Thought Leadership
The lifeblood of a business school is its faculty, and at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business our faculty members are inspiring, supportive and world-class. We are attuned to a marketplace that values innovation, entrepreneurialism, analytical thinking and hard work. Our teaching and research equips students with the wisdom of business scholarship rooted in the experiential lessons of the marketplace.
July 11, 2024
How Are Airlines Handling the Busiest Summer Travel Season Ever?
Record-breaking summer air travel is underway, with U.S. airlines expected to carry 271 million passengers. Professor Suresh Acharya cites challenges like air traffic controller shortages and Boeing issues but believes airlines are reasonably prepared.
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How Are Airlines Handling the Busiest Summer Travel Season Ever?
July 9, 2024
What’s the Best Escalator Etiquette: Stand or Walk?
The Smith School's Michael C. Fu explores efficient escalator use in crowded transit hubs, challenging conventional "walk left, stand right" etiquette with findings favoring flexible lane access to balance passenger flow.
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What’s the Best Escalator Etiquette: Stand or Walk?
July 9, 2024
Seductive Language for Narcissists in Job Postings
Associate Professor Nick Seybert’s research highlights the impact of “rule-bender” language in job postings on applicant quality. Employers using keywords like “ambitious” and “thinks outside the box” may attract narcissistic applicants prone to unethical behavior, especially in accounting.
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Seductive Language for Narcissists in Job Postings
July 8, 2024
The Accountant Shortage Highlights How Critical Accounting Is to Capital Markets
NPR's Marketplace spotlighted an accountant shortage, leading Professor Rebecca Hann to study its impact. The study highlights how prolonged vacancies increase financial reporting errors, stressing the critical role of accountants in maintaining robust internal controls.
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The Accountant Shortage Highlights How Critical Accounting Is to Capital Markets
July 2, 2024
When Groups Lack Diversity, Size Matters for Whether People Notice
Diversity enhances business innovation, yet homogeneity persists, especially at the top. Aneesh Rai of the Smith School and colleagues found larger homogeneous groups more likely to diversify, highlighting the need to address diversity gaps in smaller teams.
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When Groups Lack Diversity, Size Matters for Whether People Notice
June 27, 2024
UMD Grand Challenges Grant Funds Work to Better Understand How Small Business Thrive
University of Maryland research shows small businesses thrive with high social connections, critical for funding and growth. A study involving over 70 Baltimore small-business owners highlights social capital's importance, revealing it influences financing more than local bank presence or income…
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UMD Grand Challenges Grant Funds Work to Better Understand How Small Business Thrive
June 12, 2024
Center for Global Business Survey of U.S. Business Executives Assesses AI Impact and Regulation Sentiments
As AI matures, U.S. businesses grapple with evolving regulations. Kislaya Prasad's study at the University of Maryland reveals concerns over job displacement, strong support for regulations, and focus on generative AI for customer experience and operational efficiency.
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Center for Global Business Survey of U.S. Business Executives Assesses AI Impact and Regulation Sentiments
June 12, 2024
AI Research Briefs
Finance professor Agustin Hurtado’s AI research highlights racial disparities in mortgage lending, while Information Systems researchers study AI chatbots' impact on mental health counseling. Marketing professor Michel Wedel explores predicting decisions via eye-tracking, and accounting professor…
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AI Research Briefs
June 11, 2024
The Secret to Accomplishing Big Goals
A study co-authored by Aneesh Rai, assistant professor of management and organization at the Smith School, suggests breaking large career goals into smaller tasks boosts long-term commitment and performance.
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The Secret to Accomplishing Big Goals
May 29, 2024
Study Examines Gender Disparity in Science Research Funding
Women now hold 55% of U.S. life-science doctorates, up from 32-38% in the mid-1980s. However, junior women face funding and tenure disparities compared to men and senior women, hindering the full benefits of gender diversity in science.
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Study Examines Gender Disparity in Science Research Funding