Bureau of Business Research
The Bureau of Business Research
The Bureau of Business Research (BBR) at East Carolina University is housed in the College of Business and serves as a trusted source of data, analysis and applied research for business leaders, communities and policymakers across the region. Through economic analysis, industry research and community-focused studies, BBR supports informed decision-making and strategic planning aimed at strengthening economic growth, improving quality of life and helping transform eastern North Carolina into a more competitive, sustainable and resilient region.
Subject Matter Expertise
- Branding and marketing
- Business finance and planning
- Data analytics
- Economic impact and profiling
- Hospitality industry and trends
- Labor workforce and development
- Leadership
- Retail market analysis
- Risk management
- Supply chain
Meet Our Team
Thanh Ngo, Ph.D., CFA, CFP®, CPA, CMA, CFE
Professor and Interim Director of Bureau of Business Research
Finance and Insurance
3203A Bate Building
252-328-4038
ngot@ecu.edu
Dr. Thanh Ngo is a Professor of Finance in the College of Business at East Carolina University. She joined ECU in 2014 after serving as an assistant professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (formerly the University of Texas Pan America) from 2008 to 2014.
Dr. Dennis Barber III
Associate Professor Miller School of Entrepreneurship
252-328-6595
barberde17@ecu.edu
Expertise: Rural Entrepreneurship, Economic Development, Innovation & Opportunity Assessment
Dr. John Drake
Associate Professor,
Department of Management Information Systems
252-737-4566
drakejo@ecu.edu
Expertise: eCommerce Strategy, Digital platforms, Privacy, IS Governance, and IS Strategy
Dr. Jon Kirchoff
Associate Professor & Chair,
Department of Marketing &
Supply Chain Management
252-737-4569
kirchoffj@ecu.edu
Expertise: Supply Chain Management, Global sourcing, Environmentally-responsible supply chain practices
Dr. James Kleckley
Professor Emeritus
kleckleyj@ecu.edu
Expertise: Economics, Economic Development, Housing market, and Labor market
Dr. Christine Kowalczyk
Associate Professor,
Department of Marketing & Supply Chain Management
252-737-4572
kowalczykc@ecu.edu
Expertise: Branding, Non-traditional Advertising and Public Policy work
Dr. John Kros
Professor, McMahon Distinguished Professor of Marketing and Supply Chain
252-328-6364
krosj@ecu.edu
Expertise: Supply Chain, Simulation/process analysis, Quality
Dr Ericka R. Lawrence
Associate Professor
Department of Management
252-737-4604
lawrencee@ecu.edu
Expertise: Ethics, Coping with stress/burnout, and Leadership
Dr. Thomas Robbins
Associate Professor,
Department of Marketing &
Supply Chain Management
252-328-6588
robbinst@ecu.edu
Expertise: Data analytics, Forecasting and Inventory Management Management, Operations Management, Leadership, and Small Business Ownership
Dr. Erik Taylor
Associate Professor,
Department of Management
Data Analytics
252-737-1858
taylore17@ecu.edu
Expertise: Human Resource Management, Team Building
What You’ll Find
Public and private decision-makers need relevant information and actionable data about the business environment across North Carolina. We regularly publish reports summarizing sponsored research studies and distribute data and research findings throughout the state.
How We Do it
Our diverse and talented research faculty can address a wide array of industry-specific challenges from economic development to supply chain management. We also provide scholars with practical opportunities to conduct applied business research.
What They’re Saying
“We were thoroughly impressed with the professionalism and engagement of the study team from the Bureau of Business Research. Their analysis of our staffing capacity included thoughtful collection of all relevant data and comprehensive interviews to fully understand the nuances associated with the services we provide.”
– Mike Abraczinskas, director, Division of Air Quality, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality