Sami Karaca

He is currently a Professor of Business Analytics at Boston University's Questrom School of Business and holds the position of Faculty Director for the Undergraduate Analytics program.

His primary area of expertise lies in business analytics, and he has a strong passion for addressing analytical challenges. His research predominantly focuses on Artificial Intelligence, the Digital Economy, Digital Marketing, Influencer Marketing, Financial Inclusion, Advertising, Pricing, Promotions, and Reward Programs. His work is frequently featured in the mainstream media.

With a substantial background in management consultancy, he has provided guidance to numerous multinational corporations and startups, offering a range of advisory services. His role has involved assisting organizations in developing digital capabilities to handle diverse data types, transforming this data into valuable managerial insights, and translating these insights into actionable strategies for businesses, regardless of their industry.

Research Interests

Digital Economy, Digital Marketing, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Data Monetization, Fake News, Influencer Marketing, Behavioral Economics, Advertising, Pricing, Promotions, Dynamics in Consumer and Firm Behavior, Choice Models

Teaching Interests

Advertising Strategy, Business Analytics, Customer Analytics, Data Science, Digital Marketing, Marketing Analytics, Marketing Management, Marketing Research, Marketing Strategy, Pricing Strategy, Research Methods, Social Media Strategy, Strategic Brand Management

Education

• Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
  Ph.D., Marketing 2007 – 2012
• Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
  M.S., Managerial Economics & Strategy 2005 – 2006
• Purdue University 2002 – 2005 B.S., Industrial Engineering;
  Minor in Economics
  Honors with Highest Distinction
  

Academic Experience

Questrom School of Business, Boston University

• Faculty Director, Undergraduate Analytics Program 2022 –
• Clinical Assistant Professor, Markets, Public Policy and Law Department 2022 –
• Senior Lecturer, Markets, Public Policy and Law Department 2021 – 2022

Department of Management, Bogazici University

• Assistant Professor of Marketing 2013 – 2021
• Vice Chair 2020 – 2021, 2015 – 2018

Center for Analytics & Insights, Bogazici University

• Founding Director 2016 – 2021

Harvard Business School, Harvard University

• Visiting Scholar, Marketing Department 2018

Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

• Visiting Scholar, Marketing Department 2017

Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

• Visiting Scholar, Marketing Department 2015

Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

• Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Marketing Department 2012

Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

• Research & Teaching Assistant 2006 – 2012

Selected Publications

• Karaca, H., Zagorsky, J. (2023). "Two business school professors break down the deeper reasons why Starbucks customers were so enraged when the company changed its loyalty program", Fortune Magazine
• Karaca, H., Zagorsky, J. (2022). "Book today with Frequent Flier miles for best Thanksgiving deal: Economists", New York Post
• Gordon, E., Abt, P., Lee, J., Knopf, E., Phillips, C., Bermudez, F., Krishnamurthi, L., Karaca, H., Veatch, R., Knight, R., Conway, P., Dunn, S., Reese, P. (2021). "Determinants of kidney transplant candidates’ decision to accept organ donor intervention transplants and participate in post-transplant research: A conjoint analysis", Clinical Transplantation, 35 (6)