Robert Kozinets, director of MBA specialization in global retail management at York University’s Schulich School of Business, says none of the challenges experienced by Target so far have been out of line with what should reasonably be expected of a brand making its first foray into international territory – certainly not a powerhouse such as Target. “There are mistakes that were made, but to call mistakes a failure with an organization like this is a huge misappraisal of their innate ability to adapt, recognize issues and solve problems,” said Kozinets in Canadian Business July 28. Read full story.
Are bilinguals really smarter?
Up until the 1970s, most educators believed that learning two languages at once would confuse children and slow their cognitive growth. But science disagreed with these convictions, said York University psychology Professor Ellen Bialystok in Scienceline July 29. The advent of neuroimaging technology (specifically the CAT scan) in the 1970s granted scientists a new way to investigate how different brains process language. But the emerging evidence wasn’t the only reason bilinguals seemed smarter; Americans’ changing attitudes played a big part, Bialystok said. Read full story.
Rogers Cup tennis: Men’s, women’s semifinals, finals on CBC
Elliotte Friedman will host CBC’s coverage from the men’s tournament at York University in Toronto, with Bruce Rainnie handling play-by-play. Former world No. 5 Jimmy Arias will join him in the booth while David Amber will file reports on scene, reported CBC Sports July 28. Read full story.
Diamonds aren’t always a girl’s best friend: researcher
The popular adage of diamonds as a woman’s best friend is the subject of critique in an ongoing community research project that is seeking women’s experiences of diamond mining in the Northwest Territories, reported the Northern Journal July 28. York University PhD candidate Rebecca Hall is conducting interviews, community discussions and focus groups in Yellowknife and Behchoko over the summer for her political science dissertation with assistance from the Native Women’s Association of the NWT. Read full story.
Young and feeling the stress? UNITY can help
Mikey Prosserman, the 28-year-old Thornhill native whose stage name is B-boy Piecez, is founder and executive director of UNITY Charity, an organization that uses the arts of hip-hop culture to help youth positively express stress, reported the Jewish Tribune July 29…. The organization began as a project for his Grade 11 entrepreneurial class at Thornlea Secondary School in Thornhill. Prosserman brought the idea with him to York University, where he obtained a degree in administrative studies, and after graduating, expanded the project into a national charity. Read full story.
Entrepreneurs set to take on the world
A new generation of Jewish innovators and entrepreneurs are poised to make their mark on the business and not-for-profit sectors in Toronto and York Region. They were among the 13 innovators who recently pitched their business plans at the York Entrepreneurship Development Institute Venture Fair at York University’s Shulich School of Business, reported the Jewish Tribune July 29. Read full story.
Cities with the best and worst weather
“People’s mood is significantly affected by weather conditions,” said Schulich School of Business Professor Ming Dong in Wallet Hub July 21. “In a paper with my PhD student Andreanne Tremblay, ‘Does the Weather Influence Global Stock Returns?’ we study the effect of weather conditions on daily stock index returns around the globe. Our basic hypothesis is that ‘comfortable’ weather conditions would lift mood and promote optimism, which in turn would lead to stock buying.” Read full story.