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In wake of James Webb controversy, NASA plans to avoid naming future missions after people

Following a 2022 controversy surrounding the name of their astounding space telescope, NASA announced plans to refrain from naming missions after individuals going forward. The James Webb Space Telescope was named after NASA’s second administrator, whose critics say he was complicit in the firing of LGBTQ government employees during the “lavender scare.” Jae Chung notes that because branding is about recognition and recall, names like Space X work well. That name establishes a positive association with popular science fiction culture and reflects what the company is doing.

“With all the digital media and all the conversations or videos being recorded these days,” Chung said, “there’s always a greater chance or a greater risk associated with the idea of using a particular person’s name to name the whole mission or the whole project.”

Apr. 12, 2023 | Andrea Leinfelder

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Is Your Company as Strategically Aligned as You Think It Is?

According to research by Vikas Mittal and Alessandro Piazza, many companies are not as strategically aligned as employees assume. A 500-person, 12-organization survey reveals that, on average, 82% of participants believe their company’s strategies align with other departments and levels of power. But their analysis showed a mere 23% overlap of perceived and actual alignment.

Their solution? Focus on customer value, weave strategy into daily tasks and engage in two-way dialogue. These steps bridge the gap and foster unity. Closing the strategic alignment chasm also accelerates cohesive, customer- driven growth.

May 1, 2023 | Vikas Mittal, Alessandro Piazza and Ashwin Malshe

Is it fair for car insurance companies to consider gender or age when setting premiums?

Herbert S. Autrey Professor of Marketing Ajay Kalra offers expert insight on the question of whether car insurance companies can justifiably factor age and gender for premium rates. According to Kalra, the job of insurance firms is to determine a reasonable correlation between premium and risk. So long as premium rates are based on data, then yes — it makes sense to factor certain identity characteristics.

If statistics show that a particular age group or gender is prone to higher accidents, then they are subject to higher premiums. Other criteria, like race, would be more unfair and discriminatory.

Jun. 26, 2023 | Ajay Kalra

Fierce Startup Competition Brings Victory, and Major Investment, to Texas A&M University

Rice Business is renowned for innovation and entrepreneurship — in part because of the Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC), the world’s most lucrative intercollegiate pitch event, held annually in April. Steered by Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, RBPC has grown tremendously since 2001, catalyzing nearly 3,200 firms, raising over $23 billion and sparking five IPOs. This year, FluxWorks, a Texas A&M University team, clinched first place with their revolutionary magnetic gear technology, epitomizing the competition’s spirit of helping college teams from around the country seamlessly collaborate toward their end goal. This is the second time in seven years that a Texas A&M team has won the competition. In 2016, TriFusion Devices (now known as Essentium) took the top prize.

May 14, 2023 | Chris Westfall

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Want more good ideas from your workers? Try giving them a reward — and a choice

A 2022 study by Jing Zhou and her colleagues reveals a potent approach for elevating both the quantity and quality of employee suggestions. Delving into a Taiwanese call center’s suggestion program, the study explores the impact of rewards and choice. Telemarketers were enticed with innovative rewards for top-tier ideas. More importantly, the employees could choose their reward among certain options.

This resulted in an 86% increase in suggestion submissions and an 82% surge in creativity. The study has profound implications for organizational innovation and worker morale.

May 16, 2023 | Jing Zhou, Aichia Chuang, Greg R. Oldham and Ryan Shuwei Hsu

Have Uber and Netflix Lost Their First-Mover Advantage?

The evolving landscape of digital giants like Netflix and Uber raises questions about the persistence of first-mover advantage. Expert panelists weigh in, with over half disagreeing that these pioneers have completely lost their edge. Some argue that while challenges loom, the incumbents hold the reins with network effects, switching costs, and entrenched user bases. Others suggest that the first-mover advantage may be temporary, especially in markets with lesser network effects like streaming. Amid varied viewpoints, Yael Hochberg finds herself among those that neither agree nor disagree with the claim.

"Netflix faces much more direct competition than Uber, and it benefits less from network effects. I think it has lost a lot of its first-mover advantage. Uber, in contrast, is still benefiting today from the first-mover advantage of having built up a massive stable of drivers and riders, which makes it harder for a new entrant to break through the noise.”

Mar. 31, 2023 | MIT SMR Strategy Forum

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Minority Mental Health: Women Knowledge Workers in Higher Education Show Themselves Out

In its debut episode, the podcast “Mind of Texas” examines M. Yvonne Taylor’s groundbreaking research regarding the gender and race dynamics of prominent universities and how those dynamics impacted minoritized women during the Great Resignation of 2021-2022. In conversation and interviews, the podcast provides insight into the evolving landscape of knowledge work in Texas. The episode originally appeared on KUT & KUTX Studios – Podcasts.

Jul. 12, 2023 | Ike Evans and Richard J. Reddick

See All the Latest News from Rice Business

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the diverse tapestry of Hispanic and Latino/a/x/e cultures and their contributions to our society. This month is an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue around the complexity of Latinidad and elevate voices within the community.

We are proud to honor Hispanic Heritage Month, a vibrant period dedicated to celebrating the rich cultural contributions of the Hispanic community. Through a variety of events, we aim to deepen our understanding and appreciation of the diverse backgrounds by sharing the stories and perspectives of three remarkable MBA students from Rice Business, each with a unique background and set of experiences that embody the spirit of this month

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Sonia Yuri Miyazono Ushijima: Proudly Mexican with a global perspective

Sonia, a second-year Full-Time MBA student, originally comes from Aguascalientes, Mexico. She embarked on her MBA journey in the United States just last year, and this experience has deepened her connection to her Mexican identity and roots.

“Being out of my country has made me prouder of my identity as a Mexican,” Sonia says, “and Hispanic Heritage Month holds a special place in my heart. This month celebrates all facets of ‘Latinidad,’ uniting everyone. I have Japanese ancestry, was born and raised in Mexico, identify as Mexican, and feel part of the broader Latine community. The diversity within Latinidad is incredible.”

Another aspect of her experience at Rice Business is Houston’s status as the most ethnically diverse city in America. Houston’s diversity fosters adaptability and flexibility, making it possible to attract talented professionals in every industry.

For Sonia, the Rice MBA has broadened her intellectual and professional horizons. She advises prospective students, “Embrace the opportunities and resources available to you, and keep an open mind.”

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Nikki Suarez: Celebrating dual heritage and fostering unity

Nikki, a Professional MBA student hailing from La Paz, Bolivia, brings a rich blend of cultures to Rice Business. Her dual heritage as a Bolivian and Mexican Latina are a source of pride and inspiration during Hispanic Heritage Month.

According to Nikki, “Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to reflect on my unique heritage as someone with multiple cultural identities. It's an honor to celebrate the contributions of people of Hispanic descent, including my own relatives. This month brings into focus the distinct flavors, music and histories of Latinos, and I'm thrilled to share my heritage with others.”

Nikki serves as a testament to the power of the Latin Business Student Association (LBSA). She highlights the importance of LBSA in promoting camaraderie among members and fostering unity within the broader student body. Through social events, workshops, networking opportunities and the Amigue Program — a mentorship program for first-year MBAs at Rice Business — LBSA creates a sense of belonging.

To prospective students, Nikki advises, “Embrace this extraordinary experience. Lean into what makes you unique. And build a support network. Show up as your authentic self, and you'll find the confidence and strength to succeed.”

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Nicole Conforti: Championing Latin American culture and resilience

Nicole brings a unique blend of experiences to her MBA journey at Rice Business. Born in Michigan and raised in Argentina, the 2nd-year Full-Time MBA student represents both countries with pride and is deeply passionate about inspiring fellow Latines to achieve their goals.

Nicole’s extensive international exposure, combined with her marketing background, makes her appreciate Houston's diversity as a tremendous asset to the business landscape. Diversity encourages innovation and adaptability, and it helps position the city as a dynamic and inclusive business hub.

For Nicole, the Rice MBA program has been instrumental in advancing her professional objectives. The support of faculty and staff, combined with enriching courses and a supportive community, has been pivotal in her career growth.

To prospective students, Nicole offers valuable advice: “Approach the MBA journey with an emphasis on passion, people and purpose. Foster a strong sense of ‘familia’ within the MBA community, where you feel at home and actively care for others.”

Belonging at Rice Business

Rice Business offers a wide array of activities and educational opportunities during Hispanic Heritage Month. These events serve not only to celebrate but also to educate and inspire our students and faculty from all walks of life. We encourage you to come visit us on campus or online to learn more why you belong here.

Leonardo Hinojosa is an assistant director of recruiting and admissions.

Explore Our Tight-Knit Culture

Leonardo Hinojosa is an assistant director of recruiting and admissions.

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The first year in any new job is getting to know the people, the culture and the place — and I have spent the last few months doing just that. I’ve sipped Audrey’s coffee with staff to learn more about the services and opportunities we offer students. I’ve talked with faculty members to learn more about their research. And I’ve had great conversations with alumni about their career paths and story ideas.

When work is all said and done at the office, I’ve spent a lot of time getting to know the very cool city of Houston — its neighborhoods, like the Heights and Montrose; its outdoor walking spots, including Hermann Park and the new land bridge in Memorial Park; and its food, from the obvious Tex-Mex and barbecue delights to the extensive global cuisine that Houston offers, including any African, French, Mexican, Indian or Asian dish you’re after.

But our location gives us so much more than delicious meals and trendy neighborhoods. We sit at the center of one of the largest, most diverse cities in the U.S. with more Fortune 500 companies than any other city except New York City. This allows us to do what great educational institutions do best: give our students and faculty the resources and connections they need to solve global problems for the betterment of all.

One of those global issues is the coming energy transition. Our location in the energy capital of the world puts Rice in an ideal spot to study one the largest issues of our time. The decades-long transition to cleaner energy will be daunting as businesses try to grapple with the right decisions to move forward. To prepare, Professor Nicola Secomandi recently took on a new role at Rice Business: senior advisor to the dean on energy transition. Secomandi will be the first to tell you that he doesn’t have definitive answers. But he does know Houston is a great spot to find them, to have these conversations, to conduct this research and to collaborate with partners in the city. — Maureen

Our location allows us to do what great educational institutions do best: give our students and faculty the resources and connections they need to solve global problems for the betterment of all.

Email: maureen.harmon@rice.edu

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When Tyler Clason walked through La Dalia, Nicaragua, during a mission trip in 2015, rain water slid down the street from a recent storm. It was during that walk that Clason watched a young mother bend down near a rain gutter to catch the runoff in a baby bottle. Then she took that water, added formula, and gave it to her child. Clason knew then that he had to do something about water access in the area, as well as education around water cleanliness and health.

Though Clason loved La Dalia and the coffee and sugar cane farming families that made up the village, the actual living conditions in Nicaragua were tough, so the mother’s water collection technique really wasn’t surprising. “Living conditions are extremely humble in Nicaragua,” says Clason, who had lived and worked in the country for two years. “Most people never had a fridge, never had air conditioning, never had an automobile, never had a bicycle. Homes were made of plastic tarps or bamboo paneling or cinder blocks — but even cinder block was considered a luxury in some areas.”

When it came to running water, things didn’t look much better. Some homes had running water. Others did not. Clason’s hut was part of the 25% of Nicaraguan homes that were hooked up to the municipal system, so he was lucky in the fact that water came out of the pipes, but when he went to drink his first glass in his new home, he saw that it was teeming with mosquito larvae. “In some situations,” says Clason, “the municipal water system is less healthy than a natural water system.”

When Clason returned to Brigham Young University, where he was pursuing his bachelor’s degree, he got to work creating what would eventually be called OneWater — a nonprofit aimed at education around and accessibility to clean water in Nicaragua. Creating a nonprofit can be difficult — finding funding and volunteers can be a struggle — but the journey is compounded when the nonprofit is in a foreign country. Clason learned two things early on. One, he would need the locals’ help in order to make OneWater work, especially in a country that harbored distrust for Americans. Two, he would need a career that would allow him to support OneWater with his time, as well as financially. OneWater would never be a source of income. Clason wrote into the bylaws of OneWater that only local Nicaraguan labor would receive compensation/salary.

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To achieve the former, OneWater’s board created the role of local agents, often called village Water Captains, who are trained in filtration systems and OneWater’s educational materials. Local agents act as liaisons between OneWater and the homes in their villages, helping to troubleshoot filtration system problems and identifying villagers who need the filtration systems the most.

To achieve goal number two, Clason left his role with Ernst & Young to pursue his MBA full time with the aim of continuing a career that would allow him both financial flexibility and work-life balance to continue to make OneWater a success. “Rice was a no-brainer,” says Clason. “This is a school that prides itself, rightfully so, on having global impact and accepting students from all over the world.” That global business strategy was a must-have for Clason, who ultimately joined Dow Chemical in a Global Corporate Strategy role. Joining Dow after his MBA aligned with this goal as well. “A career with Dow post-MBA allows me to further develop my global business acumen.” He admits that right now, it’s difficult for him to step aside from the day-to-day of OneWater and focus on his post-MBA early-career development. “I want to be involved, but that’s selfish because it’s not about me. It’s about the people in Nicaragua,” he says.

“I just love it. I love being down there in person. I love doing the work. I love talking to the people. I love solving the problems.”

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He relies heavily — and is grateful for — an expert operations team in country. “I am able to hone skills learned at Rice in sustainability, global business and strategic problem-solving in my career at Dow that will help develop me to be a better leader and ultimately drive more value with OneWater.”

Clason also relies heavily on the State Department to protect himself and his employees and volunteers. The anti-America sentiments in Nicaragua are so strong that Clason has had rocks thrown at his head and was robbed several times at knifepoint and once, with a machete. “It became an unfortunate pattern,” says Clason, “but you know what? I was never jaded by it. It never impacted how I feel about the Nicaraguan people.” In response, OneWater has built tight processes and controls for the team, and they’re careful to make sure that Nicaraguans are leading the effort. “It’s always a Nicaraguan leading the conversation in the work we’re doing down there.”

The model seems to be working. To date, OneWater estimates that they have helped filter more than 1 million gallons of water for Nicaraguan families and saved those families $40 a month and 900 hours of time that is normally spent carrying or cleaning water, or attending to family members’ health issues caused by contaminated water and systems.

Though he loves the travel, the place, the work, the people and the problem-solving, Clason wants to ensure that OneWater can operate without him. “A bunch of Americans can go down and do the work, but the greatest part is that when we leave, it’s a continual operation, whether we’re there or not,” he says. “And that, ultimately, is what we want OneWater to be.”

Learn more about OneWater at one-water.org

Renowned accounting professor Stephen Zeff recently celebrated his 90th birthday, but he isn’t slowing down. Earlier this year, he gave two major international lectures in Finland and England. His youthful energy comes from teaching, he says. “If you stop moving, learning and growing, your students are going to leave you behind.”

Zeff’s office is a tight but magical space, especially if you love books and enjoy talking about history and travel. His walls are lined with texts, awards and personal effects, and his space includes not just one – but two – overflow areas in McNair Hall that house his one-of-a-kind collection of accounting materials dating to the early 1900s.

We recently spoke with Zeff about some of the objects in his office that mean the most to him:

1. A custom-made bobblehead doll resembles the professor. His department colleagues gifted it to him in 2011 during a dinner in Denver to commemorate his 50th year as an academic. The dinner was attended by more than 50 accounting faculty colleagues from around the world, at the time of the annual meeting of the American Accounting Association.
2. A crystal clock sits on the shelf where he keeps the books he’s written or edited — a total of 32 during his storied career — from biographies of pioneer accountants to histories of accounting as a discipline.
3. Zeff’s three honorary doctorates line the wall behind his desk — from universities in Canada, Finland and Spain. An avid internationalist, Zeff has given countless lectures (including in Spanish!) and held numerous visiting appointments around the world.
4. A small black-and-white photo of his family was taken in the 1940s. The photograph signifies the things that matter most to Zeff: family, history, travel and connecting with people.

Among fellow accounting historians, Zeff has a reputation as someone who treasures old books. It’s a reputation he enjoys. His two overflow spaces are tucked away in the Business Information Center (BIC), and his archive is likely the only of its kind. Many of the books and journals here have not been digitized and constitute the only remaining copies. Zeff’s textual rescues have proven essential to dozens of researchers in the field.

Here’s to many more years!