Includes bibliographical references and index.

Table of Contents

Foreword Philip Kotler

Preface
Acknowledgments

The Journey Begins
My Family Business
A Literal Change in Course
Garnering Support for College
Manufacturing or Bust
Finding My Life Partner
Graduate School and Marriage
Discovering My Passion
John Howard Takes Me Under His Wing
Madhu Comes to America
An Invitation to the Indian Embassy
Doctoral Exams amid Pitt’s Financial Collapse
Testing the Howard - Sheth Theory
Columbia and MIT
Mining the Library for Research Gold
Contributing Howard - Sheth Theory Scholars
Columbia’s Scholarly Dream Team
Obtaining My Green Card
Defending My Dissertation at Pitt
MIT and My First Tenure-track Position
Publishing, Lifelong Friendships and My First Car
Networking Leads to Opportunities
From Columbia to India and Back
Returning to the Buyer Behavior Project
Finalizing the Howard - Sheth Theory
Key Columbia Colleagues
Noteworthy Students
Returning to India
Teaching in Kolkata
Major Research Projects
Returning to Columbia
A New Beginning
Farewell to Important Colleagues and Friends
Lure of Illinois
Illinois - My Academic Life
The Accidental Administrator
Recruiting for Our 'Field of Dreams'
The Unconventional Approach Pays Off
A New Challenge - Creating an Executive MBA Program
Corporate Collaborations Proved Key
New Opportunities Via APA and ACR
Looking to the Future
Illinois - Travels at Home and Abroad
Measuring the Howard - Sheth Theory Takes Priority
Corporate Consulting Study Yields Real Results
Diversion to Copenhagen
Illinois - Professional Work and Departure
The Institute for Advanced Technology Comes Calling
The Start of My Publishing Career
Leaving Illinois
A Mid-life Crisis
From Cornfields to Palm Trees
Requesting a Leave of Absence
Committee Work Expansion
USC CTM and Atlanta
The Telecom Center Venture
Los Angeles Loses its Appeal
Why Move?
New Challenges and a New Center
Talent Recruitment for Emory
Establishing the Center for Relationship Marketing
Creating the Marketing Consulting Strategy Program
Emory - Administration and Academics
Committees Introduced Important Changes
Leadership Changes Lead to New Emphasis
Creating Emory’s Doctoral Program
My Professional Life
Establishing In-core
More Publishing for the Professional Market
Geo-economics
Business Book Review Breakthrough
My Role as Corporate Board Member
Remaining Active
Saying Thanks by Giving Back
The Sheth Foundation
Supporting Eminent Scholars
Madhu is My Backbone
Madhu’s Resolve

Epilogue
Appendix - Publications
Index

The Accidental Scholar, by Jagdish N. Sheth with John Yow, published by Sage Publications, is the autobiography of Professor Jagdish N. Sheth. He is a scholar and one of the most renowned authorities on marketing and consumer behaviour in the world. He talks about several intriguing and life-changing opportunities and encounters in his life, all of which led him to where he is today. Like many people who immigrate to the United States and prosper, Professor Sheth knew that becoming a scholar was only a part of his dream come true. The other aspiration was to help others realize their dreams as well. Professor Sheth also remembers how the decisions he made, people he met, and opportunities he was given were all pieces of the puzzle that fit in together at the right time.