As a self-described “computer geek,” Dongya Koh has found a good use of his ability to write programming code: numerically solving complicated macroeconomic models.
He has the background for it, too. His professional career includes serving as a system engineer for Yahoo! Japan, a joint venture of the American internet company Yahoo! and the Japanese internet company SoftBank. As he continued his education, both in his native Japan and the United States, he developed an interest in economics and found a way to combine that with his computer knowledge.
The Department of Economics at the Sam M. Walton College of Business recently collaborated in a research workshop on the theme of Networks in Trade and Finance. The workshop, which took place on the University of Arkansas campus in October, was a collaboration between Walton and CIRANO. A French acronym, CIRANO stands for the Inter-University Center for Research and Analysis of Organizations and is based on Montreal.
“Networks are everywhere. Global trade, supply chains, financial markets, the World Wide Web, professional and social communities are examples of interconnected systems that are important to the structure and function of the modern world,” said Raja Kali, a professor in the Walton economics department and the organizer of the workshop.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of math and computing-related jobs are projected to increase by 22 percent from 2010 to 2020 and have a median annual wage of $73,720 in 2010. Yet many women and minorities are not seeking these lucrative careers. In fact, women hold only 26 percent of professional computing positions. Continue reading Making Waves for Women in IT→
Kathleen McGarry, a Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar for 2014-2015, will visit the University of Arkansas next spring. Phi Beta Kappa’s Visiting Scholar Program provides students and faculty the opportunity to engage with top academics from other institutions.
McGarry, a faculty member at UCLA and a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, will be at the Sam M. Walton College of Business on March 5-6, 2015. She will be part of the economics department’s seminar series, meet with students, and visit classes while on campus. McGarry’s visit also will feature a public lecture.
Chief executive officers with extensive social connections to board members, executives at other firms, bankers and other financial market participants initiate mergers and acquisitions more frequently and with poorer results, according to a new study by Walton College associate professor Tomas Jandik. And, when compared to deals brokered by CEOs with less-extensive contacts, these deals result in greater financial losses for both the acquiring firm and the combined entity but greater personal benefit to the well connected CEO.
Picasolar, a solar startup company affiliated with the University of Arkansas, finished in a first-place tie at the SXSW Eco Startup Showcase, a fast-paced pitch competition featuring top emerging firms from around the world.
The third annual Startup Showcase spotlighted innovative early-stage companies in the areas of “Greentech,” “Cleanweb” and “Social Impact.”
Kathy Deck, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research, will present her regular Quarterly Business Analysis along with the State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report at a luncheon event 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Holiday Inn, 1500 S. 48th St., Springdale.
Vernon J. Richardson, the S. Robson Walton Chair and Distinguished Professor of Accounting, and four colleagues received the 2014 Accounting Horizons Best Paper Award at the 2014 American Accounting Association annual meeting.
The Walton College places high emphasis on faculty research that, creates relevant knowledge for business and industry, opens opportunities for students and serves the communities of Arkansas and the world.
News from the College of Business at the University of Arkansas
