In this episode of DBA Chronicles, hosts Dr. Kelly Burch,Dr. Valrie Grant and Dr. Amy Horner sat down with two distinguished DBA graduates and musicians, Dr. Frank Dukes (VP, Finance Manager, Global Transaction Services at Bank of America) and Dr. Chris Richardson (Senior Manager, Supply Chain at Thermo Fisher Scientific). Both from Cohort 6 at UNCCharlotte, they dive deep into the evolving role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and share unique insights from their recent research.

Key Topics Discussed:

• What inspired Dr. Dukes and Dr. Richardson to pursue a DBA
• Challenges faced and resilience-building moments in their doctoral journey
• Dr. Richardson’s research on dynamic capabilities shaping CSR adaptation during disruptions
• Dr. Dukes’ study on how political polarization influences ESG behaviors within firms
• The real-world implications of CSR in strategic decision-making and leadership
• Advice for navigating CSR in politically and socially charged environments

Key Takeaways:

• CSR must be embedded in a company’s long-term strategy, not just a reactive measure
• Dynamic capabilities like sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring are critical for resilient CSR strategies
• Political orientation doesn’t always shape corporate CSR engagement—investor pressure and strategic alignment matter more
• Avoid “flavor of the month” CSR approaches; sustainability is about enduring value and consistency

Bonus Insight:
Both guests bring a musical twist—Dr. Dukes on guitar and Dr. Richardson on drums—highlighting the harmony of creativity and business insight in their journey!

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Website: www.dbachronicles.org

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Until next time—keep learning, keep leading!