Ourso Research
Innovative research that speaks directly to the enduring challenges and developing opportunities of our time.
The E. J. Ourso College of Business’s body of research strengthens the university’s priorities, generating impactful and timely knowledge that is applicable to local business communities and beyond.
Our world-class faculty represent a wide range of academic and subject-matter experts. We seek to elevate the college’s expertise and research presence locally and nationally by expanding our scholarly activity and ensuring our research is relevant to business leaders and policymakers.
Ourso Research News
Have you noticed fewer brick-and-mortar banks in your neighborhood recently? Following decades of consistent growth, the number of bank branches in the U.S. began declining in 2010. A new working paper with the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) by Rajesh Narayanan, professor in the LSU Department of Finance, suggests this trend is due to technology making customers more powerful and less loyal, dramatically impacting profits.
In 1949, the number of high school graduates in the state of Louisiana dropped by nearly 71% for just a single year. The reason for the sudden blip? Louisiana primary schools transitioning from an 11-year to a 12-year education program. This historical oddity sparked the curiosity of two faculty members from the LSU Department of Economics, Scott Abrahams and Maria Paola Ugalde Araya, who set out together to analyze its outcomes in a new paper.
When you think of your colleagues balancing responsibilities outside of work, what comes to mind? Most might imagine a conventional nuclear parenting situation, however, millions of employees across the workforce are taking on caregiving roles that fall outside traditional definitions. This often-overlooked segment is the focus of new research published in the Journal of Management by Michael Johnson, professor in the LSU Rucks Department of Management.
The Louisiana Economy Forecasting Model, maintained by the Department of Economics, provides economic forecasts for Louisiana and the state’s nine metropolitan areas for the current quarter and three quarters ahead. The forecasts for the second quarter of 2025 through the first quarter of 2026 suggest continuing slow growth in state economic activity and slow employment growth in all but two metro areas.
The LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business recently hosted "AI in Action: Leading in Louisiana Industries," a symposium exploring the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) across key sectors of the Louisiana economy. This event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, academics, and entrepreneurs to discuss the opportunities, challenges, and ethical considerations of integrating AI into Louisiana's future.
The Louisiana Economy Forecasting Model, maintained by the Department of Economics, provides economic forecasts for Louisiana and the state’s nine metropolitan areas for the current quarter and three quarters ahead. The forecasts for the first quarter of 2025 through the fourth quarter of 2025 suggest continuing slow growth in state economic activity and slow employment growth in all but four metro areas.
The E. J. Ourso College of Business is an innovative hub for research activity.
Our faculty are published in top-tier journals and are frequently quoted in major news outlets. We leverage the college’s collective research expertise to develop content that supports the university’s strategic priorities and is valuable and relevant to business leaders and policymakers.
Our goal is to advance the interests of the state of Louisiana by serving as a center of expertise for business, community, and policymakers on matters related to economic growth, innovation, and sustainability.
Explore select publications from each of our academic disciplines.
Accounting Economics ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Finance Information Systems & Decision Sciences Management
Marketing Public Administration
Ourso Research Seminar Series
Our academic departments host a wide range of esteemed scholars to present and discuss research findings in their respective fields. Our various Research Seminar Series provide students, faculty, and professionals with thought leadership and unique perspectives to broaden their knowledge, skills, and networks.
Ourso Journal Editors
E. J. Ourso College of Business faculty serve as editors of a wide range of academic journals. Our journal editors are successful, respected scholars who drive innovation and provide critical thought leadership to premier peer-reviewed publications.
Ourso Knowledge Centers & Institutes
Our research centers and institutes serve as headquarters for innovative research. These units make a positive difference in business policy and practice and serve as scholarly thought leaders to business and governmental organizations. Collectively, we are producing critical economic forecasting, training future entrepreneurs and sales leaders, and developing software that revolutionize entire industries, to name a few. Explore the important work of our centers and institutes.
Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety
The Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety (CARTS) is responsible for collecting, maintaining, integrating, analyzing, and distributing crash-related data captured from law enforcement and other agencies throughout the state of Louisiana. CARTS utilizes this data to develop business intelligence (BI) and GIS tools, perform research studies, and produce an annual factbook. These tools and publications are used by decision-makers to identify potential problem areas, create countermeasures, set policies, and establish programs to improve the safety of our roadways in Louisiana.
Center for Internal Auditing & Cybersecurity Risk Management
The LSU Center for Internal Auditing & Cybersecurity Risk Management is considered the premier internal auditing program in the world. This innovative center offers programs for students and industry professionals to develop a philosophical and functional understanding of internal auditing, compliance, and risk management at an enterprise scale.
Center for Economics, Business, & Policy Research
The Center for Economics, Business, and Policy Research conducts applied business, economics, and public affairs research. Our mission is to provide relevant, timely research and insights that inform decision-making, shape policy, and advance the fields of business, economics, and public affairs, ultimately improving the overall health and well-being of the state of Louisiana and its residents.
Professional Sales Institute
The Professional Sales Institute is a partnership between LSU and industry, dedicated to discovering and disseminating sales knowledge and developing professional sales leaders. PSI is committed to conducting cutting-edge scientific analysis on the sales profession and providing insights on state-of-the-art methods to build and maintain a competitive edge in the sales force.
Real Estate Research Institute
The Real Estate Research Institute studies trends in the Louisiana real estate market
to benefit growth and development throughout the state. RERI is often recognized for
publications in premier U.S. real estate journals.
Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute
The Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute offers several programs for students and the community designed to promote innovative approaches to identifying needs and solving problems through an entrepreneurial view of opportunity, recognition, and realization.
The constant pursuit of discovery at LSU.
Central Hub for Research at LSU
The LSU Office of Research and Economic Development is a centralized administrative unit facilitating the scholarly and research enterprise of the university faculty. ORED also enhances the undergraduate and graduate student learning experience through research.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
The E. J. Ourso College of Business encourages undergraduate student research efforts through the LSU Discover Undergraduate Research Program. We support student participation with faculty mentors, resources, and funding. Explore the LSU Discover Program to learn about becoming a researcher at LSU.