RESEARCH INTERESTS

​Dr. Shin’s research focuses primarily on exploring the psychological factors that influence human behaviors in the context of hospitality and food services.

FOOD CHOICE

Dr. Shin has an extensive background in foodservice, which has been the inspiration behind his leading area of research. Throughout the many experiences he has encountered in various foodservice roles, Dr. Shin has developed a passion for understanding the reasoning behind food choice decisions. From taste to attitude, social norms, health concerns, occasion and more, there are innumerable factors that influence food choice. Studying these factors is essential for food product marketing, nutrition education, as well as identifying important implications for greater success and customer satisfaction in the foodservice and hospitality industries.

SUSTAINABILITY

​Dr. Shin’s previous work experience has also focused heavily on integrating sustainability into the foodservice industry. While sustainability has recently gained considerable popularity in the hospitality field, it is still markedly under-researched. Dr. Shin has adopted sustainability as one of his primary research focuses, as he was able to see first-hand the positive impact of implementing sustainable systems during his tenure as the Sustainability Coordinator for the University Dining Services at Oklahoma State University. Non-sustainable systems can have a severely detrimental impact on the quality of human life, so further research exploring why some people embrace sustainable actions while others do not is vital in order to influence behavior change in this area. Implications from Dr. Shin’s past and future research in this area can improve the sustainability of the foodservice and hospitality industries and impact the overall health and well-being of the population.

OTHER HUMAN BEHAVIORS

​Dr. Shin’s exploration of psychological factors extends to a wide variety of other human behaviors as well. His experience in the hospitality industry has piqued his curiosity related to customer satisfaction, employee performance, and other behaviors in hotels, conferences, and even RV parks. Dr. Shin’s research provides valuable information to various business owners to help improve marketing strategies, increase business, and enhance customer experience.

INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH

Dr. Shin recognizes the importance of utilizing diverse viewpoints in research, which is why many of his studies use an interdisciplinary approach. Including professionals from additional fields such as nutrition, education, agriculture, and health science allows for a better capacity to address complex problems and generate unique ideas. Using an interdisciplinary approach elicits a deeper understanding of Dr. Shin’s research topics as well as a wider impact from his results.