Tarun Patel

Tarun Patel is an Assistant Professor of Finance at the Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University (SMU). He earned his PhD in Finance and Business Economics from the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business (2020) and a BBA in Finance and Economics from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business (2010). His research spans corporate finance, taxation, mergers and acquisitions, and political frictions in financial markets.

• PhD: University of Washington (2020)
• BBA: University of Georgia (2010)

His research investigates critical topics such as:
- The impact of political polarization on corporate mergers and employee dynamics
- Taxation-driven shifts in corporate payout policies
- Conflicts of interest in investment advisory commissions
- Brokerage firm ownership in IPOs and analyst credibility

The trends in his research include analyzing political influences on financial decisions, tax optimization strategies, and institutional conflicts in capital markets. Notable findings include evidence that political polarization reduces cross-party mergers and increases employee turnover, while higher state taxes incentivize share repurchases over dividends.

• PhD Forum Prize for best paper, Australasian Finance and Banking Conference (2019)
• HOPE Teaching Award Nominee (2024)

He has presented his work at leading conferences and institutions, including the American Finance Association Meetings (2023), European Finance Association Meetings (2023), and universities such as National University of Singapore, University of Texas at Dallas, and Singapore Management University. His work addresses both theoretical and practical challenges in corporate governance, taxation, and regulatory compliance.