Heading: Michigan Ross-Financial Times Poll Impact on Student Investors and Classroom Discussions
Michigan Ross and The Financial Times have teamed up to conduct a monthly poll tracking American voters’ perceptions of financial and economic issues leading up to the 2024 US presidential election. Professor Erik Gordon, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, is leading the discourse.
Gordon and a group of five Ross professors developed questions for the monthly poll, which surveys 1,000 registered voters each month. The poll covers topics such as housing affordability, perceptions of big technology companies, and the electric car market. The findings from the poll are being used in Gordon’s MBA courses to provide real-world data on business problems for students.
One significant finding from the poll was that voters are disenchanted with technology companies, with 57% believing they have too much power and influence. This data sparked discussions in Gordon’s classes about potential antitrust regulations and the impact on students’ careers, particularly those considering jobs at early-stage technology companies.
The poll data is also being used by the Wolverine Venture Fund, a student-run venture fund advised by Gordon. The fund used the poll data to make investment decisions, such as reconsidering an investment in an electric vehicle company after finding that only 39% of voters were willing to consider purchasing an electric vehicle.
Other Ross professors, such as Sarah Miller and Marcus Collins, are also using the poll data in their classrooms to analyze patterns and gain insights into voter perceptions of brands and cultural perspectives.
Gordon plans to continue using the poll data in his classes and is excited to see how the issues discussed in the poll will impact the upcoming election. He believes that incorporating real-time data into the classroom helps students understand the implications of current events on economics and business, as well as their own careers.
Overall, the Michigan Ross-Financial Times poll is providing valuable insights for students and professors alike, shaping discussions and decisions in the classroom based on real-world data.
