As businesses navigate the opportunities and challenges of a digital-first world, faculty in Samford University’s Brock School of Business are helping lead the conversation. Eight faculty members recently contributed to the Encyclopedia of Entrepreneurship and Digitalization, a forthcoming international reference volume that explores how emerging technologies are reshaping business strategy, operations and education.
Co-edited by professor Cynthia Frownfelter-Lohrke, interim chair of the Department of Accounting, the volume brings together perspectives from 50 scholars worldwide to examine the impact of digitalization—from artificial intelligence and blockchain to data analytics and digital platforms—on how companies innovate, compete and grow.
“When digitalization transforms physical assets and long-standing business processes into ones and zeroes inside computers, everything changes,” said Frownfelter-Lohrke. “Companies are currently experiencing fundamental and rapid transformations from how they account for revenues and expenses to how they build and market their products and services, based on digitalization trends.”
Faculty representing all three of Brock School of Business’ academic departments contributed entries to the volume, offering expertise on a wide range of topics, while highlighting Samford’s commitment to equipping future business leaders to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy. Their contributions include:
- Artificial intelligence: Entrepreneurship, digitalization and digital entrepreneurship—Cynthia Frownfelter-Lohrke (with Franz T. Lohrke and Joseph J. Cabral)
- Entrepreneurial alertness—Art Carden, professor of economics and Reginald J. Harris, associate professor of management
- Social capital—Reginald J. Harris
- Cash flow management, Garrison LaDuca, assistant professor of accounting
- Entrepreneurial identity and Entrepreneurial self-efficacy—Kate McCombs, assistant professor of management
- Strategic entrepreneurship—Matthew Mazzei, professor of strategic management and chair of the Department of Entrepreneurship, Management and Marketing
- Absorptive capacity—Matthew Mazzei (with Jose Santiago-Anadón)
- Corporate entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial orientation—Matthew Mazzei and Joshua White, assistant professor of entrepreneurship and strategic management
- Key financial metrics for new and small businesses—Kyle Outlaw, assistant professor of accounting
- Dark personality traits—Joshua White (with Tyler N. A. Fezzey and Peter D. Harms) Individual entrepreneurial orientation—Joshua White (with Tyler N. A. Fezzey)
Associate Dean Sara Helms McCarty said the project reflects the school’s broader focus on preparing students for the future of work.
“Our faculty are doing more than studying digital transformation—they’re bringing those insights directly into the classroom,” McCarty said. “Students entering today’s workforce need fluency in technology, data and innovation. This kind of research ensures our graduates are ready to lead in an increasingly digital business environment.”
The Encyclopedia of Entrepreneurship and Digitalization will be published in November by Edward Elgar Publishing, Ltd. and will serve as a key reference for academics, practitioners and students seeking to understand how digitalization continues to redefine the modern business landscape. This work stands as a testament to why Samford ranks #3 in the nation for career preparation by The Wall Street Journal, demonstrating how Brock School of Business faculty translate leading research into meaningful, real-world impact for students.
