Dr. Howard Jean-Denis | Social Entrepreneurship – Assistant Professor at Morehouse College, United States
Dr. Howard Jean-Denis is a dynamic scholar, educator, and global thinker who serves as an Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship & Strategy. He has distinguished himself through a rare combination of academic rigor, international insight, and ethical leadership. With a proven track record in teaching excellence, research productivity, and global engagement, Dr. Jean-Denis’s academic journey is rooted in developing sustainable business strategies, mentoring future entrepreneurs, and advancing inclusive and humanistic models of management. His research is deeply committed to addressing real-world issues such as corruption, cultural capability, and social impact—making him a standout candidate for the Best Researcher Award.
Academic Profile:
Education:
Dr. Jean-Denis holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where his dissertation explored the nuanced relationship between corruption, culture, and firm performance in emerging markets. His academic foundation is further strengthened by an MBA in International Business and Markets from Bentley University’s McCallum Graduate School, enriched by study-abroad experiences in Japan and China. Additionally, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance with a minor in Spanish Language and Culture from Bentley University, including educational exposure in Spain. This multicultural academic background has infused his research with global relevance and cultural sensitivity.
Experience:
Spanning both academic and corporate worlds, Dr. Jean-Denis brings over two decades of diverse professional experience. His academic roles include Assistant Professor positions at Morehouse College and Pepperdine University, where he taught entrepreneurship, strategy, and ethics with distinction. His earlier corporate experience includes senior roles in banking, trading, and supply chain management, including a leadership stint in the U.S. Armed Forces. This blend of practice and theory gives his research a unique edge—bridging boardrooms, classrooms, and communities. His experience also includes strategic consulting and impactful entrepreneurship initiatives that reflect his commitment to innovation and real-world change.
Research Interest:
Dr. Jean-Denis’s scholarly pursuits revolve around strategic management, entrepreneurship, and international business. He is especially interested in understanding how corruption and culture influence firm capabilities in emerging markets. His work integrates African philosophies such as Ubuntu and Lakou to redefine leadership and management through a humanistic lens. He is also a vocal advocate for sustainability and business ethics, positioning his research at the intersection of moral responsibility and competitive advantage. His interest in veterans, diaspora entrepreneurship, and systemic inequality adds critical diversity to the global management discourse.
Award:
Dr. Jean-Denis has been recognized with multiple prestigious awards that underscore the relevance and quality of his academic contributions. He has received Best Paper Awards at both the Academy of International Business and the Southern Management Association for his work on expatriate cognition and social entrepreneurship, respectively. His teaching excellence was celebrated with a national-level award from The PhD Project, and he has also received various research fellowships and grants, including those from General Electric and UMASS Amherst. Additionally, he partnered with the United Nations Development Program on sustainability-focused research for over six years—underscoring his global influence.
Publications 📚:
📘 Race and Corruption: An Investigation within South Africa (2025) – Journal of African Business – cited by 4 articles.
🤖 Extending the Resource-Based View of Social Entrepreneurship: The Role of AI in Scaling Impact (2025) – Journal of Risk and Financial Management – cited by 3 articles.
🧩 Unveiling Ubuntu with Evidence from Ghana (2023) – Journal of Academy of Business and Economics – cited by 6 articles.
🎭 Media Review: Lupin – Eradicating the Stereotype of the African Immigrant (2024) – Organization – cited by 2 articles.
🌍 The Impact of African Manager’s Values on Exporting (2018) – International Journal of Export Marketing – cited by 7 articles.
🧠 Resource-Based View of Social Entrepreneurship: Putting the Pieces Together (2016) – Journal of Strategic Innovation & Sustainability – cited by 5 articles.
📖 Contextualizing Organizational Change Management in Africa: Incorporating Ubuntu (2021) – Journal of African Business – cited by 4 articles.
Conclusion:
Dr. Howard Jean-Denis exemplifies a new generation of scholars who transcend traditional academic boundaries. His research is rigorous, globally conscious, and infused with a deep sense of purpose. Whether advancing theoretical models, exploring underrepresented cultural narratives, or mentoring the next wave of business leaders, Dr. Jean-Denis consistently demonstrates impact, innovation, and integrity. His broad experience, award-winning publications, and visionary contributions to management studies position him as a compelling candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Recognizing his work would not only celebrate his personal achievements but also honor a scholar who represents the future of socially engaged, culturally aware, and ethically grounded research in business education.