Dr. Karen Blotnicky, Professor, Marketing

Dr. Karen Blotnicky

Karen Blotnicky is a tenured professor in the Department of Business and Tourism, at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, where she specializes in marketing.

Karen has worked in applied research for more than 35 years and has advised a wide range of clients for more than a decade in government, business, and non-profit sectors. She holds a BA and MBA from Saint Mary’s University and a Ph.D. from Northcentral University.

Karen is a past member of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum and the management board of the Centre for Women in Business. She was the small business columnist for The Sunday Herald newspaper based in Halifax and the Eastern Canadian business columnist for CBC Radio One. Karen also operated a full-service marketing research and consulting firm with her husband, Michael, from 1993 to 2017.

Karen’s research interests are multidisciplinary. She has journal publications in marketing, business education, workplace learning, entrepreneurship, marketing ethics, nutrition and wellness, STEM learning and education, and gender-based analysis of tourism careers. Her teaching focuses primarily on quantitative research methods, marketing analytics, and integrated marketing communication.

Detailed Profile

Dr. Karen Blotnicky
Professor
Marketing

Office: McCain Centre 405J
Phone: 902 457 6197
Fax: 902 445 2582
Email: Karen.Blotnicky@msvu.ca
Office Hours: Thursday from 10:00am to 11:30pm via TEAMS or by appointment.

Qualifications:
BA-Honours (Saint Mary’s), MBA (Saint Mary’s), Ph.D. (Northcentral)

Joined the Mount: 1988

Relevant Prior Work Experience:
Department of Marketing, Saint Mary’s University (1985-1988)
Small business columnist for The Sunday Herald (1998-2009)
Eastern Canada small business columnist for CBC Radio One (2005-2007)
Marketing research and consulting private practice (TMC The Marketing Clinic) (1998-2017)

Courses Taught:
Principles of Marketing, Applied Marketing, Personal Selling and Sales Management, Integrated Marketing Communications, Marketing Analytics, Tourism Research Methods, Marketing Research, Quantitative Methods in Nutrition Research.

Research Interests:
Pandemic impacts on female entrepreneurs, entrepreneurial orientation, workplace learning, health and wellness marketing, gender portrayal in advertising, gender issues in STEM-education, gender differences in the perception of working conditions and promotion-seeking, pharmaceutical marketing ethics, business education.

Research Grants (2017-2023)

  • Pandemic Response: A Feminist Economic Recovery Plan for Women Business Owners in Nova Scotia Grant (2021-2024)
    External Grant: Women & Gender Equality Action (WAGE) Canada
    Principal Researcher: Dr. Sandi Findlay-Thompson.
    Co-Investigators: Dr. Candace Blayney & Dr. Karen Blotnicky
    Purpose: This longitudidal research will explore their lived experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to their businesses from 2021 through 2024.  Outcomes will include an assessment of whether an inclusive ecosystem was available to WBOs in Nova Scotia since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
  • The Influence of Extracurricular Activities on Student Experience: A Case Study (2020-2022)
    Internal Grant MSVU
    Principal Investigator: Karen Blotnicky (Elizabeth Hicks, Retired)
    Co-investigators: Dr. Karen Blotnicky, Prof. Paulette Cormier-MacBurnie, Instructor Jennifer Guy
    Purpose: The goal of this research is to explore the degree to which participating in extra-curricular activities influences post-secondary student experience.
  • The Ethics of Pharmaceutical Marketing in Canada: A Regulator’s Perspective (2019-2021)
    Internal Grant MSVU
    Principal Investigator: Dr. Karen Blotnicky
    Co-investigator: Prof. Phillip Joy
    Purpose: This research explored the perceptions of pharmaceutical marketing regulators in Canada regarding the ethics of pharmaceutical marketing, the effectiveness of oversight, and the degree of influence that special interests may exert over the behaviour of Canada’s practicing physicians.
  • SSHRC: Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneur Network Partnership Grant (May 2020)
    MSVU Partner in National Project
    Women Entrepreneur Knowledge Hub (WEKH)
    Principal Researcher: Dr. Sandi Findlay-Thompson.
    Co-Investigators: Dr. Candace Blayney & Dr. Karen Blotnicky
  • An exploration of the associations between childhood retrospection, self-efficacy and outcome expectancies for healthy eating and active lifestyle among young adults (2017-2019)
    Internal Grant MSVU
    Co-Principal Researchers: Prof. Linda Mann & Dr. Karen Blotnicky
    Purpose: As self-efficacy has emerged as a significant predictor of health behaviours, the objective of this study is to explore the associations between childhood memories of parenting styles, current self-efficacy, outcome expectancies and behaviours related to healthy eating and active lifestyle of young adults.External Research Grants
  • APRI Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (2018-2019) ACOA Grant.
    Internal Grant MSVU
    Principal Researcher: Dr. Sandi Findlay-Thompson.
    Co-Investigators: Dr. Candace Blayney & Dr. Karen Blotnicky

Peer Reviewed Publications (2018-2024):

Journal Articles

  • Blayney, C., & Blotnicky, K. (2024). Women’s representation in the hotel industry: An update five and ten years later. Journal of Human Resources in Hospitality and Tourism, 24(1). In press.
  • Mann, L., & Blotnicky, K., Ruhl, J. & McDowell, A. 2023). Influences of childhood memories on university students’ eating and physical activity: A qualitative description study: Childhood memories influence student lifestyle. The International Journal of Health, Wellness, and Society, 14(1), 107-130. https://doi.org/10.18848/2156-8960/CGP/v14i01/107-130.
  • Blotnicky, K., Cormier-MacBurnie, P., Guy, J., Gonzalez Cerdiera, M., & Hicks, E. (2023). An examination of the extent to which the Mount Saint Vincent University Business and Tourism Learning Passport Programme influences undergraduate students’ learning experiences using the Jones (2018) Conceptual Model. International Journal of Innovative Business Strategies. International Journal of Innovative Business Strategies (IJIBS), 9(1) p. 547 – 553.  DOI: 10.20533/ijibs.2046.3626.2023.0070.
  • Mireault, A., Mann, L., Blotnicky, K., & Rossiter, M.D. (2023). Evaluation of snacks consumed by young children in child care and home settings. International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy. 17:1, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40723-023-00106-7
  • Blayney, C., Blotnicky, K., & Singh, S. (2021). An Exploratory Study of Perceptions of Hotel Working Conditions on the Promotion Decision. International Journal of Human Resource Studies. 11(2). 216-37.  http://www.macrothink.org/journal/index.php/ijhrs/article/view/18565 
  • Blayney, C., Blotnicky, K., & Singh, S. (2021). Perceptions of Promotion Opportunities in the Hotel Industry: Impact of Gender and Management Experience. Journal of Human Resources in Hospitality & Tourism, 20(3). 344-367. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332845.2021.1923909
  • Blotnicky, K., & Thurlow, A. (2021). Exploring the Influence of the PR/COMM function on practitioners’ perceptions of organizational success, innovation, and reputation. International Journal of Management and Marketing Research, 14(1), 1-17.
  • Kauv, S., & Blotnicky, K. (2020). Brand loyalty, brand trust, peer influence and price sensitivity as influencers in student computer purchase. Journal of Business and Behavioral Sciences, 32(1), Spring 2020. 131-150.
  • Blotnicky, K., & Mann, L. (2020). Do childhood memories related to eating and physical activity have a lasting influence on young adult behaviors? College Student Journal. Pages pending.
  • Blotnicky, K., & Blayney, C. (2020). Gender portrayal in Maritime tourism advertisements: Exploratory study. Journal of Business, Marketing and Decision Sciences. 12(1), 44.60.
  • Blotnicky, K., Franz-Odendaal, T., French, F., & Joy, P. (2018). A study of the correlation between STEM career knowledge, mathematics self-efficacy, career interests and career activities on the likelihood of pursuing a STEM career among middle school students. International Journal of STEM Education. 5(22). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-018-0118-3.
  • Thurlow, A., Kushniryk, A., Blotnicky, K., & Yue, T. (2018). Roles, Decision-Making and Access to the Dominant Coalition: The Practice of Public Relations in Canada. Journal of Professional Communication. 4(2), 41-58. https://doi.org/10.15173/jpc.v5i2.3748 .
  • Blayney, C., & Blotnicky, K. (2018). Perceptions of gender differences in work engagement of hotel managers. Journal of Business and Educational Leadership. Pages pending.

Conference Proceedings

  • Blotnicky, K., Cormier-MacBurnie, P., Mombourquette, P., Sneddon G., & Young, J.D. (2024). Bed-and-breakfast operations in Atlantic Canada: Entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance. American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences, March 8-10, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Blotnicky, K., & Joy, P. (2023). Physicians and pharmaceutical marketing in Canada: Perceived impacts of pharmaceutical marketing on physician care. American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences, March 3-5, 2023, Las Vegas, NV. (Best Paper in Track Award)
  • Blotnicky, K., Cormier-MacBurnie, P., Guy, J., Mombourquette, P., & Young, J. 2023). Micro firms and talent management: Research directions. American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences, March 3-5, 2023. Las Vegas, NV. (Best Paper in Track Award)
  • Blotnicky, K., Cormier-MacBurnie, P., Mombourquette, P., Sneddon, G., & Young, J. (2022). B&B operations in Atlantic Canada: Examining online reviews and B&B performance. American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences, March 4-6, 2022, Las Vegas, NV. Virtual presentation due to COVID-19. (Best Paper in Track Award)
  • Blotnicky, K., Cormier-MacBurnie, P., Mombourquette, P., Sneddon, G., & Young, J. (2022). Bed-and-Breakfast owners/managers in Atlantic Canada: Examining relationships between online review behaviour and entrepreneurial orientation. American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences, March 4-6, 2022, Las Vegas, NV. Virtual presentation due to COVID-19.
  • Blotnicky, K., Cormier-MacBurnie, P., Mombourquette, P., Sneddon, G., & Young, J. (2022). B&B operations in Atlantic Canada: Examining online reviews and B&B performance. American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences, March 4-6, 2022, Las Vegas, NV. (Best Paper in Track Award)
  • Singh, S., Blayney, C., & Blotnicky, K. (2020). Factors impacting the decision to apply for a promotion in the hotel industry in Canada. International Association of Public Administration Disciplines. January, 2020. Honolulu, Hawaii.
  • Blotnicky, K., Cormier-MacBurnie, P. Mombourquette, P., & Young, J. (2020). Reflection and learning: Development of small business owners/managers and employees. American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences, February 28-March 1, 2020, Las Vegas, NV.
  • Blotnicky, K., Cormier-MacBurnie, P., Mombourquette, P., & Young, J. (2018). A framework for workplace learning: Drivers, strategies, outcomes, and evaluation. American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences, March 16-18, 2018, Las Vegas, NV.
  • Blotnicky, K., Cormier-MacBurnie, P., Mombourquette, P., & Young, J. (2018). The role of facilitator barriers, individuality, and technology in designing a framework for workplace learning. American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences, March 16-18, 2018, Las Vegas, NV.
  • Blotnicky, K., Cormier-MacBurnie, P., Mombourquette, P., & Young, J. (2018). Tacit and explicit knowledge: Considering the small business firm. MBAA Conference, April 18-20, 2018. Chicago, IL.

Conference Presentations (peer-reviewed)

  • Blotnicky, K., Cormier-MacBurnie, P., Guy, J., Mombourquette, P., & Young, J.D. (2024). Micro-firm employees and workplace learning: Examining affordances, engagement, and agency. American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences, March 8-10, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Blotnicky, K., Cormier-MacBurnie, P., & Guy, J. (2023). An exploration of the extent to which the Learning Passport programme meets managerial competencies. Atlantic Schools of Business Conference, Halifax, NS.
  • Blayney, C., Blotnicky, K., & Findlay-Thompson, S. (2023). Indigenous women business owners in Nova Scotia: Access to government relief funding during COVID-19. . Atlantic Schools of Business Conference, Halifax, NS.
  • Blotnicky, K., Cormier-MacBurnie, P., Mombourquette, P., Sneddon, G., & Young, J. (2023). Small business owner/managers and employees: Informal-learning evaluation. American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences, March 3-5, 2023, Las Vegas, NV.
  • Blotnicky, K., Cormier-MacBurnie, P., Mombourquette, P., & Young, J. (2022). Workplace learning of employees in micro firms in Nova Scotia, Canada: Guidance for owners/ managers and directions for future research. North American Management Society, March 23-25, 2022, Chicago, IL. Virtual presentation due to COVID-19.
  • Blotnicky, K., Cormier-MacBurnie, P., Gonzalez Cerdiera, M., Guy, J., & Hicks, E. (2022). Applying Jones (2018) Undergraduate Student Experience Conceptual Model to the Business and Tourism Learning Passport (LP) Program, London International Conference on Education. November 14-16, 2022. London, UK
  •  Findlay-Thompson, S., Blotnicky, K., & Blayney, C. (2020). The Impact of Sector Choice for Women-Business Owners in Atlantic Canada. International Association of Business and Public Administration Disciplines (IABPAD), January 2-5, 2020, Orlando, FL.