IT IS not uncommon for managers in demanding roles to find themselves overwhelmed by the day-to-day pressure to deliver. They often feel they need to stand back and reflect on the situation, to understand the underlying web of relationships and ultimately to develop effective solutions. The traditional solution for this problem has been MBA programmes, long recognised as a means to give managers an invaluable grounding in practice-related theories. MBA graduates are renowned for their ability to deliver ROI (return on investment), surpassing norms of performance in both the workplace and in their career development. Upon completion, some MBA graduates leave the university with more than just a toolkit of conceptual, analytical and problem-solving skills. We often hear from our graduates about strange side effects, which many just can’t shake off. The symptoms include a high propensity to reflect and ‘think outside the box’, a tendency to ask lots of questions and an insatiable appetite to know more. Those afflicted will often develop hypotheses, which require testing, and formulate questions, which demand answers. In short, they’ve got the ‘academic bug’, which, once triggered from its dormant state, can be extremely resilient. But to whom do they turn for help? While some sufferers can live happily with this condition for a while, throwing themselves into their careers, many decide to return to university for support and treatment of this intellectual condition. Universities are seeing more of this behaviour in managers. They recognise many symptoms, which have traditionally occurred in young graduates. The prescribed treatment for many of these younger sufferers has been to stay on to complete a PhD. With this in mind, an increasing number of universities have been able to develop special treatments for experienced managers, namely DBA programmes. So, what is a DBA? The Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) is a professional practice research degree in business studies. Designed to help students pursue intellectual and career goals above the benchmark of the MBA, DBAs are equivalent to PhDs in academic currency and are only awarded for research of demonstrable relevance to management practice. They offer students a more sophisticated academic toolkit, enabling them to pursue their interests at the advanced level they crave. What really makes the DBA appealing to both individuals and organisations alike is the fact that candidates often tackle issues of real importance to their own organisations. Findings can be shared and applied to the organisation, often with real and unique benefits without the need to employ expensive management consultants. Successful DBA students may never be completely cured of their academic symptoms, but they will be awarded the title ‘Doctor’ upon completion. So you think you might have the academic bug and a DBA sounds interesting? Professor Ian McLoughlin, director of Newcastle University Business School, explains the importance the school has placed on collaboration. He said: “A good DBA programme needs to be firmly rooted in research and teaching, delivering expertise of relevance and utility to management practice. It is through working with business leaders of today that the Business School has been able to develop a future orientation in its research, focusing on such issues as innovation, internationalisation, knowledge management and many of the current issues which concern managers. “Newcastle can point to a long-standing collaboration with some of the most successful and innovative companies in the UK and North-East. These include Sage Group Plc and Pricewaterhouse- Coopers. We also have relationships with numerous other companies in Ireland, Poland, and now USA. “The school is strongly involved in development of Newcastle Science City in partnership with the city council and development agency One NorthEast – the partnership’s aim is to create high-growth business infrastructure through an unique merger of scientific, business and local government.” The importance of having an international orientation is also taken extremely seriously at Newcastle University Business School. This translates into recruiting not only the best students but also the best staff from all around the world. Uniquely amongst DBA programmes, Newcastle’s partner in delivering its part-time DBA programme is also international: one of France’s most respected business schools, Grenoble Ecole de Management. Grenoble is one of France’s top 10 business schools and is internationally recognised by all major accreditation bodies. This collaboration offers real benefits to students, attracting doctoral candidates with different experiences and culture. An international team of accomplished academics deliver the programme in both Newcastle and Grenoble. It offers a jointly-awarded, internationally- recognised doctoral qualification. It is designed so candidates can realise their research ambitions without compromising their work-life balance. Research training is provided in four one-week blocks and supervision is provided throughout. This innovative approach makes it easier for candidates to combine demanding jobs with doctoral research. For those looking to follow a DBA full-time, Newcastle also offers a custom-made programme. Visit www.ncl.ac.uk/nubs to find out more. Paul Armstrong is marketing and development manager of Newcastle University Business School. | 
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