Actionable Research

Bauer Executive DBA students, faculty researchers and corporate executives traded best practices, innovation strategies and actionable research findings at the inaugural Bauer College Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) Symposium at the University of Houston. 

Dean Xianjun Geng kicked off the weekend seminar designed to showcase the research being produced by the practitioner-scholars enrolled in the Houston area’s only DBA program, which debuted in 2023. 

“Bringing executives and faculty from a Tier 1 university together is a powerful combination,” Geng said in opening remarks. “Events like this and the DBA program itself offer great potential for narrowing the gap between academic research and business practice.”  

Attendees ranged from software and robotics experts to data analytics and supply chain professionals from some of the best-known organizations in the world: In addition to Walmart, Shell, H-E-B, Blue Man, Amazon, and Allied Brands were among the corporate giants represented. 

The event featured Walmart’s Senior Vice President of Transformation and Innovation, Greg Cathey, as a keynote speaker. Cathey spoke about engineering a radical transformation of Walmart operations using the latest technology to improve supply chain efficiency, associates’ morale, and ultimately, the customer experience. 

The symposium also featured a wide-ranging discussion on Houston’s future as an innovation hub, and opportunities to learn about niche areas such as agrivoltaics and emission reduction in the energy industry. 

But the crux of the symposium was its “lightning round sessions” and “research deep dives” with Executive DBA candidates presenting their own domain-specific scientific research that they hope to use to advance the organizations they work for. 

Some examples:  

• Charlie Johnson-Hoefert, Director of Sourcing for Walmart, presented research related to zero waste initiatives.  
• Marco Poisler, Chief Operating Officer of UTC Overseas, discussed the role of AI in the maritime industry.  
• Matthew Sterling, Amazon Inc., addressed the role of AI in knowledge sharing across organizations. 

Associate Dean for Research, Executive Director of Doctoral Programs and Marketing Professor Vanessa Patrick teaches “Grand Challenges in Business and Society,” the program’s introductory course for experienced executives who are interested in applying academic rigor and intellect to solve real-world business problems. 

She said the dynamic interaction within each cohort, amplified by the theoretical knowledge faculty brings, creates a synergy that organizations need to break free of traditional modes of operation. 

“Enrolling in this program is really an opportunity to push the boundaries of innovation and leadership,” she said. “The only way we can solve some of the grand challenges is if industry and academia come together and work as one unit.” 

To learn more about the Executive DBA program, click here.