by Moshe Hoffman, Postdoctoral Scholar, and Erez Yoeli, Lecturer Men are more likely to own risky stocks. They are more likely to choose competitive careers. And they are more likely to bargain aggressively for their starting salaries. The evidence is overwhelming: In virtually every setting ever studied – in laboratory experiments where people choose between gambles and empirical studies where retirement funds or career choices are analyzed – men take more risk than women.1,2 We know, we know. All of us are brought up to believe that men and women are the same, and we want them to be the…
by Joseph Engelberg, Faculty With crises come blame, and following the 2008 financial crisis, there has been plenty of blame laid at the feet of short-sellers. It did not take long for regulators to pass judgment on these traders. In the midst of the crisis, short-selling bans were implemented in the U.S., the U.K., Japan, Canada, Spain, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands, and South Korea. And around the world, the heavy scrutiny continues to this day. What is it about short-selling that attracts that level of condemnation? For starters, a short-seller in the stock market sells…
by Blair Sadler, Lecturer It seems particularly timely for the Rady Business Journal to devote an issue to the topic of ethical behavior in organizations. In today’s corporate world, the landscape is littered with examples of self-serving, irresponsible behavior – Enron, British Petroleum, big banks, and investment firms, to name a few. The nonprofit sector is hardly immune. The sexual abuse crises involving Penn State University, the Catholic Church, and the Boy Scouts of America provide vivid examples of the lack of effective, ethical leadership. A defining moment in the history of any organization is how it responds to a highly…
by Danielle Berman, MBA ’12 Tanya Maslach is the founder and CEO of GOTRIbal, a unique organization dedicated to connecting and empowering women through endurance sports. She was recently nominated by the San Diego Business Journal as one of the “Most Admired CEOs.” It is easy to see why GOTRIbal, which launched in 2010, has since captured the hearts of women across the globe who are looking to build relationships through healthy, active lifestyles. As Maslach put it, GOTRIbal isn’t about “racing.” It’s about journeys that positively impact women, their families and their communities. Below, Maslach discusses her success as…
by Carlos Uribe, MBA ’12 At the Rady School of Management, certain professors tend to answer crucial questions with the response, “It depends.” This is an interesting approach, as it basically says, “Well, there’s no one cookie-cutter solution to any issue; no one answer solves all problems; and many factors have to be considered, weighed and accounted for.” It also implies that we should draw our optimal strategy from the goals and resources we have at hand. Different approaches to those two factors — goals and resources, that is — will render varying conclusions. As an example, dissatisfaction with the…
San Diego’s Experiences and Expectations by Patrick kelly, MBA ’13 As the national deficit continues to dominate the headlines, budget cuts seem to be inevitable for the Department of Defense (DoD), which makes up approximately 20 percent of total federal spending. Yet given the continued political wrangling, there remains a wide range of possibilities for the size, scope and timeline of such cutbacks. Among the options available, a reduction in military infrastructure will most likely be included. Accordingly, the White House has recommended forming a Base Closure and Realignment Committee (BRAC) for both 2013 and 2015 to cut excess military…
An Interview with Dr. Magda Marquet by William Seith, MBA ’13 From lab to market. From scientist to CEO. These terms represent the dreams of the students at the Rady School of Management, and they also describe the life of Dr. Magda Marquet. After receiving her Ph.D. in Biochemical Engineering from INSA/University of Toulouse, Marquet embarked on a 25-year career in the biotechnology industry. Among other things, she directed development at Vical Incorporated, patented novel methods for DNA production and, most notably, founded Althea Technologies. She was the winner of the 2005 Regional Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year…
by Elizabeth Han, MBA ’13 It must seem odd that a basic element of survival passes for a trend, but nutritious food has long been a strange phenomenon in American culture. An object of suspicion, derision and confusion, health food attracts two kinds of criticisms: “It’s not really healthy,” and “It’s not really food.” These charges represent the type of resistance that health-oriented food companies have historically faced in introducing their products. Recently, though, the market has become noticeably more hospitable to businesses promoting nutritious, wholesome food. Lately, consumers’ tastes have skewed toward foods that are perceived as natural, a…
Turning Ideas Into Enterprises by Drew Beal, MBA ’13 and Barrett Fisher, MBA ’13 San Diego Sport Innovators (SDSI) may sound like they’re investigating new ways to play old games, but their real goal is to help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into enterprises. SDSI is a rapidly growing trade organization that aims to grow Southern California’s business community by inspiring sports innovation. To that end, they recruited former basketball superstar and San Diego, California, native Bill Walton to lead the organization as executive chairman. In conjunction with a dedicated support staff, Walton helped the organization’s network grow from four to…
The Navy flew a jet with algal oil. What can’t I buy it at the pump? by Jeff Sherin, MBA ’12 and Eric Norman, MBA ’12 Gas prices as high as $4.60 per gallon have driven U.S. drivers mad, inspiring consumers to wonder if there might be an easy-to-use, economical alternative to fuel. Could the answer lie in a simple marine plant that is abundant, cheap and carbon neutral, algae? In 2011, both a Navy F/A-18 fighter jet and a Continental Airlines Boeing 737-800 aircraft flew using biofuel made from algal oil mixed with standard jet fuel. The History of…