Chang Ma

Purdue University West Lafayette, University of South Carolina

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Dr. Chang Ma is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of service robotics, human-robot interaction, and hospitality management. Her work fundamentally explores how the design and integration of physically embodied robots influence human perceptions, emotions, and behavioral intentions in service contexts. Dr. Ma’s most influential contribution, "Unveiling the role of congruity in service robot design and deployment" (2024, 23 citations), addresses a critical gap by examining how the synthesis of a robot’s appearance and voice must align with its service purpose to be effective. This foundational work is shaping best practices for robot designers. Her more recent research (2025) extends this impact by investigating how robotic integration affects the career anxiety and intentions of Generation Z hospitality students, revealing the crucial moderating role of emotional intelligence. By bridging engineering design with psychological and workforce implications, Dr. Ma is not only advancing theoretical frameworks but also providing actionable insights for an industry on the cusp of widespread automation. Her work is essential reading for anyone interested in the future of work and the human-centered design of service technology.