Fisher College of Business Annual Report 2005

Faculty Partnerships

W. C. Benton

Renowned for his research productivity, Professor Benton serves as the Dean’s Distinguished Research Professor and recently received the 2005 Ted R. Thompson Educator Award from the Institute for Supply Management.

The Business of Health Care

The health-care industry is a $1.2 trillion business. Despite high costs, medical salaries are on the decline, malpractice suits are on the rise and 45 million Americans remain uninsured. To help arm physicians, pharmacists, hospital administrators and other medical professionals with the management knowledge they need to succeed in today’s volatile health-care environment, Fisher College’s Business of Health Care course offers students a unique competitive advantage. One of only a handful of similar classes taught in business schools around the country, the graduate curriculum is based on Professor W.C. Benton’s research and expertise in value chain management and health-care economics. Through cutting-edge information, real-time technology and partnerships with leading hospitals, Benton’s students walk away with an understanding of the economic, political and social dynamics shaping the industry as well as business transformations affecting disease management, long-term care, medical research, pharmaceuticals, life sciences and bio-health sciences. Benton’s co-researcher, Thomas E. Williams, Jr., M.D., PhD and distinguished heart surgeon, also contributes to the course curriculum. Due to the program’s success, future plans may include courses in partnership with the college’s Center for Excellence in Manufacturing Management for students interested in biotech, biomanufacturing and the entrepreneurial opportunities inherent in each.

The 31-foot Buckeye Bullet is a 400+ horsepower electric vehicle powered by a 900-volt battery system. In October 2004, it became the fastest electric vehicle ever recorded with a peak time of 321.834 mph.

The 31-foot Buckeye Bullet is a 400+ horsepower electric vehicle powered by a 900-volt battery system. In October 2004, it became the fastest electric vehicle ever recorded with a peak time of 321.834 mph.

Building Awareness

Undergraduate and graduate students continually benefit from Marketing and Logistics Professor Curtis Haugtvedt’s expertise in consumer behavior, consumer psychology and electronic marketing. A former president of the Society for Consumer Psychology, Haugtvedt (back right) currently serves on the board of Ohio’s Business and Technology Center, a high-technology business incubator. His latest undergraduate class project involves promoting the fastest electric race car in the world. Achieving land speed records of more than 300 mph, the Buckeye Bullet prompted Haugtvedt’s marketing students to develop a detailed marketing plan to help the Ohio State student-run initiative build awareness and raise funds. Working with the engineering students who developed the Buckeye Bullet as well as engineering faculty associated with the university’s Center for Automotive Research, Fisher College students prepared a competitive analysis, recommended tactics and developed measures of success—all of which are helping build awareness for the Buckeye Bullet and build the resumes of Haugtvedt’s students.
  Professor Ellingson’s research focuses on issues associated with effective staffing, retention and alternative work arrangements. She has been ranked among the most published female authors in the Journal of Applied Psychology and Personnel Psychology.

Professor Ellingson’s research focuses on issues associated with effective staffing, retention and alternative work arrangements. She has been ranked among the most published female authors in the Journal of Applied Psychology and Personnel Psychology.

Evaluating the Journey

Research on turnover and women in academia demonstrates that a myriad of factors can impact the retention, tenure and promotion of female faculty. A recent analysis of the Faculty Cohort Project, administered by The Women’s Place at Ohio State, found that the project is beneficial to its participants and that cultural change is important for the advancement of women faculty. Management and Human Resources Professors Jill Ellingson, who also served as lead investigator, and Arnon Reichers presented their findings to Ohio State President Karen A. Holbrook (left) and her Council on Women’s Issues. Ellingson’s research was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Cohort Project, as well as offer insight into work-life issues and barriers to the full inclusion of women on university faculties. She found that cohort participants believe the project provides a supportive, nonthreatening environment and that a good relationship with department chairs is integral in shaping the positive experience of assistant professors. Due to Ellingson’s study, The Women’s Place plans to continue the project for six years as well as utilize feedback from the study to enhance its programming and guide culture and policy changes.