UCR School of Business

08/27/2026

How can introducing a new type of financial security expand a market, rather than divide it?

New research co-authored by School of Business Professor of Finance Jean Helwege explores that question through the growth of Islamic bonds (known locally as “sukuk") in Malaysia, which introduced them in the 1990s.

The study, published in the Journal of Financial Economics, found that sukuk attracted investors who otherwise would not invest in conventional, interest-bearing bonds. Rather than replacing conventional bonds, Islamic bonds helped expand the overall amount of financing available to businesses.

“It was a popular product,” Helwege says. “The conventional bonds didn't disappear. There was simply more financing available overall.”



Read the full story:

Published in the Journal of Financial Economics, the study examined two decades of activity in Malaysia's corporate bond market after the country introduced Shariah-compliant bonds in 1997.

07/30/2026

From California to China! ✈️🌏

Earlier this month, twenty-two UCR School of Business students participated in an AI-Tech Immersion Program at South China Normal University (SCNU) in Foshan and Guangzhou, China.

Students participated in lectures on artificial intelligence, visited advanced manufacturing and robotics facilities, and collaborated on projects with students from China, New Zealand, and Scotland, while gaining a better understanding of emerging technologies and international business.

Experiences like these strengthen student’s cross-cultural collaboration, broaden global perspectives, and prepare them to lead in an increasingly interconnected world.

Read more: https://business.ucr.edu/blog/2026/07/27/ucr-business-students-immerse-themselves-chinas-ai-revolution



Image description:
1: Group photo of students and faculty seated and standing in front of a banner for the Foshan AI-Tech Immersion Program.
2: Students in white t-shirts posing together inside a spacious industrial facility with machinery in the background.
3: Large group of students and faculty posing on stage at the Closing Certificate Ceremony holding certificates and signs.

07/24/2026

Inside the Innovation Oven 💡

In May, more than 40 students from UC Riverside, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, and Cal State Fullerton came together for DesignVerse 2026, a 24-hour designathon hosted by Design at UCR, a student-led design organization. Working across disciplines from business to engineering, teams conducted user research, built prototypes, and pitched their solutions to industry professionals.

The competition recognized winners across five main DesignVerse categories:
-Slice of Insight (User Research): Batch
-Cookie Cutter Challenge (Prototyping): Ethocal
-Framaccino (Best Use of Framer): Yap.
-The Perfect Blend (User Interface Design): MoodBrew
-Pudding Success On (Innovative Product Ideas): TerraPulse

"Because UCR does not have a formal design major, the designathon gives students a space to explore their creative side and find opportunities to grow," shared co-chair and business administration alumna Kaitlin Ching.

Congratulations to all of this year’s participants and award winners for an inspiring weekend of innovation, teamwork, and design thinking!

Read more: https://business.ucr.edu/blog/2026/07/13/inside-innovation-oven



Image/Video description:
1: A group of students stands in front of a DesignVerse 2026 banner, with two students holding flower bouquets.
2: Group photo of students and faculty at the 2026 Design Verse event in a classroom setting.

07/17/2026

The World Cup is better together! 🏆⚽

Some of our faculty and staff came together for a World Cup Watch Party filled with great company and plenty of excitement.

Which team are you cheering for this weekend? 🌎

07/17/2026

Fifteen Years of Excellence 🏆

This year, UCR School of Business MBA teams earned Best Overall Performance in both of their competitive worlds at the 2026 International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition (ICBSC), one of the nation's premier business simulation competitions.

Over several months, students assumed executive leadership roles, making strategic decisions across marketing, operations, finance, human resources, and sales while competing against universities from around the country.

One team earned Second Place in Business Documents and Second Place in Board Presentation.

Congratulations to our MBA students and faculty advisor Dr. Sean Jasso on this remarkable achievement!

Read more: https://business.ucr.edu/blog/2026/06/15/fifteen-years-excellence-ucr-business-mba-teams-capture-top-honors-2026

07/16/2026

Calling all UCR alumni!

Join your fellow Highlanders for a summer afternoon in Burbank this Saturday, July 18, at 3:00pm. This is a great opportunity to expand your professional network, reconnect with old classmates, or welcome recent graduates to the LA area.

The UCR Los Angeles Alumni Network has reserved the lounge area at Brews Brothers Brewpub just for UCR alumni, and we hope to see you there!

Register here: https://myadv.ucr.edu/forms/la_summer2026

07/09/2026

How can businesses understand consumer preferences before a purchase is made?

New research from Professor of Marketing Hai Che demonstrates how online consumer behaviors can be transformed into actionable competitive intelligence. “Sales data tell us what people bought, but not what they were thinking before they bought it,” Che said.

The study focused specifically on the rapidly growing Chinese market for electric and hybrid vehicles, where consumers routinely discuss automobiles on a large third-party online forum called Auto Home. Researchers analyzed how consumers saved vehicles to favorites lists, commented on specific models, and discussed product features in online conversations.

His findings, published in Production and Operations Management, offer valuable implications for manufacturers, marketers, and researchers seeking deeper insight into consumer decision-making.



Read more: https://business.ucr.edu/news/2026/06/23/what-consumers-think-they-buy

Image description: A woman browsing a website with clean energy vehicles on a laptop and smartphone with detailed car models and statistics.

07/07/2026

Ready to take the next step toward an MBA or graduate program?

Join us tomorrow, July 8, from 2:00–4:00 pm at the School of Business Building for Level Up: Decision in a Day Summer Edition.

Explore our MBA, MFin, MSBA, and MPAc programs and learn how they connect to in-demand career opportunities. Attendees will receive personalized guidance from admissions advisors, one-on-one support with the application process, and an overview of the career resources available to UCR students, including coaching, networking opportunities, and employer connections.

Plus, eligible attendees may receive a preliminary admissions offer on the spot!

Whether you're looking to advance your career or deepen your expertise, let us help you move your journey forward with confidence.

Register today: https://ucrbusiness.my.salesforce-sites.com/events #/esr?eid=a1Ga600000io8ylEAA

Image description: Four young professionals in business attire engaging in a lively outdoor conversation on a sunny day.

07/03/2026

This Fourth of July marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As we commemorate this historic milestone, we celebrate the freedoms that bring us together and the opportunities that inspire us to make a difference.

Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday weekend, Highlanders! 🇺🇸



Image description: An American flag waving on a pole above green trees with a mountainous backdrop under a clear sky.

07/02/2026

A strong credit history can have a lasting impact on an individual’s financial opportunities, influencing everything from a mortgage approval to the interest rates borrowers pay.

UCR School of Business Professor of Finance Jean Helwege recently shared expert insights with WalletHub on the importance of building credit responsibly and maintaining healthy financial habits.

“This might not matter much early in life, but if you are looking to buy a condo or a house, or a new car, a good credit score can make a huge difference in the amount of interest you pay,” Helwege writes.

Read her full insights here: https://business.ucr.edu/blog/2026/06/10/expert-opinion-best-credit-cards-build-credit



Image description: Jean Helwege with two students walking outdoors in business attire, engaged in conversation on a sunny day with a tree in the background.