Research at Carson

In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and societal changes, the Carson College of Business at Washington State University is redefining the future of business education. Our research spans critical areas like generative AI and augmented reality and extends into the dynamic realms of hospitality business management, entrepreneurship, marketing and consumer behavior, information systems, management, finance, and operations management.

We’re not just analyzing these groundbreaking developments; we’re actively integrating them into practical applications that empower communities and industries.

Rooted in the Pacific Northwest with a global vision, our research drives the evolution of business education in Washington State, preparing future leaders to harness disruptive technologies and societal shifts. Join us in shaping the business education of tomorrow, where tradition meets innovation, and practical knowledge meets forward-thinking strategies.

Featured Research

Beus, Jeremy M., Jacob H. Smith, and Erik C. Taylor. 2023. “Integrating Organizational Climate Theory: A Domain-Independent Explanation for Climate Formation and Function.” Journal of Applied Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0001117.

Cai, Ruiying, Lu Lu, and Laurie Wu. 2023. “The Numerical Stroop Effect on Consumer Preference to Order Healthy Food.” International Journal of Hospitality Management 113 (August): 103528. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2023.103528.

Gunasti, Kunter, Timucin Ozcan, and Elizabeth Howlett. 2023. “The Crucial Role of Reference Numbers on Consumers’ Product Preferences.” Journal of Business Research 168: 114249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.114249.

Gursoy, D., Lu, L., Nunkoo, R., & Deng, D. (2023). Metaverse in services marketing: An overview and future research directions. The Service Industries Journal, 43(15-16), 1140-1172. https://doi.org/10.1080/02642069.2023.2252750​

Johnson, Hana Huang, Dustin Bluhm, Sean Hannah, Bruce Avolio, and Paul Lester. 2023. “Authentic Leadership’s Impact on Follower Psychological Capital and Performance Through Organizational Identification and Role Clarity.” Human Performance 36, no. 5: 219-248. https://doi.org/10.1080/08959285.2023.2261002.

Wang, Xinchang, and Qie He. 2023. “Optimal Capacity Sizing of Park-and-Ride Lots with Information-Aware Commuters.” Production and Operations Management. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1111/poms.14053.

High scholarly productivity

Our faculty’s dedication to scholarly productivity is evident in their influential research contributions across various business disciplines. Recognized by peers, this research, featured in leading journals like the Journal of Business Ethics and the Journal of Marketing, bridges theoretical and practical business aspects. It not only advances academic knowledge but also provides practical solutions to real-world challenges.

Our diverse research spans finance, management, and international business, leading to significant work in journals such as the Academy of Management Journal and the Journal of International Business Studies. Furthermore, faculty research in hospitality business management is at the forefront of exploring current and future trends in travel, tourism and hospitality industries, earning the WSU School of Hospitality Business Management the reputation as one of the premier hospitality research schools in the world.

This breadth of research underpins our faculty’s role in shaping business disciplines. Moreover, our doctoral students, guided by our faculty, achieve placements at peer universities, continuing the tradition of impactful research and maintaining Carson College’s position as a key player in the business research community.

Areas of research strength

Behavioral business research

Research conducted by Carson College faculty seeks to understand the antecedents, processes, and consequences of behaviors, actions, cognitive/affective processes, and decision-making associated with the various stakeholders of firms.

The Center for Behavioral Business Research offers a fully outfitted facility for conducting behavioral studies.

Corporate governance, ethics, and stakeholder relations

Studies seek greater insight into strategies for effectively managing stakeholder relations and, when necessary, mitigating and/or preventing damage to these relationships due to adverse social and environmental consequences of business decisions. Discoveries may address the challenge of sustaining and regaining public trust in business and government.

Global dimensions of business

Today’s business world is global in both scope and impact. Firms of all sizes are affected by broad global business trends, even if they do not directly operate in international markets. International commerce in the Pacific Northwest spans a vast range of industries: apples, airplanes, and more.

Faculty at the Carson College actively conduct research with partners in other nations. Many investigate cross-border business activities of multinational enterprises. Their research considers how institutional, financial, and cultural contexts affect cross-border trade and investment activities of such firms.

Research by academic department

Each academic department within the college pursues a robust research agenda.

• Accounting
• Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship
• Marketing and International Business 
• Finance and Management Science
• Hospitality Business Management

Student research

Doctoral research

The PhD program offers many opportunities for interdisciplinary research. More than 95 percent of graduates from the Carson College PhD program accept faculty positions at schools requiring research productivity for tenure and promotion.

Learn about exciting doctoral research presented by the top 2023 Three-Minute Thesis Competition winners.

Undergraduate research

The college offers motivated undergraduate students the opportunity to work on business research projects. Students develop research skills that make them attractive candidates to employers worldwide.

Learn more about undergraduate research via the 2023 Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (SURCA) competition.