Dr. Sandeep Arora, 2023 recipient of the Terry G. Falconer Memorial Rh Institute Foundation Emerging Researcher Award in the Social Sciences category.
Meet Sandeep Arora, 2023 Rh Award Winner in the Social Sciences category
Sandeep Arora, an associate professor and F. Ross Johnson Professor of Marketing at the Asper School of Business, specializes in marketing strategy with a focus on the intersection of technology and marketing.
Arora is the 2023 recipient of the Terry G. Falconer Memorial Rh Institute Foundation Emerging Researcher Award in the Social Sciences category, in recognition of his innovative research on the challenges and opportunities new technologies present for marketers, and his contributions to improving marketing practices through evidence-based insights.
UM Today caught up with Arora to learn more about him and the research he is undertaking.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your research.
I started at the University of Manitoba around nine-and-a-half years ago. Currently, I am the F. Ross Johnson Professor of Marketing, an associate professor in the Marketing department and the department head for the past five years.
Before coming to Winnipeg, I was in Austin, Texas, where I earned my degree from the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business. Prior to that, I received an MBA in Marketing and Information Systems from the Management Development Institute in India, and an engineering degree from the Technological Institute of Textile and Sciences in India. I’m here in Winnipeg with my 13-year-old son and my spouse.
My research focuses on high-quality, impactful and novel projects that have implications for both managers and society. I work on marketing strategy, with a specific interest in the role of new technologies for marketers and the challenges posed by their evolution. Additionally, I investigate how processes, leaders and stakeholders engage with marketing organizations and the implications of this engagement for firms and society.
I use a mixed method approach for my research that includes econometric analysis of structured and unstructured data, experimental design and theory development. I aim to address real-world problems faced by managers and provide fresh perspectives that can move the field forward.
Why is this research important?
My research tackles real-world problems that can have significant impacts and provide new insights for both academics and industry practitioners. For instance, one of my projects with a PhD student involved working with a local company to address their challenges while conducting our research.
These projects are time-consuming and require substantial effort, but they are rewarding when managers find the results useful. Our work has been covered in academic publications and industry-focused blogs, showing its relevance and utility.
What does the Rh Award mean to you?
The Rh Award is one of the most prestigious awards at the University of Manitoba, and receiving it is a reinforcement of my work and a pat on the back. It’s encouraging to have an external party recognize the importance of my work, motivating me to continue on my current path.
What do you hope to achieve in the future?
I plan to continue working on novel, managerial and socially relevant topics, aiming for high-quality publications in top journals.
I also want to collaborate more closely with industry partners to increase the relevance of my research and potentially shorten the time it takes to implement my findings in the real world. Additionally, I plan to take on more doctoral students, as mentoring them is a gratifying way to give back to the field.
What about you might people find surprising?
Before academia, I worked in the banking industry in India for eight years, handling large teams and budgets. This experience is atypical in academia, where many go directly from their studies to teaching.
Additionally, I served as the department head while untenured and the junior-most person in the department, which is quite unusual.
Any advice for early career researchers and students?
Keep your eyes and ears open, as the world is full of interesting problems and questions to explore.
Persistence is key, especially when working on impactful, high-quality research that takes years to complete. Working on problems that genuinely interest and motivate you will make the journey easier, even when facing challenges and setbacks.