Dr. Dang Tung Lam, Dean of the Faculty of Finance at the University of Economics, the University of Danang, will join the USAID Partnership for Higher Education Reform project’s Visiting Scholar Program (VSP) at Kelley School of Business, Indiana University from August to November 2024.

During his visiting term, Dr. Lam will focus on researching the impact of firm-level carbon emissions on corporate leverage adjustments and the effects of mandatory Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosure on the cost of equity capital. His first study aims to uncover how carbon emissions impact the speed of adjustment towards firms’ target leverage and whether financial distress risk and investor preferences are the underlying mechanisms that drive this dynamic leverage rebalancing.

The second study investigates the causal impact of ESG disclosure mandates on the implied cost of equity capital with a focus on information asymmetry and demand from ESG-conscious investors as underlying channels. Through these studies, Dr. Lam seeks to advance understanding of the relationship between corporate sustainability practices and financial decision-making, offering insights that could inform policy and regulatory frameworks.

Dr. Lam’s host institution – Kelley School of Business, Indiana University is ranked among the top schools in business education. In the most recent rankings, Bloomberg Businessweek has placed the Kelley School of Business at the top spot among public business universities and fourth nationally for its Bachelor of Science in Business program out of over 100 leading business schools in the United States. Hence, participating in the VSP and working here will provide Dr. Dang Tung Lam with the opportunity to continue his research and expand his network with leading scholars in this field.

Besides conducting his research, Dr. Lam will immerse himself in the vibrant academic environment at Kelley School of Business by attending seminars, workshops, and conferences relevant to his research areas, staying abreast of the latest advancements and fostering professional networks. Furthermore, he will engage in specialized training sessions and skill-building workshops tailored to sustainable finance research, aiming to produce more impactful research in the future.

Upon completing the program, Dr. Lam will return to Vietnam, where he will share his newfound knowledge and experience with his colleagues and students at the University of Danang, contributing to fostering academic excellence and innovation, inspiring the next generation of researchers and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration both domestically and internationally.

The Visiting Scholar Program (VSP) under the USAID Partnership for Higher Education Reform project supports scholars from (1) Vietnam National University, (2) the University of Danang, and (3) Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City. The goal is to improve the research and teaching capacity of scholars across Vietnam while expanding partnerships with higher education institutions in the United States. In the Summer and Fall of 2024, the VSP will send a total of 21 scholars from Vietnam’s three major public university systems to host institutions in the United States for academic research and exchange experiences.