text: History and Development The origins of the Doctor of Business Administration can be traced back to the early 20th century when business education began to gain recognition as a distinct discipline. The increasing demand for advanced business education, coupled with the growing importance of research in the field, led to the establishment of doctoral programs focused on business administration. One of the earliest instances of a doctorate in business can be found at the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, now known as Harvard Business School, which introduced the Doctor of Commercial Science (DCS) degree in 1920, and then the DBA thereafter. The DCS program aimed to produce scholars who could contribute to both business theory and practice through original research.
  Following the establishment of the DCS program at Harvard, other leading business schools in the United States started developing their doctoral programs in business administration. The University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business introduced its Doctor of Business degree in 1920, focusing on the application of economic principles to business problems. The University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business also launched its doctoral program in 1952, offering a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree. During the mid-20th century, the DBA degree gained recognition as a professional doctorate that emphasized the practical application of knowledge in the business context. Many universities and business schools around the world began offering DBA programs to cater to the needs of senior executives and experienced professionals seeking to enhance their skills and contribute to the advancement of business knowledge.