Personal profile
About
Chris Roberts, PhD is a Professor in the School of Hospitality and Sports Business. He received his doctorate in Strategic Management from the University of Massachusetts. Dr. Roberts has authored more than 60 publications in journals and industry publications, co-authored three books and has given more than 120 presentations around the world. His research is centered upon strategic decision‑making, leadership and executive teams in the lodging industry. He currently is the co-editor of the ICHRIE Research Reports and the academic journal Perspectives in Asian Leisure and Tourism. Dr. Roberts is the winner of the prestigious Stephenson W. Fletcher Achievement Award, an honor issued by his hospitality and tourism academy. Chris was the founding director of the School of Hospitality Leadership from 2009-2014.
Dr. Roberts has eight years of hotel experience in both operations and reservation centers at Holiday Inn (U.S.). He owned and operated a travel agency for another eight years. He also has 11 years of corporate marketing experience in the communication industry with the Bell Telephone System (later US West), which involved sales and service of major accounts, product management and new product development.
His consulting experience includes strategic management, organizational development, and economic feasibility projects for such clients as Sentosa (Singapore), Ponte 16 Casino (Macao), Mohegan Sun Casino (USA), FSA Design (Station Casinos, USA), Best Western Hotels (USA), Cooper Island Resort (British Virgin Islands) and Mandarin Hotels (Singapore). Dr. Roberts has also delivered numerous workshops around the world in transformational leadership, service quality and recovery, and executive development.
Research Interests
Strategic Decision-Making Process Strategies of the Service Sectors
Top Management Teams
Hotel, Resort and Casino Management
Strategic Management Hospitality and Tourism Education
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Mega-Events After COVID-19: Strategies for Sustainable Recovery
Dolasinski, M. J. & Roberts, C., Jul 2025, In: Sustainability (Switzerland). 17, 14, 6453.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Sustainability, the Balanced Scorecard, and Event Tourism: The SBSC-ET Model
Dolasinski, M. J., Roberts, C. & Young, L., Mar 2025, In: Sustainability (Switzerland). 17, 5, 2174.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Automated Customer Assistance vs. Human Delivered Service: Is It Service Without the Human Component?
Roberts, C., Dolasinski, M. J., Young, L. & Johanson, M., Jul 25 2024.Research output: Contribution to conference › Presentation
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The evolution of service toward automated customer assistance: there is a difference
Roberts, C. & Maier, T., Apr 29 2024, In: International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management. 36, 6, p. 1914-1925 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Meta-Analysis of Tourism Sustainability Research: 2019–2021
Roberts, C., Reynolds, J. & Dolasinski, M. J., Mar 1 2022, In: Sustainability (Switzerland). 14, 6, 3303.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
Press/Media
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New Sustainability Research Study Findings Reported from DePaul University (Mega-events After Covid-19: Strategies for Sustainable Recovery)
8/20/25
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Findings in Sustainability Research Reported from DePaul University (Sustainability, the Balanced Scorecard, and Event Tourism: the Sbsc-et Model)
Roberts, C., Dolasinski, M. J. & Young, L.
4/8/25
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Study Results from DePaul University Update Understanding of Technology (The Evolution of Service Toward Automated Customer Assistance: There Is a Difference)
8/31/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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NIIMBL Announces $15.8M to Fund 14 New Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Projects
8/9/22
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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NIIMBL Announces $15.8M To Fund 14 New Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Projects'
8/9/22
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research