Dr. Elizabeth A. Whalen

Program Coordinator & Assistant Professor

Dr. Elizabeth A. Whalen
(615) 904-8296
Room 208, Alumni Memorial Gym (AMG)
MTSU Box 96, Murfreesboro, TN 37132
Office Hours

By appointment.

Degree Information

  • PHD, University of Houston (2018)
  • MS, University of Houston (2012)
  • BA, University of Pittsburgh (2009)

Areas of Expertise

Teaching:

  • Strategic Management
  • Service Operations
  • Consumer Behavior / Marketing
  • Lodging & Accommodations 
  • General Hospitality & Tourism

Research:

  • Decision Making
  • Online Communities
  • Brand Identification
  • Digital Marketing
  • Risk Perceptions
  • Communication 

Biography

With over a decade of experience in higher education, Dr. Elizabeth Whalen has demonstrated her expertise in various facets of the hospitality industry. Her career includes management roles within the restaurant and hotel sectors, serving as the Executive Director of the AH&LA Information Research Center, and holding the position of Program Director for the Hilton College’s Executive Masters Program of Hospitality Management at the University of Houston.

Currently, Dr. Whale...

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With over a decade of experience in higher education, Dr. Elizabeth Whalen has demonstrated her expertise in various facets of the hospitality industry. Her career includes management roles within the restaurant and hotel sectors, serving as the Executive Director of the AH&LA Information Research Center, and holding the position of Program Director for the Hilton College’s Executive Masters Program of Hospitality Management at the University of Houston.

Currently, Dr. Whalen holds the role of Assistant Professor at Middle Tennessee State University, where she also serves as the program coordinator for Tourism and Hospitality Management. Her areas of specialization encompass consumer behavior marketing, strategic management, and lodging operations. Her research efforts are dedicated to understanding decision-making processes, risk perceptions, and the dynamics of online communities.

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Publications

Publications:     

  • “Hotel Innovation and Novelty: A Case Study of Disney’s Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser”
    • In Current Issues in Tourism, (2024)
    • Elizabeth A. Whalen & Rudy Dunlap
    • Research interests- decision making processes; consumption community
  • “The Impact of Message Framing on Perceptions of Controversial CSR in Hotels”
    • In Internationa...
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Publications:     

  • “Hotel Innovation and Novelty: A Case Study of Disney’s Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser”
    • In Current Issues in Tourism, (2024)
    • Elizabeth A. Whalen & Rudy Dunlap
    • Research interests- decision making processes; consumption community
  • “The Impact of Message Framing on Perceptions of Controversial CSR in Hotels”
    • In International Hospitality Review, (2024)
    • Amanda Belarmino, Elizabeth A. Whalen, & Renata Fernandes Guzzo
    • Research interests- decision making processes; risk perceptions   
  • "Novel Trends Challenging Tourism"
    • In Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, (2023)
    • Elizabeth A. Whalen & John T. Bowen 
    • Research interests- decision making processes, risk perceptions 
  • “Engaging in Student Evaluations of Teaching through Intrinsic Motivation: An Exploratory Study of Competence, Perceived Choice, Value/Usefulness, and Relatedness”
    • In the Journal of Teaching in Travel & Tourism, (2023)
    • Annamarie D. Sisson & Elizabeth A. Whalen
    • Research interests – decision making processes; advancing teaching methods
  • “Comparison of Generational Loyalty Models and Loyalty Programs for Millennial, Generation X, and Baby Boomer Hotel Customers”
    • In Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, (2023)
    • Elizabeth A. Whalen, John T. Bowen, & Seyhmus Baloglu
    • Research interests- decision making processes; brand identification
  • “Exploring consumer perceptions of no- and low-alcohol craft beers”
    • In Journal of Consumer Marketing, (2023)
    • Scott Taylor, Elizabeth A. Whalen, & Cortney Norris
    • Research interests- decision making processes; consumption communities
  • “Getting Back to Human Touch: Habit and Change Decisions During Mobile Device Intermediations at Events”
    • In Consumer Behavior in Tourism and Hospitality, (2022)
    • Annamarie D. Sisson & Elizabeth A. Whalen  
    • Research interests- decision making processes
  • “Cobranding Hotel Owners and Operators for Increased Willingness to Pay”
    • In Research in Hospitality Management, (2022)
    • Elizabeth A. Whalen & Annamarie D. Sisson
    • Research interests- decision making processes; brand identification
  • “Risk Mitigation through Source Credibility in Online Travel Communities”
    • In Anatolia, (2022)
    • Elizabeth A. Whalen & Amanda Belarmino
    • Research interests- online brand/ consumption communities; online communication; decision making processes, risk perceptions
  • "Online Brand Communities: A Case Study of Disney"
    • Mediating the Mouse: Disney and the Fan Experience Ed. Priscilla Hobbs for Intellect Books (January 2022)
    • Elizabeth A. Whalen 
    • Research interest- online communities, brand identification, communication, decision making
  • “Exploratory Study on the Perceptions of Event Gamification on Positive Behavioral Outcomes"
    • In the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, (2021)
    • Annamarie D. Sisson & Elizabeth A. Whalen
    • Research interests- decision making processes; consumption communities
  • “Examining the Impact of Political Candidates on Hotel Revenue”
    • In the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, (2020)
    • Amanda Belarmino & Elizabeth A. Whalen
    • Research interests- decision making processes; brand identification
  • “Share and Share Alike?: Examining the Maturation of the Sharing Economy Through a Craft Beer Exchange”
    • In International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management (2019)
    • Elizabeth A. Whalen, Amanda Belarmino, & Scott Taylor 
    • Research interests- online brand/ consumption communities; online communication; decision making processes
  • “Comparing Guests’ Key Attributes of Peer-to-Peer Accommodations and Hotels: Mixed Methods Approach”
    • In Current Issues in Tourism (2019)
    • Amanda Belarmino, Elizabeth A. Whalen, Yoon Koh, & John T. Bowen
    • Research interests- Decision making process; online brand/ consumption communities; digital marketing; online communication
  • “Understanding a Shifting Methodology: A Content Analysis of the Use of Netnography in Hospitality and Tourism Research”
    • In International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management (2018)
    • Special Issue: Advances in Research Methods in Hospitality and Tourism
    • Elizabeth A. Whalen
    • Research interests- Advancing research methods
  • “Using Active Learning Activities to Increase Student Outcomes in an Information Technology Course”
    • In the Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Education Issue 4, (2017)
    • Cristian Morosan, Mary Dawson, & Elizabeth A. Whalen
    • Research interests- Advancing teaching methods
  • “Trends That Are Changing Travel and Tourism”
    • In the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, (2017)
    • John T. Bowen & Elizabeth A. Whalen
    • Research interests- Online brand/ consumption communities; online communities; brand identification
  • “The Innovative Competitive Advantage: A Case Study of Two Pioneering Companies"
    • In the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Cases, (2017)
    • Elizabeth A. Whalen & JiYoon (Jennifer) Han
    • Research interests- Decision making processes
  • “Millennials: Changing Loyalty Programs, Design, and Brand Standards”
    • In HITEC 2016 Special Report, (2016)
    • John T. Bowen & Elizabeth A. Whalen
    • Research interests- Decision making processes; brand identification   

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Research / Scholarly Activity

Works in progress:      

  • “The Impact of Avatar Profile Design on Source Credibility, Similarity, and Online Community Engagement”
    • Elizabeth A. Whalen & Danielle Lauber (under review)
    • Research interests- online brand/ consumption communities; online communication; decision making processes
  • “Event Planner Destination Choice: A Case Study of Nashville”
    • Yi ...
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Works in progress:      

  • “The Impact of Avatar Profile Design on Source Credibility, Similarity, and Online Community Engagement”
    • Elizabeth A. Whalen & Danielle Lauber (under review)
    • Research interests- online brand/ consumption communities; online communication; decision making processes
  • “Event Planner Destination Choice: A Case Study of Nashville”
    • Yi “Vanessa Liu & Elizabeth A. Whalen (under review)
    • Research interests- decision making processes
  • “Negative Emotions Scale Development”
    • Karen Tan & Elizabeth A. Whalen
    • Research interests- advancing research methods; decision making processes
  • “The Impact of Observed Crime Statistics on Intentions to Visit a Destination”
    • Elizabeth A. Whalen, Danielle Lauber, & Will Mitchell 
    • Research interests- risk perceptions; decision making processes
  • “Shut Up and Brew: Consumer Perceptions of Advocacy in the Beer Industry”
    • Scott Taylor & Elizabeth A. Whalen
    • Research interests- brand identity; decision making processes

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In the Media

  • Publication in Murfreesboro Magazine March 2020 edition “Creating Your Own Personal Brand” pages 2-3
  • Featured in MTSU News – “Professor says communication is key to helping students success during pandemic”
    • October 15, 2020
    • https://mtsunews.com/professor-says-communication-is-key-to-helping-students-succeed-during-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR14XV3S9qgoWb4Z1jZ1N-jWVnXsmkjehHqnmGsPjwfWdySErrPv702chgs 

Courses

  • THM 3100 Introduction to the Tourism and Hospitality Industry
  • THM 3200 Principles of Lodging
  • THM 3210 Service Design and Delivery
  • THM 3600 Professional Development
  • THM 4140 Food and Beverage Tourism
  • THM 4400 Capstone in Tourism and Hospitality Management
  • THM 4600 Leadership and Professionalism Seminar
  • THM 4907/8/9 Work Experience I/II/Internship