Faculty Research Articles published on scholarly sources.
[Newsweek] Why Gen Z Is Choosing Staycations: Insights from Makarand Mody
Makarand Mody, Associate Professor at Boston University School of Hospitality Administration, is featured in a recent Newsweek article examining how Generation Z is approaching travel decisions. Mody explains that while Gen Z travelers often aspire to international travel, many are choosing domestic trips as a practical response to financial pressures. Rather than signaling a shift […]
[Reader’s Digest] Why Hotel Sheets Are Tucked So Tightly
Alec Dalton, adjunct professor at Boston University School of Hospitality Administration, is featured in a recent Reader’s Digest article explaining a small but memorable detail of the hotel experience – why sheets are tucked so tightly. Drawing on his expertise in service operations and guest experience, Dalton explains that tightly tucked sheets are not just […]
[BU Today] George Poll on Building a Lasting Restaurant Legacy
George Poll (CGS’82, SHA’84), a graduate of Boston University School of Hospitality Administration, is featured in a recent BU Today article highlighting his journey in building a successful, family-driven restaurant group. Poll, who operates a portfolio of restaurants on Long Island with his brother, credits long-term success to a combination of quality, attention to detail, strong […]
[New Publication] Dr. Shashan Bao Explores Leader Loneliness and Organizational Power Distance
Dr. Shashan Bao from Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, in collaboration with Phillip M. Jolly, has published a new study in Group & Organization Management exploring an often-overlooked issue in leadership—loneliness. Titled “The Lonely Leader: How Organizational Power Distance and Need to Belong Shape Leader Loneliness,” the research reveals that leaders can experience significant […]
[BU Today] Building the Future of Hospitality Real Estate
Kaushik Vardharajan, Associate Professor of the Practice at Boston University School of Hospitality Administration, is featured in a recent BU Today article highlighting the School’s innovative Master of Science in Hospitality Real Estate program. The program prepares students to understand the financial, development, and investment decisions behind hospitality properties. As director of the program, Vardharajan […]
[The Brink] How Should Workers Respond to Rude Customers? Dr. Sunny Kim Weighs In
Sunny Kim, Assistant Professor at the Boston University School of Hospitality Administration, recently shared expert insights in The Brink article examining how service workers can effectively respond to rude customers. The article is grounded in her research, which served as the foundation for the study titled “Sleepless after sabotage: the hidden costs of coping with […]
[New Publication] Understanding Lodging REIT Vulnerability Through Event Study Analysis
Apostolos Ampountolas, Ph.D., has published “Market Volatility and Lodging REIT Performance: An Event Study Analysis” in Tourism Analysis. The study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic affected 18 publicly traded lodging REITs using an event study approach and the Fama–French five-factor model. Results show significant negative cumulative abnormal returns following the World Health Organization’s pandemic declaration, […]
[New Publication] Airbnb’s IPO Impact on Hospitality Stocks
Apostolos Ampountolas, Ph.D., has published a new article in the International Journal of Hospitality Management titled “Disruption in hospitality: Spillover effects of Airbnb’s IPO on hotel and casino stocks.” The study investigates how Airbnb’s initial public offering influenced the stock performance of traditional hospitality firms. Using a Structural Vector Auto-Regression (SVAR) model and daily stock […]
SHA Professor Makarand Mody Receives 2026 Shipley Academic Innovation Award
Boston University has announced the recipients of the 2026 Shipley Academic Innovation Awards, which recognize faculty-led initiatives that leverage artificial intelligence to reimagine teaching and learning. Among this year’s honorees is SHA Professor Makarand Mody, recognized for Hospitality as Experience Innovation in the Age of AI: Integrating Generative AI into Human-Centered Design in the Experience […]
INNOVATING THE FUTURE OF FOOD: A Conversation with Dr. Injoon Huh, Dr. Wonil Koo, and Mr. Dongyeob Lim
Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration is spotlighting innovations that transform how food and hospitality intersect with technology, sustainability, and global markets. Through its focus on Experience Innovation, SHA connects academic expertise with real-world industry challenges to improve customer experiences, operational efficiency, and long-term value. In this context, Sean Jung Ph.D. serves as an academic […]