Research@Ourso: Collaboration Drives Discovery and Wins

A cooperative spirit is driving award-winning research at the Ourso College, where recent projects co-authored by faculty and doctoral students together have earned top honors at major international academic conferences. These successes span diverse departments, highlighting how bringing different perspectives to complex challenges yields powerful results. This team-based manner of research defines the Ourso doctoral experience, giving PhD students the opportunity to make meaningful scholarly contributions even before graduation.

 

A Glimpse into the Research

Consider the work of LSU Department of Finance professor Wei-Ling Song, alongside current LSU Department of Accounting PhD student Chi Lam and recent PhD alumna Wanying Jiang (University of Texas - Permian Basin). Their paper, “Inefficient Lease Usage: Evidence from Institutional Investor Responses to ASC 842,” won the Best Paper Award at the 2025 Asian Finance Conference. The study examined real-world effects of a major accounting rule change (ASC 842) which brought operating leases onto company balance sheets, discovering compelling evidence that the change successfully discouraged improper financing practices.

"Working cross-departmentally is especially rewarding because I learn a lot from the students ... after all, the business world is an integrated system that naturally has many important problems that require this type of collaboration.”

– Professor Wei-Ling Song

Similarly, Joseph J. Cabral, assistant professor in the Stephenson Department of Entrepreneurship & Information Systems, and PhD student Mariza Gabriela L. Mesquita earned the Best Paper Award at the prestigious Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference (BCERC). Their paper, “The Role of Proximity and Political Ideology as External Enablers of Social Entrepreneurship,” explored what drives the creation of social ventures – businesses dedicated to solving pressing social or environmental problems. Their findings revealed an interesting connection: entrepreneurs are more likely to start these ventures when they're geographically close to the root causes of a problem, rather than just its immediate symptoms. Cabral and Mesquita’s collaboration was partially supported by the Ourso Professorship of Entrepreneurial Studies.

Cabral emphasized the process: “We met weekly during the summer and at each meeting [Mariza] came prepared with thought-provoking questions and ideas on how to overcome hurdles we were facing. I was impressed by her professionalism, discipline and intellectual curiosity.”

"Under Dr. Cabral’s guidance and encouragement to pursue high-impact research questions, I developed the initial idea during my first summer paper and shaped it into a rigorous study … this experience reflects the research-driven mindset and collaborative culture that defines the Stephenson Department of Entrepreneurship & Information Systems and the Ourso College."

– Mariza Gabriela L. Mesquita

 

Building a Collaborative Culture

While the research topics are distinct, a common thread is the powerful synergy between experienced faculty and emerging doctoral scholars. This model of co-authorship is a cornerstone of the Ourso College’s doctoral programs, designed to provide students with invaluable mentorship and hands-on research experience.

Song noted the reciprocal benefits: “Mentoring PhD students is one of the most rewarding experiences as a professor … it is a fulfilling process to pass on research skills to the younger generation and to observe the growth of PhD students.”

For doctoral students, working alongside established researchers offers an unparalleled opportunity to navigate the complexities of academic publishing, build professional networks, and contribute meaningfully to their fields often well before graduation. Mariza’s experience illustrated this: “Presenting [our work] at BCERC…and later receiving the Award for Excellence in Research on Social Entrepreneurship made the journey even more special.”

I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from [Professor Song] and experience the rigorous process of developing a high-quality paper aimed at a top-tier journal ... these collaborations have further strengthened my research skills and broadened my understanding across different areas of accounting and finance.

– Chi Lam

The success of these research teams is a testament to the strength of LSU’s Scholarship First Agenda and its commitment to fostering the next generation of academic and industry leaders. By pairing seasoned researchers with emerging scholars, the Ourso College is not only producing innovative research but also cultivating a culture of shared discovery that drives progress across disciplines.

 

Learn More

Want to dive deeper into the research topics? Read more about each study here:

Inefficient Lease Usage: Evidence from Institutional Investor Responses to ASC 842

The Role of Proximity and Political Ideology as External Enablers of Social Entrepreneurship