GEM – Alpine Business School

Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA)

Program Structure

The GEM Global DBA places a strong emphasis on research methodology while allowing you to tailor your work to your interests and career goals.

Throughout the program, you will:

• Conduct original investigations that test or challenge existing ideas and create new knowledge
• Connect your research to broader bodies of knowledge
• Address real organizational or societal issues by integrating theory and practice
• Master rigorous research design, data collection, and data analysis techniques
• Produce and disseminate high-quality doctoral-level research
• Build credibility as an expert in academic and professional contexts

The DBA curriculum is structured in two phases designed for working professionals:

Phase I: Research Foundations

Master doctoral-level research methodology through seminars and workshops at GEM campuses and international hub locations:

• Research design and data collection techniques
• Quantitative and qualitative analysis methods
• Academic writing and literature review
• Research ethics and philosophy

Deliverables:

• Preliminary Research Proposal (±2,000 words)
• Literature Review (±10,000 words)
• Dissertation Proposal (±15,000 words)

Successfully defend your Pre-Dissertation Proposal to earn the Certificate in Research in Management Sciences and advance to Phase II.

Phase II: Dissertation Research

Conduct original research under expert supervision:

• Individual research project with practical applications
• Data collection and rigorous analysis
• Dissertation writing (±60,000 words, publication-quality standards)
• Final oral defense before examination panel

Program Content

4 Core Research Seminars

The four core research seminars guide you step by step from foundational research philosophy and design through to data collection and analysis, with sessions delivered across GEM’s Grenoble and Paris campuses, Online or at Global Hub locations to enrich your dissertation journey with diverse international contexts.

8 Applied Workshops

These online Applied Workshops are short, focused 2‑hour sessions that help you turn your research plan into concrete outputs at each key milestone of the program. They guide you step by step from implementing your research proposal, through preparing and defending your dissertation proposal, to writing up and communicating your final thesis.

Across the workshop series, you build practical skills in academic writing, articulating theoretical and managerial contributions, and presenting your work convincingly to both scholarly and practitioner audiences.

6 Advanced Research Masterclasses

Throughout the program, students may choose to attend up to six Advanced Research Masterclasses at any stage of their studies. These sessions draw on local expertise at our Global Hubs and GEM’s research strengths to expose you to frontier research and broaden your intellectual horizons.

Masterclasses are offered in person at GEM and Global Hub locations, as well as online, and are not required to align directly with your dissertation topic. They provide opportunities to:

• Gain exposure to diverse research topics beyond your dissertation focus
• Learn cutting-edge techniques in leading management research
• Engage with faculty experts across multiple disciplines

1-on-1 Continuous Supervision

Ongoing support from internationally recognized scholars who guide your research development throughout the program, providing personalized feedback and expertise aligned with your research focus.

Research Excellence

• Top 1% of business schools globally to be triple-accredited (AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS)
• Member of the Executive DBA Council (EDBAC) and the European Doctoral Programs Association (EDAMBA) – the premier associations for executive doctoral programs worldwide
• CEO Magazine Top DBA Listing 2025
• Ranked Top 5 in Research - Shanghai 2025 Ranking

DBA Impact

The DBA program enables students to:

• Understand state-of-the-art research in their fields of study
• ​Acquire the necessary understanding and expertise in methods and techniques for research design, data collection, and data analysis
• Conduct, write, and disseminate high-quality, doctoral-level research
• Achieve a greater level of effectiveness as a professional practitioner in managing technology, innovation, and change;
• Gain legitimacy as researchers and faculty members in both academic and non-academic environments

The DBA Profile

DBA Student & Alumni Profiles

(2021-2024 Intakes)

Our diverse international cohort brings rich professional experience to the program:

• Average age: 44 years
• Female representation: 40%
• Geographic diversity: 46% from North America, with students from France, Switzerland, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and 25+ other countries

Career Outcomes

65% Work in Industry

Across diverse sectors including technology, consulting, financial services, and manufacturing

35% Work in Education

Reflecting strong academic pathways at top universities worldwide

The DBA Profile

• Senior managers and executives with 5+ years of experience
• Independent consultants seeking academic credibility
• Experienced professionals looking to work part-time in academia
• Global leaders addressing complex organizational challenges across regions

Excellence in Research

In addition to our triple accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS), this top, accredited doctoral degree is an AACSB-recognized terminal degree for future faculty. Our DBA alumni have created a significant impact in numerous fields.

A Global Community of Scholars

With Global Hubs across the world and 30 years of DBA experience, GEM continues to build an active international network that includes more than 800 DBA alumni and students.

A Program Made for Experienced Managers

The Global DBA program is organized into seminars, workshops, and research activities taking place on campus and online. Coursework and content are delivered according to a part-time schedule that meets the needs and constraints of working professionals.

• Format: 3 years, part-time (with both online and on-site seminars, workshops, qualifying deliverables, and a final dissertation)
• Global Hubs: France, Europe, MENA, North America, Asia
• Duration: 3 years (5 years maximum)