Welcome to the inaugural Research Newsletter of the University of Connecticut School of Business. We are excited to share our many far-reaching faculty research achievements with our colleagues around the world.
Finance
Real Estate: The Practical Approach
International Real Estate Moguls Share High-Stakes Tactics with UConn Protégé
As the CEO of one of the largest real estate advisory firms in the world, David J. Reilly has plenty to keep him busy.
His company, Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers, is immersed in the development of the much-anticipated Fan Pier—an upscale, 21-acre office, retail, residential and restaurant complex along Boston Harbor.
But despite his many commitments, the man at the helm of a $44 billion, Hartford-based real-estate empire, along with three members of the company’s executive team, devotes one evening a week to teach a realistic, challenging and pragmatic course to UConn real estate students.Continue Reading
Academic Symposium
UConn Center for Real Estate 50th Anniversary Academic Symposium
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics Studies, the Center hosted an international academic symposium. Attendees included research professors from countries such as the United Kingdom, Singapore, The Netherlands and Italy as well as top academics from across the United States.
The event held from March 26 through March 28 drew the submission of nearly 60 papers, from which 14 were presented. The process was very competitive, which was evident in the conference through spirited research and lively and engaging debate.
The Center would like to thank C.F. Sirmans and Dean Gatzlaff of Florida State University, and David Ling and Wayne Archer of the University of Florida for paving the way and allowing the Center to step in and hold the conference that would annually take place within their institutions. This group also promoted the conference and ensured the successful attendance. We also thank the UConn Center symposium committee of John Clapp, Jeff Cohen, John Glascock and Steve Ross. A special thanks and appreciation to John Harding for direction and guidance through out the symposium planning.
Eight Outstanding School of Business Professors Earn 2015 Faculty Awards
A professor who used chocolate chip cookies to teach about quality control, three researchers who had work published in top journals, and an educator who vigorously promoted the School of Business were among the 2015 Faculty Award recipients.
“This year we honored eight outstanding faculty members for their exceptional research, teaching and leadership achievements,” said Associate Dean Sulin Ba. “The selection process was particularly difficult due to the dozens of impressive nominees. We are fortunate to have such talented, creative and remarkable colleagues.”Continue Reading
These are ‘Best of Times, Worst of Times’ for Risk Managers
When a major retailer had a security breach, and consumer information was compromised, it created a ripple effect at Stamford-based First County Bank.
First County Bank customers inundated their local branches seeking new debit cards, and many wanted replacements right away. The bank is able to produce about 1,000 new cards a day in-house, but has to contract out for bigger projects, said John Bonora, senior vice president and chief risk officer at the bank, and a 2011 graduate of UConn’s MSFRM program.Continue Reading
Accounting, Finance Faculty Members Recognized for Outstanding Research
The School of Business has awarded its 2015 Best Paper Award to professors David Weber, from accounting, and Jose Martinez, of finance, for their exceptional research articles that will appear in esteemed academic journals.
Weber’s research paper is titled, “Does SOX 404 Have Teeth? Consequences of the Failure to Report Existing Internal Control Weaknesses.”
“Picking Winners? Investment Consultants’ Recommendations of Fund Managers,” is the title of Martinez’s work. His paper also recently received a prize from the University of Cambridge and the Commonfund Institute.
“Both papers are to appear in very prestigious journals in their respective fields, The Accounting Review and Journal of Finance,” said Sulin Ba, associate dean of academic and research support. “The selection committee was particularly impressed by the public policy implications that came out of both research projects. These implications will have an impact on our society in the years to come.”
The competition was intense this year with 10 nominations, all papers accepted in top academic journals, Ba said.
“Dr. Weber’s paper, co-authored with Ph.D. student Biyu Wu, addresses the requirement that corporations and their auditors publicly disclose internal control weaknesses, which is one of the most contentious and costly provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act,” said Mohamed Hussein, accounting department head. “The study is important because it shows that the enforcement mechanisms surrounding internal control reporting are often ineffective and in some cases may even provide disincentives for compliance.”
“This paper is one of many research projects conducted by the UConn accounting faculty that addressed critical accounting and tax issues,” said Hussein, noting that UConn accounting faculty research has been cited in Congressional hearings and in the British Parliament.
Chinmoy Ghosh, department head in finance, said he is pleased with his colleague’s success.
“Within a very short period of time since arriving at UConn in August 2014, Jose has made a significant contribution in almost every aspect of the job. Acceptance of his paper by the Journal of Finance, the top journal in the discipline, brings tremendous visibility and prestige to the department and the school,” he said. “Very recently, his research has been recognized by a leading academic group in Europe. His style of teaching and knowledge drew great praise from the Risk Management students at both our Hartford and Stamford campuses.
“Jose has also shown great interest and objectivity in various academic issues currently under review by the department faculty. We are very pleased to have him as a colleague and look forward to many more productive years from him at the School of Business.”
The Best Paper Award is funded by the generous support of the Arnold M. Robin & Rochelle M. Robin Excellence Fund.
Related articles:
Professor Jose Martinez Earns Triple Recognition for Work on Dubious Investment Management
Professor David Weber Finds Lack of Enforcement Surrounds Key Provision of Sarbanes-Oxley Act
Picking Winners?
Professor Jose Martinez Earns Triple Recognition For Work on Dubious Investment Management
A four-year research project by UConn finance professor Jose Martinez found no evidence that recommendations by highly paid investment consultants to institutional investors subsequently outperformed the market.
Professor Jose MartinezIn his paper, “Picking Winners? Investment Consultants’ Recommendations of Fund Managers,” Martinez presents survey data from investment consultants with a combined share of 90 percent of the consulting market, and focuses on the recommendations consultants made for actively managed U.S. equity funds.Continue Reading
Announcing Blackstone’s Future Women Leaders Program
Blackstone’s Future Women Leaders Program is a unique 1.5 day experience among financial firms, giving participants early exposure to finance and business through interactive information seminars, networking, and skill-building sessions. The program is open to sophomore women who are interested in exploring a career in the financial services industry.Continue Reading
Top Connecticut Experts Discuss Success of Healthcare Initiative: “We’re Not There Yet—But We’re Making Great Strides”
When it comes to access to healthcare, Connecticut residents are much better off now than they were prior to the creation of the Affordable Care Act, according to a panel of experts.
But, this new system is still in its infancy and there is still much to be done in order to achieve an ideal healthcare delivery system, they agreed.
The five panelists shared their expertise in a UConn School of Business program titled, “Grading the Affordable Care Act.” The March 4 program drew 75 people to the Graduate Business Learning Center in downtown Hartford. Continue Reading