Professional DBA

Doctoral Education Program

Advancing Knowledge | Inspiring Innovation | Shaping Global Leadership

GenevaTech Business School offers advanced doctoral education for experienced professionals, senior executives, researchers, and academic leaders who aspire to make a significant contribution to business, public policy, technology, education, healthcare, and sustainable development. Designed in accordance with international research standards and the principles of the European Higher Education Area, GTBS doctoral Programs foster intellectual curiosity, critical inquiry, and evidence-based innovation to address complex global challenges.

Through rigorous supervision, interdisciplinary research, and international collaboration, doctoral candidates develop the expertise to generate new knowledge, influence policy, improve professional practice, and lead organizational transformation across diverse sectors. GTBS offers two distinct doctoral pathways to meet the needs of both practitioners and academic researchers.

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

The DBA is an advanced professional doctorate designed for senior executives and experienced professionals seeking to apply research to real-world organizational challenges. The program emphasizes strategic leadership, innovation, digital transformation, evidence-based management, and organizational impact through applied research. It prepares the participants for tech-enabled leadership role across industries on a global scale. The DBA pathway is ideal for those who wish to bridge the gap between academic theory and business practice, enabling them to create actionable solutions for contemporary industry issues.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The PhD is a research-intensive doctorate intended for individuals pursuing careers in academia, research, public policy, or advanced professional practice. Candidates undertake original scholarly research that contributes new knowledge to their chosen discipline and addresses contemporary societal, technological, or business challenges.

A simple comparison table can then help prospective candidates identify the route that best aligns with their career goals.

Program Architecture

1. Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

1. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

*Institutional Note: While doctoral degrees in the European Higher Education Area are generally capstone project based / research-based and are not uniformly assigned ECTS, GTBS adopts these indicative credit values for curriculum planning, workload management, and transparency. They should not be interpreted as a universal European requirement.

Program Duration

Doctoral Learning Model

Every doctoral program shall follow:

Explore → Critique → Design → Investigate → Discover → Publish → Defend → Impact

Recognizing the needs of working professionals, GTBS offers flexible DBA pathways through a combination of:

• Online doctoral seminars
• Hybrid research workshops
• Individual supervision
• Virtual research colloquia
• Industry-based applied research
• International research collaboration

This flexible approach enables candidates to pursue doctoral studies while maintaining their professional commitments.

Research Areas

GTBS encourages interdisciplinary doctoral research across a broad range of fields, including:

• Business & Management
• Artificial Intelligence & Digital Transformation
• Finance & Financial Technology
• Leadership & Organizational Development
• Public Policy & Governance
• International Trade & Development
• Education Leadership & Educational Technology
• Healthcare Management & Health Informatics
• ESG & Sustainability
• Disaster Risk Management & Humanitarian Leadership
• Social Innovation & NGO Leadership
• Technology Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• Climate Change Studies

Research Excellence

Doctoral candidates are supported by experienced supervisors and research mentors throughout their academic journey. The Programs emphasize:

• Original and impactful research
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in research
• Advanced quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Academic writing and scholarly publishing
• International conference participation
• Ethical research practices
• Evidence-based decision-making

Proposal Synopsis / Concept Note

For a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), the Research Concept Note is not merely a proposal synopsis. It is a formal document that demonstrates the candidate’s ability to identify a significant organizational or industry problem, justify its importance, review the current state of knowledge, and propose a rigorous applied research approach. It serves as the basis for admission to doctoral candidacy and the appointment of supervisors.

Every candidate shall successfully complete Research Concept Note

• Literature Review
• Research Gap Analysis
• Conceptual Framework
• Research Methodology
• Ethical Approval
• Proposal Defense

Successful completion leads to Doctoral Candidacy.

Research Supervision

Each doctoral candidate is assigned an experienced academic supervisor who provides guidance throughout the research process, from proposal development and methodology design to dissertation completion and viva voce examination. Where appropriate, co-supervisors and international subject specialists may also contribute to the supervision process, ensuring multidisciplinary perspectives and high academic standards.

Dissertation Structure

Every capstone project /research thesis / dissertation shall include:

1. Introduction
2. Literature Review
3. Research Methodology
4. Findings
5. Analysis & Discussion
6. Conclusions
7. Recommendations
8. References
9. Appendices

Research Quality Standards

Our rigorous research standards ensure that every doctoral thesis demonstrates originality, academic integrity, and practical relevance, preparing graduates to become influential thought leaders in their fields.

A Global Community of Scholars

At GenevaTech Business School, doctoral education is more than earning the highest academic qualification—it is a journey of discovery, innovation, and leadership. Whether advancing organizational practice through a DBA or contributing original scholarship through a PhD, our candidates join an international community committed to generating knowledge that informs policy, transforms organizations, and creates sustainable impact for society.

ADMISSIONS

Join the Next Generation of Leaders. Typical Entry Requirements:

• MBA/MS or equivalent qualification
• Relevant professional experience (recommended)
• English language proficiency
• Completed application and supporting documents

INTAKES

We offer rolling admissions in MBA and DBA programs to accommodate working professionals.

WHY CHOOSE GTBS?

At GTBS, education extends beyond the classroom. Our programs are designed to equip professionals with the knowledge, leadership capabilities, and practical skills needed to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving global economy.

WHAT MAKES GTBS DIFFERENT?

• Swiss-quality education with an international outlook
• Flexible online and hybrid learning to fit your schedule
• Responsible integration of Artificial Intelligence into research
• Interdisciplinary and applied research opportunities
• Personalized academic supervision
• Applied learning through real-world projects
• Leadership development for the digital economy
• Global academic and professional networks
• Research with real-world impact

CONTACT

GenevaTech Business School (GTBS)
1290, Versoix, Geneva, Switzerland

🌐 Website: www.gtbs.ch  
📧 Email: admissions@gtbs.ch