Faculty and research


Expanding business knowledge

KU Business faculty advance research in top-tier journals and shape business thinking and practice. Our professors regularly publish in leading academic journals and also serve as experts for journalists and organizations.
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Academic areas

The School of Business has five academic areas: Accounting; Analytics, Information, Operations; Finance; Management and Entrepreneurship; Marketing and Business Law.

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KU Business research highlights

A Mason jar filled with tips sits on a counter of a restaurant.

Strategies for fixing out-of-control tipping practices revealed in new article

In a new article, Rob Waiser, assistant professor of marketing, examines how tipping — a social process once confined to hospitality — is now appearing in unexpected places and becoming more expensive. But when designed thoughtfully, it can reinforce customer centricity rather than undermine it.
A hand holding a phone is shown liking posts on social media while a stock market graph is superimposed over the image.

Social media discussions fueled ‘meme stock’ events and significant short squeezes, research finds

In a new article, Angel Tengulov, assistant professor of finance at the University of Kansas, examines how discussions on social media fueled the association between retail trading and subsequent stock returns during the “meme stock” events of 2021 that sparked massive short squeezes.
A waitress picks up a small tray that contains a customer’s bill and cash tip.

Witnessing service workers being treated poorly inspires bigger tips, study finds

In a new article, Jonathan Beck, assistant professor of marketing at the University of Kansas, finds that customers who witness incivility toward service employees experience feelings of pity, followed by increased emotional support and, ultimately, an increased tip for the target employee.
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KU School of Business maintains global leadership in accounting research rankings

KU accounting faculty have again achieved a No. 1 global ranking for their audit archival research from the past 12 years, according to Brigham Young University’s 2025 Accounting Research Rankings. KU accounting researchers also earned the No. 2 spot for their auditing publications (all methods) from the past 12 years.

KU Business thought leadership

#1
KU Accounting faculty's global ranking for audit archival research, according to BYU (2024)
11
academic journals in the Financial Times’ Top 50 where KU Business faculty members hold editor or board roles
35+
academic journals with KU Business faculty members serving in editor or board roles

Faculty in the media

How attacks in Iran led to rising gas prices across the country

As conflict in Iran continues, the Lawrence Journal-World talks with Mazhar Arikan, associate professor of supply chain management and Anderson Family Fellow, about how crude oil prices, refining costs, distribution, taxes, and supply chain risk all factor into what you pay per gallon.

Why some sales teams are actually growing alongside AI

Murali Mantrala, Ned Fleming Professor of Marketing, co-authored a Harvard Business Review article exploring why AI isn’t replacing sales teams but helping some of them thrive.

Gamblers are dumping stocks to bet on sports, new study says

Bloomberg features research co-authored by assistant professors Kevin Pisciotta and Justin Balthrop that shows that not only does online sports betting lead to increased betting activity, it also leads to higher credit card balances, less available credit and a reduction in net investments.

Is this football coach the best turnaround CEO in America?

Vince Barker, Edmund P. Learned Professor, spoke with The Wall Street Journal about his research on corporate turnarounds in relation to what Jim Harbaugh has done as the University of Michigan's football coach.

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Centers

The mission and scope of our centers vary from the creation and dissemination of knowledge to community outreach and student programming.

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