Research Methodologies and Integrity in Business
Dr. Gerard Lobo from the University of Houston shares his insights with our faculty and students.
Gerald Lobo(Phd), professor and Arthur Andersen chair in accounting at the C.T. Bauer College of Business, University of Houston, was in Beirut for two days to offer two constructive workshops at the School – a research-related workshop for faculty members and a presentation to students revolving around integrity in business and data reporting.
Lobo holds a PhD in Accounting and a Master in Business Administration, and has served as professor, chair of the Accounting Department and director of the George E. Bennett Research Center at Syracuse University. He is also a visiting professor in many well-known universities in the US and has well over 50 articles in preeminent journals, with research interests centered upon financial reporting, earnings management and international accounting, among others. He has received several awards, one of which is the LeRoy and Lucille Melcher Faculty Excellence in Research Award from the C.T. Bauer College of Business.
During his research-related workshop, on Monday, February 29, 2016, Lobo began with an overview explaining to faculty members the fundamentals and building blocks of research. “What is research? he asked, adding “there are many definitions for it, but one way is seeing it as developing a test; theories about how the world works or about a particular part of the world in which we are interested. It is also about challenging existing theories, by refuting them and reaching alternatives.”
Lobo also shed light on the purpose of research, stressing upon the importance of determining subjects that would be of interest to the international research community and that would also add value to the respective business area. He elaborated on how to go about selecting a certain subject, developing a theory, gathering relevant data and using a methodology of observation. On the following day, Tuesday, March 1, Lobo gave a presentation to our students about the importance of integrity in business and data reporting, sharing with them a set of related qualities and skills that would be applicable in all aspects of their careers and across all of their chosen business areas, not exclusively in accounting. He pinpointed the reasons why Integrity in business, especially in ensuring data quality, is crucial for success, as well as for one’s professional career and reputation. Following certain guidelines would ensure report integrity and accuracy, which would ultimately lead to proper and strategic decision making.