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 24, 2024
Who Is More Successful at Advocating for Social Justice on the Job?
Debra Shapiro's research examines social justice advocacy in workplaces. The study finds support varies based on whether the advocate is an ally or a disadvantaged group advocate, influenced by the appeal receiver's identification with the group.
Read the article : Who Is More Successful at Advocating for Social Justice on the Job?
July 19, 2024
Women Make History at the Paris 2024 Olympics
For the first time, equal numbers of male and female athletes will compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Celebrating gender parity, this milestone highlights the progress in women's sports since Paris 1924, where only 4.4% of athletes were women.
Read the article : Women Make History at the Paris 2024 Olympics
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.
Read the article : How Are Airlines Handling the Busiest Summer Travel Season Ever?
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.
Read the article : Seductive Language for Narcissists in Job Postings
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.
Read the article : What’s the Best Escalator Etiquette: Stand or Walk?
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.
Read the article : 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.
Read the article : 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…
Read the article : UMD Grand Challenges Grant Funds Work to Better Understand How Small Business Thrive
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…
Read the article : AI Research Briefs
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.
Read the article : Center for Global Business Survey of U.S. Business Executives Assesses AI Impact and Regulation Sentiments
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