Marketing Research: An Aid to Decision Making

We are confident that the new edition of Marketing Research: An Aid to Decision Making will dramatically improve students? knowledge of marketing research because practitioners, academicians, and past users of the text recommended many of the changes and new topics that we incorporated into this edition. The fact is, there have been numerous changes in the research industry and global marketplace that warrant special attention. When you consider how research organizations are consolidating, economies are growing worldwide, and competition is intensifying, there is a resounding plea for improved knowledge by decision-makers. We are confident that the new edition of Marketing Research: An Aid to Decision Making will dramatically improve students? knowledge of marketing research because practitioners, academicians, and past users of the text recommended many of the changes and new topics that we incorporated into this edition. The fact is, there have been numerous changes in the research industry and global marketplace that warrant special attention. When you consider how research organizations are consolidating, economies are growing worldwide, and competition is intensifying, there is a resounding plea for improved knowledge by decision-makers.

Alan T. Shao is Professor of Marketing and the Director of the International Business Program in The Belk College of Business Administration at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he teaches courses at both the graduate and undergraduate level in marketing research, international marketing, marketing management and marketing strategy. He has also taught on the faculties of the University of South Florida, University of Alabama, Kennesaw State University and Norfolk State University. He received his B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from Old Dominion University and his Ph.D. in marketing from the University of Alabama, with a minor in statistics. He is an active member of the American Marketing Association, Academy of International Business, Academy of Marketing Science, Society for Marketing Advances, and the North Carolina World Trade Association. He is presently on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina World Trade Association and the Charlotte World Trade Association. Dr. Shao is past president of the Academy of International Business-U.S. Southeast Region and has lectured at universities throughout the world. He has published more than 80 articles in many of the leading marketing and international marketing journals, as well as proceedings of major regional, national and international conferences.

Dr. Shao is co-owner and Senior Vice President of Information Management of Sovidian Business Services, a web site development company and online education center. As an active business consultant, he has conducted marketing research throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe for multinational advertising agencies, financial institutions, sports franchises, technology companies, legal firms, and consumer goods manufacturers.

Dr. Shao lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife, Carol, and children, Janine, Victoria and Alan II.