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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
This paper explores the triggers and identity crucibles facing professional doctorate students pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA). Unlike prior research, which centres on full-time PhD students, our study examines the identity work of DBA students, many of whom do not foresee a transition to academia. Through 35 semi-structured interviews, we explore the identity work involved in 'becoming a doctor' and the identity crucibles that DBA students encounter. We identify the internal and external triggers that lead to identity work and identity crucibles, with accompanying emotions, and examine how these crucibles are resolved. This research develops current thinking in critical management education, revealing how DBA students do not uniformly aspire to become practitioner-scholars or academics. Instead, they start and end their doctoral studies from various and different identity positions, highlighting the complexity of these long, intellectually challenging programmes. By exploring the triggers, identity crucibles, and resolutions, this study offers a nuanced understanding of the DBA student experience and provides valuable insights into how these individuals can be supported throughout their doctoral studies. This support enhances retention and completion rates for those tasked with managing these programmes and reduces the likelihood of losing exceptional scholars/practitioners.
Author(s): Kirk S, Foster C, Kougiannou K, Parry E, Collins C
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: British Journal of Management
Year: 2025
Volume: 36
Issue: 3
Pages: 1240-1255
Print publication date: 01/07/2025
Online publication date: 05/02/2025
Acceptance date: 06/01/2025
Date deposited: 07/01/2025
ISSN (print): 1045-3172
ISSN (electronic): 1467-8551
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd
URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.12896
DOI: 10.1111/1467-8551.12896
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