DBA
DBA
DBA
powered by TRANSKNOWLOGY
Doctorate of
Business Administration
Index
About SMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
History & Milestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Transknowlogy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Affiliates & Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Facts & Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Our Service Proposition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Index
About SMC
SMC was founded in 1985 as an executive training provider. In 2002 the institution evolved into an internationally
acclaimed university, specialized in offering flexible distance learning Master and Doctorate programs targeted at the
working professional.
The core of SMC's student body, which consists of high achievers from currently more than 90 different countries
worldwide, has an advanced professional standing and typically resides at the very top of internationally renowned
organizations and businesses. This circumstance creates an unsurpassed added value to SMC's students insofar, as
they benefit from sharing extensive experience, knowledge and best practices a true competitive advantage. SMC's
flexible online Master and Doctorate programs can be followed parttime from any place in alignment with the
students' personal and professional commitments.
SMC recognizes the need of working professionals and individuals in demand of highest flexibility. Our distance
learning system allows students to create personal calendars in alignment with professional and personal
commitments. Enrollment is ongoing; the programs can be followed from any place, at any time and any pace.
About SMC
Personal attention is a hallmark of SMC's service culture. Our administration and faculty is amongst the most
responsive, attentive and service oriented in the education arena. This is an aspect, which significantly enhances the
learning experience, quality and success.
SMC University is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the leading
specialized accreditation association for business education supporting, celebrating and rewarding teaching excellence.
ACBSP is an official national accreditation body in the U.S., recognized by the Council of Higher Education
Accreditation, CHEA.
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2002
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2004
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2006
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2008
2009
Transknowlogy
Transknowlogy represents the 2.0 phase of the education revolution in learning where the bestofbreed technologies
are implemented across all levels of the organization to support all stakeholders: administrators, professors and most
importantly students.
This concept and approach is the capstone of the underlying method and philosophy of SMC University. In today's
world knowledge and education are experiencing a tremendous change. Technology is opening up new possibilities
for students from around the world and all walks of life to explore options that were unavailable even a few short
years ago.
At SMC University we managed to create an unique environment of knowledgetransfer that connects people, culture
and organizations in a way that permits the creation of new possibilities. Traditional education limits the reach of
technology to campus borders. Transknowlogy offers the stage to develop your visions and enable you to become a
part of the new global learning context as a dedicated, target driven knowledge seeking individual.
Transknowlogy
Through transknowlogy students are empowered to learn, grow and excel. Transknowlogy enables students to push
their limits to new levels under an environment supported by an extended use of technology, both inside the classroom
and within the overall setting of the University. This provides a new level of highly diversified cultural exchange between
the multiple nationalities that enables you feel the pulse of the global business context.
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ACCREDITATIONS
SMC is acrredited by
MEMBERSHIPS
Swiss Federation for Adult Learning (SVEB)
SVEB is the Swiss national umbrella organization for adult education, it groups about 175 institutions.
Its main activities include representing adult education / learning in Swiss educational policies and
educational legislation, quality certification and publications.
Central and East European Management Development Association
CEEMAN is an international management development association established in 1993 with the aim
of accelerating the growth in quality of management development in central and eastern Europe.
Gradually CEEMAN has become a global network of management development institutions interested
in quality of education and innovations in this field, as well as in the broad area of subjects related to
change. CEEMAN has expanded to include 170 institutional and individual members from 42 countries.
ACUNS
Acuns a professional association of nearly 800 educational and research institutions and individual
scholars, teachers and practitioners active in the work and study of multilateral relations, global
governance and international cooperation. With field offices in Cairo, Delhi, Geneva, New York and
Vienna in addition to members located in over 50 countries, make us a global network. Acuns focuses
special attention on the programs and agencies of the United Nations system and other
intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations that play a role in managing common
problems on the global agenda. Its activities promote research and teaching on the UN system and
dialogue between and among academics and practitioners from across the globe.
Distance Learning | Doctorate of Business Administration
Inquiry Stage
Application Stage
Management Development
Close partnership between students, industry and alumni for full leverage of their degree
Job Center services providing assistance throughout the job seeking process
Establishment of a job market and business relationships
Participation of top business leaders at the graduation ceremony
SMCs input precedes the student where ever they may go
Lifelong Partnership
A onestop solution
Courses are supported through interactive online books, presentations, video lectures, case studies and research
papers. All relevant content is being provided by via SMCs online learning system.
Electronic Bestsellers
Together with Pearson Education, we have developed customized ebooks and supported content from the
worlds leading authors. The result is an interactive learning experience in a textrich and graphically enhanced
format supported by online exercises, assignments and tests for enhanced comprehension.
SMC provides personal attention to each student. The learning system guarantees timely support on both
administrative and academic levels.. Our international board of renowned scholars and practitioners serves as
an active partner in the design and development of solutions applied in the real world. Students work closely
together with their faculty and colleagues. The lecturers role is that of a facilitator, supporting, followingup
and providing feedback to the students progress.
Lifelong Partnership
The Online Learning System
We offer career services with ample information on issues and processes of job search. Open position postings
from industry partners are being published, as well as student postings of job seekers. Lifelong learning is at
your fingertips through updated professional development seminars.
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Residence Requirements
The Program is entirely online, there are no residence requirements during the regular course work. The only
residential requirement is the Final Grand Exam and Thesis / Dissertation Defense visvis the Academic Defense
Committee of SMC. This 1day event regularly takes place at our learning centers in Zurich and Vienna.
Technical Requirements
You will need a personal computer with regular internet access. The SMC Online Learning System can be easily
accessed through your web browser. Your PC should have the following programs installed:
Internet Browser (e.g. Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Firefox, Opera)
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Course Evaluation
Performance review and completion requirements vary among course and Professors. In general, a course may
require the pursuit of comprehensive research / business projects, cases studies, assignments and final
examination, or a combination of these. Examinations are being accessed online. Your Professor will make the
password protected exam available through a special examination platform on the SMC Online Learning System.
Results are automatically submitted to the Professor for evaluation and grading.
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Graduation Requirements
In order to be awarded a degree for the program attended, students must obtain a passing grade in all courses,
achieve a minimum overall GPA 3.0, pass the Final Grand Exam and successfully defend their Dissertation.
Student Council
SMC Universitys
Academic
Learning Model
The SMC University Student Council diligently supports you with study related counselling and represents and
defends any issues or concerns you might face during your studies. The Student Council provides a valuable role
in creating a sense of cohesion, cooperation and community to enrich the learning experience of all SMC
distancelearning students.
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"The SMC Student Council connects the student body to the faculty, to act as the student voice, with the goal of
enhancing the distancelearning experience of students at SMC."
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Admission Criteria
& Tuition fees
Admission Criteria
SMC University welcomes qualified applicants with no discrimination towards their gender, age, cultural, ethnic,
religious and racial backgrounds. Distance learning candidates are admitted on a continuous basis, admission
procedures are free of charge.
Admission at Swiss Management Center sets minimum criteria which have been designed to identify applicants who
have sound academic potential and who show creativity, critical thinking, social and moral values, evidence of English
language proficiency and strong motivation.
Successful applicants must fulfill the following criteria:
Proficiency in English
Tuition Plan
Tuition is calculated for the entire program and includes ebooks and all learning materials and exam fees. Courses
will be activated after receipt of the tuition. Students are responsible for obtaining additional reading materials (not
compulsory), their travel and related expenses for the Dissertation Defense and the Final Grand Exam. For full payment
details please refer to the SMC University website or contact the administration.
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How to enroll
Enroll at your convenience
Enrollment is ongoing. You can join your program of choice at any time.
Within a timeframe of
6 10 days the SMC
Admission Committe will
review your application,
aligning your profile with the
criteria for successful
admission.
In case of successful
admission, you will receive a
confirmation and official
Acceptance Letter with
instructions on the next steps
towards enrollment. Rejected
applicants will be informed
accordingly, including a
detailed explanation of the
decision.
How to Enroll
Settlement of Tuitions
Invoices are set forth upon admission together with the official letter of acceptance. SMC offers various payment and
financing options and deposits are usually due 21 days from the issue date of the invoice.
Invoices remain unbinding for 8 business days from the invoice date. During this period you are entitled to revoke and
cancel your admission by written notice (email, fax, registered mail). After 9 business days from the invoice date, your
admission turns into a binding contract and you are obliged to settle your invoice as per the terms and conditions
stated.
Commencement Dates
Please visit the SMC homepage for further details.
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The Doctorate of Business Administration is the most advanced business degree. The DBA is a practical combination
of strong academic content, coupled with advanced business strategies and solutions. The DBA is ideal for individuals
on a high corporate level who wish to acquire an extensive academic and industry related exposure. You will be actively
involved in academic research, socioeconomic ideas and business interests. Some may find it very suitable for giving
their career an academic direction.
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Core Courses
Presentation and Communication Skills
Employers look for strong communication and presentation skills of candidates in their selection process. This
course is designed to develop the ability to communicate effectively within business. The related content consists
of methods of communication, business correspondence and persuasive communication.
Research Methodology
This module introduces you to the field of research. It examines in depth the research process and introduces
doctoral candidates to the various aspects of doing scientific research, providing practical advice and insight in
the field. Topics covered include hypothesis formulation and theory construction, data collection techniques,
ethical issues in research and research design.
Core Courses
Management
The primary aim of this course is to help the student develop an understanding of the essentials of management
and the nature of complex organizations. In order to accomplish these goals we will focus on the basic theories,
principles and concepts of management and organizations; attempt to develop rational and systematic techniques
of analysis and inquiry and endeavor to interface theory with practice.
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Specialization Courses
Corporate Finance and Governance
This module is an analysis of financial structures and the evaluation of the underlying real assets; global strategic
planning and controlling; corporate governance structures; legal matters and global tax structures; international
corporate policy formulation; international money and banking. Topics further include capital structure, executive
compensation, diversification and restructuring, bankruptcy, venture and private equity.
Specialization Couses
Strategic Leadership
The module is an indepth analysis of corporate strategies; netstructuring; strategic decision making and
alliances building; market niches and organizational capabilities; corporate leadership, knowledge management
and diversification strategies; implementation and enforcement of organizational changes within small firms and
across corporations. We explore further the processes of creativity and innovation work and their applications.
Managerial Economics
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Managerial economics is the application of economic theory to managerial issues. Practitioners Nestl
executives, McKinsey consultants, Credit Suisse First Boston investment bankers often rely on economic
analysis when they tackle business issues or make important strategic decisions. Elements of managerial
economics can be found in all aspects of business activity, such as production, pricing, financing, management
and strategy.
Performance Management
This course comprehensively addresses the complex and multidimensional subject of measuring, managing and
improving performance through the application of management control systems (MCSs). The discussions assume
an advanced level of knowledge of management accounting and practical professional experience. The course
presents an allencompassing framework within which to consider management control issues. It also presents
the needed technical subject content and summaries of the relevant research literature. Most importantly, the
course supports participants in applying their gained skills to specific decisionmaking situations. This is done
with real world examples and an extensive set of case studies, which reflect the complexity that managers face
when using performance measurement frameworks. While standard theories primarily focus on the use and
effects of "financial results controls", this course also well describes situations where financial controls are either
not effective or are actually counterproductive and discusses alternatives that managers can use in those situations.
Dissertation Defense
Dissertation & Defense
Upon completion of the regular course work and dissertation, students are required to pursue the obligatory
Dissertation Defense. This oral performance review is structured as a hearing visvis the Academic Defense
Committee of SMC at one of our Learning Centers. The Defense has the purpose to challenge aspects of the
candidate's research work, allowing the students to proof their integrity by defending the underlying
argumentation.
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Contact Information
Contact Information
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Administration:
General Information:
[email protected]
www.swissmc.ch
SMC University
Balz Zimmermannstrasse 7
8302 Zurich- Kloten, Switzerland
SMC University
Landstrasser Grtel 3
A 1030 Vienna, Austria
Imprint
Text: SMC Swiss Management Center AG
Graphic / Layout: nu:media Fridolin Richter
Cover Design: nu:media Fridolin Richter
All rights reserved SMC Swiss Management Center AG, Switzerland
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www.swissmc.ch