People and programs of the Wisconsin School of Business were in the news recently.

National

Research conducted by Assistant Professor Masako Ueda, Finance, was featured in the BusinessWeek article “Does venture capital spur innovation.” The article discussed a paper written by Ueda and Masayuki Hirukawa, Northern Illinois University, on the correlation between venture capital investments and productivity growth.

The Wisconsin School of Business hosted an economic debate between advisors for Barack Obama and John McCain’s presidential campaigns. The debate was moderated by Dean Michael Knetter. The event was covered by several news outlets including the Associated Press, WKOW-TV, WISC-TV, NBC-15, MSNBC, Wisconsin State Journal, New York Times Economix Blog, Wisconsin Public Television, Wisconsin Public Radio, and Politco.

Joan Schmit, professor, Actuarial Science, Risk Management and Insurance, was quoted in the Risk Management magazine article “Teaching the next generation of risk managers.” The article discussed the changing landscape of teaching risk management.

Associate Professor Morris Davis, Real Estate, appeared on National Public Radio’s Marketplace program to discuss former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan’s testimony to Congress. Earlier in the month, Davis was featured on the program to predict actions by the Federal Reserve “Economists split on what Fed will do.” Davis also discussed the reasons behind the government’s takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in a recent Christian Science Monitor article.

Joann Peck’s Research on Role of Touch in Purchasing Decisions Featured in U.S. News . The article discussed Peck’s need-for-touch scale that she developed, which places consumers along a continuum. Peck said this need can have a large impact on online shopping.

Regional

Dean Michael Knetter wrote an editorial for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on the current financial crisis. In the piece, “Credit crisis: Making sense of the turmoil,” Knetter explained the larger picture behind the financial situation.

The Wisconsin School of Business held a panel discussion to address the financial crisis and the bail out plan. Participating in the discussion were Professor Mark Ready, Finance; Professor Tim Riddiough, Real Estate; Assistant Professor Morris Davis, Real Estate; and Associate Professor Jim Seward, Finance. Articles appeared on WKOW-ABC, WISC-TV, NBC 15, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel quoted Dean Michael Knetter in two articles. In the article, “Dow ends whipsaw week lower still,” Knetter commented on the problem underlying the market’s fear. Knetter also commented on how the United States can convince foreign countries it remains creditworthy in the article, “U.S. rescue relies on other nations.”

Local

Ernst & Young LLC donated $841,500 to the Wisconsin School of Business for a new accounting computer lab and department chair. Ernst & Young hopes the donation will increase opportunities for students and attract talent faculty and students. The article appeared in the Badger Herald.

Business Career Center advisor Jamie Marsh-Finco was quoted in the Badger Herald article “Market woes hit home.” The article discussed how the financial crisis has impacted University of Wisconsin-Madison student’s job searches. Marsh-Finco said finance students who are interested in positions on Wall Street have been especially impacted.

Professor Mark Ready was quoted in the Wisconsin State Journal article “’Extreme fear’ of widening crisis drives Wall Street’s nosedive.” Ready commented on how the global economy has begun to impact the situation in the United States.

Associate Professor Jim Seward, Finance, was quoted in the Wisconsin State Journal article “Don’t bail out of your investments, experts say.” Seward advises to be cautious about company-sponsored 401(K) retirement funds if the fund consists primarily of stock in that company.

Business Career Center Director Steve Schroeder was quoted in the Wisconsin State Journal article “Wall Street woes may change students’ job plans.” Schroeder said investment firms like Goldman Sachs or J.P. Morgan are skipping their fall recruitment and advises students to change their plans.

WISC-TV quoted Morris Davis, associate professor, Real Estate, in the piece, “Government officials looking into another stimulus package.” Davis said it is not clear that another stimulus package would work.

Bolz Center for Arts Administration Director Andrew Taylor was quoted on the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra musician strike. The Wisconsin State Journal article, “WCO musicians and management engage in bitter public battle,” discussed the ongoing battle and what impact this might have on the organization.

Director of Alumni and Corporate Relations Alisa Robertson was quoted in the Badger Herald article “UW fundraising shaken.” Robertson commented on how the financial situation has impacted the amount of discretionary resource many business school donors have available because they tend to be investors, yet donors realize the importance of investing in higher education.

Jim Johannes was featured in a recent article in the Wisconsin State Journal on M&I receiving preliminary approval to sell about $1.7 billion in preferred stock to the U.S. Treasury. In the article, Johannes argues that banks, particularly those affected by real estate losses, will line up to take advantage of the Treasury’s new capital injections under the new Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

The Women’s Executive Leadership Summit, held annually at the Fluno Center, was recently featured in a web exclusive on the InBusiness magazine website. In “Get What You Want,” the author lauds the conference as providing a “platform for advancing women in leadership by affecting change and shaping careers.”

Posted in In the News