Professor of Marketing and Benjamin Jones Professor of Retail Marketing, Michael Budden knew by the 4th grade that he wanted to teach, but he never imagined that one day he would teach, and in college at that. Neither did this year’s recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Research realize that he would spend the greater part of his life conducting research that would anchor his teaching.
“As a Southeastern MBA student, I had to complete research and consulting activities for two business clients of the SBA,” he said. “Those projects cemented my desire to apply research to understanding business challenges. That desire still drives my research.”
Budden has spent 35 years at Southeastern. During that time he has authored over 112 refereed journal articles, presented at numerous international and national conferences, published over 115 conference proceedings papers, several cases and essays, and written two books.
Merritt Professor of Management David C. Wyld said that Budden has authored works across the marketing discipline that relate to very real issues that all in business have to deal with, including shoplifting, trade secrets, and COVID-19, subjects that are very much in the news headlines today.
“Dr. Budden has been a sought-after subject matter expert on marketing issues, for interviews from the media, and for consultations with business professionals,” Wyld said. “As such, his research has had a tremendous impact over the years and has been a key factor in helping to advance the reputation and regard for both Southeastern and specifically for our College of Business.”
Budden was an administrator at Southeastern for 14 years and was the faculty ombudsperson for 12 years. He also served as dean for six years in Alabama. However, that didn’t stop his research and publishing. Over the course of his 48 years teaching in higher education, he has managed to produce approximately five academic publications per year.
“Researching and spreading knowledge is not just a part of what I do. It has become a part of who I am,” he said.
Graduate students gain understanding of ways in which business research can positively impact society, Budden explained. Southeastern students have been assigned research/consulting assignments for non-profits, including Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa, Southeastern’s Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, the Maritime Museum, and Southeastern’s basketball team, to name a few.
“My students apply their knowledge to real-world needs. After all, isn’t that what research is all about?”
