Beyond Grey Pinstripes

     

USF St. Petersburg College of Business

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USF St. Petersburg College of Business 140 Seventh Avenue South
COB 348
St. Petersburg, FL, 33701-5016
United States
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Demographic Information

Number of full-time MBA students (2011): 

36

Number of part-time MBA students (2011): 

36

Total duration of full-time MBA program: 

12 months

MBA faculty (Fall 2010): 

53

Females as percent of student body: 

50%


Description of MBA Program: 

An MBA from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg (USFSP) prepares students for a lifetime of opportunities and business leadership.  Our MBA program provides students socially responsible leadership skills, over and above functional business knowledge, for a global business environment.



Since the MBA program’s inception (2004), the Social Responsibility and Corporate Reporting (SRCR) Program of Distinction housed in the College of Business (COB) has played a significant role in the education of students.  The SRCR is dedicated to teaching business leadership skills that incorporate ethical behavior, transparency, corporate social responsibility and effective corporate governance.  The SRCR is central to the mission of the COB and is a central theme throughout the MBA curriculum.  As a result, USFSP was recognized by Beyond Grey Pinstripes in 2009-10 (#35), 2007-08 (#34), and 2005 as Top Small School.



During the past three years the MBA has evolved to require six core courses, all containing SRCR-focused concepts, and a specific Corporate Social Responsibility concentration.  The core course, Leadership and Corporate Accountability, emphasizes stakeholder analysis skills and is complemented by the student-selected Corporate Social Responsibility concentration of study.  



The Corporate Social Responsibility concentration of study develops a student’s understanding of ethical management, marketing and decision-making.  Ethical social responsibility provides the foundation for this concentration, as students explore the ethical and behavioral issues faced by corporations managing organizational change while considering multiple stakeholders.  The concentration courses include:  (1) Managing Business Sustainability, (2) Corporate Social Responsibility, (3) Contemporary Issues in Information Systems, (4) Social & Ethical Issues in Management, (5) Leadership Perspective, and (6) Environmental Economics & Policy.  In addition, other MBA courses stress socially responsible concepts in such courses as Collaborative IT Project Management, which considers the societal impact of failed and challenged technology projects.



Corporate social responsibility, however, isn’t limited to specific courses or a concentration of study.  All aspects of the MBA curriculum emphasize social responsibility, effective corporate reporting, cultural diversity and ethics.  The MBA Learning Goals and Objectives include developing skills to evaluate community and societal responsibilities of an organization and to analyze complex political, economic, legal and regulatory issues within an ethical context.  



The MBA commitment to social, ethical and environmental education is supported by the COB mission and values.  The USFSP COB mission is to educate current and future professionals in the effective management and ethical leadership of organizations.  The values include:  

-  An inclusive, collaborative and ethical learning environment

-  Diversity in students, faculty, and staff

-  Corporate social responsibility as a distinct field of study in management education

-  The efficient use of our organizational resources while recognizing responsibilities to various stakeholders



The USFSP COB is proud that its MBA program, indeed the entire COB curriculum, provides future business leaders with socially responsible management principles as a keystone of their education.  But the USFSP COB commitment to socially responsible management principles is also evidenced in its published research.  Of the thirty-five (35) faculty members, sixteen (16) are engaged in related research which represents over 45% of the faculty and a publishing record of over fifty (50) published articles.  



Given our dedication to socially responsible management principles, USFPS COB joined the Principles for Responsible Management Education (http://www.unprme.org/), a United Nations Sanctioned Organization.  The organization is in part dedicated to educating students in sustainable values for business and society at large.  Further, the organization works for an inclusive and sustainable global economy which incorporates the values of global social responsibility as portrayed in international initiatives such as the United Nations Global Compact.   We believe our COB practices serve as example of these values and attitudes which we teach our students.



How does the MBA program 'walk the talk' of social and environmental impact?: 

One of the six goals of USF St Petersburg (USFSP) is to “foster stewardship of the environment and embody the values of sustainability.” USFSP is dedicated to creating a community that champions environmental awareness, energy conservation, recycling and sustainable living. USFSP has programs to improve air quality, conserve and protect the quantity and quality of potable water sources, protect native vegetation, and conserve energy by recycling, using solar and alternative energy, energy conservation fixtures and management techniques.

 

In 2011, in part through the USFSP Center for Civic Engagement (CCE), USFSP earned the Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Academic Department

Course Name: Advanced Financial Management
Instructor: Martina Schmidt

This course covers the nature and purpose of financial management and the decisions the financial manager of a corporation is faced with. The course objective is to teach the student to incorporate quantitative applications and financial theory on issues pertinent to financial management. The analytical processes utilized in financial decision making will be examined and applied to business finance problems. The concept of “Corporate Social Responsibility” is incorporated in the class material whenever appropriate, as it is an important part of today’s business environment. Some of the main topics to be covered are the role of finance within the corporation, financial statement analysis, discounted cash flow analysis, valuation of financial assets, capital budgeting and capital structure. After taking this course, the student should be able to perform moderately sophisticated applications of financial analysis and management.

Course Name: Business Enterprise
Instructor: James Fellows, Williams Jackson

The course explicitly addresses how all of the business disciplines explored thus far in the MBA program play a role in the formation and operation of a business enterprise. Principally, this course applies knowledge of finance, marketing, management (including ethics), and accounting in determining how a business enterprise is formed and operated. The course will emphasize pre-business feasibility studies, the start-up of the business enterprise, its successful management, and options for succession or termination.

Course Name: Computer Forensics for Accountants
Instructor: Grover Kearns

This course introduces the current IT audit and investigative software and processes used to explore contemporary accounting systems and databases. Students are exposed to electronic and other means of surveillance in use today.

Course Name: Environmental Economics and Policy
Instructor: Antoinette Criss

Environmental economics is the response of economists to the 1st Law of Thermodynamics: matter and energy can neither be created nor destroyed. How do we wisely use resources that come from nature in economic activities? How do we reduce or delay the return of residual pollution from economic activities to the natural environment? We will examine how both markets and the government can offer alternative approaches to these concerns. These issues are important for managers and businesses because all economic activities use natural resources and return residuals to the natural environment. Part of being a socially responsible entity is an awareness of the obligations that an organization has toward the natural environment.

Course Name: Forensic Accounting
Instructor: Carl Pacini, John Jewell

This course exposes students to current methodologies and work performed by forensic accountants and auditors in uncovering and quantifying defalcations and improprieties and will present fraud-prevention and fraud-detection techniques being utilized in corporate investigations today.

Course Name: Fraud Examination
Instructor: Katherine Barker

In this course, students will learn how and why economic crimes and occupational fraud are committed, how fraudulent behavior is deterred, and how allegations of fraud should be investigated and resolved. The course uses cases to expose students to actual fraud situations, allowing students to develop investigative strategies and seek to prove how the fraud was committed. In addition, weekly discussions of various issues in business ethics and relevant case studies are analyzed.

Course Name: International Financial Management
Instructor: Wei Guan

This course provides for the development of a strong foundation in international financial management, including: the financial environment; foreign exchange markets; foreign exchange risk and decision-making models; operating, transaction and accounting exposures; worldwide sales; process of internationalization; foreign trade zones; various swaps and decision-making models; and direct foreign investments and swap arrangements. Ethical dilemmas that exist for multinational corporations will be discussed periodically in class.

Course Name: International Management
Instructor: V. McCuiston

This course focuses on the challenges and opportunities associated with organizational management and business strategy in the global environment. Students will gain a general overview of the process and effect of internationalization in contemporary business, along with an introduction to theories, concepts and skills relevant to managing effectively in today’s global environment. Students will be challenged to understand and appreciate the need for ethical and social responsibility in international management, and the growing pressures on firms to act in an ethically and socially responsible manner in their global business operations.

Course Name: International Marketing Management
Instructor: Michael Luckett

This course is a study of marketing management activities from the perspective of firms doing business across national boundaries. Emphasis is upon aspects of marketing that are unique to international business and problem solving within an international context. The distinctive preferences and behaviors of a variety of cultures and subcultures and how these differences affect marketing strategy will be analyzed, in addition to the cultural impacts of marketing and advertising decisions.

Course Name: IRS VITA INTERNSHIP
Instructor: James Fellows

This course provides an opportunity for students to gain valuable experience in preparing tax returns and to apply their knowledge of classroom learning. The course consists of three parts: (1) three online training tutorials from the IRS {Link and Learn program} plus the Tax-Wise software training, (2) a minimum of 75 hours of tax preparation work at IRS VITA sites, and (3) a term paper which is a self-evaluation experiential report from experiences at the VITA tax preparation sites. This course will increase the student’s skill sets through a variety of experiential tasks and address ethical issues in tax compliance through IRS online tutorials and compliance with all existing tax laws.

Pages

Type of Offering

Northeast Decision Sciences Institute Conference
Date: April, 2011

"Codes of Conduct and Corporate Social Responsibility: An Empirical Study." by Barbara Withers, Kristine Ehrich, Maling Ebrahimpour, and Anika Jensdotte

Southern Management Association Conference proceedings
Date: September, 2010

Employee Race Consequences In Organizations: Alternative explanation focusing on maladjustment, political skill and power - by A. Martinex, G. Ferris, and S. Segrest.

Academy of Business Disciplines
Date: September, 2010

Immigration Fraud: An Understanding and Clarification of the Problem and Proposed Solutions - by G. Lander, K. Barker, and K. Michaud.

American Accounting Association Annual Meeting
Date: August, 2010

The Bankruptcy Reform Act and Bankruptcy Fraud Implications and Opportunites for CPAs - by K. Barker, N. Stowell, C. Polansky, and D. Keiffer

Southern Management Association Annual Meeting
Date: September, 2009

The Relationship Between Organizations/Board Characteristics and the Extent of Female Representation on Corporate Board - by S. Geiger and D. Marlin.

Joint IIA/IMA Meeting
Date: April, 2009

Current Issues in Bankruptcy Fraud - by K. Barker and N. Stowell

Decision Sciences Institute Annual Conference
Date: November, 2010

A Review of Literature: Research in Ethics and Supply Chain Management - presented by M. Ebrahimpour and B. Withers

ABBA Conference
Date: February, 2009

The Global Financial Crisis - by T. Shank

Academy of Marketing Science Conference
Date: September, 2009

A Mission of Civic Engagement: The Evolution of a Service Learning Project in Marketing - by K. Braunsberger and O. Flamm.

Academy of Business Disciplines
Date: September, 2010

Individual and Business Bankruptcy Fraud - by K. Barker, C. Polansky, and D. Keiffer

Career Center

The University's Career Center hosts annual full-time and part-time Career Fairs during the Fall and Spring semesters. These fairs include firms representing a wide range of disciplines, including those with an emphasis on social impact and environmental management.

Career Services

Working with the Director of the Program of Accountancy and the University's Beta Alpha Psi chapter, USFSP conducts accounting firm receptions and arranged interviews and employment for numerous students with top local business and professional firms.

Sustainable Entrepreneurship & Innovation Alliance AT USFSP
Business School Housing? Yes
Number of Faculty: 1
Contact Name: William Jackson
Contact Email: wtj@mail.usf.edu

The alliance mission is to build a visionary community around sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation in the Tampa Bay area. The alliance is supported by the new major within the College of Business - Entrepreneurship.

Bishop Center for Ethical Leadership
Business School Housing? No
Number of Faculty: 1
Contact Name: Stephen W. Ritch, Ph.D.
Contact Email: ritch@mail.usf.edu

Bishop Center Mission Statement

The Wally and Louise Bishop Center for Ethical Leadership promotes the study and practice of good leadership through interdisciplinary research, teaching and experiential learning across USF St. Petersburg’s curriculum. Th

Program for Social Responsibility and Corporate Reporting
Business School Housing? Yes
Number of Faculty: 2
Contact Name: Maling Ebrahimpour
Contact Email: bizdean@stpete.usf.edu

"Since 2003, the Social Responsibility and Corporate Reporting (SRCR) Program of Distinction at the College of Business (COB) at USF St. Petersburg has provided multidisciplinary study and outreach in areas of interest to the business and academic communities following the corporate scandals and frauds that touched so many in our society early in this decade. Built on a foundation of emphasizing ethical behavior, transparency, corporate social responsibility and effective corporate governance, the SRCR Program encourages scholarly research and study by faculty, students and the community across all business disciplines.

The SRCR Program is central to the mission of the COB and has become the primary theme for its graduate curriculum. Over the past three years, the COB has created six new required courses (each with a focus on SRCR concepts), as well as three new areas of concentration (each with several new courses including SRCR topics) for the MBA Program, and has encouraged faculty and students to develop SRCR themes in courses and research undertaken. In addition, the SRCR Program has also created and operated an Advisory Board of professionals and business leaders to provide guidance and direction and has organized several guest lectures and presentations on SRCR topics."

C-SPACE (Center for Science & Policy Applications for the Coastal Environment)
Business School Housing? No
Number of Faculty: 14
Contact Name: Melanie Riedinger-Whitmore
Contact Email: mariedin@mail.usf.edu

The Center for Science and Policy Applications for Coastal Environment (C-SPACE) was created in 2005 with funding from the National Center for Environmental Research of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Dr. Chris D'Elia and Dr. Jim Gore served as co-directors of the center until 2009. The current director of the center is Dr. Melanie Riedinger-Whitmore.

C-SPACE provides a framework for collaboration between USF St. Petersburg researchers and colleagues at the USF College of Marine Science, the Center for Coastal & Watershed Studies of the U.S. Geological Survey, the Southeast Fisheries Science Center of the National Marine Fisheries Service/NOAA, and the State’s Florida Wildlife Research Institute, all of which are located at USFSP.

The primary aim of this Center is to undertake research on problems affecting coastal areas, with an initial focus on Florida’s Gulf Coast. C-SPACE conducts interdisciplinary research within the following general areas:

1 the use, supply, and quality of freshwater;

2 the fate, effects, assessment and remediation of water-borne pollutants;

3 water quality and quantity driven changes in inland and coastal ecosystems;

4 and management and policy of coastal freshwater and marine ecosystems.

Center for Civic Engagement
Business School Housing? No
Number of Faculty: 7
Contact Name: Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan
Contact Email: civicengage@stpt.usf.edu

The mission of the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) is to make USF St. Petersburg distinctive in its commitment to civic and community engagement through the development of the "Citizen Scholar" program. The objective of the citizen scholar model is to combine academic instruction with implementation of concepts learned in the classroom into the local community. The local community is broadly defined to include business, educational, and social service agencies.

In 2011 the Center earned the Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Student Business Organization

The Student Business Organization (SBO) holds a variety of events throughout the year aimed at preparing students for success in the business world, with SBO events falling into three primary categories: (1) Professional Development, (2) Social, and (3) Community Service. The majority of the proceeds from this event are donated to the organization.

Beta Alpha Psi

The USFSP Mu Gamma Chapter of Beta Alpha Psi achieved "distinguished" status among all Beta Alpha Psi chapters worldwide as a direct result of the chapter's professional and community involvement. By hosting the ABC's of Florida Ethics CPE seminar, as well as participating in various forms of community service, students have the opportunity to give back to their community while developing professionally.

Bankruptcy Fraud and Bankruptcy Reform Act: Implications and Opportunities for CPAs
Author(s): Barker, K.; Stowell, N.

With bankruptcy filings on the rise, it is not surprising that bankruptcy fraud is also increasing. While the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees estimated that approximately ten percent of all bankruptcies contain some fraud, recent independent audits show that more than 25 percent of all audits contain some element of fraud. This paper presents a brief overview of the federal bankruptcy system and the most recent changes to bankruptcy law. Common bankruptcy fraud schemes are reviewed and the newly created Debtor Audit Program is discussed, which offers opportunities to independent CPA firms to participate in auditing bankruptcy filings. CPAs who understand how the bankruptcy law has changed and the basic elements and types of bankruptcy fraud schemes being perpetrated have an advantage in being able to guide clients through the bankruptcy process, to help them steer clear of common pitfalls, and to avoid being made a party to any fraudulent activities themselves. Additionally, the bankruptcy law changes provide opportunities for CPAs to become bankruptcy “experts” and in doing so to provide the best possible services for a variety of clients.

Journal Title: Journal of Forensic and Investigative Accounting Volume: 2, Issue 3 Edition: Special Edition 2010 Page Numbers: 75-94
Consumers on a Mission to Force a Change in Public Policy: A Qualitative Study of the Ongoing Canadian Seafood Boycott
Author(s): Braunsberger, K.; Buckler, R. B.

Netnography (i.e., the online equivalent of ethnography) was used to analyze consumer boycott pledges submitted to an online boycott petition that was designed to recruit consumer participation in the contentious Canadian Seafood Boycott. The purpose was to investigate what motivates consumers to pledge boycott participation as well as to provide a preliminary understanding of boycott pledgees’ psychographic makeup. The findings show that petition signatories are generally very angry about the Canadian Seal Hunt, pledge to boycott for a variety of objectives (instrumental, expressive, and punitive), abhor cruelty against animals, do not believe that it is acceptable to kill an animal for its fur, and worry about the environment in general. Many are very religious and quite a number believe that traditions that embrace animal cruelty need to be abolished. The findings further indicate that concern for animal welfare/rights has been moved into the mainstream.

Journal Title: Business and Society Review Volume: 114 Edition: 4 Page Numbers: 457-489
Ethics Content in Strategic Management Textbooks: A Longitudinal Examination
Author(s): Geiger, S.

The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence of ethics content in strategic management textbooks.  The importance of ethical behavior within organizations has been highlighted in the past by organizations such as Enron and WorldCom and more recently by British Petroleum and Toyota.  The data collected from two different editions of five strategic management texts suggests that ethical content coverage has improved greatly over the past eight years.  Implications for both authors and instructors are discussed. 

Journal Title: American Journal of Business Education Volume: 3(10) Edition: Page Numbers: 39-44 .   ISSN 1942-2504
Immigration Fraud: An Understanding and Clarification of the Problem and Proposed Solutions
Author(s): Lander, G.; Barker, K.; Michaud, K. (Non-USFSP)

There has been much discussion about illegal immigration and what to do about it. The problem is being discussed by the public and politicians, by mass media, and governmental officials. We will first discuss the administrative authorities that oversee immigration fraud and their current strategies to fight illegal immigration, as well as to uncover fraudulent actions in the course of the legal immigration process. Then we will define and talk about the types of immigration fraud, including asylum, document, and benefit fraud. We will then discuss the Government Accountability Office's and Citizen and Immigration Services Ombudsman assessments of the current immigration system as well as proposed legislation to reduce illegal immigration and other types of immigration frauds. Finally, we will conclude with our assessment of the current situation and possible solutions for the future of illegal immigration and fraud.

Journal Title: Journal of Business Issues Volume: 2008 Edition: 1 Page Numbers: 15-26
Minimum Wage Laws: The Role of Worker Efficiency
Author(s): Carter, T.

In the basic textbook view of labor markets, minimum wage laws lower employment. But higher wages may also raise worker productivity by raising worker morale, lowering turnover, and so on. So, both the firm's costs and benefits of hiring workers may rise with a minimum wage law. In this case, it is less clear if employment falls. This paper investigates the effect of the minimum wage on employment using a simple economic model. Results show that even when high wages raise worker productivity, a minimum wage law still almost surely lowers employment. Yet with increased productivity, economy-wide output could rise even as employment falls.

Journal Title: Business Journal for Entrepreneurs Volume: 2010 Edition: 3 Page Numbers: 59-71
Moral Philosophy and Managerial Perceptions of Ethics Codes: Evidence from Peru and the United States.
Author(s): Robertson, C. (Non-USFSP); Geiger, S.

This study examines the impact of cultural differences on managerial attitudes about moral philosophies.  The results suggest that both U.S. and Peruvian managers display low levels of egoism and high levels of utilitarianism.  However, U.S. managers had lower levels of egoism and higher levels of utilitarianism than their Peruvian counterparts.  In the U.S. egoist beliefs didn’t impact managerial views on what groups codes of ethics protect.  In Peru low levels of egoism were associated with the belief that codes exist to protect customers, the company, external parties, and employees.  In the US, utilitarian views were strongly associated with the view that codes of ethics exist to deter unethical behavior against the company and all three stakeholder groups examined.  In Peru this relationship held for all three stakeholder groups but not the company itself.   Overall, the findings of this study serve as an important extension to cross-cultural research examining Peru and provide important research and practical implications. 

Journal Title: Cross Cultural Management: an International Journal Volume: In Press Edition: Page Numbers: TBD
Sustainability Through High-Performance Teams: Comparative Study of Project Team Success
Author(s): McCuiston, V.

Teams are central to organizational success and teamwork critical to innovation (Bear, et al, 2006). Teams are used both for driving change and for generating direct business results. Companies with cultures that foster teamwork and collaboration are recognized globally as Most Admired Companies (Hay Group, Inc., 2005) In response to the importance and complexity of current teams, the researcher explored micro and macro success factors of 92 project team process-outcomes with single-function and cross-functional teams with recommendations for sustainability through high-performance teams.

Journal Title: European Journal of Management Volume: Volume 9 Edition: Number 1 Page Numbers: 146-152
The Fair Credit Reporting Act: Responsibilities of Auditors, Forensic Accountants, and Investigators
Author(s): Barker, K.

Employee fraud has increased in frequency and intensity during the past few years, leading employers to step up their use of background checks. These investigations provide opportunities for CPAs and forensic accounts, but they also present legal pitfalls if accountants are not familiar with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This article reviews the FCRA and provides advice to auditors and forensic accountants to avoid pitfalls of noncompliance.

Journal Title: The CPA Journal Volume: LXXX Edition: 12 Page Numbers:
The Moderating Effects of Technology on Career Success: Can Social Networks Shatter the Glass Ceiling?
Author(s): Smatt, C. (Non-USFSP); Fadil, P. (Non-USFSP); Segrest, S.L.

The purpose of this paper is to identify the barriers to career advancement and to investigate how technology may help to lift these barriers. Specifically, the authors look at the moderating effects of technology on network composition and career success and its impact on diversity in communication networks. This paper proposes the degree to which demographic variables predict career success. Technology is used to lift the barrier present for individuals dissimilar to those in the influential network. This facilitates participation and acceptance of individuals who would otherwise not communicate with individuals in the influential network.

Journal Title: The Journal of International Technology and Information Management Volume: 18 Edition: 3--4 Page Numbers: 409-426
What Motivates Consumers to Participate in Boycotts: Lessons from the Ongoing Canadian Seafood Boycott
Author(s): Braunsberger, K.; Buckler, R. B.

Despite the tremendous growth in consumer boycotts, marketing has paid relatively little attention to consumer boycott motivations. Addressing this deficiency, this study uses netnography to investigate boycott motivations and perceived boycott participation costs by analyzing consumer comments submitted to an online boycott petition. The results show that boycott pledgees explicitly express their desire for the target to abolish its egregious behavior, their anger about the behavior in question, and their desire for punitive actions. Signatories also pledge participation for moral reasons and identify with the cause reflected by the boycott. Boycott motivations also include the belief that consumers have the power to impact the boycott target's bottom line and/or behavior as well as the belief that the boycott will succeed in forcing the target to cease its egregious behavior. Signatories, however, rarely refer to the costs of boycott participation.

Journal Title: Journal of Business Research Volume: 64 Edition: 1 Page Numbers: 96-102