Articles 1 to 10 of 112
If AT&T Wins Battle for T-Mobile, Will More Consolidation Follow?
On August 30, the U.S. Department of Justice filed suit to block telecommunications giant AT&T's proposed $39 billion acquisition of T-Mobile USA Inc. Opponents of the plan warn the merger would "substantially" reduce competition, while proponents see consolidation in the industry as vital and inevitable. Faculty at Emory University's Goizueta Business School weigh in on the debate.
Will Technology Overshadow Politics in 2011?
From the demand for raw materials and political maneuvering to evolving trends in technology, 2011 will be a year of innovation and possibly reconciliation if the U.S. Congress and the White House can work together. Faculty at Emory University's Goizueta Business School say the new year offers opportunities for American politicos to tackle the deficit—or not—and for businesses to make headway with M&As and innovations now that the economy is showing signs of improvement.
Can Social Media Spur Companies to Increase R&D Spending?
In lean times the decision between investing in innovation and coasting on existing products or technologies can be a tough call. According to research by Ashish Sood, an assistant professor of marketing at Emory University's Goizueta Business School, innovation is a must in these times. But for those executives on the edge, Sood and other faculty at Goizueta contend that the conversations sparked by social media sites can help define customer wants and allow firms to better tailor R&D. According to Sood: "It’s easier now to do smaller experimental studies and use that information in a larger product development environment to adjust a company’s efforts during the R&D stage.”
The Impact of Online Information Gathering on Consumer Spending
The online holiday shopping bonanza has been a welcome gift to retailers who, along with other Americans, suffered through the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. During Black Friday—the first day of the Thanksgiving-to-New Year’s period in which retailers typically earn most of their money—online sales rose 9 percent over 2009 to $648 million, making it the heaviest online spending day of 2010, according to comScore, a digital business analytics firm based in Reston, VA. But are online vendors freezing out willing consumers concerned about privacy issues? That’s the suggestion of new research by Ramnath Chellappa, associate professor of information systems & operations management at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. Vendors who ignore this issue are not only leaving money on the table, says Chellappa. They may also be inviting legislators to curb the practice of online information gathering.
Charging for Digital Content in the Land of Free Rides
Late to the game, American newspaper owners have spent years playing catchup, experimenting with a plethora of tactics all aimed at remaining relevant and eking out a profit. Although a bit battered and bruised, media owners have finally begun to embrace the technology that nearly destroyed their industry. “The mobile side of the business and the social media side of the business are still the Wild, Wild West, much like the dotcom boom of the nineties,” says Doug Franklin, executive vice president of Cox Media Group. Speaking at a recent “Business for Breakfast” meeting sponsored by The Goizueta Partners Society, an alumni group of Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, Franklin argues that traditional journalists must position themselves as a value-added, lending a credible, analytical voice to cut through the digital noise.
Upgrading to Disappointment: When Duct Tape Won't Dampen Consumer Rage
A season of blockbusters often showcases a few duds. Where electronics are concerned, however, the duds have recently proliferated and customer ire is high. In July alone, Consumer Reports refused to recommend Apple’s iPhone 4 because of reception problems, and confusion reigned over the future of HP and Microsoft’s tablet computer. An overwhelming array of choices—two or three new mobile phones supported by Google’s Android operating system seem to be released each month—is leading to a rise in consumer fatigue. Faculty at Emory University's Goizueta Business School explore the current situation and offer ways electronic companies can recapture their audience.
Technology as a Lifeline During Natural Disasters
Broadband Internet and mobile technologies now reach even the most remote corners of the world, making us all more immediately connected place than ever before. This is particularly the case during times of natural disaster, when connectivity—from tweeting one’s location from under a pile of rubble to accessing life-saving information—can materially affect the outcome for victims and empower them to lead their own rescue efforts. Experts at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School believe we need to continue the spread of mobile technology to help shape and, eventually, drastically improve disaster response strategies. “We can't control the outcomes of disasters,” says Benn Konsynski, chaired professor of information systems & operations management at Goizueta, “but technology can hopefully influence them.”
Will E-Reader Innovation Capture Customers and More Market Share?
Holiday shoppers looking for the latest e-reader may be out of luck. Four days before Black Friday, the newly launched Nook from Barnes & Noble sold out—the first unit hadn’t even shipped—and Amazon.com’s popular Kindle is flying off the virtual store shelves. After initially slow widespread acceptance, e-readers are gaining momentum. Newer versions of the Kindle were launched in February and May, and Apple is reportedly launching its own e-reader in 2010. With increased competition and continuous upgrades, will Kindle be able to retain its top spot, and will the technology ensure the gadgets become as popular as cell phones?
Applying Technology to Boost Sales and Cut Costs in Retail
From department stores to grocery stores, goods are regularly reordered and restocked, regardless of how many customers have come by. This can lead to customers staring at empty bins because restocking hasn’t happened yet or employees wasting time and inventory trying to restock a full shelf. In a new research paper, Richard Metters, associate professor of information systems and operations management at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, and coauthors look at data capture at these “unattended points of sale” to assess how much more profitable retail can be by adopting the latest technology. Data is gathered from the retail sector with perhaps the least amount of inventory information: the vending machine industry.
Will Technology Continue to Drive Changes in the Stock Market Model?
Technological developments and a broad move to strike down political barriers to commerce have helped lead to an explosion in the pace and scope of investment trading. As innovation in this area continues to evolve, what will be the likely results? To explore the possibilities and pitfalls of the changing market, Knowledge@Emory spoke with Benn Konsynski, a chaired professor of business administration for information systems and operations management at Emory University's Goizueta Business School, and with Ramnath Chellappa, an associate professor of information systems and operations management. Among the highlights, the professors believe that increased regulation will guarantee an expanded role for technology.
