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Chains that train new store owners help keep franchises afloat, study says
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fast-food restaurants and other chain outlets are less likely to fail when super-sized training programs prepare fledgling owners for the challenges ahead, according to a new study co-written by a University of Illinois business professor. Advance, in-depth training on everything from bookkeeping to dealing with customers and suppliers is a key to […]
Psst, Boss: Co-workers most powerful influence in organizational change
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The seeds of workplace change may come from the top, but take root from the bottom up, according to a new study co-written by a University of Illinois business professor. The findings show co-workers create a local culture that wields powerful influence over their colleagues when organizations try to break from tradition […]
Expert: Hold on executions could continue after Supreme Court rules
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – A historic capital punishment case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court could extend a de facto moratorium that has already halted executions for more than five months, a University of Illinois death penalty expert says. A hold on executions that started soon after the court agreed to hear the case last fall […]
Study: Heavy market volume doesn’t necessarily signal quick, easy trading
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Playing a hunch is as ingrained in financial markets as short selling, margin buying and the opening bell. But a new study by a University of Illinois professor shows that gut feelings don’t necessarily pay off when it comes to deciding the best time to trade. Finance professor Timothy C. Johnson tested […]
Deal ending writers strike scores rare victory for unions, expert says
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – A deal that ended a three-month strike by Hollywood writers also scored a rare victory for unions by giving workers a financial stake in new technology, a University of Illinois labor expert says. “Advances in technology frequently harm employees by devaluing their work,” said Michael LeRoy, a professor in the university’s Institute […]
U. of I. professor nominated as trustee for social security, medicare programs
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois finance professor Jeffrey R. Brown will be nominated by President Bush to serve on the board of trustees for the nation’s Social Security and Medicare programs, the White House announced Tuesday. If approved by the Senate, Brown will serve a four-year term as one of two public trustees, first […]
Study: Web sites influence users, even when they don’t communicate directly
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Web surfers may get more than just the music, videos and news updates they were looking for when they log onto trendy next-generation sites such as Last.fm, YouTube and Digg, according to new research by a University of Illinois business professor. Whether they know it or not, they also could be getting […]
U.S. economy teetering, but could still avert recession, U. of I. experts say
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The U.S. economy is sputtering amid a lingering housing slump and growing jitters on Wall Street, but whether a recession lies ahead is still anyone’s guess, a trio of University of Illinois economic experts say. “To summarize the economic situation in one word, it is ‘uncertainty,’” says Jeffrey R. Brown, a finance […]
Ex-NFL player says Congress should regulate steroids in pro sports
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Congress should step in to regulate performance-enhancing drugs in professional sports because players and owners lack incentive to effectively police themselves, former NFL tight end Josh Whitman says. “Faced with the overwhelming incentives present in modern sports – whether tangible like money or intangible like the competitor’s inner drive – it is […]
Six Champaign County teams bound for Lego tournament state finals
Champaign County teams bound for Lego tournament state finals Jan Dennis, Business & Law Editor 217-333-0568; jdennis@illinois.edu 1/18/2008 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Six teams of Champaign County elementary and middle school students will compete Saturday (Jan. 19) in the state finals of the FIRST LEGO League’s worldwide tournament. Sixty-four teams from across Illinois, each with up […]
Smoking ban has stirred strong passions, but will soon fade, expert says
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – A looming ban that will snuff out smoking in public places across Illinois lit up a fiery debate that rivaled abortion, gun control and society’s other hottest-button issues, a University of Illinois research scientist says. “It’s very polarizing and hits on core elements of freedom and what it means to be free […]
Baseball’s record book could be next victim of steroid report, expert says
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Major League Baseball’s record book will likely come under fire in the wake of a long-awaited report released today linking Roger Clemens and other superstars to performance-enhancing drugs, a University of Illinois law and labor expert says. But Michael LeRoy says MLB officials will sail into uncharted waters if a public outcry […]