University of Illinois Springfield MBA Program

Stock repurchases (firms buying back their own stocks) can create value for shareholders, but they may also carry unintended strategic costs. A new research study co-authored by Yuan Wen, Assistant Professor in the College of Business and Management at the University of Illinois Springfield, highlights an important trade-off: firms that prioritize stock buybacks may inadvertently weaken their marketing capabilities, which can ultimately hurt long-term firm performance. The effect appears even more pronounced in highly competitive markets, where strong marketing capabilities are essential for sustaining competitive advantage.

For managers, the message is clear: financial decisions should not come at the expense of investments that build customer relationships, brand equity, and market capabilities. Sustainable performance requires balancing short-term financial objectives with long-term strategic investments.

This study published in reputed European Journal of Marketing, and you can access the full paper here: https://www.emerald.com/ejm/article-abstract/58/10/2358/1230579/The-dark-side-of-stock-repurchases-do-they-affect?redirectedFrom=fulltext

Behind every successful graduate is a community that believed in them. We're proud to celebrate Zachary Hoyle, MBA '25, whose experience reflects what makes the UIS MBA special—faculty who invest in their students, bring real-world expertise into the classroom, and help build professional connections that last a lifetime.

Congratulations, Zachary, on your continued success!

We proudly celebrate the remarkable achievements of faculty members whose dedication and innovation continue to elevate student learning and success!

We’re proud to recognize faculty members making a lasting impact through their dedication and innovation:

Shipra Gupta – Pearson Faculty Award
Honored for engaging, well-structured teaching that connects classroom concepts to real-world applications through hands-on learning experiences.

Minh Tam “Tammy” Schlosky – Faculty Engagement Award
Recognized for her dynamic approach to experiential learning, creating meaningful opportunities that link students with professional growth and industry connections.

Nathan Steele – Burks Oakley II Distinguished Online Teaching Award
Awarded for thoughtfully designed online courses that balance structure and flexibility while helping students apply learning to their careers and communities.

Please join us in congratulating these exceptional educators!

Congratulations! We are thankful for everything our faculty and staff do for our college!

A recent research study co-authored by Md Rasel Al Mamun, Assistant Professor in the College of Business and Management at the University of Illinois Springfield, explores what motivates users to continue using conversational AI tools such as chatbots and virtual assistants. The findings, published in the Journal AIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction, reveal that users remain engaged with conversational AI not only because it helps them accomplish tasks effectively and efficiently (functional value), but also because they develop a sense of emotional connection and attachment to these technologies (emotional value).

For businesses developing or implementing conversational AI, this study suggests that long-term adoption of such tools depends primarily on delivering reliable, valuable, and high-performing AI experiences while also creating interactions that foster trust, comfort, and a positive emotional connection with users.

You can access the paper here: https://aisel.aisnet.org/thci/vol17/iss1/1/

A new research study co-authored by Siddharth K. Upadhyay, Assistant Professor in the College of Business and Management at the University of Illinois Springfield, reveals that employees with disabilities perform just as well as their peers—yet still face lower pay and higher levels of perceived discrimination in organizations. The findings challenge long-held workplace assumptions and spotlight urgent gaps in workplace accessibility and inclusion.

The study, published in the Journal of Vocational Behavior, investigates how employees with and without disabilities differ in their workplace experiences, examining factors such as job demands, performance, workplace support, psychological well-being, and economic outcomes. For more details: https://www.uis.edu/news/uis-research-finds-employees-disabilities-perform-comparably-peers-face-pay-gaps

You can access the paper here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001879125001241

We are proud of Dr. Sharma and all of his efforts to help the initiative succeed!

UIS professor fosters global partnerships in Mexico Sudeep Sharma, associate professor of management in the University of Illinois Springfield College of Business and Management, recently traveled to Mexico as part of the University of Illinois System's I-MMÁS: Mexican and Mexican American Students Initiative. Through the initiative, Sharma was sele...

This is a great opportunity for students to learn more about our Bloomberg terminals and get a hands-on experience using real-time market data!

CBM is hosting a workshop this Thursday, May 21st, in the Sean & Taryn Grant / Landmark Auto Trading Lab (UHB 4021) on how to operate the Bloomberg terminals. Stop by from 10am-12pm to get the chance to explore real-time market data! Please rsvp to guarantee a spot.