PhD
Division Director
Division of Applied Social Sciences
Professor
Division of Applied Social Sciences
Research at a glance
Area(s) of Expertise
Research Summary
My research focuses on applied ethics and the economic foundations of trust, happiness, and ethical behavior.
Harvey S. James, Jr., PhD, is Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics in the Division of Applied Social Sciences at the University of Missouri. He also serves as Director of the Division, where he works with faculty and staff to support applied research, teaching, and engagement across agriculture, food, and community development.
James teaches a course on agricultural ethics and has previously taught microeconomics and organizational economics. His research focuses on the economic foundations of trust, ethics, and happiness, with additional interests in organizational and institutional economics and sustainable agriculture. He is currently studying fairness perceptions among farmers and others in the agricultural community, examining how people interpret and respond to claims of unfairness in agrifood markets. More broadly, his work explores how market structure, contracts, and ethical concerns shape economic behavior. His scholarship has appeared in leading journals in agricultural economics, business ethics, and related fields, and he has contributed to the literature through numerous articles, book chapters, and edited volumes, including the Handbook on the Human Impact of Agriculture (2021), which explores various ways in which agricultural activity affects farmers and non-farmers. His previous edited books include Ethical Tensions from New Technology: The Case of Agricultural Biotechnology (2018), which reviews the ethical implications of technological innovation and adaptation in the agricultural industry, and The Ethics and Economics of Agrifood Competition (2013), which examines the question of whether there is adequate competition in the agrifood industry.
Earlier in his career, James served for 13 years as editor-in-chief of Agriculture and Human Values. He also served on the editorial boards of Business Ethics Quarterly and Academy of Management Perspectives. His current efforts center on academic leadership, faculty development, and strengthening applied social science contributions to agriculture and food systems.
Educational background
Ph.D. Economics, Washington University in St. Louis, 1995
M.A. Economics, Washington University in St. Louis, 1991
M.S. Sociology, Brigham Young University, 1990
B.A. Economics, Brigham Young University, 1989
Courses taught
ABM 3241: Ethical Issues in Agriculture