BSL Doctorate programme

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Global Research Project in Business Sustainability

As a Doctoral student at BSL, you will join an international group of independent researchers in business sustainability and gain experience in collaborative research on a challenging topic. You will work with other doctoral candidates and will combine your skills and expertise with theirs to contribute to a global interdisciplinary research project together.

The project will provide insights on three key organizational challenges of the coming decade:

• How to move from business-as-usual to business sustainability (based on existing research);
• How to embrace and adapt to the new paradigm (based on emerging best practices);
• How to make the great leap of becoming a truly sustainable organization (based input from pioneers).

Working on a joint research project allows you to build a global network of applied sustainability scholars focused on integrating sustainability and responsibility in business.

The BSL DBA in Sustainable Business program takes a different approach to research. We build on the traditional model of exploring the current state of business as a starting base for incremental change by looking into what a truly sustainable organization of the future would look like and exploring the paths to get there.

The project includes a range of research approaches that are distinguished as well by the participatory engagement of stakeholders. These are often associated with large system change science, engaged scholarship and action research.

Profile Of Participants

• Our current group of DBA participants is made up of 40% female, 60% male, coming from 10 different countries. The average amount of work experience is 15 years (min 5, max 20+) and the age range is 30-50 years old.

Potential Benefits and Outcomes For Doctoral Students

• Creating expertise in sustainability action research as a potential source of sustainability and deep change leadership and organizational transformational consultants
• Building a global network of applied sustainability scholars, all focused on making change happen
• Creating a library of case studies, projects and programs – accessible for free globally
• Developing inter- and trans-disciplinary scholars with experience and skills in leading change, and integrating sustainability and responsibility in business
• Developing experience in collaborative research on a challenging topic
• An online platform of concrete recommendations to companies, offering both general recommendations as well as a growing database by sector and by cultural/region
• Initiate and enable a collaboratory for businesses to exchange best practices in integrating sustainability and responsibility
• Developing direct links from research to learning by integrating students in the collaborative process, open opportunities for internships and further studies

Target Group

• The BSL DBA in Sustainable Business is the right program for you if you are interested in research in the domain of business sustainability and seek to contribute to transforming businesses into sustainable organizations.
• The program is designed for mature professionals (min. of 5 years’ work experience) with the ability to learn independently and who do not want to interrupt their career during the doctorate studies.

Program Objectives

• Gain experience in collaborative research on a challenging topic
• Acquire new research methodologies to resolve business or societal issues
• Develop your skills in leading change, consulting transforming organizations, and integrating sustainability and responsibility in business
• Build expertise in sustainability action research
• Expand your career opportunities, either in consulting, management or education
• Create a global network of like-minded people and applied sustainability scholars