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New iPhone X Announcement Sparks Talk of Smartphone Use and Addiction - Baylor Experts Can Weigh In
James A. Roberts, Ph.D., The Ben H. Williams Professor of Marketing, and Meredith David, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing, in Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business, actively research the effects of smartphones on consumers. Their findings regarding "phubbing" -- phone snubbing -- and how that practice can damage relationship and lead to depression have garnered national and international attention. Building on their "phubbing" research and the damage it does to relationship, they more recently found that the circle nearly completes itself as the offended parties frequently jump online to find affirmation in the likes and shares and positive comments of social media. “Although the stated purpose of technology like smartphones is to help us connect with others, in this particular instance, it does not,” David said. “Ironically, the very technology that was designed to bring humans closer together has isolated us from these very same people.” Roberts authored the book “Too Much of a Good Thing: Are You Addicted to Your Smartphone?” Source:
Trump would struggle as business executive
Goizueta's Rick Gilkey told the AJC President Donald Trump would likely struggle with a traditional executive role in the Fortune 500. “The chaos to creation ratio is way off,” he said. Gilkey can speak in detail on many leadership challenges. Source:
This column by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Matt Kempner quotes business expert Peter Klein, Ph.D., professor of entrepreneurship in Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business and Senior Research Fellow with Baylor's Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise. Kempner asked several business and management professors to discuss President Trump’s management style. Klein said Trump's "style and manner is the dramatic departure from predecessors, not so much his policy." And regarding the differences in government versus business? “I understand the wish to make agencies more efficient,” Klein said. “But at the end of the day, government organizations are not like businesses.” ABOUT PETER KLEIN Peter G. Klein is Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Hankamer School of Business, Baylor University, and Senior Research Fellow with Baylor's Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise. His research focuses on the links between entrepreneurship, strategy, and organization, with application to innovation, diversification, vertical coordination, health care, and public policy. Source:
On July 18, 2017 the federal government announced proposed tax changes which will have a significant impact on business owners. The main premise of the proposed changes is that the government feels it is unfair that an employed person with a T4 cannot do the same tax planning as a business owner; the proposed changes will limit what a business owner can do to save or defer tax. Here is a list of the areas that are impacted from the proposed changes for business owners: income splitting, capital gains exemption, pipeline planning, and the investment of retained earnings. These proposed rule changes are far reaching and will have a significant impact on small business owners/entrepreneurs, the very people often recognized for driving the economy and employment. The government has requested commentary from all stakeholders, but the consultation period is short – comments must be received by October 2, 2017. Don Scott, FCPA, FCA is a Partner and the Director of Tax Services at Welch LLP in Ottawa and is an expert in the fields of business, corporate taxation and finance. He is an excellent speaker and is available to speak with media regarding this important topic. Simply click on Don’s icon to arrange an interview. Source:
Signed Off - Bass Pro Finally Reels in a Deal
Earlier this week, federal regulators finally signed off on the approval for Bass Pro to acquire rival Cabela’s for a projected $4 billion dollars. The deal includes Cabela’s retail and online properties, as well as the lucrative credit card unit that is part of the chain. Cabela’s shareholders are expected to vote July 11 on whether to accept the privately held Bass Pro’s offer of $61.50 per share. So, what will this mean for Cabela’s 82 locations and Bass Pro’s 95 retail stores? With Bass Pro’s one major rival acquired, how will it affect prices, competition and loyal customers? As well, with any acquisition or merger, there will be duplication. What can Bass Pro employees in Missouri or the 2,000 Cabela’s staff in Nebraska expect? There are many questions to be answered. This is where Missouri State University experts can help. Dr. Jeff Jones is an Assistant Professor in Finance and General Business at Missouri State. An expert in corporate finance, Dr. Jones has spoken with media previously regarding this developing business story. Simply click on his icon to arrange an interview. Source:
People who are phone snubbed – or “phubbed” – by others are, themselves, often turning to their smartphones and social media to find acceptance, according to new research from Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business. Building on their earlier study that phubbing can damage relationships and lead to depression, researchers Meredith David, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing, and James A. Roberts, Ph.D., The Ben H. Williams Professor of Marketing, have found that the circle nearly completes itself as the offended parties frequently jump online to find affirmation in the likes and shares and positive comments of social media. Their study, “Phubbed and Alone: Phone Snubbing, Social Exclusion, and Attachment to Social Media,” is published in the Journal of the Association for Consumer Research. The research investigates the relationship between phubbing, social media attachment, depression, anxiety and stress. “When an individual is phubbed, he/she feels socially excluded, which leads to an increased need for attention. Instead of turning to face-to-face interaction to restore a sense of inclusion, study participants turned to social media to regain a sense of belonging,” said David, lead author of the study. “Being phubbed was also found to undermine an individual’s psychological well-being. Phubbed individuals reported higher levels of stress and depression.” “We’re looking online for what we’re not getting offline,” Roberts said. “It’s a vicious cycle.” As part of their research, David and Roberts surveyed more than 330 people across two studies. They found: * Nearly half of those who were phubbed reported spending more than 1.5 hours on their phone each day. In addition, one-quarter of those phubbed reported spending more than 90 minutes per day on social media sites. * More than one-third of phubbed individuals indicated that they turn to social media to interact with new people. * More than half of individuals who said they were phubbed indicated that social media enhances their life and makes their life better. The majority reported that people’s comments on their social media posts makes them feel affirmed and more accepted. “Although the stated purpose of technology like smartphones is to help us connect with others, in this particular instance, it does not,” David said. “Ironically, the very technology that was designed to bring humans closer together has isolated us from these very same people.” Source:
When Your Spouse Calls and Interrupts Your Workday, Is That a Good Thing?
Consider these scenarios. You’re focused on an important project at work and your phone rings. It’s your spouse. You’ve just finished dinner with your family and you’re cleaning up the table. Your phone buzzes. An email from your boss. Are these interruptions of your work and family time harmful or helpful? Yes and no, according to a new Journal of Management study spearheaded by work-life balance expert Emily Hunter, Ph.D., associate professor of management in Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business. “Our results demonstrate that the effect of interruptions in the work and home domains are twofold: On one hand, they may lead to unwelcome consequences, including obstruction of goals, negative affect, decreased satisfaction with investment in work and family and work-family conflict,” researchers wrote. “On the other, greater integration of work and family may afford workers increased positive affect, as these interruptions help them meet certain work or family goals.” Hunter said technology is blurring the boundaries between work and family, and this can have daily consequences on workers. “When you give to one domain, you must take from the other. There are only so many hours in the day,” Hunter said. “Interruptions from family ‘take’ from work in the form of work goal obstructions, negative emotions and lower satisfaction with investment in work.” When work invades family time, employees can use that to their advantage as well, Hunter said. “Workers who work from home in off-job hours can also benefit from managing co-worker expectations about availability after hours, setting aside time after children go to bed to accomplish work tasks with minimal obstruction to their family role and setting limits on hours of smartphone use for work purposes,” she said. Source:
Are you one of the Canadians most likely to get a tax audit this year?
Every year, Canadian taxpayers fear the worst - a notice from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) informing you that you’re going to be audited. You should always prepare and file your income tax return under the assumption that your return will be looked at and scrutinized. The reality is, there very few are actually checked by the CRA - but that does not do you any good if you are the one. Apart from a random selection process there are many reasons why your return might be pulled for review or audit. If this is the case, the best advice we offer is to get your accountant involved immediately. Far too often our clients will start the process alone, answering a few questions that they think are simple and straightforward only to find they have simply provided the auditor with reasons to further pursue his or her review of your taxes. This is not to suggest that the questions are misleading. We are simply pointing out that you might not be aware of the implications of your answers and you can do yourself a disservice by providing an answer that simply leads to more questions. If you have prepared your return yourself go over it with a professional as soon as you receive your letter from CRA and let that individual deal with the CRA representative going forward. If you used a professional to prepare your return - get them involved immediately. Michael Burch is a managing partner at Welch LLP in Ottawa and is an expert in the fields of business, corporate/personal taxation and finance. He is an excellent speaker and is available to talk with media regarding this important topic. Simply click on Michael’s icon to arrange an interview. Source:
Baylor Smartphone Addiction Expert Featured in The New York Times
James Roberts, Ph.D., The Ben H. Williams Professor of Marketing in Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business, is a featured expert in this story about society’s “love” for smartphones. “A key to a healthy relationship is being present,” said Roberts, who authored the book “Too Much of a Good Thing: Are You Addicted to Your Smartphone?” The article also cites research conducted by Roberts and Meredith David, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing, which found that “phubbing” – phone snubbing – can damage relationships and lead to depression. Source: