*Shortlisted in the Management and Leadership Textbook Category at CMI Management Book of the Year Awards 2017*

Are you undertaking (or thinking of doing) a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) or other professional doctorate (PD) in business and management? Or perhaps you're supervising and delivering one of these programmes? This is your complete - and practical - guide to succeeding on this course.

A Guide to Professional Doctorates in Business and Management has been written by a team of experts with experience of the challenges faced in both studying for and supervising professional doctorates in business and management. Inside they address the key issues faced, in particular how these courses differ from a traditional PhD, and the different skills and approach needed for success.

Chapters explore the nature and importance of PDs as leading change in the professional world of practice, and how they need to differ from traditional forms of doctorate such as PhDs. The guide also offers practical guidance on researching in this particular mode, and through writing and publishing a thesis, making a valuable contribution to professional knowledge.

About the Author
Richard Thorpe is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Leeds where he was latterly Professor of Management Development and Pro Dean for Research at Leeds University Business School. His early industrial experience informed the way his ethos has developed. Common themes are a strong commitment to process methodologies and a focus on action in all its forms; an interest in and commitment to the development of doctoral students and the development of capacity within the sector; and a commitment to collaborative working on projects of mutual interest. Following a number of years in industry, he joined Strathclyde University as a researcher studying incentive payment schemes. This led to collaboration on Payment Schemes and Productivity (Macmillan, 1986). In 1980 he joined Glasgow University where he widened his research interests to include small firm growth and development as well as making regular contributions to the Scottish Business School's doctoral programme. In 1983 he attended the International Teachers' Programme in Sweden where he met Mark and embarked on a PhD under Mark's supervision. Collaboration continued through the 1990s with the ESRC Teaching Fellowship Scheme. In 1996 he was instrumental in establishing the Graduate Business School at Manchester Metropolitan University and in 2003 joined the ESRC Training and Development Board. There, he was involved in establishing the training guidelines for both doctorate and professional doctorate provision and more recently in initiatives to address capacity building in management and business. In 2003 he contributed to the ESRC's Evolution of Business Knowledge programme. His research interests have included: performance, remuneration and entrepreneurship, management learning and development and leadership, and he has published (with others) a number of books including: Remuneration Systems (Financial Times/Prentice Hall, 2000); Management and Language: The Manager as Practical Author (Sage, 2003); The SAGE Dictionary of Qualitative Management Research (Sage, 2008); Performance Management: Multidisciplinary Perspectives (Palgrave, 2008); Gower Handbook of Leadership and Management Development (Gower, 2010) ) and more recently, two research methods books, Management Research, in the Sage 'A very Short, Fairly Interesting and reasonably Cheap Book About' series and A Guide to Professional Doctorates in Business and Management (Sage, 2015). He was a past Present of the British Academy of Management in 2007, Dean of Fellows in 2012 and in 2009-2015 he was Chair of the Society for the Advancement of Management Studies. In this latter role he initiated the ESRC/SAMS/UKCES Management and Business Fellowship Scheme.

Reviews

This thought-provoking text offers insight into the many dimensions of the DBA award. It clearly confronts the challenges and expectations of becoming a successful 'researcher-practitioner'. The book will be of value and support to both current and prospective DBA candidates, and faculty who are engaged in delivering and supervising this professional doctorate.

-- David Douglas
This informed and highly informative book leads the way in opening a dialogue, and creating a vision, on what a DBA could and should be. It is a must-have for anyone interested in the creation of professional and actionable knowledge.
-- Aileen Lawless

This excellent book provides a detailed and thought-provoking guide for those engaged in or considering studying for a DBA. It also offers valuable insights into how both practice and engagement can be incorporated into the design and delivery of such programmes and therefore will appeal to both students and teachers alike.

-- Susan Kirk

The time for professional doctorates has come. This much-needed book provides an essential guide to the world's most famous professional doctorate, the DBA. Highly recommended for all students, scholars, supervisors and academic leaders in business and management science.

-- Wim Naude
A Guide to Professional Doctorates in Business and Management is the first book of its kind that provides a comprehensive and clear picture about the value of a DBA program, its differences from the standard PhD program, and the way to prepare for a DBA thesis. I strongly recommend this book to all DBA program offices and advise all DBA students to take it as their reference guide on their thesis development. -- Wilson Tong
This book is long overdue and is a "must read" for anyone involved in professional doctorates in business and management. Written by thought leaders in their respective fields this comprehensive book provides clear signposting about the nature of a professional doctorate, considerations for research and its implications. I cannot recommend it highly enough to you. -- Craig Johnson

While there is a large and varied repertoire of books available on PhDs, this is the most helpful book on the DBA that I have found. The contributions of the various authors are complementary and, taken together; provide a comprehensive perspective on the DBA, its history, strengths, and trajectory. I will undoubtedly return to the book periodically to support my practice. I will also be recommending it to my doctoral students (both DBA and PhD) to inform and 'loosen up' their methodological thinking, and facilitate the all-important magic that brings doctoral research to life.

-- Dr Catherine Groves



Book Information
ISBN 9781446298336
Author Lisa Anderson
Format Paperback
Page Count 272
Imprint Sage Publications Ltd
Publisher Sage Publications Ltd
Weight(grams) 470g