Haskayne profs prove quantity does matter

By Lynzey Mcrae

Two researchers from the Haskayne School of Business are among the world’s most prolific scholars.

Dr. Alain Verbeke, a strategy and global management professor, and marketing professor Dr. James Agarwal, are both named in a listing of the 90 most prolific scholars in international business. Only seven scholars on the list are from Canadian universities.

The list was compiled by researchers at Michigan State University who analyzed five leading international business journals from 1996 to 2005.

“ Such recognition feels good because it strengthens the reputation of the Haskayne School of Business and the University of Calgary,” says Verbeke. He primarily studies strategies of the world’s largest multinational enterprises, especially the Fortune 500 companies.

“ Increased study of multinational activity is one of the best tools to fight against xenophobia and to foster peaceful cooperation among nations,” he says.

Verbeke currently holds the McCaig chair in management and is in the process of writing a book for Cambridge University Press on the foundations of global corporate success.

“ (This recognition) is extremely rewarding and gratifying but at the same time very humbling,” says Agarwal, whose research spans international marketing, consumer research and marketing ethics.

“ I have received several research awards and recognitions in the past, but this one puts you at the pinnacle of the global map with an impressive list of heavyweight scholars.”

Agarwal is currently studying the concept of consumer-perceived service quality in a cross-cultural context and how it relates to important marketing outcomes such as satisfaction, attitude and loyalty.