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Research Focus
A spotlight on research at the Alberta School of Business
Fall 2025
Research leaders recognized by the Royal Society of Canada
Congratulations to business professors Michael Lounsbury and Angelique Slade Shantz as the society’s 2025 inductees.
Michael Lounsbury, RSC Fellow, pioneered the development of cultural entrepreneurship and institutional logics theories, taking a critical sociological approach to how economic action such as entrepreneurship is profoundly embedded and shaped by wider socio-cultural dynamics. In doing so, he has focused a great deal on how novel practices become legitimated and how more marginalized and equity deserving groups are able to gain a more secure social footing and enhance their resilience.
Angelique Slade Shantz, RSC College Member, is an internationally recognized scholar whose research focuses on the role of business in addressing two of the most important questions society currently faces: 1) how to support economic growth such that all can live above a social foundation, and 2) how to do so without going beyond an ecological ceiling that exceeds planetary resources. Her research has been recognized with a Canada Research Chair in Social Entrepreneurship.
Discounts on stigmatized-identity products may backfire
You may want to think twice before slashing prices on products symbolically linked to stigmatized identities explains Jennifer Argo in her recent article in the Journal of Marketing Research.
How multinational companies can help fight climate change
In the Journal of International Business Studies, Adelina Barbalau highlights the role that global businesses play in curbing emissions and supporting green innovation.
Optimal ad mix discovered
Yonghua Ji's article in Information System Research sheds light on how businesses can best combine online and traditional advertising for maximum impact.
On bogging down investors
A new study published in Contemporary Accounting Research from Ke Wang highlights the effect of litigation risk on the readability of corporate financial reports.
When debate dies: How good intentions can fuel echo chambers and how you can break out of them
New research led by Trish Reay and PhD candidate Lei Emma Jing in Organization Studies offers practical insights to help prevent contentious discussions from becoming fraught with emotion and moral judgement. Read article | Read in The Conversation >>
From wasted power to green wheels: Paving the way for a sustainable hydrogen future
New research in the journal Manufacturing & Service Operations Management from the Ruijiu Mao tackles the complex challenges—from consumer acceptance to infrastructure—that are constraining the promising, long-range, zero-emission hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles from large-scale adoption. Read article >>
In the news
Online reviews are everywhere — and they often play a huge role in what we buy. But should they really have that much influence over our decisions? Katie Mehr unpacks why reviews hold so much power, how they shape consumer trust and why we should approach them with a more critical eye. Read in The Conversation >>
PhD research
Business PhD student spotlights
Since 1984, the Alberta School of Business PhD program has nearly 250 graduates working in 18 countries. Here's a look at some of our next generation of graduates.
Cindy Grappe seeks to make sense of the everyday consumption decisions that may feel contradictory.
Linfeng Tian is researching how firms adapt their innovation behavior in response to institutional frictions and evolving legal environments.
Tim Derksen looks at how consumption is used to foster social connection, shaping choices and behaviors.
Usama Malik bridges the gap between elegant pricing models and the complex realities of human-driven financial markets.
Leixing Jiang's research agenda investigates how reporting practices influence corporate
behaviour and market outcomes.
Explore a brighter future with a Business PhD
Confident scholars, engaging teachers
We're welcoming 12 new faculty members to our community. Their spirit of collaboration supports our culture to be inspiring — to learn, build, and create — to be their absolute best.
Accounting and Business Analytics
- Jonathan Craske focuses primarily on information and contracting dynamics in capital markets, with a specific interest in policy and regulation, governance, and emergent trends in open alternative data.
- Chenghuai Li looks at the applications of innovative technologies and data analytics in operations with an emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility.
- Ruijiu Mao's interests lie in data-driven decision-making in revenue management and supply chain management.
- Rahul Menon has a deep interest in how financial regulations, governance structures, and disclosure requirements influence corporate behaviour.
Finance
- Sidharth Moktan researches household finance and real estate finance.
- Yang Yi focus on the intersection of finance, politics and technology.
Marketing, Business Economics and Law
- Shannon Duncan uses psychology and marketing to study how small nudges can improve well-being.
- Murtaza Haider is a leading expert envisioning new solutions to urban challenges – starting with Edmonton.
- James Macek studies the economics of housing affordability and regulation.
- Nathan Schiff's work spans urban economics, public economics, and industrial organization, with a focus on how geography influences markets, cities and communities.
- Yanhao Wang studies topics in health economics, household finance, and industrial organization.
Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Management
- Curtis Chan researches meaning, autonomy and inclusion — translating real-world stories into insights that help people thrive at work.
Awards
Adelina Barbalau and co-authors were awarded Best Working Paper 2025 by the HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute for their paper 'Reducing Carbon Using Regulatory and Financial Market Tools'.
Chris Steele and Tom Lawrence (PhD ‘93) earn Best Published Paper Award OMT Division, Academy of Management for their article 'Constructing envelopes: How institutional custodians can tame disruptive algorithms'.
'Perimenopause at Work' research-based video, produced by Jennifer Jennings and Madeline Toubiana, received the Silver MUSE Creative Award in the Workplace Culture category.
The paper 'From Curtailed Renewable Energy to Green Hydrogen: Infrastructure Planning for Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Vehicles' by Ruijiu Mao and co-authors were recognized with the 2025 INFORMS ENRE Best Publication Award in Natural Resources, underscoring its contribution to advancing data-driven solutions for the global energy transition.
Latest publications
Our scholars are publishing in these top journals in business and management that are known for their excellence. The following are the newest current-year and forthcoming publications organized by department:
Accounting & Business Analytics
Keskin, N.B., Li, C., & Song, J. (2025). The Blockchain Newsvendor: Value of Freshness Transparency and Smart Contracts. Management Science, 71(8), 6666-6682.
Lee, R.Y. (Forthcoming). Face-to-face social interactions and local informational advantage. Journal of Financial Economics.
Sun, C. Ji, Y., & Mookerjee, R. (Forthcoming). Channel Encroachment and Supply Chain Performance: The Effects of IoT Data Sharing. Production and Operations Management.
Finance
Chen, Y., Li, X., Thakor, R.T. & Ward, C. (Forthcoming). Appropriated growth. Journal of Financial Economics.
Marketing, Business Economics & Law
Fatum, R., Yamamoto, Y. & Chen, B. (2025). The trend effect of foreign exchange intervention. Journal of International Money and Finance, 156, 103355.
Lin, H., & Wang, Y. (2025). The value of group purchasing: Evidence from the U.S. hospital industry. Journal of Public Economics, 247, 105380.
Mrkva, K., Duncan, S.M., Sharif, M.A. & Zuo, S. (Forthcoming). The Confirmation Nudge: Prompts to Change or Confirm Initial Preferences Steer Consumer Choice, Journal of Consumer Research, ucaf049.
Strategy, Entrepreneurship & Management
Caldwell Marquez, A., Block, E., Rubey, K., & Bartkus, V.O. (Forthcoming). From 'Dirty Boots' to 'Distant Friends': How a Colombian Social Intermediary Integrates Communities Through Entrepreneurship. Journal of Management Studies.
Cascadden, M.M., Bastien, F., Block, E., & Jennings, P.D. (Forthcoming). Decolonizing Scaffolding: Learning from First Nations' Resurgence to Recalibrate Entrepreneurship. Journal of Management Studies.
Slade Shantz, A., Khorasani, N., & Toubiana, M. (Forthcoming). Degrowth and organization studies. Organization Studies.
Taeuscher, K., Zhao, E. Y., & Lounsbury, M. (Forthcoming). Right on cue? Category-switching in online marketplaces. Strategic Management Journal.
Follow us on LinkedIn
Did you know we regularly share articles and research findings from our business experts on LinkedIn? Check out these recent posts!
Meet our Researchers - Colin Ward studies foreign currency trading and talks about his research on exchange rates. Watch video >>
Jennifer Jennings and Zahid Rahman (PhD '23) shed light on how cognitive processes enable individuals living under oppressive conditions to pursue entrepreneurship as a path to freedom. Read more >>
Shannon Duncan shares how digital design can help consumers make smarter and more affordable health insurance choices. Read more >>
New research from Likang Ding (PhD '24), Bora Kolfal and Armann Ingolfsson is changing the way we think about service times in everything from call centers to coffee shops. Read more >>
Recognizing this year's SSHRC grant recipients. The Alberta School of Business proudly celebrates with more than 25 PIs and Co-PIs who submitted succesful grant applications. Read more >>
Discover the research taking place by our most recently appointed Fellows at the Alberta School of Business. Watch video >>
The Alberta School of Business is home to world renowned scholars who continually advance our understanding of important issues facing business here in Canada and around the globe.
