Student-Faculty Research Paper on Economic Impact of Tipping Wins Best Paper Award at International Academic Conference
Two students from the Paseka School of Business have received the best conference paper award (1st Place in Undergraduate Student Research) at the 2024 Korea-America Hospitality & Tourism Educators Association (KAHTEA) conference, a leading conference for hospitality and tourism research, in Chicago, IL, on April 5-6. This research competition included students from top-tier universities such as Arizona State University, Iowa State University, Michigan State University, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
The study, conducted by Annisa Wilke and Nora Simondet (Business Administration Majors), was advised by Drs. Wooyang Kim and Hyun Sang An (Marketing Faculty at the Paseka School of Business). The research, entitled “Gratuities at a Crossroads: The Unseen Toll of Tipping on Economic Stability, Growth, and Employee Worth,” explores a pressing dilemma in socioeconomic issues, highlighting the complex impacts of “Tipflation” or “Guilt-Tipping” culture on the U.S. service industry, a topic of increasing concern amidst economic fluctuations.
Notably, Annisa Wilke was also recognized for her wider impact on the field with the “KAHTEA Future Research Scholarship” and received the “Best Case Study Competition Award” (2nd Place) for her innovative approach to promoting environmental sustainability through social media in the hotel industry.
Furthermore, this research project received support from Dr. Peter Sherman (Dean of the Paska School of Business) and Ralf Mehnert-Meland, J.D. (Business Law faculty). This outcome demonstrates the successful collaboration of student-faculty research, fully supported at the department level. In line with the MSUM strategic direction, this recognition showcases the Paseka School of Business’s commitment to fostering research that addresses critical societal issues, paving the way for future innovations in the field.