Program Overview
The DBA in ESG is designed to equip senior professionals with advanced knowledge and research expertise to lead sustainable business transformation. The program integrates doctoral-level empirical research with sustainable finance, climate risk quantification, corporate governance, ESG reporting, impact measurement, and circular business model innovation, enabling participants to develop evidence-based strategies and drive measurable environmental, social, and governance outcomes across organizations.
Designed for senior executives, ESG and sustainability leaders, investment and risk professionals, corporate governance specialists, consultants, and researchers seeking to lead sustainable business and responsible investment strategies.
What You Will Learn
Modules & Curriculum
Explore each semester to see its modules. Click a semester to open its modules, and click a module to see what you'll learn, topics covered, learning outcomes, and assessment.
Foundations & Candidacy 4 Advanced Research Courses (36 ECTS) + Research Proposal & Defense (24 ECTS)
Advanced Research Methodology in ESG & Sustainability Systems12 ECTS
What Students Learn
Examines post-positivist and systems-thinking paradigms, theoretical frameworks, socio-ecological complexity, mixed-methods architecture, and research ethics to design doctoral-level ESG research.
Topics Covered
- Epistemological Foundations of Sustainability Science
- Conceptual & Theoretical Frameworks in ESG
- Strategy Systems Thinking & Socio-Ecological Complexity
- Comparative Sustainability Research Designs
- Mixed-Methods Architecture in ESG
- Impact Evaluation Institutional Theory & Sustainability Transition Dynamics
- Stakeholder Network Mapping & Materiality Analysis
- Case Study Methodologies in Sustainable Business Transformation
- Research Ethics, Double Materiality & Fieldwork Integrity
- Systematic Literature Synthesis in ESG & Climate Risk
Learning Outcomes
- Synthesize advanced theoretical frameworks in sustainable finance, stakeholder governance, and ecological economics.
- Design comparative and case study research architectures addressing corporate sustainability transitions.
- Apply mixed-methods triangulation to evaluate complex non-financial ESG data.
- Execute systematic literature syntheses mapping research frontiers in corporate ESG strategy.
Assessment
40% Continuous Assessment (Theoretical Framework Critique & Methodological Workshops) | 60% Advanced Methodological Research Paper (4,000 words).
Quantitative & Qualitative Empirical Methods for ESG Research12 ECTS
What Students Learn
Delivers advanced empirical methodologies, econometric modeling, causal inference, climate scenario stress testing, qualitative coding, GIS spatial analysis, and time-series forecasting tailored for ESG research.
Topics Covered
- Econometric Modeling of ESG & Financial Performance
- Causal Inference in Environmental Policy Evaluation
- Climate Scenario Analysis, Stress Testing & Transition Risk
- Elite Interviewing & Boardroom Fieldwork Techniques
- Qualitative Data Coding, Content Analysis & Thematic Synthesis
- Survey Architecture, Psychometrics & Stakeholder Perception
- Spatial Econometrics & GIS Mapping in Environmental Risk
- Network Analysis of Sustainable Finance & Interlocking Directorates
- Time-Series Analysis & Carbon Market Volatility Forecasting
- Methodological Triangulation & Robustness Auditing
Learning Outcomes
- Apply econometric regression and causal inference tools to analyze ESG and financial performance metrics.
- Execute climate scenario stress testing and transition risk quantification in financial modeling.
- Conduct qualitative thematic coding and elite interviews with senior C-suite executives.
- Utilize spatial GIS tools and network analysis to evaluate supply chain and climate risks.
Assessment
40% Continuous Assessment (Econometric Data Labs & Empirical Coding Assignments) | 60% Final Empirical ESG Analysis Report (4,000 words).
Responsible AI & Technology in Sustainability Research6 ECTS
What Students Learn
Explores responsible AI deployment, automated NLP processing, machine learning for greenwashing detection, satellite Earth observation, and reproducible computational research in sustainability.
Topics Covered
- AI Governance, Energy Footprints & Responsible Research
- Automated NLP Extraction of Corporate Disclosures
- Natural Language Processing for Greenwashing Detection
- Data Privacy, Satellite Earth Observation & Remote Sensing
- Verification Protocols & Auditing AI-Generated Literature Syntheses
- Open Science, Code Reproducibility & Carbon Repositories
Learning Outcomes
- Deploy natural language processing (NLP) models to extract and audit corporate ESG disclosures.
- Evaluate corporate greenwashing through machine-learning textual analysis models.
- Integrate satellite Earth observation data and IoT sensor arrays for supply chain auditing.
- Establish reproducible open-science computational repositories for environmental social science research.
Assessment
40% Continuous Assessment (NLP Model Walkthroughs & Computational Exercises) | 60% Final Applied AI & Sustainability Project (3,000 words).
Academic Writing, ESG Reporting Dissemination & Publishing6 ECTS
What Students Learn
Focuses on doctoral academic rhetoric, publishing in high-impact sustainability journals, translating empirical findings into C-suite briefings, navigating peer review, and scholarly dissemination.
Topics Covered
- Doctoral Rhetoric & Academic Writing in Sustainability
- Publishing in High-Impact Sustainability & Finance Journals
- Translating Doctoral Research into C-Suite & Investor Briefings
- Peer Review Strategies & Responding to Journal Referees
- Academic Integrity, Citation Standards & Anti-Plagiarism
- Scholarly Dissemination, Policy Engagement & Media Translation
Learning Outcomes
- Formulate clear scholarly arguments formatted for peer-reviewed sustainability journals.
- Translate complex empirical models into actionable executive briefs and board memos.
- Manage academic peer review revisions with point-by-point referee response matrices.
- Maintain rigorous academic integrity, citation standards, and open-access policy dissemination.
Assessment
40% Continuous Assessment (Journal Peer Review Exercises & Executive Briefing Pitch) | 60% Publishable Peer-Reviewed Journal Article Draft (3,000 words).
Research Proposal Development & Defense24 ECTS
What Students Learn
Guides doctoral candidates in defining a research gap, conducting theoretical audits, constructing hypotheses, detailing empirical designs, securing access/ethics, and defending a formal research proposal.
Topics Covered
- Problem Statement & Practical/Theoretical Research Gap Identification
- Comprehensive Theoretical & Policy Context Literature Synthesis
- Research Questions, Hypotheses & Strategic Objective Framing
- Empirical Research Design & Fieldwork Operationalization
- Data Analysis Plan & Econometric/Qualitative Specifications
- Corporate Access, Ethics Approvals & Feasibility Auditing
- Pilot Testing & Empirical Instrument Validation
- Proposal Submission & Doctoral Candidacy Oral Defense
Learning Outcomes
- Construct a formal research proposal bridging theoretical literature with practical ESG challenges.
- Operationalize qualitative/quantitative research designs with validated instruments and data plans.
- Secure formal corporate access, ethics board clearance, and institutional feasibility approvals.
- Successfully defend doctoral research proposal before the GTBS Doctoral Research Committee.
Assessment
30% Written Research Proposal Document (10,000–12,000 words / 50–80 pages) | 70% Formal Oral Defense Presentation before the Doctoral Committee.
Applied ESG Research 4 Specialized Applied Research Practicums / Fieldwork Modules (15 ECTS each)
Sustainable Finance, Climate Risk & Carbon Accounting15 ECTS
What Students Learn
Examines green financial instruments, portfolio climate risk, GHG Scope 1-3 accounting protocols, internal carbon pricing, SFDR/SEC regulations, and empirical fieldwork in sustainable investment.
Topics Covered
- Sustainable Finance Instruments & Green Credit Markets
- Climate Risk Integration in Institutional Portfolio Management
- Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG
- Accounting Protocols & Uncertainty Carbon Pricing, Offsetting & Internal Shadow
- Carbon Charges Regulatory Frameworks in Sustainable Investment (SFDR/CSRD/SEC)
- Institutional Investor ESG Integration Fieldwork
- Audit Econometric Stress Testing of Asset Values & Stranded Assets
- Applied Research Monograph: Climate-Resilient Financial Frameworks
Learning Outcomes
- Evaluate pricing dynamics and capital allocation efficiency of sustainable finance instruments.
- Audit Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions accounting models across complex global supply chains.
- Execute econometric stress testing to quantify physical and transition climate risks on asset values.
- Formulate strategic applied frameworks for integrating climate risk into portfolio management.
Assessment
40% Continuous Assessment (Carbon Accounting Workshops & Financial Case Analysis) | 60% Final Applied Fieldwork Research Monograph (5,000 words).
Corporate Governance, Board Oversight & ESG Strategy15 ECTS
What Students Learn
Investigates board diversity, executive compensation ESG alignment, director fiduciary duties/litigation, shareholder activism, lobbying transparency, and fieldwork audits of boardroom ESG decisions.
Topics Covered
- Board Diversity, Composition & ESG Oversight Performance
- Executive Compensation, Non-Financial Targets & Incentive Design
- Fiduciary Duty, Director Liability & Emerging Climate Litigation
- Shareholder Activism & Institutional Proxy Voting Dynamics
- Corporate Political Activity, Lobbying & ESG Alignment (CPR)
- Boardroom ESG Decision Making
- Empirical Field Audit Governance Scoring & Enterprise Cost of Debt Econometric Modeling
- Applied Research Monograph: Modernizing Governance Frameworks
Learning Outcomes
- Analyze the structural impacts of board composition and oversight on corporate ESG performance.
- Design non-financial executive remuneration frameworks aligned with long-term sustainability goals.
- Evaluate director fiduciary liabilities, climate litigation risks, and shareholder proxy strategies.
- Construct modernized governance frameworks through empirical boardroom field audits.
Assessment
40% Continuous Assessment (Boardroom Simulation Debates & Governance Diagnostics) | 60% Final Applied Fieldwork Research Monograph (5,000 words).
ESG Disclosure Frameworks, Auditing & Greenwashing Mitigation15 ECTS
What Students Learn
Analyzes ISSB, CSRD, and GRI harmonization, double materiality execution, ESG rating agency divergence, greenwashing detection, sustainability assurance, and reporting field audits.
Topics Covered
- Global Standards Harmonization: ISSB, CSRD/ESRS, and GRI
- Double Materiality Operationalization in Corporate Reporting
- ESG Rating Agency Methodologies, Divergence & Firm-Size Bias
- Greenwashing, Bluewashing & Selective Disclosure Mitigation
- Sustainability Assurance & Auditing Standards (ISAE 3000/3410)
- Corporate ESG Audit & Reporting Practice Empirical Fieldwork
- Textual Econometric Analysis of Disclosure Divergence
- Applied Research Monograph: High-Integrity ESG Reporting Protocols
Learning Outcomes
- Operationalize double materiality assessments combining financial and impact perspectives.
- Navigate methodology divergence and structural biases across major commercial ESG rating agencies.
- Evaluate limited vs. reasonable sustainability assurance protocols under ISAE 3000/3410 standards.
- Develop high-integrity internal control architectures to ensure audit-ready ESG disclosures.
Assessment
40% Continuous Assessment (Double Materiality Audits & Rating Divergence Forums) | 60% Final Applied Fieldwork Research Monograph (5,000 words).
Social Impact Measurement, Human Rights & Circular Economy Models15 ECTS
What Students Learn
Covers circular economy business model transformation, supply chain human rights due diligence, SROI social impact quantification, Just Transition frameworks, TNFD biodiversity assessment, and circular field research.
Topics Covered
- Circular Economy Business Models & Supply Chain Transformation
- Human Rights Due Diligence in Global Supply Chains (CSDDD)
- Social Impact Quantification & SROI Monetization Methodologies
- Just Transition Frameworks, Labor Equity & Community Engagement
- Biodiversity Assessment & Nature-Based Solutions (TNFD)
- Circular Value Chain & Social Audit Field Research
- Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis of Social & Environmental Trade-Offs
- Applied Research Monograph: Sustainable Value Creation Master Plan
Learning Outcomes
- Formulate closed-loop and circular economy strategies across complex industrial value chains.
- Execute human rights due diligence protocols in compliance with global regulatory mandates.
- Monetize non-market social impacts using Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodologies.
- Integrate TNFD nature-related metrics and Just Transition strategies into enterprise operations.
Assessment
40% Continuous Assessment (SROI Calculation Labs & Supply Chain Field Reviews) | 60% Final Applied Fieldwork Research Monograph (5,000 words).
DISSERTATION & DEFENSE Doctoral Dissertation (Monograph or 3-Paper Format) + Viva Voce Defense
Doctoral Dissertation & Viva Voce Defense60 ECTS
What Students Learn
Execution and oral defense of an original applied doctoral dissertation (60,000–80,000 words Monograph or 3-Paper format) delivering empirical insights and strategic execution roadmaps for ESG and sustainable finance.
Topics Covered
- Empirical ESG Data Collection & Dataset Cleaning Protocols
- Advanced Econometric Modeling, NLP Textual Analysis & Qualitative Coding
- Dissertation Introduction & Context Construction
- Comprehensive Theoretical Review & ESG Literature Synthesis
- Methodological Execution, Sample Selection & Ethical Precautions
- Empirical Findings Presentation, Data Tables & Spatial Visualization
- Theoretical Synthesis, Critical Discussion & Contribution Framing
- Strategic Execution Roadmap & Executive Recommendations
- Supervisory Pre-Defense Audit, Revisions & Pre-Defense Clearance
- Formal Viva Voce Oral Defense Examination
Learning Outcomes
- Conduct rigorous empirical research producing original knowledge in corporate ESG strategy or sustainable finance.
- Apply doctoral-level econometric models, NLP text analysis, or qualitative coding frameworks to complex data.
- Synthesize empirical findings with existing theoretical literature to extend corporate governance/finance paradigms.
- Articulate actionable executive strategies and defend doctoral research before an expert examining committee.
Assessment
30% Dissertation Interim Milestones & Supervisory Pre-Defense Clearance | 70% Written Doctoral Dissertation (60,000–80,000 words) & Live Viva Voce Defense Examination.
Program Structure
| Component | ECTS | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Foundations & Candidacy | 60 ECTS | 4 Advanced Research Courses (36 ECTS) + Research Proposal & Defense (24 ECTS) |
| Phase 2: Applied ESG Research | 60 ECTS | 4 Specialized Applied Research Practicums / Fieldwork Modules (15 ECTS each) |
| Phase 3: Dissertation & Defense | 60 ECTS | Doctoral Dissertation (Monograph or 3-Paper Format) + Viva Voce Defense |
| Total Program | 180 ECTS Total | Complete DBA Curriculum |
Admission Requirements
Qualification
Recognized Master’s degree (MBA, MS, MA, or equivalent) from an accredited institution.
Professional Experience
Minimum 5 years of senior management or specialized ESG/sustainability experience.
Research Concept Note
Submit a 5–10-page preliminary Research Concept Note outlining the proposed ESG research topic.
English Language Proficiency
Demonstrated proficiency through IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 80, or equivalent professional fluency.
Doctoral Interview
Successful oral interview with the Doctoral Admissions Committee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualification will I earn upon completion?
You will earn a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in ESG, awarded by GenevaTech Business School (GTBS), Switzerland. The degree corresponds to EQF Level 8 / UK RQF Level 8 comparability and is fully compliant with Swiss higher education standards (nqf.ch-HS).
What are ECTS credits and how is the study workload calculated?
ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) is the standardized academic credit framework across Europe. In this doctoral program, 1 ECTS credit equals 25–30 student workload hours. The total 180 ECTS DBA program represents approximately 4,500 to 5,400 hours of research, study, and fieldwork spread across 3 to 4 years.
How long is the program and how is it structured?
The program typically spans 3 to 4 years (part-time, online, with a maximum allowable period of 6 years) structured into three distinct 60 ECTS phases: Phase 1: Foundations & Candidacy (60 ECTS | 4 Research Courses + Research Proposal Defense) Phase 2: Applied ESG Research (60 ECTS | 4 Fieldwork Practicum Modules) Phase 3: Dissertation & Defense (60 ECTS | Doctoral Monograph or 3-Paper Dissertation + Viva Voce Defense)
What are the admission requirements?
Applicants are evaluated based on doctoral research potential and executive background: Recognized Master’s degree (MBA, MS, MA, or equivalent). from an accredited institution. Minimum of 5 years of senior management or specialized ESG/sustainability experience. A 5–10-page preliminary Research Concept Note outlining a proposed ESG research topic. Demonstrated English language proficiency (IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 80, or equivalent professional fluency). Successful oral interview with the Doctoral Admissions Committee.
Can my executive experience compensate for a non-traditional academic background?
Yes. Outstanding candidates holding executive positions with extensive organizational leadership and sustainability experience who lack a standard Master’s degree may be reviewed on portfolio evidence under a special RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) evaluation protocol.
Is this program flexible enough for working C-suite executives and directors?
Yes. The program is designed specifically for working professionals. Coursework and research seminars are delivered 100% online asynchronously with scheduled hybrid research workshops and virtual research colloquia, allowing executives to maintain full-time professional roles while completing doctoral research.
What weekly time commitment is expected?
Doctoral candidates typically commit 15–20 hours per week. Time is allocated toward reviewing research literature, executing econometric or qualitative data modeling, authoring empirical monographs, and participating in virtual supervisory sessions.
Are there traditional sit-down or proctored written exams?
No. There are no traditional sit-down or multiple-choice written examinations. Evaluation is entirely research- and output-driven: Phase 1: Advanced research papers, empirical data labs, computational projects, and a formal oral proposal defense. Phase 2: Applied research monographs (5,000 words each) grounded in empirical field research and corporate audits. Phase 3: Submission of the final 60,000–80,000 word dissertation (or 3-Paper portfolio) and a live oral Viva Voce defense.
How is the Phase 2 Fieldwork structured?
Phase 2 delivers specialized doctoral fieldwork across 4 comprehensive modules of 15 ECTS each: Sustainable Finance & Carbon Accounting, Corporate Governance & Board Oversight, ESG Disclosure & Greenwashing Mitigation, and Social Impact & Circular Economy Models. Each module combines advanced theoretical studies with empirical field research and yields an applied research monograph.
What is required for the Phase 3 Doctoral Dissertation and Defense?
Phase 3 (60 ECTS) involves executing an empirical research project resulting in either a unified monograph (60,000–80,000 words) or a 3-Paper scholarly article portfolio. Candidates complete ten research milestones, culminating in a live virtual Viva Voce defense before an examining committee comprising internal GTBS faculty and external examiners. Successful defense awards full Doctoral Candidate Status and graduation.