“The Future is Not What it Used to Be”
Ambiguity arises when choices must be made despite unclear outcomes, says Professor J. Gerald Suarez. In today’s fast-paced world, discernment, flexibility, and embracing uncertainty—not rigid control—are key to navigating change, complexity, and an unpredictable future.
Exploring Workplace Creativity and Innovation
Smith School professor Vijaya Venkataramani, a 2024 Distinguished Scholar-Teacher Award recipient, shared insights on workplace creativity during her lecture. She explored how social networks, team dynamics and leadership influence innovation, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and psychological safety.
Conflicted About Coworkers: How Coworker Support Influences Engagement After Status Loss
People's needs for status and support are theoretically distinct, yet little research has considered how people cope with having one but not the other. We examine how people react to losing status as a function of whether they typically perceive their coworkers as supportive. Although social support is documented as a resource people can draw on to cope with failure at work, we argue that in the case of failures that implicate status (i.e., status loss), experiencing these events in a more supportive work group may not aid recovery and reengagement.
Diffusion of AI Jobs Across Sectors
AI job postings in the U.S. surged 68% since ChatGPT’s launch, despite a 17% decline in overall job postings. UMD-LinkUp AI Maps, led by Smith’s Anil K. Gupta, reveals AI’s rise as firms prioritize AI roles over traditional IT jobs.
The Theory-Based View and Strategic Pivots: The Effects of Theorization and Experimentation on the Type and Nature of Pivots
We examine how formalization in cognitive processes (theorization) and evidence evaluation (experimentation) influence the type (frequency and radicalness) and nature (impetus, clarity, and coherence) of entrepreneurial pivots. We use a mixed-method research design to analyze rich data from over 1,600 interviews with 261 entrepreneurs within a randomized control trial in London.
Smith Undergrads Honored as Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars
Three Smith seniors were honored as Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars, recognizing mentorship’s impact. At a Nov. 1 ceremony, Abigail Manga, Adelina Seck, and Grayson Vintz celebrated their achievements alongside K-12 and Smith mentors, highlighting the program’s legacy of excellence.
Smith School Appoints Wendy Sanhai as Visiting Professor and Outreach Ambassador
Wendy Sanhai, PhD, MBA, has been appointed Visiting Professor of Practice in Management and Organization at the Smith School. She will also serve as Outreach Ambassador, collaborating with industry and agencies to advance research, education, and initiatives in life sciences.
How Passion Drives or Derails Team Innovation
New research by Hui Liao at the Smith School reveals that obsessive passion in teams can stifle innovation by hindering reflection and flexibility. In contrast, harmonious passion promotes team reflexivity and fosters greater innovation.