PhD Programs

Doctor of Philosophy

Your Gateway to Global Business Leadership

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration at Cambridge Business Academy is a rigorous, research-driven program designed to cultivate the next generation of thought leaders and innovators in business and management. This program empowers students to contribute original knowledge through high-quality research, preparing them for advanced roles in academia, research institutions, and industry leadership.

Our PhD curriculum offers a strong foundation in research methodologies, ethical frameworks, and both qualitative and quantitative research techniques. Under the mentorship of our distinguished faculty, students engage in independent research and are required to produce two peer-reviewed publications during their studies. The program culminates in a final dissertation that demonstrates scholarly excellence and makes a significant contribution to the field of business and management.

Programme Structure :

UNIT AIMS:

This unit is designed to advance the existing knowledge of research methods and aims to introduce complex research design advanced methods for analysing and interpreting literature, and higher-level methods for analysing complex qualitative and quantitative data

  • Critically evaluate various research approaches that are available for solving a problem
  • Demonstrate understanding of research philosophies and its influence in data collection process
  • Justify the choice of research design, strategy and choice of research method
  • Identify appropriate methods for gathering data that aligns with the research design
  • Analyse various methods in terms of its advantages and weakness
  • Evaluate data collection methods in terms of reliability and validity of research
  • Justify a data collection method for a given scenario
  • Extract, Transform and Load quantitative data into specialised software packages such as SPSS
  • Identify dependant, independent, intervening, moderator, control and extraneous variables
  • Develop hypothesis for a given research context
  • Evaluate various statistical test for a given scenario and justify the chosen test
  • Test the hypothesis with the most appropriate and draw meaningful conclusions
  • Evaluate the range of qualitative approaches that are available for undertaking qualitative research
  • Appreciate the challenges in undertaking qualitative research and the implications in research design
  • Demonstrate high level understanding of various qualitative analysis techniques and tools
  • Develop a report presenting the findings after making appropriate interpretations
  • Identify the potential limitations from the analysis
  • Highlight the ethical issues that might have occurred during the data collection stage

UNIT AIMS:

This unit enables learners to gain comprehensive understanding about the role of research in solving business problems and develop capabilities to critically evaluate existing body of knowledge to put forward a case for further research

  • Understand the importance of carrying out research that is reproducible and reliable
  • Appreciate the importance of research ethics and its contribution to generation of new knowledge
  • Define ethical norms and regulatory issues that constitute responsible conduct of research (RCR)
  • Evaluate sensitivity to and appreciation for ethical issues associated with doing research
  • Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge about the laws, regulations, and policies—government and institutional—and professional guidelines that govern the conduct of research
  • Identify ethical issues that can arise for a given research scenario and provide relevant recommendations
  • Evaluate cases and procedures for establishing misconduct, preventions and sanctions
  • Demonstrate the skills needed to solve problems involving relevant topic areas of the responsible conduct of research
  • Develop an argument and counter arguments on the ethical issues related to data collection, storage, analysis and reporting
  • Clearly articulate both verbally and in writing ethical and legally acceptable solutions to problems that arise in the conduct of science
  • Propose and critically analyze solutions to problems in the context of relevant written codes and
    unwritten conventions

UNIT AIMS:

This unit enables learners to gain comprehensive understanding about the role of research in solving business problems and develop capabilities to critically evaluate existing body of knowledge to put forward a case for further research

  • Read, critique, and translate scholarly publications within communication employing quantitative methodologies
  • Define procedures for reviewing research literature, sampling, selecting and administering tests, and other measurement devices
  • Identify concepts and procedures relating to descriptive research, causal-comparative research, correlational research, experimental research, and case study research
  • Formulate research questions that are germane to the purposes and contexts of social work
  • Conceptualise and operationalise research questions to develop testable hypotheses
  • Select research designs appropriate to the questions being asked and understand the issues of validity associated with each design
  • Understand the research process including developing hypotheses and questions, study design, and logistics of collecting and analysing data
  • Convert abstract concepts into measurable forms through the process of conceptualisation and operationalisation
  • Demonstrate an understanding of survey research design including the creation of survey questions
  • Identify statistical techniques appropriate for analysing data from different research designs
  • Utilise SPSS to analyse data and to report results in an appropriate form
  • Present research findings to an academic audience

UNIT AIMS:

This unit enables learners to gain comprehensive understanding about the role of research in solving business problems and develop capabilities to critically evaluate existing body of knowledge to put forward a case for further research

  • Search and evaluate relevant literature, draw conclusions and justify the need for further research
  • Evaluate various theories and choose a specific theory for explaining the observed phenomenon
  • Develop a theoretical solution for the identified problem and justify the need for further research
  • Explain epistemological and ontological assumptions and its impact on the nature of our understanding
  • Understand the relationship between ontology, epistemology, methodology, methods and sources
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the aims and philosophical frameworks of qualitative research
  • Demonstrate understanding of research philosophies and their influence on the data collection process
  • Conceptualise and design projects, collect data and make wise choices in qualitative research projects
  • Recognise theoretical and practical considerations behind a range of techniques
  • Use appropriate techniques for analysing and reporting qualitative research
  • Use appropriate theoretical or conceptual frameworks, visualisations, and quotes in the analysis and interpretation of qualitative data
  • Define an area of research by providing a clear rationale, scope and express it in terms of contribution to wider body of knowledge
  • Evaluate existing studies by examining its methodological gaps, discrepancies in theoretical stance, findings and analysis
  • Evaluate literature from the ontological and epistemological views of the author
  • Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of a chosen subject area and present them as a logically structured succinct report to relevant audience
  • Provide a theoretical debate by critically evaluating relevant theories for a given discipline

Introduction:

  • As a Doctorate student, before graduation, you should submit a final project in order to satisfy
    all the graduation requirements.
    • Final Project Duration: 1 year as minimum and 4 years as maximum
    • Prerequisite: Finish all 8 modules and complete all evaluations

Procedure:

Instructions

  • Prior to undertaking the Dissertation, you need to submit a proposal for approval. In your
    proposal, you must address the following:

1. Introduction

  • Introduce the problem or opportunity with supporting data and trends.
  • Clearly explain the background to the problem or opportunity, and justify the reasons
    for, and the value of, the research to your employer and the wider academic community.
  • Outline the research project’s aims and objectives.
  • State the limitations and scope of the proposed research.

2. Literature Review

  • Critically review key literature and recent academic publications around the subject area,
    discussing key definitions, current theoretical frameworks, and research carried out in
    similar areas.
  • Develop a conceptual and theoretical framework for the research from the literature
    review, explaining how and why it supports and informs your approach to the research
    process.

3. Research Methodology

  • Explain and justify your research approach and strategy.
  • Data collection:
    • Discuss data collection methods.
    • Select the instrument, design it and justify an appropriate method with an outline
      of a pre-test/pilot to be included as an appendix.
    • Clearly outline the administration of the data collection process.
  • Population and Sampling: Define the research population, sampling strategy and clarify
    access to respondent issues.
  • Data Analysis: Describe and justify how you propose to analyse and report the results
    and findings of your research with a discussion about reliability and validity and the
    management of error.

4. Timeline

  • Develop a plan using GANTT Chart from start to completion of the research.

Delivery and Submission:

  • Proposal – 4500 words excluding TOC, diagrams, references and appendices.

5. Referencing:

  • Each section must reflect any supporting Harvard-style citations.
  • A comprehensive Harvard-style reference list must be included at the end of the work.
  • An extended bibliography of at least twenty academic, journal and industry-relevant
    sector sources to be included at the end of the end of the work.

Instructions

You will need to produce a Thesis following the approved Title. Normally, the expected
presentation of the Thesis should be structured as outlined below.

  1. Title Page
  2. Executive summary
  3. Table of Contents
  4. Introduction
  5. Literature Review
  6. Research Methodology
  7. Results and Discussion
  8. Conclusion and Recommendations (justìications and implementations)
  9. References(Harvard style)
  10. Appendices

Guidelines on Content

  •  IExecutive Summary
    • The purpose of the executive summary is to summarise the entire thesis, including a description of the problem, the student’s findings, and conclusions.

Introduction

  • The purpose of this section is to contextualise the study. This means that the significance or importance of the subject is set out. If there is no apparent importance to the study to any external reader, the topic may not be appropriate. Personal interest may inspire the selection of the research project topic, but ultimately, its importance to others should be specified, such as the organisation. This can often be done by positioning the thesis in relation to critical management issues or challenges which require immediate or quick attention as the issues either pose threats to the organisation’s survival or competitive edge or new opportunities which can significantly improve the organisation’s profitability or performance.

Literature Review

  • Your literature review should be selective but structured in such a way as to demonstrate your familiarity with the general field in which your question lies. It is often important to identify and discuss gaps in the current literature.

Research Methodology

  • This chapter sets out the research strategy and methods you have used in your Thesis. The examiner will expect you to show the reliability and validity of your choices.

Results and Discussion

  • In this chapter, you show the reader the information you have discovered as a result of your research. You should give careful consideration as to how you will present your findings. You will have a range and volume of data which you need to summarise and present, and you may use a variety of methods, including tables, charts, diagrams, verbatim quotes, etc. You will also need to contextualise the data and point out any weaknesses/ omissions in your material. Also, remember that this chapter also needs a short introduction and conclusion.

Conclusion and Recommendations

  • Summarise [recapitulate] the proposition and focus of the Thesis in terms of what you attempted
    to find out and what you accomplished i.e. address the research questions/ hypothesis (es).
  • Conclusions here mean that for each of the findings that address the research questions and
    hypotheses, the researcher draws a conclusion.
  • Recommendations mean that for each  Conclusion, the researcher suggests a recommendation
    for improvement.

Delivery and Submission:

  • Dissertation – 40,000 – 80,000 words excluding TOC, diagrams, references and
    appendices.

Referencing:

  • Each section must reflect any supporting Harvard-style citations.
  • A comprehensive Harvard-style reference list must be included at the end of the work.
  • Two publications are required for the final stage of PHD.

You can specialize based on your research proposal in any field related to Business Administration
and Finance. Potential specializations include, but are not limited to:

  • Brand Management & Product Development
  • Business Analytics
  • Corporate Finance
  • Corporate Restructuring & Turnaround Management
  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
  • Crisis Management & Business Continuity
  • Cross-Cultural & Diversity Management
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
  • E-commerce & Digital Business
  • Economic Development & Policy
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Export & Import Management
  • Facility Management
  • Financial Management
  • Financial Technology (FinTech) Management
  • Franchising & Business Expansion
  • Healthcare Management
  • Hospital Management
  • Hospitality Management
  • Human Resources (HR)
  • Innovation and Technology Management
  • International Business
  • Investment & Portfolio Management
  • Leadership & Change Management
  • Luxury Brand Management
  • Management Consulting
  • Marketing
  • Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Management
  • Negotiation & Conflict Resolution Management
  • Operations Management
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Pharmaceutical Management
  • Project Management
  • Quality Management
  • Real Estate Management
  • Retail & Merchandising Management
  • Risk Management
  • Social Entrepreneurship & Nonprofit Management
  • Sports Management
  • Strategic Management
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Sustainability & Green Business
On Campus:
  • PhD Programs: £25,000 per year for three years
 
Online Study:
  • You can contact our affiliate  partner British Eagles to get a quote for our online programs
INTERESTED IN JOINING US?

Apply Now

Discover our flexible business programs, distinguished faculty, and supportive academic environment, and connect with the dedicated team that will support you throughout your learning journey.

Online Application

Admin Office:

Campus Address:

About

Links

© 2025 CBA. All Rights Reserved