November 6, 2007

Volume 2 - Number 4

Making Sure a Buying Customer is a Happy Customer

Enter a big-box electronics store and you are likely to find customers poring over displays of cell phones, digital music players and DVD players, trying to determine which product is right for them. Yet despite their efforts, many of these consumers will ultimately be unhappy with the product they take home. So how can sellers make sure everyone goes home happy? New research from Rebecca Hamilton, associate professor of marketing at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, finds experience plays a critical role.

http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/research/ras/sept2007/article2.html

ARTICLE || AUDIO PODCAST  

WARNING: It’s No Longer a Safe Bet to Follow the Mutual Funds

It might seem like a safe bet to mimic the trading strategies of mutual fund managers. But Russ Wermers, associate professor of finance at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, cautions investors to be wary of blindly following the herd. In a new study, he and his research team uncover compelling evidence that indicates fund managers, herding together, are destabilizing the markets.

http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/smithbusiness/fall2007/knowledgetransfer/3.html

ARTICLE || AUDIO PODCAST 

Firms Reveal More About Information Security – Voluntarily!

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has had a significant unintended side effect: More and more firms are voluntarily disclosing the information security measures they have in place. The finding comes from a research team including the Smith School’s Lawrence Gordon, Ernst & Young Alumni Professor of Managerial Accounting, and Martin Loeb, professor of accounting and information assurance and Deloitte & Touche LLP Faculty Fellow.

http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/research/ras/sept2007/article3.html

ARTICLE || AUDIO PODCAST 

Smith Video Views

Chinese Manufacturing Under the Microscope: What’s Next?

Following a summer of toy and other product recalls, Chinese factories are scrambling to improve the safety of their products and reassure the public. In this Smith Business Video View, Anil Gupta, Ralph J. Tyser Professor of Strategy & Organization at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, explains why all the hype surrounding these recalls will not weaken China, but in fact, make it stronger.

AUDIO/VIDEO PODCAST 

Social Responsibility: Good for Business

Social responsibility is creating a lot of buzz in many boardrooms today. But what does it mean for a firm to truly be socially responsible and what are some practical ways that even small companies can participate? In this Smith Business Video View, Melissa Carrier, associate director of the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, discusses the ways in which firms are meeting the social responsibility challenge.

AUDIO/VIDEO PODCAST 

Leadership Development

Globalization, competitiveness, and innovation are at the top of management agendas in business and government. Yet there is no clear consensus on how organizations should go about becoming more innovative – and more globally competitive. The Robert H. Smith School of Business presents two unique opportunities to help managers meet these challenges.

CIBER Innovation and Globalization Conference
November 8-9
This conference addresses the challenges involved with research and development, intellectual property and other concerns related to innovation and globalization. It is sponsored by the Smith School's Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER). Learn more. 

CIO Forum: Technology and Innovation
Friday, November 9
How do CIOs inculcate an innovation culture in the organization? How do they evolve new business models and new business practices that are built on the capabilities of new information technologies? The Smith School’s 8th Annual CIO Forum, featuring keynote speaker Lemuel Lasher, CIO and president of Computer Sciences Corp.'s Office of Innovation, aims to answer these questions. Learn more.

Other Resources from the Robert H. Smith School of Business

■ Leading Business Intelligence Archives

■ Smith Video and Audio Podcasts

■ Smith Video and Audio Podcasts (Mandarin Chinese)

■ Research@Smith Newsletter

■ Smith Business Magazine

■ Executive Education Programs

Leading Business Intelligence is your source for business intelligence from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. No time to read? Log on to Smith Podcasts to download video and audio directly to your iPod or other MP3 player. Read it here, or get Smith business intelligence when and where you want it! Send e-mail to leading@rhsmith.umd.edu with comments or suggestions. 

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