R2@Saunders
R2@Saunders
2025 Research Revelations at Saunders
Research with Purpose
Saunders faculty are impacting businesses and society through impactful research—addressing one challenge at a time.
Each year, R2 highlights purposeful research at Saunders—work driven by complex, real-world challenges that generates impactful insights to shape business strategies and societal well-being. This year’s edition features faculty advancements across multiple domains: from the emotional dynamics of human-robot collaboration and innovative AI solutions for mental disorder screening, to the influence of moral values on consumer decisions and the complexities of executive leadership structures.
AI in Action: From Hospitality to Healthcare (In the valley of the uncanny)
Saunders faculty are examining the diverse applications of artificial intelligence across varied industry settings. In the International Journal of Hospitality Management, Professor Dan Jin investigates the threshold between "robophilia" (a positive disposition toward automation) and "robophobia" (fear of automation). Her research suggests that balancing automation with personalized service is crucial to prevent customer discomfort during service disruptions. Conversely, Professor Ali Tosyali addresses challenges in healthcare through his work in the Journal of Management Information Systems. He introduces "MDscan," an explainable AI tool that visualizes mental health data, enabling clinicians to diagnose disorders more quickly and accurately.
The Moral Compass of the Consumer (How we feel about what we buy)
Consumer decisions are often driven by underlying moral values, yet marketers frequently overlook the diversity of these ethical considerations. Understanding this "moral compass" is vital for brands aiming to connect authentically with their audiences. In the Journal of Consumer Psychology, Professor Guilherme Ramos demonstrates that by aligning products and messages with specific moral principles, marketers can create more resonant and effective campaigns.
Redefining Leadership and Retention (Maybe the grass is greener & Strength in numbers)
Faculty researchers are also addressing the critical challenges of retaining top talent and structuring the C-suite. Professor Jieun Lee’s research in the Journal of Management challenges traditional retention strategies, revealing that in dense local labor markets, high compensation can paradoxically increase turnover by signaling an executive's ability and facilitating external mobility. Focusing on leadership architecture, Professor Sriniwas Mahapatro’s work in the California Management Review evaluates the emerging co-CEO model, offering a framework to navigate the trade-offs between the advantages of diverse skill sets and the governance risks inherent in shared leadership.
Enjoy this edition of R2@Saunders!
New Faculty
Ph.D., The Graduate Center, City University of New York
Areas of Expertise
Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence
Ph.D., Florida State University
Areas of Expertise
Business ecosystems, Strategy & evolution, Video games, Stakeholders
Ph.D., SUNY at Buffalo
Areas of Expertise
Production optimization and flexibility, Supply chain management, Advanced manufacturing technologies, Lean, Inventory management, Operations strategy
Ph.D., University of South Carolina
Areas of Expertise
Service experience, Service robotics, Service resilience, Service inclusiveness, Service leadership, Cultural-sensory service
Ph.D., Georgia State University
Areas of Expertise
AI and finance, Corporate finance, Corporate innovation, Textual analysis in finance
Ph.D., Fundação Getulio Vargas
Areas of expertise
Consumer behavior, Sustainability, Moral decision making, Political polarization
Areas of Expertise
Tax accounting, Corporate finance, Personal financial planning, Investments, Economics
MBA, Rochester Institute of Technology
Areas of Expertise
Entrepreneurship, Early-stage finance, Financial modeling, Software development, Leadership development
AI for Business 2024 Rochester Business Journal hosts virtual panel discussions featuring Victor Perotti.
Older Adults Share More Fake News - But It’s Not Because They Can’t Tell Real From Fake ZME Science story features Guilherme Ramos.
Could tariffs rev up Rochester's auto manufacturing again? 'Quickly' says UAW ABC 13-WHAM story features Kevin Sweeney.
RIT professors expand program that helps veterans find jobs in electronics manufacturing with $700,000 state grant, WHEC-TV features Malarvizhi Hirudayaraj.
CNBC, Globest.com, Propmodo, Bisnow, Yale Insights, Inside Mortgage Finance, Rochester Business Journal, Globest.com, and L. Northmarq Research & Insights feature Soon Hyeok Choi's research on DOGE Lease Terminations Shaking Real Estate Markets.
Connections (WXXI, NPR), Cotality, Fortune, and The Conversation feature Soon Hyeok Choi's research on The Winner’s Curse in Housing Markets.
Faculty Research Video Spotlights
Digital Transformation
Finance and Accounting
Strategy and Innovation
The Dynamics of Green Marketing Strategy: How Firms Evolve Eco-Friendly Investments to Create Financial Value | Assistant Professor Siavash Rashidi-Sabet
Indirect Evergreening Using Related Parties: Evidence From India | Assistant Professor Sriniwas Mahapatro
Utilizing organizational ambidexterity to implement long-term technical change in fast-paced manufacturing settings | Professor Sandra Rothenberg
Ph.D. In Business Administration
This fall, Saunders College of Business welcomed its third cohort of students into the Ph.D. in business administration. The program is designed to inspire and train scholars to identify, investigate, and solve unique business challenges at the intersection of business and technology. The program has three areas of specialization: (1) digital transformation, (2) strategy and innovation, and (3) finance and accounting. Meet our students:
Finance and Accounting
Xi’an, China
Bachelor of Internet of Things
Shandong University
Master of Computer Science
Trinity College Dublin
Strategy and Innovation
Chengdu, China
Master of business administration
Marshall University
Finance and Accounting
Harbin, China
Bachelor or Economics
Harbin University of Commerce
Master of International Economics and Finance
The University of Queensland
Digital Transformation
China
BS in Accounting/Information System Technology
Syracuse University
Affiliated Centers
Faculty Resources