GRADUATE PROGRAMS GRADUATE PROGRAMS AND RESEARCH AND RESEARCH
Dr. Jason Xiong
Associate Dean for Advanced Studies in Business
A NOTE FROM THE DEAN
“It has been an exciting year for graduate programs and research at the Walker College of Business We’ve launched new AI concentrations in the MBA and MSADA programs, welcomed record numbers of students, and continued to support faculty producing impactful, real-world research
Our momentum is driven by a shared commitment to innovation, collaboration, and community impact Thank you to our faculty, students, alumni, and partners for helping us grow and lead in meaningful ways.”
Dr Jason Xiong
Associate Dean for Advanced Studies in Business Walker College of Business
MBA Program Director
Dr. Robin Romanus
Director, Master of Science in Accounting Program
Donna Lindabury
Graduate Programs Administrator
Michelle Brown
Graduate Programs Career Coach
Cele Burt
Associate Director for Graduate Business Programs
Graduate Programs Advisor
Kim Kirby
Graduate Programs
Events and Social Media Manager
Dr. Neel Das
Linda Meznar
Dr. Jason Xiong
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
ON CAMPUS ON CAMPUS
Appalachian State’s MBA program received 2023–24 accolades from The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report, CEO Magazine and Fortune magazine, all of which recognized the program’s high quality and return on investment for graduates
Mackenzie
Law (MBA ‘24)
MBA Candidate Mackenzie Law presented her research entitled “Advancing aquatic life through best tourism practices.” Law's faculty mentor is Professor of Hospitality & Tourism Management, Dr. Carol Kline, and co-authors are Scott Gray and Hin Hoarau Heemstra
BRIDGES Leadership Program
Cele Burt and Amy Odom join 37 others from higher education institutions across the state to participate in the 2024 BRIDGES Academic Leadership Program, coordinated by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The name BRIDGES signifies the program's goal to bridge the gap between women's current roles in academia and their potential for leadership positions, providing the necessary tools, skills, and networks to facilitate this transition.
Amy Odom
Cele Burt
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
ONLINE ONLINE
Appalachian State’s online MBA program was ranked within the top 18% of schools recognized in the U S News’ 2024 “Best Online MBA Programs” rankings list, advancing 44 positions over its 2023 ranking.
Ava Williamson (MBA ‘25)
Ava completed her undergraduate degree at Appalachian State, receiving a Bachelor of Science in General Management with a GPA of 3.92. She is planning to graduate with her MBA in May of 2025, while working as a Digital Media Coordinator at Samaritan’s Purse.
Wes Haynes (MBA ‘25)
Wes Haynes is planning to graduate in the summer of 2025. He has nearly 9 years of experience working with the American Red Cross, and received a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Health Services from the University of Maryland Baltimore County in 2006
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED DATA
ANALYTICS DATA ANALYTICS
Fortune Magazine ranks Appalachian State’s MSADA Program as one of the best in the Nation! Fortune listed App State as seventh for best in-person programs and 13th for most affordable programs.
Layla Koroleva (MSADA ‘24)
Layla Koroleva, who is earning a dual Masters degree in Business Administration and Applied Data Analytics, received the Outstanding Graduate Student Service Award.
The Outstanding Graduate Student Service Award recognizes graduate students who have contributed to graduate student life in their departments, off-campus cohorts, or on campus during the current academic year.
Kenneth Wanjiru (MSADA ‘24)
Kenneth has been named to the Cratis D. Williams Society at Appalachian State University for his achievements relative to the mission of the Graduate School
and his leadership potential
Inductees are chosen from among nominees based on academic performance, engagement in their discipline, and leadership potential The recognition is only awarded to the top 2% of students in each graduating class
MASTER OF ARTS IN INDUSTRIAL-ORGANIZATIONAL
MASTER OF ARTS IN INDUSTRIAL-ORGANIZATIONAL
PSYCHOLOGY AND HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
PSYCHOLOGY AND HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Congratulations to the IOHRM program for winning the inaugural Student Success Award during the College of Arts and Sciences 2024 awards ceremony!
Cassidy Zekas (IOHRM ‘25)
Zekas presented his work at the River Cities I-O (RCIO) Psychology Conference in Chattanooga, TN, October 2122, 2023. His research on the opportunities psychology majors have outside of the field of psychology assesses how psychology students can apply their skills to business and technology and identify gaps in their skills that could make them more marketable in those fields
Firzana Syazania (IOHRM ‘24)
Firzana is from Jakarta, Indonesia, and attended undergraduate school at Western Michigan University, majoring in behavioral science with double minors in data
analytics and general business. She is currently a part of HR Science’s safety team and attended RCIO in October to present some of their preliminary research She has also been working on an organizational development project with an IOHRM faculty member, where she has been able to use her interests in an applied way
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
ACCOUNTING ACCOUNTING
Congratulations to Dr Robin Romanus on her new position as Director of the MSA program!
Emilie Rodriguez (MSACCT ‘25)
Emelie Rodriguez, a student enrolled in Appalachian State University's Master of Science in Accounting program, has earned the Stuart Cameron & Margaret McLeod Memorial Scholarship from the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). As an undergraduate at App State, Rodriguez was an active member and officer in the university's student chapter of IMA. She was selected on her academic merit, IMA participation, quality of presentation, and strength of recommendations. Rodriguez is earning her Master of Science in Accounting with a concentration in data analytics.
Washington DC Trip
Several accounting graduate students traveled this spring with their Tax Research class to Washington, DC to observe Federal Tax Court (on April 15th of all days!). In addition to the Federal Tax Court, they visited the SEC and PCOAB (public company audit regulator).
Congratulations to Tyler Johnson on receiving the MS Accounting Program Outstanding Faculty Award (in his first year at App State!)
WALKER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS WALKER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS NEWS NEWS
App State Named a National and World Leader in Business Education for 2024-2025
Appalachian State University has a reputation for excellence in business education and the proof is in the acclaim. For 2024–25, App State has been recognized among the best schools in the nation and across the world for its business bachelor's and master's programs, offered through the Walker College of Business.
The university’s Master of Business Administration program, Master of Science in applied data analytics and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration programs have received accolades from The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report, CEO Magazine, Forbes magazine and Fortune magazine, all of which recognized the high quality of the programs and their return on investment for graduates.
Fortune Magazine ranks Appalachian State’s MSADA Program as one of the best in the Nation
Fortune magazine has ranked Appalachian State University's Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics (MSADA) program as one of the best in the nation. Fortune listed App State as seventh for best in-person programs and 13th for most affordable programs.
App State's MSADA program is housed in the Walker College of Business, which is consistently recognized by sources like U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review.
"The Fortune ranking underscores our commitment to providing exceptional and accessible graduate education that prepares students to excel in datadriven careers," said Dr. Jason Xiong, associate dean for advanced business studies in the Walker College.
John Whitehead, a professor of economics at Appalachian State Un has earned an AERE Fellows Award, the highest honor in the field o environmental and resource economics. Whitehead earned the award, in part, for his work with “stated preference” valuation metho which he uses as a way to estimate benefits of environmental quality changes.
The award is presented annually by the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (AERE), and it recognizes up to three individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the profession, such as advances to the knowledge base in environmental and resource economics and increasing visibility of the field, among others.
John Whitehead earns an AERE Fellows Award
WALKER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS WALKER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS NEWS NEWS
Students ‘excel’ in second semester of Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge
S ity s two Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge (MECC) related competitions for college students to test their talents in real-world scenarios.
The winners are Olivia Snyder and Jordan Engen (First Place), Ashley Meacham and Avery Clark (Second Place), and Rachel Hamlin and Nathan Zimmerman (Third Place).
The competition was online and challenged participants to complete a series of tasks within Excel of increasing difficulty within a compressed span of 30 minutes. The Walker College Dean’s Office sponsored the competition and funded awards for the student winners.
2024 Deans Club Prize Winners
App State recognizes 6 faculty and staff with Sywassink Awards for Excellence
Sixfacultyandstaffmembersin AppalachianStateUniversity’sWalker CollegeofBusinesshaveearnedSywassink AwardsforExcellence,whichhonor teaching,researchandservice,aswellas thespiritofthecollege.
The2024winners:
Dr.DavidMarlettreceivedthe SywassinkAwardforExcellencein Teaching.
Dr.DennisGuignetreceivedthe SywassinkAwardforExcellencein Research.
Dr.JimWestermanreceivedthe SywassinkAwardforExcellencein ServiceandtheSpiritofWalkerAward forfaculty
ChrisTaylorreceivedtheSywassink SpecialFacultyAward.
KatharineStonereceivedtheSywassink OutstandingStaffAward.
SabrinaChevesreceivedtheSpiritof WalkerAwardforstaff.
The Dean’s Club Research Prize is one way that the Walker College Dean’s Club members provide opportunity and create success at App State. The awards help support and reward faculty engaged in mission-driven, high impact and innovative scholarly work.
First Prize:
Tiberiu Ungureanu “How Do Performance Goals Influence Exploration-Exploitation Choices?”
Second Prize:
Youngeui Kim “Trust antecedents in online reviews across national cultures.”
Shishir Shakya “The Pharmacist Will See You Now: Pharmacist Prescriptive Authority and Access to Care”
WALKER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS WALKER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS NEWS NEWS
App State students join Global Climate Action at COP 209
A student delegation from Appalachian State University had a front-row seat to high-stakes negotiations and international diplomacy at the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP) It was the fourth consecutive year App State had officially participated App State is included among the Research and Independent Non-Governmental Organizations (RINGO), one of nine NGO constituencies recognized by the convention
Key outcomes of COP 29 included tripling climate finance contributions from UN member states for developing countries, establishing a global emissions trading system starting in 2025, and setting more ambitious emissions reduction targets for methane and other pollutants. Some countries also announced stricter emissions targets.
Dr. Dave McEvoy, chair of App State’s Department of Economics, secured observer status for the university in 2020 through a rigorous process, aiming to inspire students to engage with highlevel climate action.
NCSB Headquarters moved to App State
The North Carolina School of Banking (NCSB) the longest running state banking school in the nation has moved its headquarters to Appalachian State University, marking a significant milestone in the school’s 88-year history and establishing a strategic partnership designed to enrich academic and professional development opportunities for future banking leaders
The school has operated since 1936 and was most recently stationed in the state’s Triangle region
This year, the school’s annual summer program took place July 22–26 at App State’s Boone campus The program, which is administered by the North Carolina Banking Association (NCBA), is designed for banking professionals who want to advance in their careers, as well as gain a deeper understanding of the banking industry. NCBA is the state’s professional trade organization for the banking industry.
DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING
The Department of Accounting within the Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University has built a strong reputation for excellence in accounting education and is highly regarded by accounting employers in North Carolina and throughout the Southeast. Accounting graduates are recruited by the largest international, national, and regional accounting firms as well as local accounting firms, industry, and government agencies. The Department of Accounting offers the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A degree and the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Accounting. The faculty and staff in the department are deeply committed to the success of our students.
Student Spotlight
Lisa Beard
Lisa began her MSA journey with a bachelor’s degree, but not in accounting. To attain her graduate degree, she was required to take multiple accounting prerequisites to enhance her accounting knowledge Despite this extra course load, Lisa will finish her degree in Spring 2025 all while maintaining a 3.85 GPA. Incredibly, during the program, Lisa has also passed two sections of the CPA Exam and received Microsoft Excel Expert Certification. In July 2025, Lisa will begin her career with Forvis Mazars. With regards to Lisa, Professor Brian Hasson stated “Lisa was quite possibly the best undergraduate auditing student I have had, over several semesters. Not just the grade result, but the diligence and earnestness she exhibited to understand the content.”
Dr. Brian Hasson
Dr. Hasson co-authored a paper titled "Accounting Faculty Perspectives on Data Analytics: Course Design, Competency Assessment, and Employer Needs and Response," published in Issues in Accounting Education. The authors employed survey methods to investigate the perceptions of accounting faculty at AACSB-accredited business schools, examining how faculty operationalize Standard A5, how learning competencies are being measured, and employer involvement and responses to the integration of data analytics into accounting curricula Results suggest that considerable work is needed to integrate data analytics throughout the curriculum and ensure that program-level goals are being measured and assessed effectively. However, employers are hiring graduates regardless of data analytics competencies.
DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING
Dr. Ken Brackney authored a paper titled “The Lingering Differences between IFRS and GAAP: Examining the Largest Foreign Filers in U.S. Markets”, published in The CPA Journal. International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is the main set of accounting standards used by listed companies outside the U.S. Some of those companies may seek a U.S. listing and submit IFRS-based financial statements to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This article examines the largest foreign private issuers using IFRS to highlight differences from U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The study documents approximately 30 differences with GAAP, some of which appear to have material effects on key financial statement totals. Without renewed convergence efforts or an SEC mandate for U.S. companies to adopt IFRS, these differences are likely to persist.
Dr. Lucian Zelazny co-authored a paper titled “What’s holding you back? Development of the Multi-Facet Organizational Constraints Scale (MOCS)”, published in the Journal of Business and Psychology. In this paper, they developed the Multi-Facet Organizational Constraints Scale (MOCS) to assess various workplace conditions that hinder job performance. Unlike previous unidimensional measures, the MOCS provides a multidimensional approach, yielding 16 separate facet-level scores. Across seven studies with a total sample size of 1,600, they demonstrated the MOCS's high internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity. Their findings suggest that the MOCS can offer both theoretical insights and practical applications, helping researchers and practitioners better understand and address specific organizational constraints.
Dr. Ken Brackney
Dr. Lucian Zelazny
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Our Computer Information Systems programs have curricula that promote solid business acumen and technical fundamentals, arming students with a unique blend of knowledge, and enabling them to serve as the vital bridge between professionals in functional business areas and information technology (IT). We offer a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Computer Information Systems. The department fosters a collegial and collaborative work environment, in which we engage with our students to promote academic and professional excellence.
Dr. Wei Xie
Dr. Wei Xie sole-authored “How Moral Intensity Affects Information Disorder Behaviors on Social Media” (address UN SDG # 11). This study uses Jones’ Moral Intensity lens to investigate misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation on social media. She won the Information Systems Applied Research Best Paper Award for her paper Information Adoption of User Generated Content: An Applied Model for COVID Pandemic Case (address UN SDG # 3). The paper investigates how information quality and religiosity impact people’s intake of user-generated COVID vaccination information posted on social media Dr Xie is also the awardee of the University Research Council (URC) Grant 2023 and University PREParation for Appalachian Research Experience (PREPARE) Training 2023 for her multidisciplinary and multi-methodology research project Phishing Susceptibility –Cognitive Dissonance Persuasion Theory (address UN SDG # 3,11).
Dr. Ed Hassler
Dr. Ed Hassler co-authored “Reducing the IT Talent Gap by Identifying a Standard for IT Occupations ” Overly detailed and technical descriptions for IT positions, together with inconsistent occupation identifiers, cause companies and job seekers to fail in matching roles, requirements and skill sets. To address this matching problem, we analyzed 15,000+ IT job postings to create a list of 41 IT occupations that will assist companies in attracting a wider range of qualified candidates, and job seekers in more easily identifying relevant openings.
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Dr. Charlie Chen
Dr. Charlie Chen co authored “Governing AI in the EU: Public Perception, Policy Dilemmas, and the Path Forward” with Dr. Jesen of the School of Government at UNC-Chapel Hill. The paper explores how public trust in artificial intelligence (AI) influences the successful implementation of AI policies across the European Union. Using data from Eurobarometer 95.2, the study finds that individuals with more trust in EUlevel governments and those from higher social classes are more likely to view AI favorably. It also reveals that public engagement with science—such as attending science museums or meetings—and support for non-expert involvement in science are associated with more positive attitudes toward AI. These insights highlight how social class and perceptions of government shape public trust in AI and point to strategies, such as inclusive citizen engagement, to build support for AI policy across diverse groups.
Dr. Yuxiao Luo
Dr. Yuxiao (Rain) Luo authored “Can Generative AI help stakeholders identify ethical firms? A Study of CSR Reports.” Stakeholders are increasingly interested in identifying ethical firms. One way to assess a firm's ethical culture or climate is by examining how its leaders communicate with stakeholders. Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), such as large language models (LLMs), provides a means to analyze extensive textual data and measure the extent to which firm leaders use moral language in stakeholder communication. Can GenAI help stakeholders gain insight into a firm's ethicality? Drawing on the care moral intuition from Moral Foundations Theory (MFT), we empirically investigate whether a customized generative pre-trained transformer (GPT) LLM can recognize moral language in corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports. We also compare GenAI’s analysis to human coding and find mixed evidence regarding its ability to accurately identify and measure moral language in CSR reports.
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
The Department of Economics is an intellectually vibrant place for students and faculty. We are a research-intensive department committed to student learning. We offer a wide range of courses that provide critical-thinking and problemsolving skills, and we complement this coursework by engaging students with faculty-led research opportunities. Our faculty members are engaged in research that contributes to addressing local and global challenges related to environmental resources, economic development, trade, health, sports, and tourism. The Department of Economics is ranked among the leading U.S. economics departments for research productivity, and is particularly strong in environmental and experimental economics.
Dr. Imran Arif co authored “Legitimacy of government and governance”, published in the Journal of Institutional Economics. This study examines how political legitimacy—citizens’ trust in their government shapes governance in 66 countries. Using global data, we find that nations with stronger legitimacy tend to have better institutions, stricter law enforcement, and less corruption. Our findings highlight the importance of public trust in building stable and effective governments. Strengthening legitimacy can improve governance, boost economic performance, and support long-term development.
Dr Shishir Shakya co authored “Scope of practice and opioid prescribing behavior of nurse practitioners serving Medicare beneficiaries”, published in Health Economics. Policymakers aiming to increase access to health care while simultaneously keeping costs low and quality high are considering expanding the practice authority and prescriptive authority of nurse practitioners in order to address primary care shortages. While we know this increases access, some researchers argue that the expansion of job autonomy of nurse practitioners can compromise the quality and safety of rendered medical services. This paper investigates quality and safety outcomes in prescribing behaviors of nurse practitioners who have prescribed opioids for Medicare Part D beneficiaries using a unique source of policy variation, nurse practitioners with the ability to prescribe medication who move to either states with or without physician supervision. We find that scope of practice expansions do not compromise quality and safety in terms of potential abuse or misuse of prescriptive authority
Dr. Imran Arif
Dr. Shishir Shakya
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
Dr. Dave McEvoy
Dr Dave McEvoy co authored “The Strategic and Governance Implications of Solar Radiation Modification: Perspectives from Delegates of International Climate Negotiations.”, published in Environmental Research Letters. In this paper we ask climate experts (participants in the United Nations climate negotiations) their opinions and predictions about solar geoengineering (SGE)a set of technologies that can cool the plant by reflecting sunlight away from Earth. Relative to experts from the Global North, those in the Global South are relatively more supportive of SGE, including the development of SGE technologies, bringing SGE into international negotiations, and the deployment of SGE in a climate emergency.
Dr. Kyung Hwan Baik
Dr. Kyung Hwan Baik co authored “Three-Player Contests with a Potential Inactive Player: Endogenous Timing of Effort Exertion ” , published in Economic Inquiry. The study is described as follows: We study a contest where there are two active players in equilibrium when three players expend effort simultaneously to win a prize. We look at how endogenous timing of effort exertion affects the players' behavior. The players play the following game. First, they announce simultaneously whether they each will expend effort in period 1 or in period 2. Then, after knowing when they expend effort, each player expends effort in the period which he announced. We find interesting results, focusing on the players' decisions on when to expend effort, the identities of active players, and the effort levels in a subgameperfect equilibrium.
Dr. David Dickinson
Dr David Dickinson co authored “Incorporating Conditional Morality into Economic Decisions.”, published in Theory and Decision. This paper offers a theoretical framework to understand how moral concerns can influence behavior and decision making. Specially, individuals are theorized to have a moral target, and they experience lower satisfaction for behaviors that deviate from this target. Importantly, the moral target can have a deterministic moral component as well as a component that may be influenced by others.
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, BANKING & INSURANCE BANKING & INSURANCE
The primary objective of the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance is to develop leaders for the business, government, and educational communities and to assist them in making contributions to society. The students are provided with the theoretical concepts needed to understand and dissect business problems. The faculty provide students with practical applications needed for financial analysis in their given areas of study. In addition to practical applications in the classroom, we encourage students to intern off-campus. Internships allow students to gain valuable practical business experience while still in college.
Dr. Harry Davis
Thousands of bankers in North Carolina know who Harry Davis is. He is not only a professor of finance but the longest-serving faculty member in the Walker College of Business, starting his 47th year in September. “I’m certainly old enough to have retired 10 years ago, but I just keep teaching. I love this job. I’m very much connected to the banking industry in North Carolina,” Davis said. Davis said there are three reasons he has stayed at App State for 47 years: “First, the opportunities that ASU have given me made this an incredible experience. The people I work for and
with are number two, and number three is Boone, this environment.” Davis helped start 27 banks in North Carolina and was inducted into the North Carolina Bankers Association Hall of Fame on Sept 30 He said all of his accomplishments came about because the Walker College of Business was taking off right as he got here.
2023-24 Broyhill Fellows CFA Team won the Southeastern U.S. CFA IRC Championship.
Team members: Brianna Gilmore, Corbin Lammers, Derek Mahato, Ashley Meacham, Maximus Pavone
Faculty advisor: Brandy Hadley
Risk Management Challenge Team finishes in 4th place globally in the Spencer-RIMS Global Risk Management Challenge
Teammembers:CarolinaDavidson, TomPhillips,CarolineReeder,Ashley Weisser
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, BANKING & INSURANCE BANKING & INSURANCE
App State Rho Chapter named Distinguished Chapter
We are incredibly proud to announce that our chapter was named a Distinguished Chapter for the 2023-2024 academic year, earning us a spot in the competition for the prestigious Bowers Award. Representing our chapter, Zack Middleton, Riley English, Hrisha Bhatty, and Mea Picone competed for the first time and secured an impressive 2nd place finish out of seven chapters nationwide. In addition, we received Chapter Achievement Awards for our outstanding efforts in Community Service, Diversity & Inclusion, and Public Relations.
Dr. Jonathan Bitting
Dr. Jonathan Bitting co authored “The threat of voiced shareholder disapproval and the value of voting”, with J Balthrop, published in the Journal of Financial Research, 1–30. The study is described as follows: We study how granting shareholders an advisory compensation vote affects the subsequent demand for shareholder voting rights. We find that the voting premium decreases when shareholders are given the right to disapprove firm compensation plans, consistent with shareholders preemptively negotiating concessions, which results in a diminished need to use their votes. Potential concessions extend beyond compensation; firms that experience a decrease in voting premiums also experience changes to investment and dividend policy, as well as the number of independent directors. The same firms experience positive abnormal stock returns over the following year.
Dr. Alex Holcomb
Dr. Alex Holcomb co authored “Exploring the role of analysts in identifying and communicating the value of bank CSR activity”, 2024, published in the International Journal of Bank Marketing. In this study, the authors investigate if analysts, as knowledgeable information intermediaries, can correctly identify bank corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and can reliably transmit that information to investors Hence, the authors specifically explore if analysts perceive and behave differentially in the presence of genuine bank CSR activities (strengths). The authors also analyze if financial markets differentially assess bank CSR strengths. The authors further explore the viability of focusing on analyst and financial markets to validate genuine bank CSR strengths.
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE,
BANKING
& INSURANCE BANKING & INSURANCE
AppState RMI Students Presented at the NCSLA Annual Conference
David Marlett and Dillon Waschenbach accompanied 12 RMI students to the North Carolina Surplus Lines Association’s Annual Meeting in Greensboro, NC, in March 2025. A special shoutout to Riley English, Adrian Everett, Zack Middleton, and Hrisha (Aanshi) Bhatty for their outstanding presentation, “Cracks in the System: Addressing Coverage Gaps in Residential Property Insurance”
Dr. Justin Cox
Dr. Justin Cox co authored “Market Structure and Price Clustering: Maker-Taker vs. Taker-Maker”, 2024, with T. Griffith, and R. Van Ness, published in the Journal of Financial Research, Vol 47, Issue 3, pp.767787. The study is described as follows: We examine whether the different fee structures on equity exchanges, maker-taker or takermaker, affects the frequency with which security prices cluster on round increments. We find higher price clustering on traditional maker-taker venues relative to inverted taker-maker venues. These results generally hold at the individual exchange level and across transaction- and quotation-level clustering measures. Furthermore, we document that depth, both inside and outside the best prices, is significantly greater on maker-taker venues than on taker-maker venues We show that liquidity supply is the main economic driver behind the difference in price clustering between market structures Our findings indicate that fees and rebates alter order-routing strategies, which affect the precision of asset prices
Dr. Sabina Pandey
Dr Sabina Pandey co authored “Social Media for Investment Advice and Financial Satisfaction: Does Generation Matter?”, 2024, with O Olajide and I Pandey, published in the Journal of Risk and Financial Management This study explores the relationship between social media usage for investment advice and financial satisfaction across different generations Ordered logit analyses using data from the 2021 National Financial Capability Study State-by-State and Investor survey reveal that Generation X and millennials are less financially satisfied than baby boomers While general social media use shows no statistically significant association, platform-specific analysis finds that Instagram and TikTok users report higher financial satisfaction, whereas YouTube users report lower satisfaction. Notably, millennials who use social media for investment advice are more financially satisfied than their peers. Detailed analyses reveal that Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter positively influence financial satisfaction across Gen Z, millennials, and Gen X, with more platform-specific associations observed for Facebook, LinkedIn, and Reddit among millennials and Gen X, respectively. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, financial professionals, and researchers, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to enhance financial well-being through social media.
DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT
The Department of Management offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs to prepare students for a variety of managerial responsibilities in today’s dynamic environment. The student who is studying management will acquire relevant knowledge and skills necessary for success in a variety of small, medium, and large organizations. The Department of Management at Appalachian State University is committed to developing and allocating resources to the fundamental task of creating a diverse campus culture. We value diversity as the expression of human similarities and differences, as well as the importance of a living and learning environment conducive to knowledge, respect, acceptance, understanding, and global awareness.
Dr. Rachel Shinnar
Dr. Rachel Shinnar co-authored with Giacomin, Olivier, Gundolf, Katherine, Janssen Frank and Saroglou Vassilis “Religiosity and Ethical Business Behavior: A Study on Differences between Catholic and Protestant Students” in Management International This study explores the impact of religiosity on business ethics among university students. Using a sample of Protestant and Catholic students, the authors investigated how individual religiosity shapes perceptions of three unethical behaviors: misuse, exchange of favors, and deceit. Findings show that individual religiosity matters in how different scenarios of unethical conduct are perceived. Similarities and differences between Protestant and Catholic individuals were identified depending on the ethical behavior in question.
Dr. Steven Creek
Dr. Steven Creek co-authored (with J. Maurer, T. Allison, J. Bendickson, and A. Sahaym) “Getting to know someone in ten seconds: Social role theory and perceived personality in entrepreneurial pitch videos” in the Journal of Business Research. The paper investigates first impressions of the Big Five personality traits in entrepreneurial pitch videos through the lens of social role theory Hypotheses are developed which frame perceived entrepreneurial personality as a configuration of perceived big five traits. To test the hypotheses, participants examined the first ten seconds of 234 crowdfunding videos using established measures regarding perceived personality. The results show that perceptions of stereotypically “entrepreneurial” personality traits indeed predict crowdfunding success.
DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT
Dr. Jacqueline Tilton
Drs Tilton and Kent coauthored (with Kristen Lucas and Jennifer Kish-Gephart) “Enduring, Strategizing, and Rising Above: Workplace Dignity Threats and Responses Across Job Levels” in the Journal of Business Ethics Addressing UN SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth, and answering appeals from humanistic management scholars to protect and promote the dignity of all employees, we conducted an exploratory investigation of employees from across spectrum of lower-, middle-, and upper-level jobs We sought to identify conditions that negatively impact employees’ dignity and identify common recourses for responding Ultimately, we aim to provide a more complete and nuanced understanding of experiences of workplace dignity with intentions of better informing humanistic management theory and practice
Dr. Jim Westerman and Dr. Jack Carson co-authored “The Effectiveness of Organizational Sustainability Messaging to New Hires: An Exploratory Analysis of Signal Cost, Perceived Credibility, and Involvement Intention.” A critical sustainability task is to communicate an organization’s sustainability values in a manner which yields favorable new hire perceptions and involvement. However, factors influencing the impact of sustainability messaging on new hire perceptions remain unexplored to the authors’ knowledge. This exploratory study explores these factors using an experimental vignette study design in which signal costliness and intrinsic and extrinsic motivation were manipulated in the administration of a hypothetical new employee orientation presentation. The findings suggest that conditions in which extrinsic motivating factors were noted as the reason for organizational sustainability yielded higher perceived credibility and involvement intention among respondents. More costly sustainability messaging was detrimental to the perceived message credibility and employee involvement intentions.
Dr Rachel Shinnar was awarded the China Studies Institute (CSI) Zhi-Xing China Academic Impact Fellowship, on behalf of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) She spent two weeks in China visiting, and meeting with representatives, from over 30 schools and universities in Shanghai, Beijing and Luoyang Dr Shinnar is planning to partner with CEAIE to take Appalachian State University students to China on a 3-week leadership development program in summer 2026
Dr. Justin Kent
Dr. Jim Westerman
Dr. Jack Carson
Dr. Rachel Shinnar
DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING & DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING &
SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
In Appalachian State University’s Marketing (BSBA) degree program, students learn to drive industry initiatives that develop customer satisfaction and retention, contribute to company profits and build connections with suppliers, distributors, and the community. Marketing students gain hands-on experience by identifying problems, developing plans, and implementing effective marketing programs.
Appalachian State University’s Supply Chain Management (BSBA) degree program provides students with skills and knowledge in logistics, operations, strategic sourcing, six sigma, and supply chain technologies, enabling them to compete in the global marketplace. Companies focus on SCM as a way to reduce costs, improve processes, and expand into international markets.
Dr. Fayez Ahmad
Dr. Fayez Ahmad co authored “Socio-politically silent brands: A double-edged sword.”, published in the Journal of Business Research. This study explores the growing interest in brand activism within consumer research and managerial practice, addressing the gap in literature regarding brands that remain silent on polarized sociopolitical issues. Through exploratory text analysis, the research identifies consumers’ attributions toward socio-politically silent brands (SSBs) as stemming from both selfserving and socially justified motives. The findings reveal that brand silence does not always negatively impact consumer attitudes, brand equity, or purchase intentions and may have positive effects depending on consumers’ attributions.
Dr. Pia Albinsson co authored “Tapping the Brakes: An Exploratory Survey into Consumer Perceptions of Autonomous Vehicles,” published in the World Electric Vehicle Journal. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the difficulty in measuring consumer acceptance of emergent technologies where artificial intelligence is present within the context of autonomous vehicles (AVs) Surprisingly, the relationship between two variables, internal locus of control and ease of use and usage, was not significant, which could be explained by AVs being self-driving and the ease of use therefore not being important in this context.
Dr. Pia Albinsson
DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING & DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING &
SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
Dr. Brittany Beck
Dr. Ilgim Benoit
Dr. Neel Das
Dr. Dinesh Dave
Dr. Brittany Beck co authored “A Qualitative Exploratory Study of Social Media Marketing Pedagogy and Contemporary Job Demands.”, published in the Journal for Advancement of Marketing Education The study addresses a disconnect between university curricula and social media related job requirements. The findings allow educators to assess the ways in which their courses align with industry needs and the areas that they can adjust to better prepare students for successful careers in SMM.
Dr. Ilgim Benoit co authored “Creativity is in the mind of the beholder: Hail the Analytic Thinker,” published in the Journal of Consumer Marketing. This study examines the factors that influence the creativity assessments of advertisements by consumers. More specifically, this paper investigates the impact of thinking style on creativity assessments.
Dr Neel Das co authored “Is Roundup Donation Request Always Preferred: A Case For Checkout Charity.” published in the International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing. This research attempts to build a basic framework for understanding a fast-growing but little-investigated prosocial solicitation, checkout charity, by looking at round-up or a flat amount donate request, a priori liking of the charity, checkout mode (self-service or cashier), and presence of others (friends or strangers).
Dr. Dinesh Dave co authored “Covid-19 Pandemic Supply Chain Disruption and Simulation of Retail Store Resilience,” published in the International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management. This study offers a conceptual framework for retail stores to become resilient to supply chain disruptions using their existing resources and capabilities In addition, the paper illustrates the testing of the framework using a simulation methodology.