DBA Student Earns National Award for Dissertation

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) awarded University of Scranton Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) student Joy Chacko the Michael J. Barrett Doctoral Dissertation Award for his DBA program dissertation study entitled “The Effects of Internal Audit Management Training Ground and Reporting Relationships on Internal Auditors’ Judgments.”

The IIA’s dissertation award is typically given to one dissertation a year under the oversight of the Committee of Research and Education Advisors. This committee is comprised of both academicians and practitioners actively involved in the profession of internal auditing. The selection process is competitive and includes the following criteria: relevance of the topic to internal auditing; soundness of methodology; coherent organization and clarity of presentation; and quality of data (where applicable). With an international membership of more than 200,000 members, the IIA is among the largest and most respected professional organizations for accountants. 

“It is an honor for me to receive this extremely competitive award. I am so excited and inspired. The IIA’s Doctoral Dissertation Award is considered the most prestigious award for a dissertation in the internal audit area,” said Chacko, who also thanked his DBA dissertation committee members for their guidance.

Members of Chacko’s dissertation committee include University of Scranton accounting professors James Boyle, DBA, dissertation committee chair, and Douglas M. Boyle, DBA, Accounting Department chair and DBA program director, as well as West Chester University accounting professor Anthony Cataldo, Ph.D.

While a DBA student at Scranton, Chacko, Chandler, Arizona, has co-authored a paper published in Internal Auditing entitled “Addressing the Talent Management Challenge in Internal Auditing” and a paper accepted into the American Accounting Association’s (AAA) Mid-Year Conference entitled “The Influence of Unethical Pro-Organizations Behavior on Internal Auditors’ Fraud Detection.”

“Scranton’s DBA program is well-structured and uniquely designed to blend academia and industry with the Ignatian element to transform students,” said Chacko. “The experienced faculty are recognized both in academia and in industry for their professional experience and knowledge and have outstanding records of publishing in top academic and professional journals. While in the program, many students have already published and continue to publish. Indeed, I chose the right program that adds value to the 21st-century calls and would recommend this program to others.”

Before enrolling in Scranton’s DBA program, Chacko earned four graduate degrees (including an MBA) and has over 16 years of senior management experience in various industries. His practice expertise includes operational improvement and business transformation. His research interests include internal auditing, internal controls and corporate governance.

Housed in the Kania School of Management, the University’s DBA program began in the fall semester of 2017. Last year, The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) recognized the University’s DBA program for “Innovations and Best Practices in Canada, Latin America and the United States.” The program was developed with a concentration in accounting, to provide experienced practitioners with a practical pathway to an academic career. The program offers participants flexibility, while still providing for the development of the knowledge and skill set necessary to become a “scholarly academic” – one who is qualified to teach at a school of business that possesses or is seeking formal accreditation by AACSB International.