Professor Michel Kalika
Founding president of the Business Science Institute
Professional communities find themselves at an exciting crossroads: the opportunity to pursue academic excellence. Two paths are emerging for those wishing to deepen their knowledge: the traditional Doctorate (PhD) and the Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA). But what is the real difference between these two paths, and how could the DBA become a real driver of change within our society?
The PhD, often seen as the royal road to an academic career, focuses on theoretical research. It prepares those who aspire to become full-time professors, drawing on concepts and theories that feed our understanding of the world.
By contrast, the DBA, created in 1953, is aimed at practitioners. It's a program designed for those who, drawing on their experience in the field, want to create knowledge that can be applied, particularly to innovation. The DBA is therefore oriented towards impact, whether managerial or social, and emphasizes the need to provide concrete, evidence-based recommendations.
Clearly, the DBA represents a rich resource for both the scientific and professional communities. Not only is it an opportunity for learning and research, it is also a catalyst for tangible change. The DBA's added value lies in its ability to generate real impacts, transform managerial practices and provide answers to current societal challenges.
However, despite these undeniable assets, recognition of the DBA on the international scene remains uneven. At present, regulations differ from country to country, preventing the DBA from being perceived as equivalent to a PhD. It is therefore essential that we, as players in education and innovation, advocate global recognition of this diploma. This could include the organization of workshops and focus groups to clarify and standardize what the DBA is internationally.
The need to develop “impact champions” is more evident than ever. These leaders must be encouraged to engage in mentoring programs. In our community, we have already set up an interest group, Frontiers of Impact, which provides a framework for collaboration between DBA graduates and new generations. Our nearly 180 DBA alumni represent a valuable resource: their experience and know-how can greatly benefit future PhD managers.
In short, the DBA is not just a diploma. It's a powerful instrument of change that can catalyze innovation and the transformation of practices in many sectors. It's up to us to get it recognized as such, so that its graduates are seen not only as practitioners, but also as thinkers, teachers and agents of transformation in our societies. This is how we can build a future together, where practice and theory combine to create real added value.