A Doctor of Business Administration is designed for experienced professionals who want to investigate complex business challenges and develop research-based solutions. For students pursuing a DBA at the Swiss School of Business and Management Geneva, commonly known as SSBM Geneva, the thesis is a central part of the doctoral journey.
Unlike a traditional academic assignment, a DBA thesis focuses on applied research. Students investigate a business or management problem, examine relevant research, select appropriate methods, analyse evidence and develop findings that can contribute to professional practice.
Understanding the thesis process before enrolling can help students plan their time, work effectively with their supervisor and manage research alongside professional responsibilities.
This guide explains the SSBM DBA thesis process in 2026, the expected timeline, supervisor support, research proposal requirements and common challenges students should prepare for.
SSBM DBA Thesis Process: Programme Overview
SSBM Geneva offers different DBA pathways, including a dissertation track and a research track. Although both involve doctoral-level research, their emphasis and final requirements can differ.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Institution | Swiss School of Business and Management Geneva |
| Programme | Doctor of Business Administration |
| Study Format | Online and other formats, depending on the selected programme |
| Published Duration | The online dissertation programme is presented as a 24-month programme |
| Research Focus | Applied business and management research |
| Research Preparation | Research methodology and research proposal development |
| Thesis Support | Guidance from a suitably qualified supervisor or mentor |
| Final Research Stage | Dissertation or thesis completion, with an oral presentation and defence where required |
| Suitable Candidates | Professionals seeking advanced business knowledge and research skills |
SSBM describes its DBA dissertation programme as a research-based qualification designed to help professionals investigate real-world organisational challenges.
What Is the SSBM DBA Thesis?
The DBA thesis is an extended research project that investigates a significant issue in business, management or a related professional field.
Its purpose is to connect academic research with practical business problems.
Possible research areas include:
- Strategic management and leadership
- Human resource management
- Finance and financial decision-making
- Marketing and consumer behaviour
- Operations and supply chain management
- Healthcare management
- Business analytics and data-driven decisions
- Digital transformation and emerging technologies
- Organisational change and innovation
For example, a senior manager might investigate how leadership practices affect employee retention, while an operations professional might study how process automation influences organisational efficiency.
The topic should be manageable, relevant to the selected specialisation and suitable for a rigorous research project.
SSBM DBA Thesis Timeline: What Happens During the Programme?
SSBM presents its online DBA dissertation programme as a 24-month course. Its published curriculum places research methodology and proposal development in the first year, followed by the thesis stage in the second year.
This provides a useful planning framework, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed deadline for every student. Research progress depends on the programme requirements, topic complexity, access to evidence, supervisor feedback and the time available to the candidate.
Year 1: Research Preparation and Proposal Development
The first year builds the research foundation needed for doctoral work.
Research Methodology I
Students begin developing an understanding of research design, academic literature, research questions and the principles of rigorous investigation.
Research Methodology II
Further research preparation helps students understand how to choose suitable methods, evaluate evidence and develop a coherent research approach.
Research Proposal Development
Students identify a research problem, review relevant literature, refine the research questions and explain how the proposed study will be conducted.
SSBM’s published curriculum includes research proposal development and related seminars. The precise sequence and assessment requirements may vary by programme.
Year 2: Thesis Research and Completion
The second year focuses on developing and completing the main research project.
Research Planning and Evidence Collection
Once the proposal is approved, the student follows the agreed research design. Depending on the topic, this may involve interviews, surveys, case studies, organisational records or secondary data.
Analysis and Interpretation
Students analyse their evidence and connect the findings to existing research and the practical business problem.
Thesis Writing
The findings, research methods, analysis, conclusions and practical implications are organised into a coherent academic document.
Final Review and Defence
The completed thesis is reviewed according to the programme’s assessment rules. Where required, the student presents and defends the research during an oral examination, commonly called a viva.
The final submission must meet the institution’s academic standards. Students should confirm the required format, submission procedure and assessment criteria with their programme team.
SSBM DBA Thesis Process: Step-by-Step
The following stages explain how students can approach their doctoral research in a structured way.
Step 1: Select a Relevant Research Topic
Start with a genuine problem connected to your professional experience or intended specialisation.
A strong topic is specific enough to investigate within the available time and broad enough to support meaningful analysis.
For example, rather than researching leadership in general, you could investigate the relationship between leadership communication and employee retention in a particular industry.
Before finalising the topic, consider whether you can access the data, participants or organisational information required for the study.
Step 2: Conduct a Literature Review
The literature review examines what previous researchers have already established about the selected problem.
Students identify relevant academic studies, compare findings, evaluate different perspectives and determine where further investigation may be useful.
A good literature review does not simply summarise articles one by one. It connects the evidence, identifies patterns and explains why the proposed study is worth conducting.
Step 3: Prepare the Research Proposal
The proposal describes the intended study and explains how it will be carried out.
Depending on the programme’s requirements, it may include:
- Research background and problem statement
- Research aim and objectives
- Research questions
- Review of relevant literature
- Proposed methodology
- Data sources and collection methods
- Ethical considerations
- Expected contribution and research plan
The proposal must be sufficiently focused and methodologically sound to support the next stage of the research.
Step 4: Obtain the Required Approval
Students should follow the programme’s prescribed review and approval process before proceeding with research activities that require approval.
If the study involves employees, customers, confidential company information or human participants, ethical and data-protection requirements may apply.
Do not assume that proposal submission alone means the research has been approved. Confirm the status and any conditions with the supervisor or programme team.
Step 5: Collect and Analyse Evidence
After the relevant approvals, students carry out the research according to the agreed methodology.
Quantitative studies may use surveys, numerical datasets and statistical analysis. Qualitative studies may involve interviews, document analysis or case studies. Some projects combine both approaches.
The method must suit the research question. Students should also maintain clear records of their data, analysis and decisions so that the research process can be explained and evaluated.
Step 6: Write the Thesis
The thesis presents the complete research project in a logical academic structure.
Depending on the approved format, it may contain an introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, discussion, conclusions and practical recommendations.
Students should ensure that their conclusions are supported by the evidence rather than by personal opinion alone. Claims should be properly referenced, and the limitations of the study should be acknowledged.
Step 7: Revise and Submit the Final Thesis
Supervisor feedback can identify weaknesses in the argument, research design, analysis or presentation.
Students should address comments systematically, check references and formatting, and verify that all required components are included before submission.
The institution’s official submission instructions and deadlines take priority over any general timeline.
Step 8: Prepare for the Oral Defence
Where the programme requires a viva or oral defence, students should be prepared to explain the purpose of the study, justify their methodology, discuss their findings and respond to questions about the limitations and implications of the research.
A useful preparation strategy is to practise explaining the research in a concise presentation and reviewing the key decisions made during the project.
What Supervisor Support Does SSBM Provide?
SSBM’s published DBA information describes supervisor or mentor guidance as an important part of the research process.
The stated role includes guiding students from the beginning of their research through thesis development and, where applicable, the oral presentation and defence.
1. Research Topic Guidance
A supervisor can help students refine a broad interest into a focused and researchable problem.
This is particularly useful for professionals who have considerable practical experience but are new to formal doctoral research.
2. Research Methodology Guidance
The supervisor can help students evaluate whether their proposed methods are appropriate for the research question and whether the study is feasible.
Students remain responsible for understanding their chosen methods and carrying out the research according to the approved plan.
3. Proposal Feedback
Feedback may help identify gaps in the problem statement, literature review, research questions or methodology.
Students should clarify the proposal approval process, expected revision stages and the communication arrangements established for their programme.
4. Thesis Development
As the research progresses, supervisor guidance can help students improve the structure, argument, interpretation and academic presentation of the thesis.
Students should keep track of feedback and document the changes made in response.
5. Preparation for the Final Defence
SSBM describes the supervisor’s role as extending to the oral presentation and defence of the completed research where applicable.
The supervisor’s guidance can help students prepare to explain their research decisions and respond to academic questions. Final assessment remains subject to the programme’s examination requirements.
How Often Can You Contact Your SSBM DBA Supervisor?
Students should confirm the supervision schedule directly with SSBM before enrolment. Public programme descriptions explain the supervisor’s role, but they do not establish a universal meeting frequency or guaranteed response time for every student.
Ask the programme team the following questions:
- How often are supervision meetings normally scheduled?
- Are meetings held online, through written feedback or both?
- What is the expected turnaround time for reviewing a draft?
- How many draft reviews are included at each stage?
- What should a student do if the research topic or methodology needs major changes?
- Who should be contacted if supervision is delayed?
- Are additional supervision sessions subject to separate conditions?
Clear expectations can help working professionals organise their research and avoid unnecessary delays.
Common Challenges During the SSBM DBA Thesis
A structured plan can make doctoral research more manageable, but students may encounter several challenges along the way.
Choosing an Overly Broad Topic
A topic that attempts to cover too many business problems can become difficult to investigate within the available time.
How to manage it: Narrow the topic by industry, organisation, population, business problem or research question.
Delays in Accessing Data
Company permissions, employee availability and confidentiality restrictions can affect research progress.
How to manage it: Check data access before finalising the proposal and identify alternative sources where appropriate.
Difficulty With Research Methods
Professionals may have extensive business experience but limited familiarity with academic research methods.
How to manage it: Complete the methodology modules carefully, seek clarification when needed and practise applying the selected method to the research problem.
Delayed Supervisor Feedback
Waiting for feedback can disrupt the writing schedule.
How to manage it: Agree on realistic submission and feedback expectations, send clearly structured drafts and maintain a record of pending questions.
Balancing Research With Work
A demanding job can make it difficult to sustain consistent research progress.
How to manage it: Set weekly research targets, schedule regular writing sessions and divide the thesis into smaller milestones.
Academic Writing and Referencing
A thesis requires a clear argument, accurate referencing and a consistent academic style.
How to manage it: Use reliable citation tools, maintain a reference library and check the programme’s academic integrity requirements before submission.
How to Complete Your SSBM DBA Thesis on Time
Completing a DBA thesis within the planned programme period requires consistent progress rather than relying on a final rush.
First, agree on a realistic research plan with your supervisor. Break the project into stages, including proposal preparation, approval, evidence collection, analysis, writing and revision.
Second, maintain a regular writing schedule. Even a small amount of consistent work can help you maintain momentum during demanding work periods.
Third, raise problems early. If you cannot access a dataset or your initial research method is unsuitable, discuss the issue before it affects the entire project.
Finally, reserve time for revisions, referencing and final checks. A thesis that is complete in content may still require substantial editing before it meets submission requirements.
Questions to Ask Before Enrolling in the SSBM DBA
Before committing to the programme, clarify the details that will influence your research experience.
| Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Which DBA pathway am I joining? | Dissertation and research tracks may have different requirements |
| What is the expected completion timeline? | Helps you plan around professional commitments |
| When is a supervisor assigned? | Clarifies when research guidance begins |
| What are the supervision arrangements? | Establishes expectations for meetings and feedback |
| How is the proposal approved? | Helps you understand the transition into the main research stage |
| What are the thesis submission rules? | Clarifies formatting, deadlines and required components |
| Is an oral defence required? | Helps you prepare for the final assessment |
| What happens if I need additional time? | Clarifies extension and programme-completion policies |
Getting these details in writing can help you make an informed decision and set realistic expectations.
Conclusion
The SSBM DBA thesis process combines research preparation, proposal development, evidence collection, analysis and the completion of a doctoral dissertation. SSBM’s published online dissertation programme follows a 24-month structure, with research methodology and proposal development in the first year and the thesis stage in the second.
Supervisor guidance can help students refine their research questions, select suitable methods, improve their writing and prepare for the final defence. However, students remain responsible for conducting their research, meeting deadlines and satisfying the programme’s academic requirements.
For working professionals, the most effective approach is to choose a manageable research topic, agree on clear supervision arrangements and maintain a consistent schedule. Before enrolling, confirm the timeline, assessment rules and support arrangements for your specific SSBM DBA pathway.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the duration of the SSBM DBA thesis process?
SSBM presents its online DBA dissertation programme as a 24-month programme. The actual time required to complete the thesis depends on research progress, feedback, data access and the programme’s assessment requirements.
2. Does SSBM provide a supervisor for DBA thesis research?
SSBM’s published programme information describes guidance from a qualified supervisor or mentor. Confirm when the supervisor is assigned and how supervision is organised for your selected DBA pathway.
3. What is the first step in the SSBM DBA thesis process?
The process begins with research preparation and topic development. Students study research methodology, identify a suitable business problem and prepare a proposal according to the programme requirements.
4. Is a research proposal compulsory for SSBM DBA students?
SSBM’s published curriculum includes research proposal development as part of the doctoral programme. Check the specific pathway requirements for the proposal format, review process and approval conditions.
5. Can I complete the SSBM DBA thesis while working full-time?
The online DBA is designed to accommodate professionals, but the thesis requires regular research and writing. A realistic schedule and consistent progress are important for balancing work with doctoral study.
6. What topics can I choose for an SSBM DBA thesis?
Possible topics include leadership, finance, marketing, human resources, operations, healthcare management, business analytics and digital transformation. The topic must fit the selected specialisation and be suitable for applied research.
7. How does the SSBM DBA supervisor help with research methodology?
A supervisor can provide guidance on research design, methods and the suitability of the proposed approach. Students should confirm the available feedback arrangements and remain responsible for understanding and applying their chosen methods.
8. Does the SSBM DBA require a viva or oral defence?
SSBM’s published DBA information describes supervisor guidance through the oral presentation and defence of completed research where applicable. Confirm the exact final assessment requirements for your programme.
9. What happens if I cannot complete my thesis within 24 months?
The published programme duration is a planning reference, not a guarantee that every student will finish within that period. Ask SSBM about extensions, additional time, administrative conditions and any related academic requirements.
10. How can I avoid delays in completing my SSBM DBA thesis?
Choose a manageable topic, secure data access early, follow the research plan, maintain regular communication with your supervisor and respond to feedback promptly. Reserve enough time for analysis, revision, referencing and final submission checks.
