Bureau of Business Research

The Bureau of Business Research

The Bureau of Business Research (BBR) at East Carolina University provides applied research and economic analysis for eastern North Carolina. We partner with businesses, government agencies, and community organizations to deliver:

  • Economic impact assessments
  • Industry and market research
  • Workforce development studies
  • Strategic planning support

Our research helps regional stakeholders make data-informed decisions that strengthen economic competitiveness and quality of life.

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

How We Do it

BBR faculty bring specialized expertise in economics, finance, supply chain, marketing, data analytics, and management. We work collaboratively with clients to:

  • Define research questions and objectives
  • Collect and analyze relevant data
  • Deliver actionable findings and recommendations
  • Support implementation and follow-up
  • Each project is customized to address your specific business or policy challenge.

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.

Expertise: Her research focuses on critical areas of finance, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and international finance. Thanh has authored over 120 articles published in peer-reviewed academic journals.


William Rowe
Associate Professor Department of Marketing & Supply Chain Management
252-737-4342
rowew@ecu.edu


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

Reports & Publications

BBR publishes research reports on economic trends, industry analysis, and workforce development across North Carolina. Our studies provide decision-makers with data-driven insights for strategic planning and policy development

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