The Executive DBA is a doctorate in business administration designed for professionals seeking to elevate their executive career to the highest level of management and bridge the gap between theory and real-world business challenges. The Executive DBA is a 3-year programme with unique advantages:
- Make a tangible impact in your organisation
- Unleash your potential and increase your chances of career advancement opportunities
- Gain a deep understanding of advanced business theories
- Contribute significantly to the field of business through academia
- Course: Executive DBA
- Mode: In-person
- Location: Barcelona, Paris
- Language: English
- Required experience: 5+ years
- Dedication: Part time
- Timetable: Modular
- Start date: 16 Oct. 2025
- Duration: 3 years
Why EADA?
01
Applied Research Focus using the Scientific Method
02
Intervention / Action Research
03
Contribution to Practice and Knowledge
04
Faculty Guidance & Peer Learning
EADA in rankings
#27
best business schools in Europe European Business School Rankings Financial Times 2024#4
Level (Transforming school) Positive Impact Rating For Business Schools The Positive Impact Rating Association 2024Want to know more?
Contact us and we will provide you with all the information about the programme and its next edition.
Our partner
Le CNAM
LeCNAM is the foremost higher education institution dedicated to lifelong learning in France. Its three main missions are lifelong professional training, technological research and innovation, and the dissemination of scientific and technical knowledge.
With a strong local presence, LeCNAM offers 750 training programs in the fields of exact sciences, technology, and tertiary education, and it welcomes more than 53,500 students each year.
LeCNAM conducts interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research related to the major challenges of society. In its 22 laboratories and 16 national educational teams, it hosts 430 researchers and teacher-researchers, as well as 340 doctoral students.
Programme designed for:
Executives with a continuous learning mindset who are ready to embark on an intellectual challenge.
The tailor-crafted nature of this programme attracts professionals from a wide range of industries seeking to contribute to groundbreaking research in their chosen field of study.
The flexibility offered by a blended and part-time Executive DBA that incorporates residential modules is designated to integrate seamlessly with work commitments with minimal career disruption.
Our candidates will not only build strong connections with accomplished peers, but also with esteemed faculty and industry professionals that will bring a broader perspective and collaborative mindset.
Programme structure
La estructura del Doctorado Ejecutivo en Administración de Empresas (DBA) de EADA en colaboración con Le CNAM se compone de 8 módulos.
Le CNAM proporcionará certificados para los Módulos 2, 3 y 4 del primer año, el Módulo 7 del segundo año y el Módulo 8 del tercer año, formalizando el Executive DBA de EADA en asociación con esta prestigiosa institución. Los 5 certificados específicos de Le CNAM formalizarán el Executive DBA a través de un convenio específico.
Academic Year 1
Devoted to the formulation of the research problem and the theoretical framework. Through fundamental modules, participants acquire methods and methodologies for conducting research and achieve the development of a scientifically valid research project.
The first year is dedicated to:
- Fundamentals of management research: Common core theory to understand the fundamentals of management science theories, theories of organisations, reflections on the concept of performance measurement and management
- Thematic paradigms of management research
- The thesis development process
Module 1 - Barcelona, Spain
Scientific framework of a DBA thesis: How to build proper
- Problematic
- Hypothesis
- Theoretical framework
- Methodologies
- Results
- Discussions
| Duration | 24h |
|---|---|
| Dates | October 23-25, 2025 |
| Where | Barcelona |
Module 2 - Barcelona, Spain
- Fundamental theories in organisational control I
- Socio-economic focus
- Human potential
- A different mental model of management
- The role of management
| Duration | 24h |
|---|---|
| Dates | January 29-31, 2026 |
| Where | Barcelona |
Module 3 - Paris, France
- Fundamental theories in organisational control II
- Changing the system vs. changing individuals
- Whole system intervention
- Hidden costs analysis
| Duration | 24h |
|---|---|
| Dates | April, 23-25, 2026 |
| Where | Paris |
Module 4 - Barcelona, Spain
- The paradigm of Socio-Economic Approach to Management: achieving sustainable social and economic performance through innovation and human potential development
- CNAM = 24H
| Duration | 24h |
|---|---|
| Dates | October 29-31, 2026 |
| Where | Barcelona |
Academic Year 2
In-depth modules allow participants to master research methods for collecting and processing data and to define and implement a field study.
The second year is devoted to:
- Research Methodology
- Research Design
- Epistemology
- Qualitative methodology
- Quantitative methodology
Module 5 - Barcelona, Spain
- Quantitative research in measuring and controlling for Sustainability, Innovation and Leadership
- The timing of the intervention
- Actors
| Duration | 24h |
|---|---|
| Dates | January 28-30, 2027 |
| Where | Barcelona |
Module 6 - Paris, France
- Qualitative research in measuring and controlling for Sustainability, Innovation and Leadership
- Intervener-researcher
- Social responsibility
- CNAM=8H
| Duration | 24h |
|---|---|
| Dates | April 22-24, 2027 |
| Where | Paris |
Module 7 - Barcelona, Spain
- Collective supervision of both DBA Thesis and other DBA student’s scientific work (papers, communications, reports, for Lyon International Meeting and AOM Annual Meeting)
- CNAM=16H
| Duration | 32h |
|---|---|
| Dates | October 27-30, 2027 (4 days) |
| Where | Barcelona |
Academic Year 3
Finalisation of the empirical work and the writing of the Executive DBA thesis under the supervision of a tutor, who is a professor from the Scientific Council of the Executive DBA EADA in partnership with LeCNAM.
The third year is devoted to:
- Writing modules
- Tutoring
Module 8 - Barcelona, Spain
- Collective supervision of both DBA Thesis and other DBA student’s scientific work (papers, communications, reports, for Lyon International Meeting and AOM Annual Meeting)
- CNAM=16H
| Duration | 32h |
|---|---|
| Dates | January 25-29, 2028 (5 days) |
| Where | Barcelona |
In addition to the above curriculum, participants will receive 14h per year of individual Executive DBA thesis supervision with a Research Director (42h in total after the 3 years) + 14h of Executive DBA defence in year 3 (each participant makes an individual defence of his/her thesis in a 2 hours slot that is opened to other participants).
Would you like to know more about the programme?
Download our brochure for further details.