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.

August 20, 2024

Research Shows Flatter Hierarchies’ Hidden Cost

The Smith School's Reuben Hurst finds that flatter hierarchies, though promoting collaboration, may reduce gender diversity in job applicants. His study shows such structures lead to fewer women applying for jobs.

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August 8, 2024

Boeing’s New CEO Amid Persisting Turbulence: What it Means Marketwise

Boeing's outlook improves with new CEO Robert Ortberg, despite ongoing National Transportation Safety Board hearings and labor negotiations. Ortberg's proven leadership in aerospace offers optimism for shareholders, while the company faces significant internal and external challenges.

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July 31, 2024

Marketing Professor Provides Keys to Successful Endorsement Deals at 2024 Paris Olympics

With the 2024 Summer Olympics underway, brands vie for top endorsements, despite past low ratings. The games, expected to generate $1.3 billion in sponsorship revenue, mark the first unrestricted post-COVID Olympics. Successful campaigns connect athletes' stories authentically with brands.

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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.

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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.

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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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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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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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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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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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