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

Fall - 2025

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 2024

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Contact us and we will provide you with all the information about the programme and its next edition.

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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).

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