“Group Size and Its Impact on Diversity-Related Perceptions and Hiring Decisions in Homogeneous Groups,” published in Organization Science
Can the size of a homogeneous group matter for how it’s perceived and whether it’s diversified? Across experiments and analyses of S&P 1500 corporate boards over time, our research suggests that decision-makers neglect homogeneity in smaller groups while investing extra effort towards diversifying larger homogeneous groups, likely due to increased concerns about lack of diversity, fairness, and potential social sanctions.
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.
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.
New Faculty Strengthen Smith’s ‘Grand Challenges’ Strategy
Balaji Padmanabhan is among the earliest professors to bring machine learning into an MBA program. Sining Song’s research explores environmental-to-fintech-related factors in supply chain sustainability. And Agustin Hurtado recently analyzed 87 million minority-borrower accounts in a study showing minority bank ownership reduces information frictions and improves credit allocations.These professors are among the nine new tenure-track faculty members and three full time professional track faculty joining the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business this fall.