Doctor of Business Administration

Basic information

The Professional Doctoral Programme in Business Administration is designed to provide participants with the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the theory and practice of the field and to develop professional practice at the highest level.

The study is both practice- and research-focused in business and industry and is designed for mid-career executives who have already completed an MBA (or equivalent qualification) and wish to further enhance their practical and theoretical knowledge in the field. 

It is therefore a highly specialised qualification that focuses on professional development in national and international business and business administration. The course will help students apply research-based thinking to business ideas, while deepening and broadening their understanding of business practice. The programme provides students with innovative approaches to linking academic knowledge with professional practice. Students will be actively encouraged to choose a DBA thesis topic that is related to their current specialization in the organization or to the area they wish to focus on in their career.

Program structure

The aim of the Doctor of Business Administration programme is to provide business professionals with an opportunity for career-related research at doctoral level. Research and teaching is conducted to provide a program responsive to the needs of the contemporary business world with respect to the requirements of senior managers.

Studying the DBA at EIFM will enable you to develop a thorough understanding of the conceptual and theoretical underpinnings of your chosen area of research in business and management, to understand in detail the applicable techniques of research and advanced academic and managerial enquiry, to continue to generate and interpret knowledge through original research, to improve your performance and your professional practice, and above all to develop the personal, consultancy and research competencies to conduct in-depth research at an advanced level.

The programme will be particularly beneficial for experienced managers, consultants, management educators and business school academics, for whom it will enhance their professional skills and credibility. You will develop networks of contacts and gain a solid foundation for further career development or a significant career move.

Study modules

Advanced Management

  • Process management

  • Financial management of the company

  • Corporate strategy

Innovation and research

  • Innovation Management

  • Artificial intelligence and robotics in business

  • Sustainability and ecology in business

Soft skills

  • Business communication, negotiation and practices

  • Business Strategy

Study information:

  • 18 - 24 months
  • English
  • On-line
  • € 9000
  • 180 ECTS

Library

Students have access to an online library with more than 10,000 professional publications, books and professional papers.
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Students
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Salary
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Why study at EIFM

We want to be your guide on one of the most important journeys you will take in your life. A journey towards your personal growth, career improvement and fulfillment of your goals. Throughout this journey, we will do everything we can to ensure that you reach your full potential and get the most out of your studies at our Institute.

General overview

Our goal is lifelong learning. We are here to develop our students and provide them with up-to-date information, skills and knowledge to help them achieve their goals and ambitions in their personal and career lives.

Developing the entrepreneurial spirit

All our study programmes are designed to emphasise individualisation, the development of personal responsibility and an entrepreneurial spirit - key qualities that will give you a unique experience that will last a lifetime.

Effective teaching

The aim of our education is to prepare graduates to address contemporary economic, environmental and social challenges that impact society as a whole. We therefore provide our students with innovative and relevant knowledge and know-how that will develop their talents and take them to the next level.

Global reach

We are aiming not only at the national, but above all at the international level of education provided.  Students should be exposed to different ways of thinking and acting, be open to continuous learning and be familiar with global business trends.

Personal development

Our educational institution aims to develop and support globally minded individuals who want to become leaders in the world of business and innovation. All our study programmes are completely flexible and target students, their theoretical knowledge and subsequent practice.

Critical thinking

Sufficient knowledge and its critical evaluation is the path to freedom. We therefore instill in our students the critical thinking skills and creativity that will prepare them not only to anticipate, but more importantly, to meet the challenges they will be forced to face in today's global world.

Tuition fee

Are you ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to take your career and personal life up a notch and want to get an education with an innovative and practical approach, don’t hesitate!

Tuition fee of the program:
€ 9000

The tuition fee for the DBA programme is € 9000. Payment can be made in one lump sum or spread over up to 5 interest-free instalments.

A first instalment of € 2000 is always required before the start of your studies. Tuition fees include study materials and access to all seminars or online lectures organised by the European Institute of Finance & Management.

5% discount
If the student decides to pay the tuition fee in one lump sum before starting his/her studies, a discount of 5% of the tuition fee will be applied additionally.

Admission procedure

There are no tests, exams or interviews as part of the admissions process. All you have to do is meet the study requirements, which are as follows for the DBA programme:

  • Completion of at least a second-level university degree or an MBA programme,
  • A CV with sufficient information about your education, volunteer experience, work experience or extracurricular activities,
  • A 3-5 page proposal for a research project that the student will undertake in the final phase of his/her studies,
  • Motivation letter – In case the admissions committee has doubts about accepting you to study, they may require a motivation letter that should reflect your professional goals, strengths, focus, etc.

If you are interested in studying, follow the steps below and get on your way to studying at EIFM.

Testimonials

Career

Our Career Services department is ready to provide the best opportunities for students to develop their personality, skills and abilities to achieve the best career. If interested, any student can contact our department during or after graduation.

Our colleagues are not only involved in various activities that connect our study institute with major national and multinational corporations, but also build partnerships with major companies or organizations so that we can subsequently offer diverse career opportunities to our students.

The Career Services staff offers students a range of personalized information, which may include a listing of top employers, trends and process in talent recruitment, statistics on average salaries and wages, or other thought-provoking information to help graduates choose the right career path.

Programme subjects

Process management

The Process Management course explores the concepts, methods, and techniques that support the design, improvement, management, configuration, implementation, and analysis of business processes that ensure lean and customer-centric business processes. The objective of this course is to introduce students to business process modeling methodologies and techniques. The main objective is to increase awareness of the concepts and fundamentals of business process modeling and how business process modeling techniques can be used to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of organizations.

Corporate strategy

The primary way in which corporate strategy ultimately creates value is by enhancing the ability of portfolio companies to create and sustain competitive advantage. The main topics you will cover are diversification, vertical integration, restructuring, synergies, alliance strategy and global strategy. We will therefore introduce a number of tools to help us analyse these topics. The main objective of the course is to introduce you to the primary decisions, tools and concepts of corporate strategy. By the end of the course, graduates should be able to understand how multi-enterprise firms can create value, be able to identify opportunities to improve corporate strategy, understand and be able to analyze the main benefits and risks of different diversification strategies, understand the economic and organizational realities behind the term "synergy", and be able to identify and analyze synergy opportunities.

Financial management of the company

This course introduces students to current financial concepts and tools for managing money in organizations involved in the local and global economy. It examines current best practices in financial analysis and planning through the application of financial concepts. These include financial performance indicators, time value of money, financial markets and institutions, securities and corporate valuation, cost of capital, risk and return, long-term financial budgeting, and working capital management. In addition, topics related to lease financing, hybrid securities and derivatives, trusts, mergers and acquisitions, and international corporate finance are also covered throughout the course of study.

Innovation Management

The aim of the course is to provide students with the basic concepts and awareness of technological innovation and an understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing small and large firms in relation to it. The course takes an integrated approach to addressing the complex concepts and knowledge of technological innovation in relation to technological development and covers areas such as the importance of innovation, conducting research and development, managing innovation and technology, partnerships, networks and alliances, product and process development, commercialization of research, as well as entrepreneurship and business start-ups.

Business Strategy

This course builds on the Corporate Strategy course and deals with the formulation of strategies based on external and internal analysis, developing the process through to implementation and control of operations. It forms the part of strategic planning in which growth opportunities are discussed and plans become reality. Companies that want to make a difference will need to understand how to evaluate and implement the strategic options available to them, making this process key to the success of any business. In the current business context, change is permanent and businesses need to react quickly. This forces strategy to be agile and poses a great challenge to the modern manager.

Artificial intelligence and robotics in business

The Robotics and Artificial Intelligence in Business course introduces students to the nature and most important applications of robotics and artificial intelligence in the business world, in three main areas: Industry, Mobility and Consumer. This course will also include a discussion on 3D printing. Students will learn how to integrate robotics and artificial intelligence technologies into business models, design new products or services, and transform processes to achieve greater efficiency, better customer experience, and societal prosperity. We will explore the implications of disruptive robotics and AI innovations for business, operations, marketing and corporate governance, and how companies can evolve for future industries and markets through new value propositions. We will also consider the ethical aspects of implementing these enabling technologies.

Sustainability and ecology in business

This course combines the study of environmental and sustainability issues with sound business and management practice. It examines the pressures and opportunities facing businesses as a result of current environmental and corporate social responsibility agendas. The course therefore provides students with a solid grounding in all areas of business and the multidisciplinary knowledge of sustainability that is necessary to operate within the green economy. We will not only cover the core areas of green business but will also develop your knowledge of sustainability in scientific, legal and social areas.

Business communication, negotiation and practices

Negotiation starts as soon as the day begins, in all of our interactions, whether work, social or family. This course is an opportunity to put into practice all the knowledge we have gained and to confirm that the negotiation process is dynamic and can always be improved. You will learn how to apply key negotiation skills and styles to conduct effective negotiations and reach satisfactory agreements, learn communication techniques that improve relationships and encourage cooperation between parties, and develop critical thinking skills to manage emotions and resolve conflicts constructively.