Author: Dr. Tali Režun, COTRUGLI Business School
Embarking on a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a transformative journey that demands dedication, intellectual rigor, and a passion for advancing business knowledge. As a Vice Dean at COTRUGLI Business School and a DBA graduate, I’ve distilled years of experience into The DBA Dissertation Guidebook: The Steps Toward Writing Your DBA Masterpiece, a comprehensive resource to guide aspiring DBA candidates through this challenging yet rewarding process. Available on ResearchGate (link), this guidebook is your roadmap to crafting a dissertation that stands out.
Unlike an MBA, where collaboration often plays a key role, a DBA dissertation is a solitary endeavor that hinges on your self-discipline and commitment. The guidebook outlines the critical steps, starting with the dissertation proposal, which includes the first three chapters and a robust APA-style reference list. This proposal, capped at 40 pages, must articulate your research problem, objectives, and contribution to professional practice. A well-crafted proposal sets the foundation for the entire dissertation, ensuring alignment with your supervisory committee’s expectations.
The dissertation itself typically comprises four to five chapters, each serving a distinct purpose. Chapter One introduces the problem and engages readers with a compelling framework. Second Chapter, the literature review, demands a thorough exploration of academic and professional sources, organized by topic, method, and theory to establish your study’s foundation. The third Chapter details your research methodology, justifying your approach—whether qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. Finally, Chapter Four presents your findings, discussing their implications for theory, practice, and social change.
Writing a DBA dissertation is no small feat, with an average timeline of four years, though this varies based on your dedication, access to digital literature databases, and faculty support. The guidebook also offers practical tips, such as using active voice, choosing precise verbs to convey your stance, and leveraging technology like Mendeley for reference management or digital pens for organizing literature reviews. These tools can streamline the process, making it more efficient and less daunting.
For those considering a DBA, this journey is about more than earning a degree—it’s about pushing the boundaries of business knowledge and honing your leadership skills. My guidebook equips you with the structure, strategies, and insights to navigate this path successfully. Ready to start your masterpiece? Download the guidebook today and take the first step toward becoming a Doctor of Business Administration.
