Jagdish N. Sheth: reflections of an accidental scholar
Journal of Historical Research in Marketing
ISSN: 1755-750X
Article publication date: 22 May 2019
Issue publication date: 30 September 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that scholarship is all about challenging the prevailing wisdom by offering an alternative perspective or explanation. Hopefully, the author’s journey of more than 50 years will inspire others to be eclectic and become deep generalists.
Design/methodology/approach
It is an autobiographical evaluation of an accidental scholar. It emphasizes that an educator is more than a scientist or a priest or a public servant. It is all of them. Educators are in the business of making ordinary people extraordinary. They are diamond cutters who are entrusted by society with its rough diamonds to get their brilliance out and make them useful to themselves, the society and the community.
Findings
Over 50 years, marketing has evolved and adapted to the external environment, including technology revolution, changing demographics, global competition and geopolitics. This provides enormous opportunity for the next generation of scholars to establish their own identity in managerial marketing, consumer behavior or marketing analytics.
Practical implications
While publishing in the top journals is both necessary and desirable in the early stages of an academic career, it is also important to make an impact on practitioners by publishing professional books.
Social implications
According to Peter Drucker, there are only two functions of business: innovation and marketing. While innovation is admired by everyone, marketing can also become a positive force for a better world.
Originality/value
Lessons learnt over time from different encounters and circumstances in research, teaching and service are important to document. In the end, according to the author, they are all academic entrepreneurs.
Keywords
Citation
Sheth, J. (2019), "Jagdish N. Sheth: reflections of an accidental scholar", Journal of Historical Research in Marketing, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 407-420. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHRM-01-2019-0001
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited