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.

May 16, 2018
A Dynamic Pricing Model for Non-Clairvoyants
Setting prices for trendy items requires guesswork — unless you’re clairvoyant. For everyone else, professor Zhi-Long Chen has a dynamic model.
Read the article : A Dynamic Pricing Model for Non-Clairvoyants
May 14, 2018
Understanding Industry Incubation
Who needs products? Many startups thrive below ground, according to research from the Smith School's Rajshree Agarwal.
Read the article : Understanding Industry Incubation
May 14, 2018
Post-Crisis and Below Average: A Financial Sector Report Card
As the 10-year anniversary of the global economic crisis approaches, Clifford Rossi offers a financial sector report card. "We have absolutely come a long way in many regards," he says. "But in other respects, we've learned nothing."
Read the article : Post-Crisis and Below Average: A Financial Sector Report Card
May 14, 2018
Walmart’s Big Month on the World Stage
We are watching a new and very different global Walmart take shape, the Smith School's Anil K. Gupta writes. Recent moves in the U.K., India and Brazil are "bold and brilliant," he says.
Read the article : Walmart’s Big Month on the World Stage
May 11, 2018
Beware of CFOs with Large Signatures
There's more to signature size than meets the eye. As it turns out, chief financial officers with large signatures are more willing to exploit others and bend the truth in their favor.
Read the article : Beware of CFOs with Large Signatures
May 10, 2018
When Traditionalism Helps Innovation
New research from Smith School professor Debra L. Shapiro finds that innovation teams benefit when they include traditionalists and mavericks.
Read the article : When Traditionalism Helps Innovation
May 9, 2018
Three Things To Watch As U.S. Exits Iran Deal
With President Trump making official his decision to withdraw the United States from the Iran nuclear deal, Kislaya Prasad takes a look at what's likely to happen next.
Read the article : Three Things To Watch As U.S. Exits Iran Deal
May 2, 2018
Summer Blockbuster Season Starts Early
Marvel Studios' "Avengers: Infinity War" isn't just shattering box-office records. It's shattering the industry's notion of a summer blockbuster season, the Smith School's David M. Waguespack says.
Read the article : Summer Blockbuster Season Starts Early
April 30, 2018
The Value of Opposing Viewpoints
Team members aren’t always going to agree with leaders’ goals and strategies. And sometimes, having disagreement among teams is actually ideal for dealing with complex problems.
Read the article : The Value of Opposing Viewpoints
April 25, 2018
How U.S. Fortunes Rise With Climbing Oil Prices
Blame Russia and OPEC for rising energy prices. Or thank them. Smith School professor Charles E. Olson says the United States will benefit overall as oil approaches $70 per barrel.
Read the article : How U.S. Fortunes Rise With Climbing Oil Prices