Smith Research
How We React When Apps Crash
TerpTax: Roth vs. Traditional IRAs
Why We Give: Margie and Bob Bedingfield
Alumni
February 28, 2025
Entrepreneurial Education From Smith Helps Alumnus Follow His Passion
Joe Kattan ’23 leveraged his Smith finance degree to land a consulting role at Bain before pursuing his entrepreneurial passion. Now the owner of AppraiseItNow, he applies automation and AI to modernize appraisals, drawing on skills honed at Smith.
February 25, 2025
Smith Accounting Degree Gave Alumnus The “Edge” For Career In Investment Banking And Beyond
Ralph Dickerson ’92 built a dynamic career in investment banking, corporate strategy, and entrepreneurship. Speaking to Smith MBA students, he emphasized evolving as a leader and leveraging Emotional Intelligence. Now Managing Partner at R2 Partners, he continues shaping high-impact financial and strategic solutions.
February 23, 2025
Alumna Credits Contacts at Smith, UMD for Help With App Development
Smith School alumna Lauren Der ’19 began her career in federal consulting before transitioning to the public sector as a Change Management Specialist for Montgomery County Government. She also developed Opsy, a health-tracking app inspired by her personal health journey.
March 05, 2025
CPA Samuel Handwerger explains the key differences between Traditional and Roth IRAs. Traditional IRAs offer tax-deferred savings, while Roth IRAs provide tax-free withdrawals. Future tax rates and career trajectory matter, making the choice complex. Consistent saving is the most crucial factor.
Margie (’72) and Bob (’70) Bedingfield’s lifelong bond with the University of Maryland led them to donate $1.75 million in scholarships supporting student-athletes and business students. Their generosity reflects a deep commitment to Maryland athletics, the Smith School and future Terps.
Experiential / Reality-based Learning
March 03, 2025
Master’s in Management Students Partner With Toyota Mobility Foundation for Experiential Learning Opportunity
Master’s in Management students at Smith will collaborate with Toyota Mobility Foundation under the guidance of Nicole Coomber and Ab Krall. Applying problem-solving frameworks, they’ll explore business expansion and thematic innovation for TMF’s Mobility Unlimited Hub and present recommendations in March 2025.
Faculty Insights On Latest News
Marketing
October 04, 2024
Small Businesses Take Big Hit from Apple’s Privacy Regulation
Smith marketing professor Daniel McCarthy's research found that Apple's 2021 App Tracking Transparency (ATT) significantly impacted small direct-to-consumer businesses. ATT caused a 37% drop in ad click-through rates and up to a 60% revenue decline for smaller firms reliant on Facebook ads.
Decision, Operations and Information Technologies, Finance, Marketing
September 11, 2024
Smith Experts Explain Google Antitrust Implications
Google faces major antitrust cases for monopolizing digital advertising and search. Research Professor Kislaya Prasad suggests that ending exclusive agreements could increase competition, while Associate Professor Bobby Zhou emphasizes breaking up business units like Google’s search could benefit competitors, advertisers, and consumers.
September 10, 2024
Smith Experts Discuss how Apple’s AI-enhanced iPhones will Affect Users, Market Position
Smith School marketing professor P.K. Kannan says Apple's iPhone 16, powered by “Apple Intelligence,” marks a significant upgrade, particularly in privacy-focused AI and computational photography, aiding both user experience and market competitiveness.
March 07, 2025
App crashes shorten user sessions and reduce content consumption, says Smith’s Michel Wedel. While a single crash boosts engagement, frequent failures can drive users away. Developers should release updates cautiously, target resilient users, and take responsibility to maintain trust.
February 20, 2025
Consumer Spending Rises with Air Pollution: New Study
A study by Smith professor Michael Trusov and Sanghwa Kim finds South Korean consumers spend more on hedonic goods when air pollution rises, seeking mood-lifting purchases. Published in the Journal of Marketing, the research suggests implications for marketers and policymakers in responsible consumer engagement.
Accounting and Information Assurance, Finance
February 14, 2025
The Options Market Could Play a Role in How Credit Rating Agencies Deliver Ratings
Smith professor Musa Subasi’s research, published in Management Science, examines whether credit rating agencies use options market data to improve rating accuracy. His study finds that higher options trading volume correlates with more accurate ratings, offering insights for regulatory discussions on credit ratings.
