In this thought-provoking episode of DBA Chronicles, we sat down with Dr. Philip Cola, a distinguished scholar and leader in the DBA community, to discuss the future of the DBA degree and its growing importance in business education and leadership.

With an impressive career that spans both academia and industry, Dr. Cola brings a unique perspective on bridging research and practice. He has worked extensively in research administration and management. His research focuses on evidence-based management, physician identity, translational science, and innovations in graduate education—all of which deeply influence the evolving DBA landscape.

During our conversation, we discuss:

• The Role of DBA Programs – Bridging the gap between academia and industry
• Balancing Rigor and Relevance - How DBA programs integrate academic research and real-world business application
• Interdisciplinary Learning – Why a systems-thinking approach is critical for business leaders
• The Power of Evidence-Based Management – How business leaders can leverage research to drive better decision-making

Dr. Cola also shares his personal journey—starting as a psychiatric researcher at Case Western, working in healthcare research administration, and ultimately pursuing his PhD degree to deepen his expertise. His thoughts on how DBA programs can evolve to meet modern business challenges provide valuable takeaways for current and prospective DBA students, educators, and industry leaders alike.

One of the key discussions in this episode is the evolution of doctoral business education. Dr. Cola highlights how DBAs offer a more research-driven approach to leadership, innovation, and strategic decision-making. He shares how DBA graduates can apply research to solve real-world business problems, making them indispensable assets in organizations.

We also talk about one of his students, a DBA graduate and CEO in the food industry, who applied evidence-based research to innovation and product development, uncovering the scientific basis behind the "aha moment"in creativity and business breakthroughs. Interestingly, this graduate has been featured here on DBA Chronicles so check our library.

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Join the Conversation: How do you see the DBA evolving? Have you seen evidence-based management make a difference in leadership and decision-making? Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media! #DBAChronicles #FutureOfDBA #EvidenceBasedLeadership

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