Executive MBA Program in Top 25
The Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management ranks No. 25 among executive MBA programs in The Wall Street Journal’s new survey of national business schools. On management skills and alumni satisfaction—key components of the overall rankings—Owen is No. 17 and No. 18, respectively.
The Wall Street Journal, Sept. 30
Putting Investors in a Fix
In coming weeks the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission are expected to release their report on the “flash crash” of May 6, 2010, when the stock market briefly plummeted. “The market always tries to find its way around the rules,” says Bill Christie, the Frances Hampton Currey Professor of Finance, whose work first exposed the game-playing among Nasdaq dealers in the 1990s. “It’s kind of like a balloon—you squish one side and it pops out the other.”
The Wall Street Journal, Aug. 24
Beware of ‘Independent’ Research
In recent years financial-services firms have found a new tool to help them drum up customers: the academic study. Universities conducting the research say they do not allow sponsors to interfere, but critics say that schools should do more to disclose corporate support. Hans Stoll, the Anne Marie and Thomas B. Walker Jr. Professor of Finance, says business schools have been accused of not being close enough to the real world. “The connection to business is desirable. I don’t think we want to sever that on the altar of conflict of interest,” he says.
The Wall Street Journal, Aug. 16
Southern-fried Health Care
Health care now is by far the largest industry in Nashville, commanding a fifth of its economy, with the picture looking ever brighter as the industry stands to gain from constant, unrestrained growth. But as the capital of Tennessee, the second-most obese state in the nation, Nashville’s health care cluster suffers from a public relations blemish. Jim Bradford, Dean of the Owen Graduate School of Management, is quoted.
MarketWatch, July 27
Trimming Payroll without Layoffs
While layoffs may be necessary at some small businesses, employers should avoid sharpening the ax. Here’s why: Not only do employees contribute to the company’s productivity and bottom line, they’re often well-schooled (at a great cost) on specific business methods. If there isn’t enough work to go around, consider switching up people’s duties, suggests Ray Friedman, the Brownlee O. Currey Professor of Management. “I have seen big companies make it through downturns by having factory workers do maintenance work [such as] painting, fixing tools” and the like, he says.
Entrepreneur, July 20
Buying Household Staples Online
SmartMoney’s “Deal of the Day” blog looks at online deals for everyday household items. The regularity with which consumers buy household goods appeals to Web retailers, says Dawn Iacobucci, the E. Bronson Ingram Professor in Marketing. Even Amazon offers groceries and home products. “They’re all hoping to hook you on the convenience of home delivery for a regular order,” she says.
SmartMoney, July 20
To Specialize or Not
Once accepted to business school, students must decide whether they need or want to specialize or pursue a more general business education. “Don’t stick to one goal or career choice if it’s just not going to bear fruit,” says Nick Bollen, the E. Bronson Ingram Professor of Finance. Several of his students have looked to other industries for employment and found roles in entirely different areas, such as health care.
Financial Times, June 22