Who We Are
The center coordinates applied research-related activities in the College of Business at APSU, circulating research updates, creating research opportunities, and promoting the CoB research community.
Mission
We team up with faculty experts who want to tackle real-world challenges and transform business research to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Vision
Through a collaborative approach, the CABR strives to become a business research network linking scholars, industry leaders, business owners, and students to positively impact business and society.
The Heart of TN Tourism - Tim Self
Tim Self highlights Tennessee's tourism industry's remarkable growth in 2023, generating $30.6 billion through its rich cultural and natural assets.
Check out the latest edition of the CABR newsletter! In this issue, you’ll find updates from our director, learn more about our faculty fellows and their research, and stay informed with the latest news from the Center for Applied Business Research (CABR).
Meet the Director
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Dr. Vikkie McCarthy |
Dr. Vikkie McCarthy is a Professor of Management and studies how business impacts
society and business sustainability. She is the author of peer-reviewed research journal
articles, case studies, and books. Her research has been published in academic and
business journals to include the Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change, the Journal of Business Leadership,
Journal of Business Pedagogy, and the International Journal of Business Education.
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Dr. Matt Farrell |
Matthew Farrell is an Assistant Professor of Management at Austin Peay State University. His research
focuses on the intersection of governance, strategy, and innovation. Working with
teams of talented coauthors, he aims to produce rigorous research that both advances
theory and yields practical applications. Dr. Farrell’s expertise in set-theoretic
methodologies such as qualitative comparative analysis or analytical induction facilitate
the unique insights produced by his research efforts. He holds a master’s degree in
education as well as a bachelor’s degree in history and economics from Virginia Commonwealth
University. His work has appeared in outlets such as Technological Forecasting & Social Change and the International Journal of Emerging Markets.
Faculty Fellows
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Dr. Asit Bandyopadhayay |
Asit Bandyopadhayay, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Business Analytics and MIS. His research interests include
blockchain applications in ensuring data privacy; blockchain applications in supply
chain management; information literacy and cybersecurity challenges among Gen Z; cybersecurity
breaches and privacy policy, Generative AI, big data analysis, and sustainable supply
chain management. His work has been published in academic journals such as International Journal of Social and Humanistic Computing, International Journal of Information Systems and Supply Chain Management Journal.
He loves to work with local businesses to solve their data, supply chain, information
systems and cybersecurity related problems.
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Dr. Stephanie Bilderback |
Dr. Stephanie Bilderback recently earned her Ph.D. in Management and is currently
a faculty member at Austin Peay State University, where she teaches a variety of business
courses. Dr. Bilderback has contributed significantly to the academic field through
multiple publications exploring innovative training methodologies, workforce development
strategies, and the impact of digital tools on learning outcomes. Her work provides
valuable insights into how organizations can implement effective, scalable, and long-lasting
training programs. Dr. Bilderback brings extensive real-world experience as both a
business consultant and a small business owner. Her expertise in business operations,
leadership development, and organizational strategy allows her to bridge the gap between
theory and practice, equipping students and professionals with the knowledge needed
to thrive in today’s dynamic business environment.
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Dr. Eren Cifci |
Eren Cifci, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Finance at Austin Peay State University.
He earned his Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Alabama in 2022, with research
focusing on pivotal topics in finance and real estate, blending theoretical depth
with practical relevance. Dr. Cifci has produced multiple high-impact publications
in leading real estate journals, earning several prestigious awards and attracting
significant attention from prominent national and international media outlets. His
work has been featured on platforms such as Realtor.com, Fox Business, Yahoo Finance,
Daily Mail, Fortune Magazine, USA Today, New York Post, and Futurity.org, underscoring
its broad implications for both industry professionals and the academic community.
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Dr. Terry Damron |
Terry Stringer Damron is an Associate Professor of Marketing at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville,
Tennessee, USA. Damron is published in the areas of preventive health care marketing,
social media marketing, consumer behavior, supply chain management, and marketing
education. A champion of undergraduate research and experiential learning, she was
the 2020 recipient of the AJ Taylor Distinguished Professorship Award for Excellence
in Teaching. Damron holds an M.A. in Communication Arts (2007), an Ed.D. in Leadership
and Professional Practice (2011), and an M.B.A. in Marketing (2022).
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Dr. Amye Melton |
Dr. Amye Melton is an Associate Professor of Management and the MBA Coordinator for
the College of Business. With over 20 years of executive-level experience in operations
and marketing, she brings industry knowledge to her teaching and research. Dr. Melton's
research focuses on corporate citizenship, lowering barriers to entry, strategic intent,
and location strategy. She has delivered presentations to organizations such as the
Better Business Bureau, where she spoke on strategic planning, and The Honor Foundation,
where she addressed organizational research in military-to-civilian transitions.
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Dr. Dennis Pearson |
Dennis Pearson earned the Ph.D. in Economics from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
He is an Associate Professor of Economics and Statistics at Austin Peay State University,
board member for Clarksville Sunrise Rotary International and American Classical Education-Tennessee
and has authored numerous academic and medical articles published in the United States
and Canada. Additionally, Dr. Pearson is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Clarksville.
Prior to coming to APSU, Dr. Pearson was a Sam Walton Fellow with Students in Free
Enterprise, served as Assistant Director for the Probasco Chair of Free Enterprise Center of Economic Education at the University of Tennessee
Chattanooga, Associate Professor of Economics with Troy University, served as an Ambassador
for the Chamber of Commerce, and was a board member for the American Red Cross. His
consulting experience includes Fortune 500 companies, city governments, chambers of
commerce, medical companies, and hospitals.
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Dr. Elizabeth Rankin |
Elizabeth Rankin is an Instructor of Business Law at Austin Peay State University. She has been a
practicing attorney in Clarksville, TN, for over thirty years. Dr. Rankin has served
as a former Trust Officer for First Federal Savings Bank of Clarksville, a General
Sessions Judge for Montgomery County, and an attorney in the Law Offices of Cunningham,
Mitchell, and Rocconi. She has taught business law classes at APSU since 1995.
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Dr. Tim Self |
Dr. Tim Self serves as an Assistant Professor of Hospitality Management at Austin
Peay State University. Dr. Self has a Ph.D. in Hospitality and Tourism Management
from Purdue University, a master's degree from the University of Alabama, and a bachelor's
degree from California State University, Chico. He also has extensive industry experience in
recruitment in Atlanta, GA, collaborating with Fortune 500 companies, and gained hands-on
experience in the hospitality sector. Dr. Self specializes in research focused on
employee attraction and retention within the hospitality industry.
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Dr. Jennifer Thayer |
Dr. Jennifer Thayer is an Associate Professor of Accounting with experience in academia and public accounting. Before joining academia, Dr. Thayer spent over 10 years in a public accounting firm's tax area, where she developed tax preparation and compliance expertise. Dr. Thayer’s research focuses on Tax Accounting and Accounting Pedagogy. Dr. Thayer teaches various accounting courses at APSU, including Principles of Accounting I & II, Intermediate Accounting I, Individual Income Tax, Corporate and Business Entities Taxation, and the Tax Practicum course. In the practicum, students participate in the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, providing free tax preparation services to the community. Beyond teaching and research, Dr. Thayer has served on the City of Clarksville Audit Committee as a member and chair and has held leadership roles as treasurer or financial officer on several non-profit executive boards. She is a past recipient of the Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Faculty Award for contributions to the community.
