Associate Professor of Marketing Mike Palazzolo explains why Costco’s $1.50 hot dog-and-soda combo has defied inflation for 40 years, noting, “When setting prices, profit isn’t everything—it’s about brand loyalty.”
Poets&Quants talk business school myths and misconceptions
Minhua Zhu, a 2025 Poets & Quants MBA to Watch, dispels the myth that it’s just cows and turkeys at UC Davis, highlighting the advantages of a top-five public research university known for its interdisciplinary collaboration that drives innovation.
Professor David Bunch noted that EV sales had stayed around 25% of new cars in 2023-2024, then hit a record 29% in the third quarter this year. Without the rebate deadline, he said, EV sales likely would have declined slightly for the first time.
MSBA Academic Director Carrie Beam: "We never come to a decision in our life frame-free."
In this podcast episode, MSBA Academic Director Carrie Beam shares insights on decision science, analytics and preparing future leaders to challenge assumptions, ask tough questions and drive inclusive innovation.
Distinguished Professor Hemant Bhargava and USC Professor D. Daniel Sokol argue that the policy "will hurt U.S. growth and innovation, at a time when the global arms race for AI creates a vital need for the sharpest human talent and innovators."
Poets&Quants recognizes Davis for sustainable living, prime location
The college town atmosphere close to the Bay Area and world-class recreation puts Davis on the map says UC Davis MBAs Jack Schaufler, a 2025 Best & Brightest MBA, and Minhua Zhu, a 2025 MBA to Watch by Poets&Quants.
Specialist firms can ease competitive pressure from tech giants
UC Davis Distinguished Professor Hemant Bhargava’s new study shows how smaller firms can protect their edge against Big Tech by strategically sharing data with rivals, reshaping competition, innovation and policy.
Commenting to the New York Times on the U.S. Open men’s final, Professor Stephen Garcia said focusing on mastery, not outcome, reduces anxiety, builds confidence and improves performance in sports and business.
"A big win for our university and the capital region"
The UC Davis Graduate School of Management announced today that it is moving its nationally ranked Sacramento Part-Time MBA program from leased space in the Education Building at UC Davis Sacramento to the nearby Aggie Square innovation district.
“At UC Davis, AI isn’t just theory—it’s integrated into coursework, which sharpened my problem-solving and prepared me to make smarter, data-driven business decisions," says Minhua Zhu, named one of Poets&Quants' 2025 MBAs To Watch.
For many colleges, the policy shift was merely symbolic
After a pandemic-fueled rush to drop standardized-testing requirements, Professor Greta Hsu says the debate over standardized tests forces colleges and universities to confront a fundamental question: What is our mission, and who do we exist to serve
Prasad Naik and Greta Hsu appointed faculty chairs funded by Miriam Glock
Professors Prasad Naik and Greta Hsu have been appointed to prestigious endowed faculty chairs at UC Davis Graduate School of Management, recognizing their exceptional contributions to marketing, organizational behavior, and the School’s academic mission.
Professor Greta Hsu: "Effectiveness of test-optional policies depends on university priorities."
Greta Hsu, professor and associate dean of undergraduate programs, co-led research showing test-optional admissions can boost diversity, but gains fade when universities face enrollment or financial pressures and prioritize test scores.
Journalism in the 1930s failed to communicate the danger of Hitler’s rise. Are we repeating the same mistake now?
Lecturer Dickson Louie says because mainstream media outlets serve such a broad audience, they will continue to report “both sides,” so to speak, “despite the administration’s deviations from traditional political norms.”
Distinguished Emeritus Professor Paul Griffin writes that the case for mandatory disclosure of extreme weather events in New Zealand may not be strong if markets already price in such risks, and a voluntary framework might suffice for many firms.
Assistant Professor Mike Palazzolo and co-authors find household spending drops
Fatal school shootings don’t just devastate communities emotionally—they also harm their economies. People eat out less, avoid public spaces and generally spend less money after a tragedy strikes a local school.
Professor Rachel Chen: "Platforms turn productivity shifts into economic opportunity."
Digital platforms do more than host content—they shape competition. A new study in Marketing Science, co-authored by Professor Rachel Chen, shows how platform strategy drives innovation and value.
Adjunct Professor Matthew Zaragoza-Watkins sees a shift toward renewables
“If somebody wants to build the cheapest, most reliable electricity generating unit right now, it's probably going to be a combination of wind, solar, and natural gas,” says Adjunct Professor Matthew Zaragoza-Watkins, an energy economics expert.
Professor Stephen Garcia: "Competition is often just a matter of perception."
In this podcast, Professor Stephen Garcia breaks down the psychology of competition—how perception, fear, group size, and even rankings shape our motivation, performance and mindset.
"I chose the UC Davis Online MBA because it offered the academic rigor of a top-tier program with the flexibility to balance full-time work in aerospace operations," says Daniel Martinez, named one of Poets&Quants' 2025 Best & Brightest Online MBAs.