SAQA

All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Doctor of Business Management

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
101699	Doctor of Business Management
ORIGINATOR
Regenesys Management (Pty) Ltd
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree	Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies		Generic Management
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	360	Not Applicable	NQF Level 10	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2021-07-01	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2031-06-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
Although the quailification provides training for an academic career, the purpose of the Doctor of Business Management (DBM) qualification is also to develop researchers who can contribute meaningfully to the body of knowledge in the field of business and ultimately participate in addressing complex socio-economic local and global challenges.

The DBM qualification will develop researchers with advanced research competencies and specialisation, who can engage theoretically, practically and innovatively on critical issues in the field of business.

Rationale:
This qualification provides an articulation opportunity for Master's graduates who have the potential to undertake advanced research as revealed, inter alia, their performance in their dissertation.

Also, this qualification will address the national needs with regard to increasing the pool of Doctoral graduates by 2030 as indicated in the National Development Plan (NDP). Not only is the number of academics who possess a Doctoral Degree, but the capacity to produce the required number of Doctorates is generally limited. The institution would therefore like to contribute to addressing these challenges by creating an additional opportunity for individuals to pursue their Doctoral studies and provide specialisation for an academic career.

The National Development Plan (NDP) which sketches the 2030 vision for South Africa emphasises knowledge production as being the rationale for higher education. However, it also stresses a major challenge that only 34% of academic staff holds Doctorates. Thus, the institution is very cognisant of the "calling" and keen in creating opportunities for more South Africans to pursue Doctoral studies, considering that the capacity of public institutions to offer similar qualifications may be limited.

The White Paper on Post-School Education also cites inadequate and insufficient levels of research and innovation which are linked to the economic development. The aforementioned document also categorically states that "solving social and economic problems in South Africa needs high levels of research. Furthermore, it is alluded that public institutions cannot cope on their own to produce Doctoral candidates. Thus, this institution will contribute to addressing this challenge by providing an additional opportunity for someone to purse Doctoral studies.

The Minister of Higher Education and Training is on record for constantly raising concerns about the dwindling number of academic staff with Doctorates and the limited capacity of public institutions to produce Doctoral graduates. This concern extends to the early retirement of productive researchers with capacity to produce Doctoral graduates who will fill the vacuum created by these retirements.

It is also stated in the NDP that South Africa needs to increase the percentage of academic staff with Doctorates within the higher education sector from 34% to 70% over the next 20 years. This responsibly cannot be shouldered primarily and solely by public institutions. This private institution also regards addressing this national imperative as their responsibility, since graduates of this qualification, as professionals or entrepreneurs, will contribute to addressing socio-economic challenges in our country. They may also qualify to supervise and evaluate the research of others in the area of specialisation concerned.

Thus, through offering the DBM, the institution will be able to contribute significantly to the body of knowledge along with leading international business schools. One criterion for internationalisation is the publication of research in internationally accredited journals. Thus, by offering a Doctoral programme, the potential to increase publications will be greatly enhanced.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
In principle, the institution allows for applicants who do not meet the formal academic admission requirements to be considered for alternative admission through the RPL system within the framework of SAQA's National Policy for the Implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning (SAQA, 2013).

RPL into the DBM qualification takes place on an individual, student-by-student basis, and involves a multi-faceted assessment of the prior learning that is in place, and our RPL procedures emphasise the general principle that must be followed: "satisfied that the applicant has competence in the appropriate field of intended study at the appropriate entry level of the target qualification".

Applicants who have reached a mature age (minimum is 28 years) with satisfactory relevant work experience, but do not have the necessary formal qualification, may be admitted through the RPL process subject to the successful completion of the RPL evaluation process.

RPL applicants are required to prepare Portfolios of Evidence, containing evidence from four sources, including:

Formal learning (e.g. certificates, academic transcripts, etc.).

Informal learning (e.g. job descriptions, employment contracts, etc.).

Work products (e.g. statements from employers, evidence of work performed by the applicant, etc.).

Entry Requirements:

A relevant Master's Degree, Level 9.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

Advanced Research Methodology (non credit bearing).

Thesis, 360 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Critically evaluate and select the appropriate research philosophy and research method/s for their study.

Comply with ethical issues in business research.

Demonstrate the ability to apply advanced statistical and other scientific data analysis techniques to address a research problem.

Collect and analyse research data and demonstrate its value in business decision-making.

Develop and present a research proposal suitable for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Demonstrate the ability to conduct high level independent research using advanced research methods, analyse and communicate the findings through development of a high quality academic output in the form of a thesis.

Contribute to the body of knowledge in their area of research and advance a specific management discipline.

Develop and present peer-reviewed academic articles and papers at academic and professional conferences.

Compile work of quality to satisfy peer review and merit publication.

Demonstrate the potential to supervise and evaluate the research of others in the area of specialisation concerned.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated way to the Exit Level Outcomes.

Conduct independent research intended to make an original contribution to the field.

Interact with the Supervisor on an ongoing basis, incorporating the Supervisor's feedback where appropriate.

Submit a complete doctoral thesis that is passed by the Internal Examiner.

Have one scholarly article, or one scholarly paper, based directly on his or her research accepted for publication in an accredited journal or presentation at a peer-reviewed academic or professional conference.

Present a written thesis of at least 40,000 words, and defend it orally to a panel of experts.

Write and formally defend a research proposal.

Integrated Assessment:
Both formative and summative assessment is used in this DBM qualification as follows:
In terms of the formative assessments, the candidate must:

Complete an advanced but non-credit bearing research methodology course.

Write and formally defend a research proposal.

Conduct original, high-level independent research within the stipulated timeframe through ongoing interaction with, and to the satisfaction of, his or her Supervisor.

Present a written thesis of at least 40,000 words.

Defend his or her thesis orally to a panel of experts.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The Doctorate in Business Management or Administration is a common qualification offered by most business schools/faculties of economics and management sciences throughout the world.

United States of America: In the USA, a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is offered by the Sloane School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a research-driven Degree qualification designed for highly qualified and experienced business professionals. DBA candidates are often interested in pursuing leadership or executive positions within their field, or becoming university professors of business. A Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science (MSc) in a business-related academic discipline, or comparable Master's Degree is usually a prerequisite for a DBA. DBA candidates at universities and business schools in the USA apply their knowledge of business theory, leadership skills, strategic decision-making and the ability to manage as they develop their research topic and start working on their dissertation. Business administration topics such as globalisation, corporate social responsibility, ethics, leadership, supply chain management, social impact management, entrepreneurship, international business, finance and other topics may become the basis for a DBA candidate's research topic.

United Kingdom: In the UK, the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is offered by London School of Economics and Political Science. This is regarded as the capstone Postgraduate achievement for individuals seeking to fulfil leadership or executive roles within a company. A DBA is also an excellent choice for those interested in teaching at the university level, as this is a terminal Degree and therefore qualifies the candidate for tenure professorship. At universities and business schools in the UK, DBA programmes develop analytical, research and educational abilities through research and seminars over the course of three to five years. Candidates applying for DBA programs at universities in the UK must already hold an MBA, MSc or comparable Master's Degree in a business-related field. The major portion of the DBA programme is always the thesis, a large independent research project that may investigate a specific theoretical question dealing with a field of business or it could examine pertinent business practices in a case study.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

A Doctorate is normally a terminal qualification.

However, after completion of a Doctorate programme, a candidate may later be awarded the Higher/Senior Doctorate at another institution on the basis of a distinguished record of research in the form of published work and/or other scholarly contributions that are judged by leading international experts to make an exceptional and independent contribution to one or more disciplines or fields of study.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

1.	Regenesys Management (Pty) Ltd