Jennifer Y. Mak

Biography

Dr. Jennifer Y. Mak is Professor and Director of Sports Business at Marshall University’s Lewis College of Business and Brad D. Smith Schools of Business. Since joining Marshall University in August 2000, she has built a distinguished career marked by excellence in teaching, scholarship, and professional service. She teaches courses in undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral business programs and is dedicated to preparing students for success in academic and professional environments.

Dr. Mak received her M.S. and Ph.D. from Indiana University Bloomington, her MBA from Marshall University, and her B.A. (Hons), First Class, from Hong Kong Baptist University. A prolific and internationally engaged scholar, she has published more than 50 refereed journal articles and book chapters and has delivered over 100 scholarly presentations worldwide. Her research focuses on consumer behavior, sport marketing, branding, and service marketing. Her work reflects a strong commitment to advancing both theoretical understanding and practical application in the fields of marketing and sports business.

Dr. Mak has received numerous prestigious honors for her scholarly and professional contributions, including Marshall University’s Distinguished Artists and Scholars Award, the Mabel Lee Award from SHAPE America, and the Ray O. Duncan Award from SHAPEWV, that organization’s highest recognition for distinguished service in research, teaching, administration, and leadership. She has also earned two Best Paper Awards from the Association for Marketing Theory and Practice and the Atlantic Marketing Association. In recognition of her research accomplishments, she was named a SHAPE America Research Fellow, with the announcement of her induction published in The Chronicle of Higher Education. She was also appointed a University Fellow by Hong Kong Baptist University, an honor reserved for internationally renowned scholars.

Indiana University, Ph.D., 2000
Marshall University, MBA., 2005
Indiana University, M.S., 1998
Hong Kong Baptist University, BA (1st hons.), 1995
DBA 713 - Bus Quant III
MKT 340 - Marketing Concepts and Applications
STHM 250 - Sport Management (CT)
STHM 380 - Sport Marketing
STHM 496/596 - Olympic Games
STHM 675 - Marketing Management of the Sport Industry
STHM 696 - Seminar in Sport Administration
Ouyang, L., & Mak, J. Y. (2026). Examining how switching barriers moderate the link between customer satisfaction and repurchase intention in the health and fitness club sector. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 38(3), 529–547, doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/APJML-01-2025-0134
Mak, J. Y., Metzler, D., Ruth, G., & Crouch, N. (2025). Unveiling the power of brand equity in sports business: A comprehensive review and pathways for future research. Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science, 35(3), 298–325. https://doi.org/10.1080/21639159.2025.2497758
Mak, J. Y., Pifer, D., Gulavani, S., & Henry, T. (2024). The influences of country and gender on adolescent soccer players' brand perceptions and purchase intentions. International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, 24(3-4), 179-198. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSMM.2024.138986
Soojung, P., Mak, J. Y., Ouyang, L. (2023). Psychosocial Factors Affecting Intention to Play Esports. Journal of Applied Marketing Theory, 10(2), 30-44.
Mak, J. Y., Chen, S. S. C., Allen, L., & Doran, K. F. (2022). Marketing for the DreamWork: How to keep a small entrepreneurial business and drive alive! KYSHAPE Journal, 60(1), 9-19.
Mak, J. Y., Chen, S. S. C., Duran, K. (2021). Dreamworks wrestling. Southeast Case Research Journal, 18(1), 86-90.
Consumer Behavior
Sport Marketing
Branding
Service Marketing
Professor, Marshall University, 2009-current
Associate Professor, Marshall University, 2005-09
Assistant Professor, Marshall University, 2000-04