Donnie Hale

Education

Ph.D. Business Administration and Management, University of South Carolina, 2020

Courses taught

MBA 506 Data-Driven Managerial Decisions 1
MBA 507 Data-Driven Managerial Decisions 2
MBA 551 Predictive Analytics for Business and Big Data
MBA 559 Business Analytics Practicum

Area(s) of focus/expertise

Analytics and Management, Human Capital Resources, Strategy, Multi-level Theory

Research interests

My primary interest is in the development  of human capital and human capital resources at the individual and organizational level. I am particularly interested in how we can use analytics to understand how the emergent properties of human capital resources develop over time within organizations.

Recent/past research

With my co-authors, I have explored how turnover impacts the aggregate human capital resources of an organizational unit; including its impact on emergent properties like coordination. We also recently completed a review of the human capital resource literature and explored opportunities for that body of literature to take on important organizational questions. I am currently in the process of examining the impact of labor markets, including things like minimum wage on the development of organizational-level human capital.

Experience with industry (and how it informs what I teach)

I am a non-traditional academic in that I spent almost 15 years in industry between my master’s and Ph.D. degrees. Most of that time was in financial services. I have also consulted with several large and small companies both domestically and internationally and regularly guide teams of students working on industry practicums. I have been fortunate to work with some of the best people and organizations in the world. I am able to leverage those experiences to inform the way I teach analytics. My goal is to make complex analytic concepts practical and applicable in the modern work world that students will face.

Why students may want to study marketing analytics

Students may want to study marketing analytics because it is fun. How to identify and fulfill consumer demand is at the heart of every business. Marketing analytics affords you the opportunity to think deeply about how to build products and services that meet those demands. The amazing bit is that markets are always changing so the right answer today might not be the right answer tomorrow. People who understand marketing analytics are the ones who can identify those changes and lead the way for organizations.

Highlights of teaching for the program

I love seeing students succeed. Different people have different ambitions, but whenever I see students get where they want to go via the investments they are making in their own educational development, it brings me a lot of joy. Those moments are definitely the highlight of my career.

Observations of marketing analytics students in the classroom

The students who gain the most are the ones who approach the program with the highest level of curiosity.

Advice for prospective students

Focus on learning concepts. Specific analytic tools come and go, but at the end of the day, they are utilizing universal concepts to solve specific problems. If you understand the concepts, you can likely learn any specific tool.

Why Choose the Master of Management, Marketing Analytics (MMA)?

Marketing Analytics can be an intellectually challenging and interesting career. Like I said, I think it’s fun. The MMA program will equip you with the tools and skills necessary to succeed in that world. You also have colleagues and faculty that want you to succeed. It is a great opportunity to step into.

Something personal you would like to share?

I grew up here in Wake County on what was a tobacco farm. I think because of that, I love old junk (advertising signs, farm implements, jars, trucks, books, etc.).  If you ever come across any, let me know. Also, Bojangles tea is life’s sweet nectar.