{"id":9958,"date":"2021-05-07T15:55:50","date_gmt":"2021-05-07T19:55:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/?post_type=profile&#038;p=9958"},"modified":"2025-02-26T15:41:35","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T20:41:35","slug":"arun-upneja-dean","status":"publish","type":"profile","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/arun-upneja-dean\/","title":{"rendered":"Arun Upneja"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Arun Upneja, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Hospitality Administration (SHA)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Dr. Arun Upneja, Dean of the School of Hospitality Administration (SHA) at Boston University, is a visionary leader recognized for his strategic and inclusive approach. Appointed in 2013, he has steered SHA through a period of transformative growth, enhancing academic rigor, bolstering industry-relevant research, and expanding international partnerships. Under his direction, SHA has introduced new graduate programs, welcomed top-tier researchers, and significantly advanced its publication, the <em>Boston Hospitality Review<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Upneja pioneered the Classroom-to-Classroom initiative to extend global educational perspectives by linking SHA with numerous international universities. He also launched the annual SHA Leadership Summit, drawing leading global executives and industry pioneers. His commitment to innovation led to the development of advanced degrees and multiple curriculum concentrations, preparing students to excel in the fast-paced hospitality sector.<\/p>\n<p>With a philosophy that views the educational environment as a start-up, Dr. Upneja promotes a culture of relentless innovation and adaptability at SHA. His academic background includes a B.S. in Hotel &amp; Restaurant Management, an M.B.A., and a Ph.D. in Accounting, all from the University of Houston, along with a B.A. in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Jammu, India. His practical experience spans several years in hotel management at the prestigious Taj Mahal Mumbai.<\/p>\n<p>An esteemed scholar, Dr. Upneja has received numerous awards, including the John Wiley &amp; Sons Lifetime Research Achievement Award (2007). He is also a prolific speaker and hosts the industry-focused podcast &#8220;Distinguished.&#8221; Prior to his current role, he served as Professor of Hospitality Financial Management and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Pennsylvania State University, where he significantly contributed to honors education and student development.<\/p>\n<h3>Distinguished podcast hosted by Arun Upneja<\/h3>\n<p><script type='text\/javascript' charset='utf-8' src='https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/2204366.js?container_id=buzzsprout-large-player&#038;player=large'><\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h2 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Recent Publications<\/h2><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><span>Kim, &amp; Upneja, A. (2021). Majority voting ensemble with a decision trees for business failure prediction during economic downturns.\u00a0<\/span><i>Journal of Innovation &amp; Knowledge<\/i><span>,\u00a0<\/span><i>6<\/i><span>(2), 112\u2013123. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2444569X21000081?via%3Dihub\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jik.2021.01.001<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Szende, Catalfamo, N., &amp; Upneja, A. (2019). Benchmarking Hospitality Management Curricula: A Comparison of Top U.S. Programs\u2014A Repeat Study.\u00a0<\/span><i>Journal of Hospitality &amp; Tourism Education.<\/i><span>,\u00a0<\/span><i>31<\/i><span>(3), 183\u2013195. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.1080\/10963758.2018.1487788\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/10963758.2018.1487788<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Matilla, A. &amp; Upneja, A. (2017). The Effect of Assortment Pricing on Choice and Satisfaction: The Moderating Role of Consumer Characteristics. <em>Cornell Hospitality Quarterly<\/em>. (Accepted). <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/193896551773031\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/193896551773031<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ozdemir, O. &amp; Upneja, A. (2016). The Role of Internationalization on the IPO Performance of Service Firms: Examination of Initial Returns, Long-run Returns, and Survivability. <em>International Business Review<\/em>, 25(5), 997-1009. DOI: <a href=\"http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ibusrev.2016.01.009\">http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ibusrev.2016.01.009<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Lee, S., Upneja, A., Ozdemir, O., and Sun, K. (2014). A synergy effect of internationalization and firm size on performance: U.S. hotel industry. <em>International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management<\/em>, Vol. 26, Iss 1, pp 35-49. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1108\/IJCHM-09-2012-0173\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1108\/IJCHM-09-2012-0173<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Upneja, A., and Ozdemir, O. (2014). Compensation Practices in the Lodging Industry: Does Top Management Pay Affect Corporate Performance. <em>International Journal of Hospitality Management<\/em>. Vol 38, pp 30-38. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ijhm.2013.12.007\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ijhm.2013.12.007<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Kim, S., and Upneja, A. (2014). Predicting restaurant financial distress using decision tree and AdaBoosted decision tree models. <em>Economic Modelling<\/em>, Vol 36, pp 354-362. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.econmod.2013.10.005\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.econmod.2013.10.005<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ozgur, O., Kizildag, M., and Upneja, A. (2013). Does Risk Matter in CEO Compensation Contracting? Evidence from U.S. Restaurant Industry. <em>International Journal of Hospitality Management<\/em>, Vol 34, Iss. 3, pp. 372-383. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ijhm.2012.11.012\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ijhm.2012.11.012<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ozdemir, O., and Upneja, A. (2012). Board Structure and CEO Compensation: Evidence from U.S. Lodging Industry. <em>International Journal of Hospitality Management<\/em>, Vol 31 Iss: 3, Sept 2012, pp. 856-863. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ijhm.2011.10.004\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ijhm.2011.10.004<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Hua, N., Nusair, K., and Upneja, A. (2012). \u201cFinancial Characteristics and Outperformance: Evidence of a Contemporary Framework from the US Lodging Industry.\u201d <em>International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management<\/em>, Vol 24 Iss: 4, pp. 574-593. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1108\/09596111211226833\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1108\/09596111211226833<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=te81LioAAAAJ&amp;hl=en&amp;oi=ao\">View more on Google Scholar<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" id=\"collapse\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h2 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Recent Press<\/h2><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><ul class=\"news_list category_433\"><li class=\"post_24888\">\n<h4 class=\"news_post_title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/2025\/04\/14\/patch-meet-boston-president-ceo-receives-icon-award-from-boston-university\/\">[Patch South End] Meet Boston President &#038; CEO Receives ICON Award from Boston University<\/a><\/h4>\n<span class=\"date\">April 14, 2025<\/span>\n<p class=\"excerpt\">by Regan Assistant, Local Business\r\n\r\nBoston University School of Hospitality Administration has named... <a class=\"more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/2025\/04\/14\/patch-meet-boston-president-ceo-receives-icon-award-from-boston-university\/\">[ More ]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"post_24186\">\n<h4 class=\"news_post_title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/2025\/02\/14\/boston-globe-for-encore-casino-sports-betting-hasnt-been-as-lucrative-as-expected\/\">[Boston Globe] For Encore casino, sports betting hasn\u2019t been as lucrative as expected<\/a><\/h4>\n<span class=\"date\">February 14, 2025<\/span>\n<p class=\"excerpt\">By Jon Chesto Globe Staff\r\n\r\n\r\nArun Upneja, Dean and Professor at Boston University\u2019s... <a class=\"more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/2025\/02\/14\/boston-globe-for-encore-casino-sports-betting-hasnt-been-as-lucrative-as-expected\/\">[ More ]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"post_23016\">\n<h4 class=\"news_post_title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/2024\/11\/06\/total-food-service-boston-hilton-hotel-workers-end-24-day-strike-with-new-pact\/\">[Total Food Service] Boston Hilton Hotel Workers End 24-Day Strike with New Pact<\/a><\/h4>\n<span class=\"date\">November 6, 2024<\/span>\n<p class=\"excerpt\">\r\n\r\nAnalyzing the Shifting Landscape of Boston's Hospitality Labor Relations\r\n\r\nDean Arun Upneja provided... <a class=\"more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/2024\/11\/06\/total-food-service-boston-hilton-hotel-workers-end-24-day-strike-with-new-pact\/\">[ More ]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/category\/faculty-in-the-press\/arun-upneja\/\" class=\"button\" rel=\"noopener\">Read More from Dr. Arun Upneja<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" id=\"collapse\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h2 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Featured Podcast<\/h2><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><ul class=\"news_list category_440\"><li class=\"post_29370\">\n<h4 class=\"news_post_title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/2026\/07\/06\/bu-today-dean-arun-upneja-to-step-down-after-13-years-at-sha\/\">[BU Today] Dean Arun Upneja to Step Down After 13 Years at SHA<\/a><\/h4>\n<span class=\"date\">July 6, 2026<\/span>\n<p class=\"excerpt\">Arun Upneja, dean of Boston University's School of Hospitality Administration, will step... <a class=\"more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/2026\/07\/06\/bu-today-dean-arun-upneja-to-step-down-after-13-years-at-sha\/\">[ More ]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"post_21993\">\n<h4 class=\"news_post_title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/2024\/07\/02\/the-travel-leader-podcast-start-up-mentality-with-arun-upneja\/\">[The Travel Leader Podcast] Start Up Mentality with Arun Upneja<\/a><\/h4>\n<span class=\"date\">July 2, 2024<\/span>\n<p class=\"excerpt\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIn this insightful episode of The Travel Leader podcast, Rachel Vandenberg sits... <a class=\"more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/2024\/07\/02\/the-travel-leader-podcast-start-up-mentality-with-arun-upneja\/\">[ More ]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p><strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/arun-upneja?trk=public_profile_browsemap\">LinkedIn<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16771,"template":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profile\/9958"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profile"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/profile"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16771"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profile\/9958\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22332,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profile\/9958\/revisions\/22332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9958"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}