Gies Faculty Profile – Ravi Mehta

Business couldn’t keep Ravi Mehta from the academic path. Somewhere along the way in his career as an electrical engineer, Mehta “realized that the day-to-day implementation of business strategies wasn’t enough to satiate my intellectual curiosity.” He wanted a deeper understanding of consumer behavior and its impact on business strategies. He joined Gies College of Business as an assistant professor in 2011.

Mehta has an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University and a Ph.D. in Marketing from the University of British Columbia. His research centers on consumer behavior and innovation, exploring how subtle environmental cues influence consumer decisions. He is passionate in the pursuit of better understanding consumer cognition.

“My work has unearthed how subtle aspects of our surrounding physical environment such as background noise, lighting, and computer screen colors can significantly shape consumers’ interaction with and contribution to the innovation landscape,” he says.

Mehta’s other passion: fostering creativity, a fact that resonates through his courses, where he engages students in exploring new product development and consumer empowerment. The diverse perspectives that his students bring to the classroom is a source of great fulfillment for him. 

“The most enjoyable aspect of teaching business students is witnessing diversity of thought and perspectives,” he says. He envisions a future business education paradigm focused on authentic learning experiences and understanding, transcending traditional grading practices.

Mehta says he is grateful for the opportunities that he has had so far as a professor. “I see my teaching pursuits as giving back to society and training the next generation of scholars and business leaders,” he says.

Title:

Professor, Marketing

Associate Head, Department of Business Administration

Josef and Margot Lakonishok Faculty Fellow, Gies College of Business

Professor, Biomedical and Translational Sciences

Carle Illinois College of Medicine

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

At current institution since what year? 2011

Education:

Ph.D. in Marketing, 2011 (University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada)

Master of Business Administration, 2006 (Schulich School of Business, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada)

Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical), 1993 (Delhi College of Engineering, Delhi University, Delhi, India)

Professional bio, highlighted awards/achievements:

Dr. Ravi Mehta is a Professor of Business Administration (Marketing area) and Josef and Margot Lakonishok Faculty Fellow at the Gies College of Business, with a joint appointment at Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. He also serves as the Associate Head of the Business Administration department. Dr. Mehta’s primary stream of work strives to explicate and extend current theories in consumer behavior and psychology as they apply to consumer creativity, technological innovation, and the development and adoption of new products. Another line of his work examines the impact of environmental, personality, and social factors on issues related to consumer welfare and empowerment. Dr. Mehta has been honored with the MSI Young Scholar Award and the MSI Scholar Award for his contributions to marketing practice and theory. These are a testament to Dr. Mehta’s academic leadership, as is reflected through his innovative research and impactful teaching. His work has been published in top-tier academic journals like Science, Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Marketing, Journal of Consumer Psychology, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, etc. He also serves as Associate Editor and on Editorial Review Boards of top-tier marketing academic journals. Dr. Mehta teaches courses related to creativity, new products, and innovation across various programs and colleges at the University. His excellence in teaching is underscored by his consistent recognition on the University of Illinois List of Excellent Teachers, an honor he has maintained for over a decade. Prior to his academic pursuits, Dr. Mehta worked in various managerial positions at ITW Signode, United Technologies, and GE for over a decade, providing him with invaluable insights that enrich his research and teaching and bridge the gap between theory and practice.

List of courses you currently teach:

Gies College of Business, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Empirical Research Methods in Business Administration (PhD seminar)

New Product Marketing (Hoeft Technology & Management undergraduate program)

New Product Development (M.S. Technology Management, Undergraduates)

Fostering Creative Thinking (iMBA)

Customer-Centric Innovation (Coursera)

Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Innovation and Product Development Capstone Project (Course co-director and instructor)

TELL US ABOUT LIFE AS A BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR

I knew I wanted to be a business school professor when…  While working in the business sector, I realized that the day-to-day implementation of business strategies wasn’t enough to satiate my intellectual curiosity. I needed a deeper understanding of the theories and ideas that underpin these strategies. This realization brought me back to the academic world, where I now engage in knowledge creation and dissemination. Through my research, publications, and teaching, I’m able to offer a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of consumer behavior and its ultimate impact on business strategies.

What are your major research interests? Consumer cognition and information processing, Creativity and innovation, New product adoption and development, Consumer welfare and empowerment,

What are you currently studying? I am currently studying the effects of consumer engagement in the innovation processes of luxury brands, analyzing how such participation impacts both supply and demand side benefits. Parallel to this, I am examining the role of diversity and inclusivity in fostering creativity and innovation and how, in turn, creative mindset can positively impact diversity, equity, and inclusivity issues.

What is the most significant discovery you’ve made from your research? My work has unearthed how subtle aspects of our surrounding physical environment (e.g., background noise, lighting, computer screen colors) can have significant implications for consumers’ creativity and innovative behaviors, such as problem-solving, ideation, product usage, and even the purchase of innovative products. It is fascinating to see how these subtle, often ignored environmental elements can significantly shape consumers’ interaction with and contribution to the innovation landscape.

If I weren’t a business school professor…  If I weren’t a business school professor, I might have pursued a career in management consulting, where I could apply my business knowledge to help organizations solve complex problems and drive strategic growth.

What do you think makes you stand out as a professor? What makes me stand out as a professor is my unwavering dedication to inspiring students, my ability to make complex concepts accessible through engaging teaching methods, and my commitment to their growth and success inside and outside the classroom. I see my teaching pursuits as giving back to society and training the next generation of scholars and business leaders.

One word that describes my first time teaching: Invigorating

Here’s what I wish someone would’ve told me about being a business school professor:  Navigating the academic landscape requires more than just expertise in your subject; it requires adaptability, patience, and a commitment to student development. The role of a business school professor extends beyond lecturing—it’s about mentoring, researching, and constantly learning. Perhaps most importantly, the work-life balance may not be easy to achive as the job comes with diverse responsibilities, including publishing, teaching, and administrative duties.

TEACHING GIES STUDENTS

What do you enjoy most about teaching business students? The most enjoyable aspect of teaching business students is witnessing diversity of thought and perspectives, and seeing how a collection of such thought processes can then be applied to understand and resolve real world business problems. It is extremely rewarding for me to create an interactive learning environment where students challenge existing paradigms but respect diverging viewpoints.

What is most challenging? One of the foremost challenges in teaching innovation and new products lies in striking a delicate balance between the pursuit of financial success and the broader consequences for society and the environment. It involves instilling a mindset that recognizes the importance of profitability, yet also prioritizes sustainable practices and social responsibility. I think it is critical to create an understanding that seemingly harmless business and innovation related decisions may have far-reaching implications.

In one word, describe your favorite type of student: Diligent

In one word, describe your least favorite type of student: Complacent.

When it comes to grading, I think students would describe me as… Constructive and fair

LIFE OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM

What are your hobbies? DIY home projects – helps me keep in touch with my creative side while allowing me an opportunity to unwind and spend quality time with family.

Yoga and Meditation – helps me in managing everyday stress while maintaining a healthy work-life balance and enhancing overall well-being.

Favorite book(s): The Bhagavad Gita, written centuries ago, offers timeless wisdom through a profound dialogue on life’s purpose and duty. It is remarkable how it is relevant to even modern life’s complexities. The most outstanding aspect for me is its practical philosophy, which emphasizes the concept of ‘karma’—the act of doing one’s duty without attachment to outcomes. The principle suggests that diligent effort paves the way for results; hence, one’s emphasis should be on the effort exerted, thereby offering a timeless strategy for navigating daily challenges with grace and poise.

What is currently your favorite movie and/or show and what is it about the film or program that you enjoy so much? A Beautiful Mind –  Drawing from real-life events, the film underscores the power of resilience and the human spirit. It shows the triumph of perseverance through adversity, illustrating the capacity of a mind to achieve greatness despite obstacles. The film, mirroring the life of John Nash, offers an inspiration that, although difficult, through grit and effort, one can overcome personal vulnerabilities and shortcomings to achieve intellectual excellence.

What is your favorite type of music or artist(s) and why? I’m drawn toward traditional jazz for the complexity and the continual innovation that the genre represents. The improvisation is central to jazz, underscoring the importance of adaptability and creative spontaneity. Moreover, jazz’s emergence from a blend of diverse cultural influences makes it deeply rich and reflective. This genre also aligns with my lifestyle, providing a rich, sophisticated backdrop that helps me relax and focus.

THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS

If I had my way, the business school of the future would have much more of this… If I had my way, the business school of the future would significantly shift away from traditional grading practices and focus on real learning and understanding. It would foster cultural intelligence, preparing students to navigate and lead in a globally interconnected economy. The curriculum would be deeply rooted in real-world applications, ensuring that theoretical concepts are tied to practical use. Additionally, there would be a balanced focus on data-driven and human-related factors that influence decision-making, blending quantitative acumen with emotional intelligence to develop well-rounded business leaders.

In my opinion, companies and organizations today need to do a better job at… In my view, companies and organizations today should strive to improve their performance in areas such as sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and employee well-being. They need to be more proactive in their social and environmental responsibilities, ensuring that their operations are eco-friendly and contribute positively to society. Additionally, fostering a culture that values diverse perspectives and backgrounds, and promoting equitable opportunities for all employees is crucial and can drive productivity and innovation.

I’m grateful for… I’m grateful for the opportunities that I was either presented with or was able to create for my growth through learning and education and for all the people that directly or indirectly contributed to my journey and scholarly pursuits. I’m also deeply grateful for the unwavering love and support from my family and friends. Above all, I cherish the ability to evidence and live the simple joys and warmth each new day brings.