In Chapter 1, I investigate trading volume before scheduled and unscheduled corporate announcements to explore how traders respond to private information. I show that cumulative trading volume decreases by more than 15% prior to scheduled announcements. The decline in trading volume is largest...

This thesis consists of three chapters, each with implications on information and trading patterns in financial markets. Chapter 1: In most financial markets, dealers are given trading advantages meant to encourage liquidity provision. However, it is unclear if these advantages truly induce such...

This thesis consists of five related essays which explore new approaches to help design successful and profitable new products. The primary focus is the front end of the process where the product development team is seeking improved input from customers and improved ideas for developing products...

This thesis explores the changes occurring in the software industry and the strategic implications thereof. The software industry has historically benefited from the rapid introduction of new platforms and applications, an increasing user base and nearly contiguous cycles of growth. However,...

Wide-spread usage of peer-to-peer file-sharing began in the late 1990's with Napster-a network that allowed users to share digital music without going through legal channels to purchase the copyrighted material. Since Napster debuted, over forty file-sharing applications that allow users to...

Modem capitalist societies depend on entrepreneurship for their progress. Entrepreneurs seek profits by introducing new goods, services, and technologies and, in doing so, they advance the economic welfare of society. To maintain and further entrepreneurial activities, each society requires a...

This thesis is based on the premise that small nations face unique challenges in the quest for economic prosperity. They have a small domestic economy and are more dependent than larger economies on international trade. Smallness typically entails a lack of breadth and depth in the national...

Although Japan had fallen far behind the United States in the extent and sophistication of its IP technology and information/communication industry, today it is beginning to catch up. By May 2003, the number of broadband Internet users in Japan exceeded 10 million, and the shift from narrowband...

Global business management has become one of the most important issues facing companies today, and global economic dynamics provide companies with both tremendous opportunities and formidable challenges. Countries are increasingly tied to each other through deregulation and liberalization for...

Over the last few decades, we have seen an enormous evolution in the financial services industry driven by technology innovations. Indeed, we cannot imagine the current financial system without electronic fund transfers, ATMs, and Internet banking among many other innovative implementations. In...