Caroline Kopot

Dr. Caroline Kopot serves as an Assistant Professor in the Textile & Apparel Management Department at the University of Missouri, leveraging extensive industry experience in brand management and design across the U.S. and Indonesia to bridge academic theory with real-world retail applications.

Her educational credentials include:

• PhD in Polymer, Fiber and Textile Sciences (emphasis: International Merchandising) from University of Georgia
• MBA from University of Southern California
• Professional Associate degree from Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
• BS from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Dr. Kopot's research centers on consumer behavior in digital retail environments, with particular focus on cross-generational and cross-cultural consumer experiences across digital channels. Her work examines virtual technology applications in beauty retail, fashion-game collaborations, and ethical data collection practices, addressing critical challenges in omnichannel retail strategy and digital merchandising education. Current projects investigate virtual try-on systems and generational differences in livestream shopping adoption.

Her 2024-2025 publications reveal a concentrated research trajectory in digital commerce, with recurring themes of generational cohort analysis (Gen-Z vs. older consumers), Southeast Asian market dynamics, and technology-driven retail innovation. The work spans 12+ countries and integrates methodologies from consumer psychology, cross-cultural studies, and digital marketing analytics.

Dr. Kopot received the 2024 Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year award at the University of Missouri for her exceptional guidance of student researchers. Her mentees consistently publish conference proceedings through TAM 4085 independent study courses, with 100% acceptance rates at International Textile and Apparel Association conferences over four years.

As an educator, she teaches Retail Merchandising Analytics, Digital Merchandising, and honors research courses, incorporating her 12+ years of industry experience at Indonesian retail giants (Metropolitan Retailmart, MAP Group, MRC Group). Her teaching philosophy emphasizes real-world application through case studies and collaborative problem-based learning frameworks. She maintains active industry partnerships for curriculum development and student experiential learning opportunities.

Dr. Kopot collaborates with international institutions including BINUS Business School (Indonesia) and Chinese universities on digital transformation research in fashion education, though specific lab structures are not detailed in available sources.