Dear Friends of the Willumstad School,
A key role of a university is the creation and transmission of knowledge. Our professors are both excellent teachers and superb scholars. Their research findings and insights inform their teaching, ensuring that students are introduced to new ideas and thinking. Similarly, their teaching influences the sorts of topics they study and inquire about.
In this second issue of
Adelphi Business Review
, we share four stories that draw from the recent scholarly work of our faculty. They enhance our understanding and challenge our long-held views about important business issues, such as what helps women entrepreneurs to succeed; how advertising can successfully connect a product with a consumer's proclivity toward it; why international mergers and acquisitions may not always work out; and an unintended (positive) consequence of airlines' imposing baggage fees—improved on-time flight performances!
Regards,
Rajib Sanyal, Ph.D.
Dean
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Never Give Up: Women Entrepreneurs in the UAE
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Support from male family members is essential to
women entrepreneurs operating within the constraints of patriarchal cultures
, says
Murat Sakir Erogul, Ph.D.
, assistant professor of management, who explored micro-emancipation (the incremental process of liberating from social strictures) by women business owners in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He interviewed 22 Emirati women for insight into the dynamics of building their identities as female entrepreneurs within cultural boundaries and their struggles in gaining support from men, one small victory at a time. Persistence and patience were key for these women, who complied with the strictures imposed upon them while also requesting support and constantly striving to push the boundaries. “The ones who succeed are very determined, very passionate,” he said.
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Brands Can Do Well by Doing Good
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Consumers evaluate brands more positively when marketing communications match their goals,
says
Zachary Johnson, Ph.D.
, assistant professor of marketing. These results are counter to previous research findings which showed that when brands are evaluated based on product ability or social responsibility, product ability takes precedence. Instead,
Dr. Johnson
and
Yun Jung Lee, Ph.D.
, associate professor of decision sciences and marketing, discovered that consumers’ goals, whether oriented to the product’s ability to meet their needs or to the desire to enjoy the product socially, were determining factors. "Social responsibility was shown to have a direct effect on perceptions of quality," says Dr. Johnson. The implications are that brands can benefit from learning the goals of their customers and tailoring advertising accordingly.
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For Chinese Firms Investing Abroad, the Secret to Success Lies in Having Close Business Ties With Their Partners
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Investing abroad—by mergers and acquisitions (M&As)—often does not work out as intended. As
Monica Yang, Ph.D.
, professor of management,
learned from her analysis of the performance of 186 Chinese companies that had invested in developed countries
,
strong business ties between the acquiring firm and its suppliers and other business partners increased its ability to absorb advanced technologies, which, in turn, enhanced its technological expertise and contributed to the success of the venture. "With stronger business ties, firms can learn more from their partners and improve the performance of the M&As," she said. Dr. Yang also found that market volatility leads to more reliance on these ties and thus increases their benefits. In contrast, high levels of cultural differences create barriers to effective communication and learning.
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Surprise! Airline Fees for Checked Bags Reduce Late Flights
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Contrary to previous thinking, baggage fees are not a main driver of airline flight delays, said
Amirhossein Alamdar Yazdi, Ph.D.
, assistant professor of decision sciences. After the fees were imposed, reduced passenger demand and lower numbers of checked bags resulted in greater efficiencies in sorting, loading and boarding—which improved on-time performance. The study was the first to simultaneously
examine the effects of baggage fees on late flights
, ticket pricing and passenger demand. Comprehensive information for nonstop domestic routes of 11 U.S. airlines was analyzed, involving nearly 160,000 observations. In addition to improved performance, results revealed increased airline revenues and fewer passenger delays. “It was a win-win situation,” Dr. Yazdi said.
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This e-newsletter is prepared by the Office of the Dean of the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business. Visit
business.adelphi.edu
for more information.
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Get social with us
@AdelphiWSB
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