading course. PILOT STUDY This is an opportunity to experiment with RESEARCH PROPOSAL the insights and concepts you explore This is a fully-developed version of the during quantitative and qualitative research research idea you submitted in your courses. It will help you identify the right application. It needs to explain the objective approach for you and finetune your own of your research, the theoretical framework, doctoral studies. your proposed research design and methodology and a work plan. You’ll also need to prepare an impact plan, setting out how your research will contribute to management theory and practice and the difference you want to achieve – both academically and for your organisation, sector and society.

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RESEARCH STAGE

This is where you put your research proposal At the end of this stage, you need to present into practice and develop your thesis. You’ll your thesis at a PhD defence at either collect and analyse data, draft your results University or KU . – and, with the help of your supervisors, The doctoral thesis can either combine present your work to different audiences. different papers or take a book format that You’ll also need to present your research in provides input for three high-quality papers. two doctoral seminars. During the first doctoral seminar, you present your first paper to the members of your supervisory committee and during the second doctoral seminar, your second PhD paper.

10 JOINING THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY Throughout your journey you’ll have opportunities to engage with the academic community. You’ll present your work at the DBA conference – and at an international peer-reviewed conference.

WHAT IS THE " DBA CONFERENCE? It’s an annual event for DBA participants, alumni, supervisors and faculty to discuss the latest academic research and insights. It’s also a forum for you to share your progress.

TAILOR THE PROGRAMME TO YOUR NEEDS You’ll also take part in electives which you can choose depending on your personal ambitions. Elective activities with mainly an academic focus are, for example, additional external field-specific or methodology courses, review assignments, an internationally recognized publication, an additional seminar or conference presentation. If you want to dig deeper in your topic from a business angle, you can take part in business oriented activities. You can also follow additional skills courses or teaching preparation seminars.

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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

A doctoral degree is the highest form of academic achievement. To graduate, you need to: • Attend and pass five courses in the learning stage • Attend all research skills sessions • Complete four doctoral assignments • Present your research in three seminars • Present your work at the DBA conference • Present your work at an international peer-reviewed conference • Take part in professional or academic activities that help you grow as an individual • Complete annual progress reports • Successfully defend your thesis

WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED ALL OF THESE, YOU WILL GAIN: • A joint PhD degree from and KU Leuven • A Certificate in Management Research from Vlerick Business School

PLANNING YOUR SCHEDULE " To succeed on your doctoral journey, you’ll need to dedicate on average 2 days each week to the programme – for pre-reading, course and doctoral assignments and research.

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SUPPORTING YOU THROUGHOUT YOUR JOURNEY

The DBA is an intensive, challenging, yet BE PART OF A LIKE-MINDED deeply rewarding journey. We’re here to COMMUNITY support you through it. When you start your DBA journey you’ll You’ll have two or three supervisors from join a vibrant community of peers, faculty KU Leuven, Ghent University and Vlerick. and supervisors. You’ll have opportunities They’ll be appointed during the admissions to share experiences and ideas with your process – so right from the beginning of DBA group. But you’ll also connect with your journey, you’ll have a team with the DBA participants of other cohorts at regular knowledge and expertise to guide you. events and activities on campus – and via You’ll learn from teachers and professors our online learning platform. who are expert in academic research and As well as being welcomed by the wider executive education. The teaching groups research communities at KU Leuven, Ghent are small – to allow for interaction and time University and Vlerick, you’ll also become a to apply what you learn to your research member of Vlerick’s alumni association. topic. We also have a dedicated DBA team who will be your first point of contact for any questions or challenges.

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MEET SOME OF YOUR FACULTY

PROF DR PROF DR DAVID VEREDAS BARBARA “It’s one of the most BRIERS exciting courses I’ve “The DBA combines ever taught on. The business expertise with ingredients are simple: rigorous research – it’s a motivated participants, a dream come true for any good book, a board and professor. I truly enjoy active involvement. My session is a three-day being pushed forward by highly dedicated, deep dive into the quantitative pillars of enthusiastic executives who are digging into decision making – focused on the ‘why’ and the world of academic research.” the ‘how’ and equipping participants with the analytical tools they need.”

PROF DR PROF DR VERONIEK KATLEEN DE COLLEWAERT STOBBELEIR “For me, teaching on the “For me, it has been very DBA is like a trip down energizing to observe memory lane – reflecting the transformational on everything I wish I’d impact that the DBA known when I started programme has on my PhD journey! Sharing those lessons with people. It’s as much about learning new skills our participants is a great experience.” (critical thinking, analytical skills, etc) as it is about developing a whole new professional and academic mindset and identity, where the questions you ask become as important as the solutions you come up with.”

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HOW TO APPLY

To join the DBA, you need a Flemish Master’s degree or an equivalent higher education degree. You need to have graduated with distinction. You’ll also have at least 10 years’ managerial experience – and some experience at executive level. To apply, you need to: • Submit a GMAT/GRE test score from the last five years (you may be eligible for an exemption) • Prove you are fluent in English • Explain your motivation for joining the programme • Submit an initial research idea that relates to our research expertise and is academically challenging • Get support from at least two supervisors – one from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Ghent University and one from the Faculty of Economics and Business at KU Leuven. We’ll help you find them during the application process.

WHEN CAN YOU START? We accept admissions on a rolling basis. We discuss applications during our monthly doctoral committee meetings. Once accepted, you can join the next intake starting in the fall. While awaiting the official start of your doctoral journal, you already get access to an online ‘DBA in waiting’-course and the Vlerick library. Please give yourself plenty of time to complete your application. There are two stages: • Eligibility • Research idea

STAGE 1: ELIGIBILITY STAGE 2: RESEARCH IDEA • Executive experience Decision on • Discussions with Decision on • Diploma and grades eligibility by potential supervisors admission by DBA doctoral DBA doctoral • Research topic committee • Research idea committee • Interview with academic director

15 1. ELIGIBILITY The DBA doctoral committee will then discuss your file – and if you’re eligible, you At this stage, we assess if you meet the can progress to the second stage. admissions requirements and learn more about your ambitions. First, you need to fill in the registration form 2. RESEARCH IDEA online: Vlerick.com/dba. Please upload your: If you progress from stage one, you’ll need to • CV develop your research topic into a research • Diploma and transcripts idea. • GMAT/GRE report (if applicable) We’ll help you identify and get in touch with • English Language Proficiency Exam score potential PhD supervisors. They’ll talk to you, (if applicable) suggest relevant academic papers for you You also need to write a short essay with to read and help you write up your initial your research title, topic and reasons for research idea. choosing it. You’ll need to include two You’ll need to include: references to academic papers – you can find • Your specific research questions these in open source databases like: • Your objectives • Google scholar • Suggested methodology and (https://scholar.google.com/) data analysis • Bing scholar • How it’s relevant to the business (https://academic.microsoft.com/) and academic community • Base (https://www.base-search.net) • Links to existing academic literature • Core (https://core.ac.uk/) • DOAJ (https://doaj.org/) We’ll submit your idea and feedback We’ll contact you as soon as we can to share from the supervisors to the DBA doctoral our initial feedback. If you meet the criteria committee. If they approve your application, – and we think the programme is a good you can enrol on the DBA programme. fit for you – we’ll set up an in-depth online interview with the academic director.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A RESEARCH TOPIC, IDEA AND PROPOSAL?

RESEARCH TOPIC RESEARCH IDEA RESEARCH PROPOSAL This includes your research This sets out the specific This includes specific domain, topic and motivation research questions you want questions and clearly defined for applying. to answer, your objectives, methodology. It’s based on an approach, data access and extensive review of academic We have a template you can methodology. literature, your pilot study and complete. The topic needs to your field-specific study. be max. 500 words. It needs to include references to existing academic literature. Your proposal needs to be completed at the end of the We have a template you can learning stage and presented complete. It needs to be to the examination jury. If approx. three pages. you’re successful, you progress to the research stage.

16 PRACTICAL INFORMATION

TIMINGS LANGUAGE • Four-year programme English (with the possibility to extend) • Start foreseen in the fall of each year FEES €60,000* (not including travel and FORMAT accommodation) Blended learning – on campus and online If you need more time to complete the programme, each additional year is €6,500. LOCATION You can pay in instalments – and if you work – alternating between campuses for a Flemish-based organisation, you may in Ghent, and Leuven be able to get a government subsidy. *These fees are subject to change.

17 WHERE YOU’LL BE STUDYING

The DBA is brought to you by three world-class institutions:

VLERICK BUSINESS FACULTY OF ECONOMICS FACULTY OF ECONOMICS SCHOOL AND BUSINESS AND BUSINESS,

“A triple-accredited ADMINISTRATION, KU LEUVEN international business school, GHENT UNIVERSITY “This EQUIS-accredited Vlerick brings together the “Ghent University is a top ranked institution is one of the top academic excellence, rigorous institution worldwide and one of universities worldwide. It has research approach and robust the main universities in Belgium. a long research history – with business expertise you need to It has built up a strong scientific a number of internationally succeed. reputation and is acknowledged published journal articles and a Doing academically-sound as an international player in focus on high policy relevance research that’s relevant to research. and visibility in the corporate world and government. business and society is central Our researchers – active members to the Vlerick ethos. With our of the academic community – will We describe our school’s values parent institutions KU Leuven inspire you and share their as “rigorous and relevant”. We and Ghent University, we train knowledge. Together we’ll are renowned for the analytical and guide DBA participants improve your research skills and rigour in our research and to transform their executive help you to foster an international education, but balance this with experience into academic- mindset and develop research practical relevance – and high based knowledge that has that’s relevant to society. You’ll impact on the corporate world real business impact.” transform your data into a and economic policy making. research-based business case you The DBA is an excellent way to can implement immediately.” pursue these two objectives.”

Prof Dr Marion Debruyne, Prof Dr Patrick Van Kenhove, Prof Dr Wilfried Lemahieu, Dean, Dean, Faculty of Economics Dean, Faculty of Economics Vlerick Business School and Business Administration, and Business, Ghent University KU Leuven

18 NOTES READY TO LEARN MORE?

If you have any questions about the DBA programme, your research ideas or anything else, we’d love to hear from you. You can: • Join an upcoming webinar: www.vlerick.com/dba-meet-us • Email [email protected] • Visit our website: vlerick.com/dba • Check out our blog: blog.vlerick.com

We look forward to seeing you soon.

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