Dr. Elizabeth A. Whalen is an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator for Tourism and Hospitality Management at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). She earned her Ph.D. in Hospitality Administration from the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College, specializing in consumer behavior marketing, strategic management, and lodging operations.

With over a decade of experience in higher education and industry expertise, Dr. Whalen has held prominent roles in the restaurant and hotel sectors, and also served as Executive Director of the AH&LA Information Research Center and Program Director for the Executive Masters Program in Hospitality Management at the University of Houston. Her excellence in teaching was recognized with the Donald Greenway Teaching Excellence Award and the University-wide Teaching Excellence Award.

At MTSU, Dr. Whalen has been pivotal in establishing and leading the Tourism and Hospitality Management program. She played a crucial role in creating the new degree, designing the curriculum, and securing ACPHA accreditation. Her efforts in building industry relationships and enhancing the program’s reputation are ongoing.

Dr. Whalen is committed to the growth and success of the program, actively involved in marketing and recruitment. She developed a Major Field Assessment and designed a student exit survey for graduating THM students. Her dedication has earned her nominations for the Stars of the Industry: Purple Iris Awards for Industry Educator of the Year in 2023 and 2024 by the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association.

Her research focuses on decision-making, risk perceptions, and online communities in tourism and hospitality. Dr. Whalen contributes actively to the academic community, publishing in leading journals and serving on editorial boards.

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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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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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• 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 
• Program feature in MTSU News - "MTSU boasts first accredited Tourism-Hospitality program of its kind in state"
  
  • July 17, 2024
  • https://mtsunews.com/mtsu-first-accredited-tourism-hospitality-program/#:~:text=MTSU%20boasts%20first%20accredited%20Tourism%2DHospitality%20program%20of%20its%20kind%20in%20state,-by%20Nancy%20DeGennaro&text=MURFREESBORO%2C%20Tenn.,degree%20program%20in%20the%20state.
• Program feature in The Lynchburg Times - "MTSU boasts first accredited Tourism and Hospitality program of its kind in the state"
  • July 22, 2024
  • https://thelynchburgtimes.com/mtsu-tourism-and-hospitality-program/ 
• Interview about new hotel with Fox 17 Nashville - "MTSU to offer hands-on experience with new campus hotel"
  • September 9, 2024
  • https://fox17.com/news/local/mtsu-to-offer-hands-on-experience-with-new-campus-hotel

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