Marianne C. Bickle, Ph.D.

Professor and Department Chair
Department of Retailing
College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management

Education
Ph.D., Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
M.A., Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
B.S., Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Research Interests
Cross-channel shopping behavior
E-commerce
Student matriculation
Online learning

Biography
Marianne Bickle, a graduate of Michigan State University, has led the Department of Retailing team as Chair since 2004. Under her leadership, the Department of Retailing at the University of South Carolina was ranked second in North America in terms of scholarly research output. She has generated in excess of $4.3 million in grants, donations, and gifts. Examples of sources include: USDA, Proper Foundation and BIGResearch, JDA, Target, Piggly Wiggly, Sherwin-Williams Company, and private individuals. In 2008, Dr. Bickle was the Co-PI on a USDA grant entitled “Socially Responsible Advertising and Promotion of Food, Fiber and Related Products: Developing an Integrated Set of Undergraduate Courses.” This funded grant was presented in front of the President and Congress as an example of excellence as determined by the United States Department of Agriculture. Her research interests include cross-channel shopping, e-commerce, and student learning paradigms of retailing. She has published and presented in excess of 93 peer refereed papers

International relationships have been built and enhanced as part of the Department’s strategic plan. Marianne Bickle has fostered international relationships with Paris Fashion Institute (France, Italy), Hanyang University (Korea), and American Intercontinental University (United Kingdom). Dr. Bickle takes 20 students on a Maymester study abroad trip annually. Locations have included London, Paris, and Italy.

Prior to her tenure at the University of South Carolina, Dr. Bickle was the Coordinator of Educational Outreach at Colorado State University for the Department of Design and Merchandising. This program achieved the highest completion rate in the University. Program generated the Department’s largest source of indirect funds.

Dr. Bickle has earned a variety of awards throughout her career. Some of the more notable awards include:

• 2009 Outstanding Reviewer Award for work on International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research. Presentation of the award was from Emerald LiteratiNetwork;
• 2007 Outstanding Service Learning Award, Commission on Higher Education, Columbia, SC;
• Certificate of Appreciation for Service-Learning Efforts, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC;
• Jack Cermack Outstanding Advising Award. College of Applied Human Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO;
• Outstanding Service for Diversity. College of Applied Human Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO; and
• Emerging Leader of the College of Human Ecology. Michigan State University. College’s Centennial Celebration, East Lansing, MI.

Other Awards and Honors

• Lifetime Manchester Who’ Who Among Executives and Professionals, New York, NY (2003)
• Fellowship from the Direct Marketing Institute for Professors. The Direct Marketing Educational Foundation Inc., New York, NY (1998)
• Outstanding Service for Diversity. College of Applied Human Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (1997)
• Emerging Leader of the College of Human Ecology. Michigan State University. College’s Centennial Celebration, East Lansing, MI (1996)
• Who’s Who in the West. New York, NY (1991)
• Sigma Xi Honor Society (1990)

Publications
Wang, S., Bickle, M. C., & Harrill, R. (in press). Residents’ attitudes toward tourism development in Shandong, China. International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research.

Bickle, M. C., Papas, L., Sanders, E., & Mallette, D. (in press). High school teachers’ complaining behavior toward gothic and punk clothing and appearance. Journal of Consumer Satisfaction/Dissatisfaction and Complaining Behavior.

Bickle, M. C., Buccine, R., Makela, C. J., & Mallette, D. (2006). Retail channel choice behavior: Examination of consumers’ uniqueness. The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research. 16(3), 317-331.

Wesley, S., & Bickle, M. C. (2005, December). Examination of a paradigm for preparing undergraduates for a career in the retailing industries: Mentors, curriculum, and an internship. The College Student Journal, 39(4), 680-691.

Bickle, M. C., Carroll, J. B., & McKenna, J. (2005). Integration of Boyer’s theory of teaching and learning into undergraduate education: Application to resident instruction and distance education. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 23(4), 238-245

Bickle, M. C., McKenna, J. Mabry, G. C., & Meyer, S. (2004). Creating a virtual community to enhance member services: Credit unions and e-commerce. In R. Duklahai (Ed.), Special Issue of Telematics & Informatics, 21(2), (pp. 157-165, available online at www.sciencedirect.com. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier Ltd.

Fangman, T., Ogle, J. P., Bickle, M. C., & Rouner, D. (2004). Promoting female weight management in 1920s print media: An analysis of Ladies Home Journal and Vogue Magazines. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 32(3), 213-253

Bickle, M. C., & Carroll, J. B. (2003, June). Checklist for quality online instruction: Outcomes for learners, the professor, and the institution. College Student Journal, 37(2), 208-218.

Selected Grants and Projects
Examples of Funding ($4,348,592.00 funds generated)

Bickle, M.C. (2009). $830 College of HRSM internal grant. Funds used to support travel costs associated with visit to the American InterContinental University.

Bickle, M.C. & Kellet, C. (2008). $50,000 gift from Keith Bregelt in support of the Department of Retailing lecture series and internship program.

Bickle, M. C. (2008). $240,000 grant renewal from the Prosper Foundation and BIGresearch LLC. BIGresearch’s Simultaneous Media Usage Study knowledgebase and Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey. Software databases used for writing white papers, research briefs, seminars, and demonstrations

Bickle, M. (2008). $5,000 from Target Campus Grant Program. Funds used to support scholarships for students enrolled in the Department of Retailing.

Bickle, M. (2007). $1,005,000 gift in software and maintenance from JDA Software Inc. Software included 30 Space Planning Plus by Intactix licenses, 30 Floor Planning Plus by Intactix sites, and 60 Efficient Item Assortment by Intactix sites.

Bickle, M. (2007). $2,000 from Target Campus Grant Program. Funds used to support the Department of Retailing Executive Speaker Series.

Bickle, M. C. & Moody, M. (2007). $10,000 grant from the Piggly Wiggly Community Pride Fund of Coastal Community Foundation. Funds support undergraduate education.

Bickle, M. C. (2007). $240,000 grant renewal from the Prosper Foundation and BIGresearch LLC. BIGresearch’s Simultaneous Media Usage Study knowledgebase and Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey. Software databases used for writing white papers, research briefs, seminars, and demonstrations.

Bickle, M. (2006). $3,910 gift from Sherwin-Williams Company. Gift includes paint and wallpaper to refurbish Department’s new location.

Bickle, M. (2006). $5,000 from Target Campus Grant Program. Funds used to support the Department of Retailing Executive Speaker Series.

Bickle, M. (2006). $5,000 from Macy’s Central, Atlanta GA. Funds used to support undergraduate scholarships in the Department of Retailing at the University of South Carolina.

Bickle, M. (2006). $1,804,500 gift in software and maintenance from JDA Software Inc. Software included 30 Space Planning Plus by Intactix licenses, 30 Floor Planning Plus by Intactix sites, and 60 Efficient Item Assortment by Intactix sites for three years.

Littrell, M., Hyllegard, K., Ogle, J., Bickle, M. C., Buell, J., & Rudd, N. (2006). $448,504 from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Challenge Grant. “Socially Responsible Advertising and Promotion of Food, Fiber and Related Products: Developing an Integrated Set of Undergraduate Courses.” The collaborative project includes three institutions: Colorado State University, University of South Carolina, and The Ohio State University.

Bickle, M. C., & Berry, C. D. (2006). $10,000 grant from Piggly-Wiggly of Carolina. Funds used for undergraduate scholarships in the Department of Retailing at the University of South Carolina.

Bickle, M. C. (2006). $240,000 grant from the Prosper Foundation and BIGresearch LLC. BIGresearch’s Simultaneous Media Usage Study knowledgebase and the Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey. The software databases used for writing white papers, research briefs, reports, seminars, and in-class demonstrations.

Bickle, M. C. (2005). $1,000 grant from Target Corporation. Funds used for two $500 undergraduate scholarships in the Department of Retailing at the University of South Carolina.

Bickle, M. C. (2005). $1,500 grant from Target Corporation. Funds used to purchase a laptop computer for faculty use.

Professional Affiliations
International Textile and Apparel Association: Board Member

Journal of Consumer Satisfaction/Dissatisfaction and Complaining Behavior: Editorial Board Member

International Journal of Culture, Tourism, & Hospitality Research: Associate Editor

Journal of Theory and Marketing Practice: Reviewer

Clothing and Textiles Research Journal: Reviewer 

Consulting Experiences
Women’s Better Business Bureau
Habitat for Humanity Restore

E-mail: bickle@mailbox.sc.edu
Office: 1010D Carolina Coliseum
Phone: (803)-777-3805
Fax: (803)-777-6427

Courses Taught:
RETL 369 - Retail Promotions
RETL 388 - Contemporary Trends in Retailing:
RETL 462 - Merchandising Management Strategies:
RETL 491 - Critical Issues in Retailing
RETL 491 - Responsible Promotion of Food & Apparel
RETL 562 - Advanced Merchandising Management Strategies
RETL 662 - Customer Relationship Management for the Retail Industry:
RETL 749 - Retail Category and Space Management