Featured Research from the Vanderbilt Owen Graduat

As the national health care reform law moves towards implementation, critics continue efforts to block it. Two federal judges have ruled that it's unconstitutional, several state legislatures have voted not to abide by some of the law's components, and the U.S. House and Senate are considering separate repeal measures. So where does all this leave those in the health care industry? To help businesses get a better read on the situation, Professor Van Horn talks about the road ahead.

Two giants of the tech industry — Apple and Google — both recently announced major management changes. First, Steve Jobs said he would take another medical leave, making Tim Cook acting CEO of Apple. Then Google co-founder Larry Page announced that he would replace longtime CEO Eric Schmidt in part to "speed up decision making" at the company.

This week, hedge fund manager William Ackman, a major shareholder in Borders Group Inc., said he would be willing to finance a $960 million bid for the company's purchase of bookstore rival Barnes and Noble. But Luke M. Froeb, William C. Oehmig Associate Professor in Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise at Owen and former Director of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Economics, sees regulatory roadblocks ahead for any such big-box bookstore deal.

Most people in business have no ethical qualms about stealing a customer from a rival or losing a customer to a rival. But they feel the practice of laterally hiring or "poaching" employees is ethically "charged."

Amidst staggering losses, hedge funds are increasingly putting the brakes on investor attempts to withdraw funds. Bollen finds that these new restrictions come with a heavy price tag for investors.

According to conventional wisdom, the more human resource (HR) practices you use to develop people--particularly at the managerial level--the better the results. However, a comprehensive study by Gardner finds that the more-is-better theory does not always hold water.

Professor Victor discusses his research on the benefits of micro-lending with Rob Simbeck.

In the vast and murky area of corporate campaign contributions, new research by Alexei Ovtchinnikov, assistant professor of finance, provides some of the first hard evidence documenting a "positive and significant" relationship between contributions and stock returns, as well as increased profitability for firms that contribute.

Professor Froeb discusses the state of international antitrust laws with Rob Simbeck.

In today's corporate culture, the reputation, attitude and identity of individual managers and executives have taken on added importance as companies strive to define and separate themselves in a competitive marketplace. For that reason, many executives are beginning to focus on their personal brands--both for reasons of self-marketing and to become better leaders. With training in both vocal performance and business communication, Kimberly Pace, assistant clinical professor of management, helps MBA students and corporate executives recognize that trust, authenticity and feedback are crucial components of the personal brand strategy.

Economic theory notwithstanding, people faced with everything from restaurant menus to health care plans find that more choices are not always better. New research by Mike Shor, assistant professor of management, is sorting out the complexities of information overload and seeking to insure better decisions for individuals and society.

High-profile fund implosions and continued economic turmoil from the sub-prime mortgage crisis have not diminished the love affair between investors and hedge funds. But new research by Nick Bollen, E. Bronson Ingram Professor in Finance, discovered that a significant number of hedge fund managers routinely and purposefully avoid reporting losses in their funds by marking up the value of their portfolios.

The health care industry makes up one-seventh of the American economy and its component parts--doctors, hospitals, insurers and drug manufacturers--are well represented in Washington. Few topics concern Americans more, so it may be surprising that there so little discussion of health care on the 2008 campaign trail. Larry Van Horn, associate professor of management and faculty director for the health care MBA, explains why and speaks to the important issues that are on the table during this election year.

An Oklahoma State grad, Tim Dubois came to Vanderbilt 25 years ago to teach accounting and write some songs on the side. His talent carried him from the classroom into a career as a writer, producer and, later, executive in the music industry. As head of Arista Records and co-founder of Universal South, Tim was named “one of the most powerful people in the entertainment industry.” Dubois has rejoined the Owen faculty, this time as clinical professor of management with a focus on the media and entertainment industry. Reporter Rob Simbeck talks with him about trends, the rapidly changing business model, and what the media and entertainment industry will demand from its leaders going forward.

Professor Friedman discusses a recent study to determine whether sensitivity to behavioral integrity varied among employees of various racial groups.

Professor Barry discusses his new book with Rob Simbeck.