James P West, MBA, PhD
Professor of Economics and Management (1989)
Education
- BS Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
- Master of Commerce, University of Poona, Poona, Maharashtra, India
- MBA and PhD, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
Contact
Email: westj@moravian.edu
Phone: 610-861-1381
Office: Comenius Hall, Room 215
Areas of Research and/or Expertise
Financial Economics, International and Development Economics, International Management and Globalization, Development of Economic Thought, Business and Society.
Biography
Dr. West earned his bachelor’s degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He then completed a master's degree at the University of Poona in Maharashtra, India and then an MBA and PhD in Business and Economics at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. His doctoral research focused on savings and investment behavior and economic growth in developing countries. He began his professional career as a development economist and rural development project member in Maharashtra, India. His interest in India’s economic and political development has been a lifelong and he returns to visit and work in India on a regular basis. Dr. West has also served as a consultant and expert witness for government, business and non-profit organizations as well as working as a personal financial consultant. He served as co-chair of the Cohen Lecture Series, as advisory board member for Bridgeworks Business Incubator and for the Great Decision Lectures Series in Bethlehem.
Dr. West has travelled and researched extensively, particularly in the developing world, including China, South Korea, Iran, Israel, Brazil, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. He has also travelled and conducted economic research in Western Europe and Australia. He was a Fulbright Scholar in Slovakia and won the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching at Moravian University as well as a President’s award for Faculty Excellence. Dr. West has written many scholarly articles as well as practitioner articles and Op-Ed pieces. He is a frequent guest on local and regional television and radio stations discussing current economic issues. Dr. West’s teaching covers areas of financial and international economics and he has also developed courses in Global Issues, Business and Society and International Issues in Management. He serves as advisor for the International Management majors at Moravian and has chaired the Economic and Business Department for many years.
Recent Activities of Note
Dr. West conducts research and writes primarily on issues of economic development, globalization and the philosophy of economics. A frequent visitor to India he recently published a journal article “Privatization and Pluralism in the Higher Education Portfolio” (2011), which dealt with the economic challenges facing India’s leaders. He also chaired a seminar in India on this topic. An essay “Pillars of Prosperity: Back to the Basics” appeared in the Morning Call and the Chicago Tribune.
Dr. West has conducted a series of recent public talks and colloquiums for professional and service groups include title, including : “Cheerleading for Capitalism: Are Economist’s Critical Thinkers”(20120, “We are not all Keynesians Now”(2011), “Taking Care of Business (TCB) in India’s New ICE Age (2011), “a Billion Here, A Billion There: Contrasting India and China’s Development Strategy” (2010); “ The U.S. and the Rising Power (2009)“Economics and Environment: More than Meets the Eye”(2008), Globalization vs. Planetization: The Real Story”(2008).
He has been featured in an annual economic update for the publication Aviation International News (AIN) from 2007 through 2012. His most recent interview was entitled: “Existential events and Fiscal Cliff Threaten U.S. Recovery, (2010) “Market Turmoil, Zealous Regulations Hamper Economic Recovery (2011)”; ‘Is the Recession Really Over” (2010); “Some Clarity on the Calamity” (2009; “Credit Crunch 101” 2008). Articles appear in both the print and online versions of the publication. AIN has also posted online. Dr. West’s Op-ed, “Pillars of Prosperity: Back to the Basics”.
Jim West is a frequent guest on WFMZ Channel 69 news where he comments on current economics events. .He has also appeared on ABC Channel 6 News in Philadelphia. He has also conducted radio interviews with WDIY public radio and served as a panelist on diverse subjects including WDIY’s Pints and Policy Seminars, “Today’s Financial Markets: Forget Normal, Expect Change”; the Ethics Business Roundtable, ‘ From Wall Street to Main Street: How the Economics Crisis Affects All of Us”, and “The Liberal Arts and Management Studies” at Moravian University, among other public events.