Back to All ProfilesPlay Video
Sure, companies that contribute to political campaigns enjoy better access to politicians. But do their bottom lines actually benefit? It's a question that has intrigued scholars and political observers alike.
With two colleagues, Professor Alexei Ovtchinnikov provided some of the first hard evidence on the subject. His conclusion: There's a direct correlation between contributions and profits and positive stock returns. He also found that firms in certain industries-those that are heavily regulated or sell products and services to government—are more likely to make campaign donations. Documenting exactly how these contributions generate value, as through more favorable regulations, is Alexei's next area of focus.
When he chose to come to Vanderbilt from Virginia Tech, he knew about Owen's reputation for excellence in Finance, and about the close interaction between students and faculty. What pleasantly surprised him, he says, is the energy. "I didn't expect the environment to be this dynamic."
He's already contributing to that dynamism with a new course on Ethics and Finance. To his knowledge, there's nothing like it at other top MBA programs. Here, he says, "we're able to translate innovative ideas into the classroom. Our students really benefit."
Alexei Ovtchinnikov
Assistant Professor of Management (Finance)Making a Contribution
Ovtchinnikov Translates Pioneering Research into Classroom KnowledgeSure, companies that contribute to political campaigns enjoy better access to politicians. But do their bottom lines actually benefit? It's a question that has intrigued scholars and political observers alike.
With two colleagues, Professor Alexei Ovtchinnikov provided some of the first hard evidence on the subject. His conclusion: There's a direct correlation between contributions and profits and positive stock returns. He also found that firms in certain industries-those that are heavily regulated or sell products and services to government—are more likely to make campaign donations. Documenting exactly how these contributions generate value, as through more favorable regulations, is Alexei's next area of focus.
When he chose to come to Vanderbilt from Virginia Tech, he knew about Owen's reputation for excellence in Finance, and about the close interaction between students and faculty. What pleasantly surprised him, he says, is the energy. "I didn't expect the environment to be this dynamic."
He's already contributing to that dynamism with a new course on Ethics and Finance. To his knowledge, there's nothing like it at other top MBA programs. Here, he says, "we're able to translate innovative ideas into the classroom. Our students really benefit."
