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Research

The general areas of my research and teaching interests are in the economics of food industries, with special focus on farmer cooperatives, food industry competitiveness, and food consumption behavior by adults. Some of the questions that address the real-world problems that I seek answers to through my research are:

  • Are farmer organizations, such as cooperatives, effective in helping farmers? Conversely, do members benefit from being members of cooperatives?
  • Should economists have a broader view beyond costs and profits when evaluating member-owned organizations, such as cooperatives?
  • Are food manufacturing industries in America competitive, and what are the implications of market competitiveness (or the lack thereof) in these industries?
  • What do consumers look for when they shop for ethnic food? What influences consumer demand for ethnic food?

I mostly use quantitative methods, including empirical modeling and quantitative analysis of economic data, but when research calls for a synthesis of research on a specific research topic, I may resort to using a non-quantitative approach if that makes more sense.

I have proven expertise in the initiation, execution, management, supervision, and active participation in numerous mission-oriented applied economics research projects in these research areas. I have supervised teams of research analysts and worked collaboratively with faculty colleagues on several research projects as either the PD (Project Director) or Co-PD, and thesis advisor of graduate students. I have published research work in various peer-reviewed national and international journals and presented at numerous national and international professional conferences and served as reviewer for many national and international professional journals. In addition, I have authored or co-authored multiple book-chapters. Over the years, I have also served in several professional, governmental (e.g., GAO), and University organizations in various capacities.

Some of leading academic journals where my research work have been published includes, for example, the Review of Industrial Organization, Quarterly Rev of Econ and Finance, American Jr. of Agric. Econ., Jr. of Agric. Econ. (UK), Canadian Jr. of Agric. Econ., Jr. Applied Econ., Indian Jr. of Econ and Dev., Farm and Business (Caribbean), Competition and Trade, etc.