Department News

Articles about activities within the academic departments

How Competitor Brand Names Affect Within-Brand Choices

Posted on by Nancy White

Marketing Letters (forthcoming)

Kunter Gunasti and Berna Devezer

In a recent research forthcoming at Marketing Letters, Dr. Gunasti and his co-author show that consumer choices among different models of a brand name can be affected by exposure to a competitor brand name that forms an incidental trend with the numbers in the focal brand names. For instance, a consumer shopping for a Mercedes and trying to choose between a Mercedes C330 vs. C340 can be exposed to a competitor brand such as a BMW 320i, which increases the chances that he will leave the store with the higher number focal brand Mercedes C340. Although the competitor brand is not even available to choose and it is not considered, its mere presence seems to affect consumers’ focal choices.Continue Reading

Research Seminar with Caglar Igmak, University of Miami

Posted on by Nancy White

On the invitation of the Marketing Department, Professor Caglar Irmak from the University of Miami gave a research seminar titled, “Merely Available: Products May Be Effective without Actual Consumption” on Friday, April 3. This research shows that providing people with access to a relevant product, without them actually using it, can enhance their performance. For example, participants with access to coffee were faster at a reaction-time task than those without access to coffee. Continue Reading

Time to Flex

Posted on by Melissa Ferrigno

Giving Workers More Control of Their Time May Be Good for All

Rep-Am.com – When she first began working there 15 years ago, Beekley Corp. in Bristol was a fairly traditional company. “We were of the mind that everybody needed to be here, 9 to 5,” said Maureen O. Gallo, vice president of human assets and operational excellence at the medical supply company. But when the company began asking its employees what it could do to make them perform at their highest level, one fact was clear: They wanted flexibility.

Research Seminar with Ting Zhu, University of British Columbia

Posted on by Nancy White

On the invitation of the Marketing Ph.D. students, Professor Ting Zhu from the University of British Columbia gave a research seminar about “Can Price Matching Defeat Showrooming?” on Friday, April 17th. This research studies the impact of Best Buy’s recent price-matching policy on the price competition between Best Buy and Amazon. Specifically, she examines whether the policy can defeat consumers’ showrooming behavior. Data indicate that both Best Buy and Amazon adjusted prices in the same directions. Continue Reading

Business Hall of Fame Induction

Posted on by Claire Hall
2015 Hall of Fame Recipients
Pictured L to R: 2015 Hall of Fame inductees David B. Greenfield ’84, Norman W. Lacroix ’72 MBA, Wendy Reeves Watkins ’74

Alumni Say Though Campus Has Changed, the Camaraderie at UConn Remains the Same

The School of Business welcomed four new members to its Hall of Fame and paid tribute to veterans of the U.S. Armed Services in a May 8 ceremony at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.

Among the inductees were: David B. Greenfield ’84; Norman W. Lacroix ’72 MBA, Wendy Reeves Watkins ’74. The late Brigadier Gen. James S. Creedon ’53 was inducted posthumously.

Dean John A. Elliott noted that this year’s inductees have not only achieved tremendous success in their careers, but have made a personal commitment to the betterment of their communities by advocating for and supporting higher education, theaters and museums, food banks and many other deserving institutions.Continue Reading

UConn’s Insider Guide to Living Your Best Life

Posted on by Melissa Ferrigno

UConn Today – What are the secrets to success? How can you make the most of every day? Whether you’ve long wished you were more creative or have always wondered how to land your dream job, our UConn-inspired how-to handbook will offer you valuable insight into some of life’s burning questions.

We’ve rounded up a selection of UConn alumni, faculty, and current students — from a NASA chief scientist to an up-and-coming beer brewer — to share their practical advice on how you can live your own best life.

50 Years of Excellence

Posted on by Claire Hall

UConn Center for Real Estate 50th Anniversary Gala

Gala Evening Celebrates Accomplishments of UConn’s Prestigious Real Estate Program

Some 300 people—from real estate legends to revered faculty to soon-to-be graduates—filled the Rome Ballroom on the Storrs campus to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Center for Real Estate and Urban Economic Studies.

The tight-knit commercial real estate community came out to laude the program’s accomplishments, honor those who have shaped its success, reminisce about the growth of the program over the decades, and to look enthusiastically toward the future.

The UConn Real Estate program has long been regarded as one of the best in the country. Director John Glascock announced that the program’s Advisory Council has secured $2 million in endowed funds for the program during the last four years. At the dinner it was announced that an endowed scholar position would be created in honor of William Kinnard, the first director of the Center. Long-time Professor John Clapp will be named as The William N. Kinnard Research Scholar. Continue Reading

Alumna Named SUNY Dean

Posted on by Claire Hall

Rowena Ortiz-Walters Becomes One of the Few Hispanic-Americans to Lead a U.S. Business School

Rowena Ortiz-Walters
Pictured: Rowena Ortiz-Walters. Photo courtesy of Quinnipiac University.

Rowena Ortiz-Walters, a two-time UConn graduate who earned her Ph.D. in 2005, has been appointed Dean of the School of Business and Economics at the State University of New York—Plattsburgh.

Ortiz-Walters is only the ninth Hispanic-American dean of a business school in the United States, according to The Ph.D. Project, a program designed to foster more diversity in corporate America and higher education administration. She will begin her new job on July 1.Continue Reading

Marketing Students Recognized at Awards Reception

Posted on by Nancy White
Fodor Family Scholarship
Pictured, L to R: Alvaro Chavez, Sally and John Fodor, Immanuella Anagu

The annual Marketing Awards Reception recognizes students who have surpassed expectations in the marketing department. The reception, which took place in the Alumni Center on April 27, presented 51 students with certificates for outstanding and honors scholars, various scholarships, and a concentration in Professional Sales Leadership and/or Digital Marketing & Analytics. Students mingled with parents, faculty, corporate sponsors, and scholarship sponsors – John ’85 and Sally Fodor, Fodor Family Scholarship and Stewart ’80 and Pamela Lander, Lander Family Scholarship and Alumnus of the Year – for appetizers in the Sports Museum, and then sat down for dinner and awards in the Great Hall.Continue Reading

Kevin McEvoy Awarded Best Session Paper

Posted on by Nancy White

Assistant Professor in-Residence of Marketing, Kevin McEvoy, received a Session Best Paper Award for his presentation of The Toolbox-An Innovation Connecting Marketing Education and Practice, at the Academy of Business Research Conference held New Orleans in March. He also served as session chair. The Academy of Business Research ​is an international society of scholars and practitioners who exchange ideas and collaborate in all areas of business and business education.Continue Reading