Inès Blal , PhD

Short Bio

Dr Inès Blal is an Associate Professor of Strategic management at EHL, specializing in entrepreneurship for social impact and small hotels. She also founded and co-directs the EHL Institute for Nutrition R&D.

Before stepping down in 2024 to revert to her academic passions, Inès held a six-year leadership position at EHL. She served as Dean of the Undergraduate School, Executive Dean, Managing Director of the academic units, and member of the Executive Leadership Team. She led the academic strategy of the institution with a focus on quality management, directed the academic operations during the COVID crisis, and the implementation of a multi-campus structure.

Ines holds a Ph.D. in Strategic Management in Hospitality from Virginia Polytechnic. Her research and consulting works focus on socially and economically sustainable hospitality concepts.

Publications in Peer-Reviewed Journals

Girardin, F., Blal, I., & Lunardo, R. (Forthcoming). The role of brand authenticity for higher education institutions. Journal of Marketing for Higher Education.

Lussi, S., Masset, P., Weisskopf, J.-P., & Blal, I. (2023). Cross-dimensional measures of asset lightness and fee orientation in lodging groups. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 109, 103391.

Völker, J., Blal, I. & Mortillaro, M. (2023). Emotional intelligence matters in hospitality education: contributions of emotional intelligence, fluid ability, and personality to hospitality grades. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1148863.

Das, P., Freybote, J., & Blal, I. (2020). The Importance of Micro-Location for Pricing Real Estate Assets: The Case of Hotels. Journal of Real Estate Portfolio Management. https://doi.org/10.1080/10835547.2020.1833612

Poretti, C., & Blal, I. (2020). The asset-light strategies and the dividend puzzle: International evidence from the hospitality industry. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 91, 102639. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2020.102639

Blal, I., & Bianchi, G. (2019). The asset light model: A blind spot in hospitality research. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 76PA, 39-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2018.02.021
Heo, C., Blal, I., & Choi, M. (2019). What is happening in Paris? Airbnb, hotels, and the Parisian market: A case study. Tourism Management, 70, 78-88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2018.04.003

Blal, I. Singal, M., & Templin, J. (2018). Airbnb’s effect on hotel sales growth. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 73, 85-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2018.02.006

Blal, I., & Sturman, M. (2014). The differential effects of the quality and quantity of online reviews on hotel room sales. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, 55(4), 365-375. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1938965514533419

Blal, I., & Graf, N. (2013). The discount effect of non-normative physical characteristics on the price of lodging properties. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 34, 413-422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2012.12.003

Blal, I. (2011). The role of middle management in the execution of expansion strategies: The case of developers' selection of hotel projects. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 30(2), 272-282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2010.09.007

Awards

Michael D. Olsen Outstanding Alumnus Award (2018)
EHL Researcher of the Year (2013)
Winner of the Outstanding Doctoral Research Award in the Hospitality Management (2009)

Research Portals