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Joseph (Mick) La Lopa, PhD

Associate Professor

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Contact Information

Hospitality and Tourism Management
Stone Hall, Room 106
700 W. State Street
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2059

Phone: (765) 494-4643
Fax: (765) 494-0327
E-mail: htm@purdue.edu

E-mail Web site administrator

Mick LaLopa Research interests: Tourism, hotel management, operational analysis
E-mail: lalopam@purdue.edu
Phone: (765) 494-6218
Fax: (765) 494-0327
Office: Stone Hall, Room 103
Website: http://omni.cc.purdue.edu/~lalopaj/joe.htm

Biography

Education

Courses Taught

Research Interests

Honors and Awards

Recent Publications

Selected Grants and Projects

Professional Affiliations

Consulting Experience

BIOGRAPHY

Joseph M. La Lopa joined the faculty on August 12, 1996. His primary teaching responsibilities are in both hotel and tourism. He has industry experience in both manufacturing and hospitality, and worked 10 years at the Xerox Corporation, which fueled his passion for service/total quality management. Dr. La Lopa has over 10 years of restaurant experience as a chef, kitchen manager, developer, and marketing/service quality management consultant. He has work and research expertise in employee training/development, economic impact of tourism, service/total quality management, and commercial recreation (e.g., marketing, development, operations).

The highlight of his research career at Michigan State came when he had the privilege of working with futurist Alvin Toffler on a research project for a political think tank. The nature of the research culminated in his successfully testing the validity of Alvin Toffler's “Third Wave” concept in the Michigan business community that was turned into a journal article. His personal mission statement is "to spend a majority of my time reading, writing, and speaking/hearing about the application of quality management theories/techniques in the workplace and the classroom."

He is happily married to his high school sweetheart, Paula, and blessed with three gifted daughters and one son.

EDUCATION

  • AAS, Richland Community College, Texas (Psychology)
  • BA, University of North Texas State (Psychology, cum laude)
  • MS, Rochester Institute of Technology, New York (Hospitality Management)
  • PhD, Michigan State University (Park, Recreation, and Tourism Resources)

COURSES TAUGHT

  • HTM 212 (Organization and Management)
  • HTM 371 (Introduction to Tourism)
  • HTM 331 (Hospitality and Tourism Sales and Service)
  • HTM 499 (Operational Analysis)

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Research is focused on the application of quality management theories/techniques in hospitality/tourism businesses and curricula.

HONORS AND AWARDS

  • Professor La Lopa has made a rare accomplishment since joining Purdue in 1996. He has received each of the major teaching awards that can be bestowed to faculty members at the department, school, and university level.
  • 2006, Recognized as an outstanding professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Purdue University by the Purdue Panhellenic Association & Kappa Alpha Theta
  • 2005, Inducted as Honorary Member of Alpha Lambda Delta Phi Eta Sigma in recognition of outstanding performance and dedication to Purdue University
  • 2005, Nominee for the 2005 Outstanding Advisor of the Year in recognition of being nominated by HSMA students as an outstanding advisor
  • 2005, Granted a courtesy appointment in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the School of Education to work with faculty and students. This is a great honor and opportunity given I teach in the HTM department.
  • 2005, Service Learning Faculty Fellow. This award was given to five Purdue faculty for 2005 to help spread the use of service learning here on campus. This is a great honor as only 15 will be selected in a three-year period to get the award.
  • 2003, John Wiley & Sons Award for Innovation in Teaching. The award recognizes an International CHRIE member for the individual's implementation of innovative, creative, and effective teaching techniques in hospitality education at the high school, diploma, and college or university level.
  • 2000, Inducted into the Teaching Academy as a Fellow.
  • 2000, Recipient of the Charles B. Murphy University Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher Award.
  • 199, Recipient of the Teaching for Tomorrow Award. The award was established to foster continued excellence for teaching and learning at Purdue and to facilitate the development of the teaching potential of the faculty.
  • 1999, Nominee for the Charles B. Murphy University Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher Award.
  • 1999, Recipient of the Mary L. Matthews Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award in the School of Consumer and Family Sciences. The award is presented annually to an outstanding teacher who has been selected by its student body for excellence in teaching.
  • 1998, Recipient of the Lazarus Undergraduate Teaching Award in the RHIT Department. The award recognizes quality teaching and commitment to undergraduate students.
  • 1997, Recipient of the Lazarus Undergraduate Teaching Award in the RHIT Department. The award recognizes quality teaching and commitment to undergraduate students.
  • 1997, Recipient of the Big Apple Award, given to faculty members by Purdue's Panhellenic Association for having had a positive impact on sorority members through outstanding dedication to teaching.

 

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Referred Publications

Published Articles

  • La Lopa, J. M. (2005-2006). Using Student-Centered Assessment to Enhance Learning. Teaching Excellence: Toward the Best in the Academy, 17 (8). Published by the Professional and Organization Development Network in Higher Education's Essays on Teaching .
  • McDonald, J. and La Lopa, J. M. (2005). From Didactic Teaching to Problem-Based Learning: There Must be a Better Way. Journal of Cooperative Education, 2 (3), 169-176. Guest Editorial.
  • La Lopa, J. M. and Jacobs, J. W. (2005). The Benefits of Teaching a Course on Hospitality and Tourism Sales and Service via Active Learning. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education, (17, 1), 38-46.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2004, Winter). Developing a Student-Based Evaluation Tool for Authentic Assessment. In Alternative Strategies for Evaluating Student Learning. New Directions on Teaching and Learning, Number 100, 31-36.
  • Beck, J., Lalopa, J., and Hall, J. (2004). Insuring Quality Service: Training Mystery Shoppers. Journal of Human Resources for Hospitality and Tourism, 2 (2), 41-56.
  • Beck, J., La Lopa, J. M., and Hu, B. (2003). Career Anchors of Hospitality and Tourism Educators. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education, 15 (3), 6-13. Published as Featured Paper.
  • Ghiselli, R., La Lopa, J. M., and Bai, B. (2003). Meeting the Challenge of Making Life More Satisfying for Hospitality Managers. Hospitality Review, 20 (2), 91-103.
  • Wasburn, M. H. and La Lopa, J. M. (2003). Assessing a Big Ten University's Faculty Mentoring Network Program. Planning and Development, 34 (3&4 ), 1-15.
  • Mauer, L. J. and La Lopa, J. M. (2003). Implementing a Total Quality Management Approach in the Design, Delivery, and Redesign of a Statistical Process Control Course. Journal of Food Science Education, 2 (3), 41-46. (available at www.ift.org/publications/jfse/)
  • La Lopa, J. M. and McDonald, J. T. (2002). Problem-Based Learning: Providing Students with the Opportunity to Solve Real-World Problems in the Safety of the Classroom. The Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education, 14, 36-41. Emerald Management Review Citation for Excellence 2003.
  • La Lopa, J. M, Woods, B., and Liu, A. (2002). The job of department chair at America 's CHRIE member hospitality and tourism programs: The nature of the person and the position. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research, 26, 87-104.
  • Rittichainuwat, B., Beck, J. A., and La Lopa, J. M. (2001). Understanding Motivations, Inhibitors, and Facilitators of Association Members in Attending International Conferences. Special issue of International Journal of Convention and Meeting Management, 3, 45-62.
  • Jacobs, J. M., La Lopa, J. M., and Sorgule, P. (2001). Pilot-Testing a Student-Designed Team Exam in an Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism Education Course. The Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education, 13, 113-120.
  • Ghiselli, R., La Lopa, J. M., and Bai, B. (2001, April). Job Satisfaction, Life Satisfaction & Turnover Intent of Food Service Managers. Cornell Quarterly, 42, 28-37. Nominee for Best Article in the Cornell Quarterly for 2001.
  • Beck, J. and La Lopa, J. M. (2001). An Application of Schein's Career Anchors Inventory to Hotel Executive Operating Committee Members. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 20, 15-28.
  • La Lopa, J. M., Kavanaugh, R., and Ghiselli, R. (2000). The Impact on Turnover Rates When Offering Benefits to Part-Time Employees at Indiana's Quick Service Hamburger Chain Restaurants. Foodservice Research International, 12, 263-276.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2000). Shuffling Deck Chairs on the Titanic: A Rebuttal to the Article on Extra Credit … Extra Learning. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education, 12, 8-9.
  • La Lopa, J. M. and Marecki, R. F. (2000). Using General Systems Theory to Continuously Improve a Commute to Work. Journal of Quality Progress, 33, 59-64.
  • Lloyd, J., La Lopa, J. M., and Braunlich, C. (2000). Predicting Changes in Hong Kong's Hotel Industry Given the Change in Sovereignty from Britain to China in 1997. Journal of Travel Research, 38, 405-410.
  • Chen, K. C. and La Lopa, J. M. (1999). Conventions and Exhibitions Development in Thailand. Journal of Convention & Exhibition Management, 2, 1-13.
  • La Lopa, J. M., Jacobs, J. W., and Countryman, C. (1999). The Effects of Student Teams on Quiz Score Performance Given a Performance-Based Incentive Package. The Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education, 11, 25-30.
  • La Lopa, J. M. and Marecki, R. F. (1999). The Critical Role of Quality in the Tourism System. Journal of Quality Progress, 32, 37-41.
  • La Lopa, J. M., Jacobs, Jr., J. W., and Hu, C. (1999). Evolving Learning Environments: Another Team-Based Example. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education, 10, 30-37.
  • Jacobs, J. W. and La Lopa, J. M. (1998). Teaching: Past, Present, and Future. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education, 10, 4-5.
  • La Lopa, J. M. and Jacobs, J. W. (1998). Utilizing Student Teams to Facilitate an Introductory Tourism Course in Higher Education. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education, 10, 26-31.
  • La Lopa, J. M., Chen, K. C., and Nelson, K. (1998). Economic Impact of the 1996 Oldsmobile Classic Golf Tournament in the Greater Lansing Area. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 4, 175-185.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1997). The Prediction of Organizational Commitment and Turnover in Resort Jobs. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research, 21, 11-26.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1996). The Reality of the Third Wave Concept in Michigan 's Business Community. Futures Research Quarterly, 12, 85-94.
  • La Lopa, J. M. and Holecek, D. F. (1996). A Community-Based Service Quality Training Program. The Journal for Quality and Participation, 19, 42-48.

Referred Paper Presentations

  • Ghiselli, R. and La Lopa, J. M. (2005, July). Multi-generational Management in Hospitality: Meeting Gen Y's Expectations. Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (CHRIE): Las Vegas, NV.
  • La Lopa, J. M., Ghiselli, R., and Beck, J. (2004, August). The Role of Biodata and Career Anchors on Turnover Intentions among Hospitality and Tourism Educators. Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (CHRIE) International Conference and Exposition: Philadelphia, PA.
  • Ghiselli, R., La Lopa, J. M., and Bai, B. (2004, August). The Stature of Foodservice and Hospitality Occupations: Enhancing the Image of Quick-Service. Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (CHRIE) International Conference and Exposition: Philadelphia, PA.
  • La Lopa, J. M. and Ghiselli, R. (2003, August). Reducing Dysfunctional Turnover Among High Caliber Foodservice Managers. Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (CHRIE) International Conference and Exposition: Pasadena, CA.
  • Ghiselli, R., La Lopa, J. M., and Bai, B. (2002, July). Meeting the Challenge of Making Life More Satisfying for Hospitality Managers. Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (CHRIE) International Conference and Exposition: Orlando, FL. Best Paper Award.
  • Ghiselli, R., La Lopa, J. M., and Bai, B. (2000, July). Job Satisfaction, Life Satisfaction and Turnover Intent of Foodservice Managers. Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (CHRIE) International Conference and Exposition: New Orleans, LA. Best Paper Award.

Referred Poster Sessions

  • La Lopa, J. M. (2005). Teaching a Course on Tourism Feasibility Studies via Service-Learning to Benefit the Students and the Museum at Prophetstown. National Outreach Scholarship Conference. October 3, 2005. University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
  • Broussard, S. R. and La Lopa, J. M. (2004). Bridging the Disciplines Through Sustainable Community Development: An Interdisciplinary Service-Learning Course. Professional Organization Development (POD) Network. November 5, 2004, Montreal, Quebec.
  • Mauer, L. J. and La Lopa, J. M. (2003). An In-Class Total Quality Management (TQM) Assignment. Institute of Food Technologists' Annual Meeting and Food Expo. July 12-16, Chicago, IL .
  • La Lopa, J., Macklin, A., and Ross, E. (2000, October). Launching a PBL Initiative at a Big Ten University PBL 2000: A Conference on Problem-Based Learning in Undergraduate and Professional Education. Samford University, Birmingham, AL.
  • Referred Presentations
  • La Lopa, J. M., Chen, J., Milton, W. M., and Krueger, J. (2006, April 7). Utilizing a Faculty Mentoring Network Program to Promote Scholarship of Teaching and Learning at a Big Ten University. Presented at the Seventh Annual Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Conference, Indiana University, South Bend.
  • Conference Proceedings
  • Forsberg, P. K., Bishop, G., and La Lopa, J. M. (1992). Market Characteristics of a Developing National Recreation Area near a Resource Dependent Community. In R. Field (Ed.) Proceedings: The Fourth North American symposium on Society and Resource Management. Madison, WI.

Non-Referred Publications

Articles

  • La Lopa, J. M. (2006, Summer). Training chefs to train servers: Maximizing profitability for foodservice businesses. Chef Educator Today, 7 (2), 32-33.
  • La Lopa, J. M. and Broussard, S. (2006, Summer). Interdisciplinary Teaching & Learning: Best practices for developing and implementing a rich and rewarding learning experience for students and teachers. Chef Educator Today, 7 (2), 28, 31.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2006, Spring). Lecturing – the Do's and Dont's: Making Effective Use of the Lecture Method in the Culinary Classroom. Chef Educator Today, 7 (1), 26-27.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2005, Winter). Pork 201: Teaching Students to Identify and Prepare Underutilized Cuts of Pork. Chef Educator Today, 6 (4), 22-23.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2005, Winter). Writing Across the Curriculum: Teaching Students to Develop Their Higher Order Thinking Skills Through Writing. Chef Educator Today, 6 (4), 24-25.
  • La Lopa, J. M., Xie, T., Cornwell, K., Sleeman, K., and Halterman, S. (2005, Autumn). Culinary Programs Answer the Call: The 2005 National Survey of American Culinary Programs. Chef Educator Today, 6 (3), 23-25.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2005, Summer). Soy La Vie: Thoughts on Thinking Soybeans. Chef Educator Today, 6 (2), 26-27.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2005, Spring). Back of the House Ethics: Students Must be Taught Not to Give into the Unethical Behavior They May See or be Asked to do During Internships or Their Careers. Chef Educator Today, 6 (1), 25-27.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2005, Spring). Student Thinking Styles: The Key to Teaching Culinary Math to Students. Chef Educator Today, 6 (1), 28-29.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2004, Winter). An Efficient and Effective Way to Teach Pork. Chef Educator Today, 5 (4), 26-27.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2004, Winter). The Fibonacci Sequence: Could it Crack the Mathematical Code of Plate Presentation? Chef Educator Today, 5 (4), 28-30.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2004, Autumn). Getting the Most Out of Service Learning. Chef Educator Today, 5 (3), 25-28.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2004, Autumn). Good Cake vs. Bad Cake: What Happened to the Cake? Chef Educator Today, 5 (3), 22-24.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2004, Summer). Assessing Student Ability on Restaurant Inspection Code. Chef Educator Today, 5 (2), 36-37.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2004, Spring). The Evolving Garnish: Use Bloom's Taxonomy to Teach Students a Deeper Understanding of Garnish. Chef Educator Today, 5 (1), 34-35.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2004, Spring). Techniques for Getting and Using Student Feedback to Improve Your Teaching. Chef Educator Today, 5 (1), 36-38.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2002, Autumn). A Matter of Taste: Some Thoughts on Taste and How to Teach It. Chef Educator Today, 3 (3), 34-37.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2002, Autumn). Wining and Dining: A Lesson Plan on Teaching Students How to Increase Wine Sales. Chef Educator Today, 3 (3), 38-39.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2002, Summer). Attention All Students: Opening a Window of Opportunity with Students by Adjusting Your Teaching Methods to Accommodate Their Different Learning Styles. Chef Educator Today, 3 (2), 34-37.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2002, Summer). Learning Edible Oils: A Lesson Plan on Identifying and Applying Edible Oils. Chef Educator Today, 3 (2), 38-39.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2002, Spring). Teaching Critical Thinking to Students. Chef Educator Today, 3 (1), 36-39.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2002, Spring). The Soybean: Undeniably the Most Versatile Food on the Planet. Chef Educator Today, 3 (1), 40-41.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2002, Winter). Preparing Culinary Students for Team-Based Learning. Chef Educator Today, 2 (4), 29-33.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2002, Winter). Restaurant Food Safety: You are the Health Inspector. Chef Educator Today, 2 (4), 34-35.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2001). Guest editorial: Food for thought on management turnover in the hospitality industry. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 13, 11-13.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2001, Fall). PBLA: A Better Way to Prepare the Next Generation of Chefs. Chef Educator Today, 2 (3), 28-33.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2001, Fall). Sunny Side Up Please: A Lesson Plan on Frying an Egg Perfectly. Chef Educator Today, 2 (3), 36-37.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2001, Summer). Chef Educators' Primer Using the Internet. Chef Educator Today, 2 (2), 38-39 .
  • La Lopa, J. (2001, February). Thoughts About Schools that Learn. Systems Thinker, p.8.
  • La Lopa, J. (2001, Spring). How Sweet It Is: Preparing Students for Confectionary Competition. Chef Educator Today, 2 (1), 34-37.
  • La Lopa, J. M. & Countryman, C. (2000, August). Evaluating Student Team Performance in the Classroom or Kitchen. Chef Educator Today, 1 (2) 32-36 .
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2000, April). The Industry Challenge. Network News, 3-4.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2000, March). Pilot Testing an Innovative Student Assessment System. Network News, 4-5.
  • Smith, A., & La Lopa, J.M. (2000, February). Teaching Students to Think: How Problem-Based Learning is Revolutionizing the Classroom. Chef Educator Today, 1 , (1) 25-27.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (2000, January). Teaching Resolutions for New Year's 2000. Network News, p. 3.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1999, October). Farewell to My Teacher Network News, p.2 & 6.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1999, September). Turning a Summer Hiatus into a Banner School Year, Part II. Network News, p. 3.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1999, September). Turning a Summer Hiatus into a Banner School Year, Part I. Network News, p. 3.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1999, June). How I Plan to Spend My Summer Vacation. Network News, p. 3.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1999, May). Focus on Problem-Based Learning-Part III. Network News, p. 5.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1999, April). Focus on Problem-Based Learning-Part II. Network News, p. 4.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1999, March). Focus on Problem-Based Learning-Part I. Network News, p. 4.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1999, February). Self Expression for Self Assessment of Student Teams. Network News, p. 4.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1999, January). Sticking a Toothpick in Your Class to See if it is Done. Network News, p. 5.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1998, November). Using the Concept of Benchmarking to Improve Student Exam Performance. Network News, p. 5.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1998, October). The Importance of Mentoring Your Classroom Teams. Network News, p. 5.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1998, September). Ways to Make Collaborative Learning Work in the Classroom. Network News, p. 8. Note: Network News was a newsletter that was mailed out by the Food Educators Network International (FENI) to faculty in 1,600 post-secondary foodservice programs located throughout the US, as well as all high schools in 12 states, on a monthly basis. It was replaced with Chef Educator Today in February 2000.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1998). Successful Tourism Business Requires Quality Management. Terre Haute Journal of Business, 3, p. 7.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1997). Oldsmobile Classic Pumps More than $4.9 Million into Lansing Region. Inside Oldsmobile Classic. Lansing, MI: Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, p. 35.
  • La Lopa, J.M (1995). Travel & Tourism Employment: Dispelling the Myths. CenStates News, 11, 11-12.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1995). Dispelling the Myths II. Great Lakes Hospitality, 20, 7.
  • La Lopa, J.M. (1994). Tourism Employment in Michigan. CenStates News, 10, 8.
  • Holecek, D., Forsberg, P. K., Myers, J., and La Lopa, J. M. (1994). Travel & Tourism: Issues in Tax Policy. East Lansing, MI: World Travel & Tourism Tax Policy Center.

Reports to Contractors/Research Monographs

  • La Lopa, J. M. and Kline S. (2004, July). Preliminary Feasibility Study for a Proposed Casual Dining Restaurant and Lounge for Bedford, Indiana. West Lafayette, IN: Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Purdue University.
  • Kline, S. and La Lopa, J. M. (2004, June). Market Feasibility Study For the Proposed Hampton Inn & Suites Hotel Bedford, Indiana. West Lafayette, IN: Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Purdue University.
  • La Lopa, J. M. and Ghiselli, R. G. (2002, September). Improving the Performance and Reducing the Voluntary Turnover of Steak n Shake Growth Candidates. West Lafayette, IN: Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Purdue University.
  • Ghiselli, R., LaLopa, J., and Bai, B. (2000). Job Satisfaction and Intent to Turnover by Food Service Managers. (Report prepared for Consolidated Products, Inc.). West Lafayette, IN: Department of Restaurant, Hotel, Institutional, and Tourism, Purdue University.
  • Repanis, A., and La Lopa, J. M. (2000, May). Evaluation of the 2000 Midwest Regional CHRIE Conference. West Lafayette, IN: Department of Restaurant, Hotel, Institutional, and Tourism, Purdue University.
  • La Lopa, J. M. and Kavanaugh, R. (Eds.). (1999, December). 1999 Boone County Tourism Market Study. West Lafayette, IN: Department of Restaurant, Hotel, Institutional, and Tourism, Purdue University.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1999, May). Evaluation of the 1999 Midwest Regional CHRIE Conference. West Lafayette, IN: Department of Restaurant, Hotel, Institutional, and Tourism, Purdue University.
  • Felli, A. A., La Lopa, J. M., and Kavanaugh, R. (1999, April) Results of Wage and Benefit Study of Quick Service Hamburger Restaurants in Indiana: An Executive Report for Owners/Managers Responding to the 1998 Survey. West Lafayette, IN: Department of Restaurant, Hotel, Institutional, and Tourism, Purdue University.
  • Felli, A. A., La Lopa, J. M., and Kavanaugh, R. (1998, November). Wage and Benefit Study: A Study of Wages and Benefits Offered by Quick Service Restaurants in Indiana and Northern Kentucky. West Lafayette, IN: Department of Restaurant, Hotel, Institutional, and Tourism, Purdue University.
  • Horton, B. W., La Lopa, J.M., and Solon, V. (1998, July). Elkhart County Farmers Market Study for the Village Market Place. West Lafayette, IN: Department of Restaurant, Hotel, Institutional, and Tourism, Purdue University.
  • Klenosky, D. B. and LaLopa, J. M. (1997, November). Columbian Park 1997 Visitor Survey. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University's Tourism & Hospitality Research Center.
  • La Lopa, J. M., Nelson, K., and Li, Y. (1997, January). Economic Impact of 1996 Oldsmobile Classic in the Greater Lansing Area. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University's Tourism & Hospitality Research Center.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1995, October). The Michigan 2000 Foundation 1995 Survey of Michigan Businesses. East Lansing: Michigan State University's Tax Policy Center in the Travel, Tourism, and Recreation Resource Center.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1995, October). 1995 Study on Escorted Motorcoach Tours. East Lansing: Michigan State University's Travel, Tourism, and Recreation Resource Center.
  • La Lopa, J. M. and Myers, J. (1995, March). Best Western Beacon Motel: 1995 Market Study. East Lansing: Michigan State University's Travel, Tourism, and Recreation Resource Center.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1994, August). Antecedents and Outcomes of Organizational Commitment at Crystal Mountain Resort. East Lansing: Michigan State University's Travel, Tourism, and Recreation Resource Center.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1994, December). Results of the Employment Survey Conducted at Boyne Highlands Resort. East Lansing: Michigan State University's Travel, Tourism, and Recreation Resource Center.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1994, December). 1994 Business and Retention Expansion Survey for Kent County. East Lansing: Michigan State University's Travel, Tourism, and Recreation Resource Center.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1994, September). 1994 Business and Retention Expansion Survey for Ogemaw County. East Lansing: Michigan State University's Travel, Tourism, and Recreation Resource Center.
  • Williams J., La Lopa, J. M., & Holecek, D. (1994, October). Analysis of 1994 Camping Interest Survey: Executive Report . East Lansing : Michigan State University 's Travel, Tourism, and Recreation Resource Center and Department of Park, Recreation, and Tourism Resources.
  • La Lopa, J. M., Williams, J., Bristor, J., and Holecek, D. (1994, March). Analysis of 1992 Camp Program Survey for Capital area Girl Scout Council. East Lansing: Michigan State University's Travel, Tourism, and Recreation Resource Center and Department of Park, Recreation, and Tourism Resources.

Editor-in-Chief/ Education Editor

  • Professor La Lopa is the co-creator and editor-in-chief of a new magazine entitled Chef Educator Today (CET) starting in 1998, he briefly left the position but rejoined it in 2003. The mission of the magazine was “to be the one publication that foodservice educators can depend on to help them better prepare their students for the dynamic careers that await them upon graduation.” CET profiles those people, programs, businesses, or councils who are leading the way in culinary- and foodservice- management education. CET was published quarterly and sent to over 4,500 culinary arts and foodservice programs (at the secondary and post-secondary level) in the US . He ultimately stepped down as the Editor-in-Chief to become the Education Editor of CET to put more focus on writing about teaching innovations for chef and foodservice management educators.

Training Support Materials

  • La Lopa, J.M. (2004). Designing Service-Learning Courses at Purdue University. West Lafayette, IN: Center for Instructional Excellence
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1997). How to Please People (video). Oscoda, MI: Adcom.
  • La Lopa, J. M. (1997). How to Please People Workbook: A Training Program for the Tourism and Hospitality Industry. (workbook) West Lafayette, IN.

Textbook Chapters

  • La Lopa, J. M. Work Teams. In Kavanaugh, R. K. (2001). Supervision in the Hospitality Industry, 3rd ed. East Lansing , MI: Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Motel Association.

SELECTED GRANTS AND PROJECTS

  • "Wage and Benefit Survey of Quick Service Restaurants in Indiana and Northern Kentucky," McDonald's Corporation ($6,135), May 1998, Principal Investigator-Joseph M. La Lopa
  • "Market Study of Village Marketplace Concept in Elkhart, Indiana,” M&T Development Group ($9,524), June 1998, Principal Investigator-Joseph M. La Lopa
  • "Exit Interview Study for Lafayette Parks and Recreation Department,” City of Lafayette Parks and Recreation Department ($2,000), November 1997, Principal Investigator-Dave Klenosky
  • Development of a training course module for the prevention of underage gambling. American Gaming Association ($10,000), January 1997. Principal Investigator-Carl Braunlich
  • Conversion study of direct-response advertising 1996. Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau ($4,500), February 1997. Principal Investigator-Alastair Morrison.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • 1996-present, American Society for Quality
  • 1996-present, International, Society of Travel and Tourism Educators
  • 1989-present, Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education
  • 2002-present, Education Editor for Chef Educator Today
  • 2003-Board of Consulting Editors for the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education

CONSULTING EXPERIENCE

Dr. La Lopa has consulted with countless hospitality and tourism business or agency over the last 10 years on a wide range of topics.