Research

Solving real-world problems by understanding and getting the most out of technology are foundational principles of WPI. Research topics at the School of Business reflect this commitment.  

Here are just a few of the research areas that are the focus of the School of Business faculty and students.

Medical Records for a Digital Age

An interdisciplinary team of researchers is seeking solutions for how the United States can achieve better healthcare for less money through better use of digital imaging and record keeping. Funded by a $750,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, the Healthcare Delivery Institute at WPI is leading an international three-year study that seeks to help bring the U.S. healthcare system into the digital age by replacing paper-based systems with electronic medical records (EMRs).

"Higher quality medical care is associated with evidence-based medicine. The data is the evidence. Once medical practices and hospitals have implemented EMR systems, they can reap the benefits inherent in mining the resulting databases to see what works and what doesn't."
—Professor Diane Strong.

• Learn about the Healthcare Delivery Institute at WPI
• Read about the study in Transformations Magazine
• View the YouTube Video

Generation Y & Web Design

When Fidelity Investments wanted to understand whether its customer base ‒ made up primarily of baby boomers ‒ would interact with websites the same way as its potential future customer base of younger adults, the financial services giant asked the School of Business to study the issue.

With 90 percent of business running through its websites, understanding these differences was no trivial matter for the financial services giant. A student/faculty team designed a research project using eye-tracking software and their work resulted in national recognition and fundamental changes in the way Fidelity designs and builds its websites.

• Read the paper that took top honors in the Human Computer Interaction Track at AMCIS
• Learn about the student project that launched a promising career at Fidelity

Innovators and Dreamers Welcome Here

WPI is where ideas are nourished and flourish. The Collaborative for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI) is our university-wide entrepreneurship and innovation program.

CEI is here to inspire students, faculty, and alumni to discover, create, and commercialize new technological products and services. It helps create new organizations based on those products and services, advancing economic development and improving society.  Learn more about CEI...