Doctor of Business Administration Faculty of Business, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Special Features

Take the first DBA in the region

The PolyU DBA, launched in 1996, is the region’s first professional and academic doctorate in business and management. The success of the programme is further demonstrated with the extension and launch of the Doctor of Management (DMgt) programme on the Chinese mainland in 2004.

Achieve an intellectual transformation

This programme appeals to those who are looking for a challenge and is designed for business professionals who wish to take their business education to the highest level. It is built on engaged scholarship and evidence-based management to enable students to solve practical issues and complex business problems.

Earn a doctorate while pursuing a career

Take this programme without interrupting your career. Most classes are scheduled on weekends, subject to final arrangement.

Learn in a supportive environment

Study alongside diverse and high calibre achievers from a range of industries and be inspired by the world-class faculty. Gain access to the latest research through different activities and dedicated research centres. Obtain insights from guest speakers, world-class scholars and renowned business leaders.

Become part of an elite network

A solid and extensive network of over 560 alumni and 100 students of DBA, DMgt and DFinTech programmes from diverse backgrounds, cultures, professions, disciplines, industries and countries.

Provide leadership in the digital era

Gain an understanding of the impacts of digital technology and develop an appreciation of digital transformation to strengthen leadership and performance.

International Collaboration

To enhance the international dimension and academic vigour of PolyU DBA, collaborations have been established with the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland and The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in London, U.K..

IMD's open executive education programmes have been ranked first in the world by the Financial Times for the last nine years in a row (2012-2020).

LSE has been ranked top in Europe, and second in the world, in social sciences and management subjects for the ninth consecutive year in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021.

Technological Element in the Curriculum

To help students embrace technological changes and digital transformation, five elements, namely Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cloud Computing, Data Science, and Entrepreneurship, have been embedded across a wide range of subjects.

Our curriculum is aimed at fostering awareness about the impact of technology innovations in addition to enabling students to handle data and adopt technology to tackle business and organizational issues while enhancing management and leadership.

Programme Structure

This programme consists of 8 taught subjects (1 compulsory, 2 core and 5 elective subjects), 2 DBA Residentials, and a DBA Thesis.

All taught subjects (3 credits each) are at an advanced level and students are assumed to have prior knowledge of each subject area. The normal duration for the DBA Thesis is 12 months for DBA full-time study option and 18 months for DBA part-time study option. The 2 DBA Residentials are offered when the programme commences and the DBA Thesis phase starts respectively.

The curriculum includes technological contents such as data analytics tools, digital technology and the business world, the impact of technology and AI on leadership, and qualitative and experimental designs in relation to AI and entrepreneurship research.

Compulsory Subject

The compulsory subject provides students with a solid foundation in research skills.

• Business Research Analysis and Design (MM602)

Core Subjects

The core subjects provide students with an in-depth evaluation of qualitative and quantitative research approaches and methods as well as statistical applications. Students are required to complete any two of the following:

• Econometrics Methods (AF6208)
• Qualitative Research and Experimental Design (MM6011)
• Statistical Analysis for Management Research (MM604)

Elective Subjects

The elective subjects allow students to pursue particular areas of interest. There is generally more emphasis on academic readings to prepare students for the DBA Thesis. Students are required to complete any five of the following:

• Advanced Business Strategy (MM631)
• Advanced Financial Management (AF6301)
• Advanced Topics in Economics for Managers (AF6601)
• Contemporary Issues in Financial Reporting and Corporate Disclosures (AF6106)
• Current Issues in Organizational Behaviour (MM612)
• Frontier of Leadership Research (MM614)
• Incentives and Monitoring in Accounting (AF6107)
• Independent Studies in Business (AF6932 / LGT6932 / MM603)
• Independent Studies in Business – International Collaborations Experience (AF6933 / LGT6933 / MM6032)
• Services Marketing Management (MM672)
• Strategic Management of Information & Organization in Digital Economy (MM6412)
• Strategic Marketing (MM675)
• Strategic Quality Management (LGT6005)
• Strategic Supply Chain and Logistics Management (LGT6004)

DBA Residentials

Attendance at the 2 DBA Residentials is compulsory.

• DBA Residential 1 (MM691) is a mandatory orientation workshop scheduled for the beginning of the programme in August/September.
• DBA Residential 2 (MM692) is a research workshop held normally after students have completed all the required subjects. The main purpose of this workshop is to give students an opportunity to present their thesis proposals and to prepare them for writing the theses.

DBA Thesis

Students must pass the compulsory subject, 2 core subjects and at least 3 elective subjects before beginning their theses. They integrate and apply what they have learned to critically and rigorously examine topics of interest in the field of business or management. They are challenged to make an important contribution and/or provide innovative insights into the practice of management.

• DBA Thesis I (AF6930 / LGT6930 / MM6994)
• DBA Thesis II (AF6931 / LGT6931 / MM6995)

Remarks

Normally, each subject will be offered once during the 2-year or 3-year study. However, subject to factors such as staff availability, student enrolment, programme resources and so on, not all subjects will be offered during the 3-year study. And, registration is subject to the availability of quota.

Programme structure and subject details (e.g. subject description form, offering pattern, class timetable etc.) are subject to review and change from time to time.

This programme aims to educate senior executives to be the “scholar-leaders”, who are able to apply research findings in solving the real-world management problems. It has been designed to integrate academic study and management practice in a way which will form a significant part of an individual’s business career.

On completion of the programme, students will be able to advance their knowledge, skills and intellectual abilities as defined in the broad learning outcomes which are underpinned by specific learning objectives below:

General Business Knowledge

Learning Objective: Broaden, update and deepen students’ knowledge of business administration in general with an appreciation of digital transformation in the business world.

Specialist Knowledge

Learning Objective: Acquire an in-depth knowledge of a specialist area including some basic understanding of the impacts from digital technology.

Applied Research

Learning Objective: Sharpen students' ability to conduct original applied research and ethical awareness in business administration.