Media Alert: June 16, 2014Attention Business and Financial Reporters and Editors COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Faculty experts in the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business are available to expand on comments, below, regarding Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk announcing his company will open its patented technology to competitors and European Union regulators investigating whether such major firms as Apple and Starbucks are violating EU tax law. 

Research by Christine Beckman Entrepreneurial boards typically stay actively involved in the growth of a new venture and can be critical to the company’s success. So it is important for startups to know which types of people they should offer board seats to. 

New Smith research might alter your perspective on the next movie review you read online. Film critics sometimes react not just to the film itself, but also to one another, says Associate Professor of Management Dave Waguespack and Smith PhD Daniel Olson. When this happens, it can alter the critics’ rating of the film and content of the review.

The Robert H. Smith School of Business has expanded its reputation as a research and knowledge hub with top-25 showings in three recent worldwide rankings.

The University of Maryland offers a set of “Fearless Ideas” courses through its Academy for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (AIE), a signature initiative to infuse the university with a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across all colleges, building on the institution's excellence as a research university. The Robert H. Smith School of Business will offer four Fearless Ideas courses in fall 2014:

On March 28, 2014, at the North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in Bethesda, Md., students, faculty and business professionals met for the third annual Smith School Business Summit.  This year’s theme looked at innovation as an essential building block for the prosperity and survival of corporations. With more than 600 registered attendants, it was the largest Summit yet.

The Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) has awarded two PhD candidates at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business $4,000 each to support international business-related research focused on Chile and China.

Congratulations to the Top Graduating Seniors in each major for 2013-14! We will honor these seniors at our 14th Annual Robert H. Smith School of Business Undergraduate Awards Dinner later this semester. Dean's Leadership Award: Stephanie Graf Accounting: Kristen Ballou Finance: Hrach Kelejian Information Systems: Miles Dickinson International Business: Claire Moriarty Management: Sara Ali Marketing: Lindsay Djuhadi

The 9th Annual Cupid’s Cup is almost here! Watch competitors vie for the coveted Cupid's Cup and a shot at $115k on April 4. Get your tickets now at www.cupidscup.com. 1. Don’t be afraid to fail. “If you’ve been dreaming of starting your own business, make 2014 the year you take the risk -- even if you fail. Whatever happens, you’re guaranteed to learn a lot in the process.” — Elana Fine, managing director, Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship

S. Raghu Raghavan, a Smith professor of management science and operations management, has developed a framework for companies to track and incorporate social media influence into product innovation – resulting in better products that more effectively meet the needs of consumers.  Read more about this research at UMD Right Now.