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Megan Way

  • Associate Professor
Academic Division: Economics
781-239-5892
Dr. Megan Way is an Associate Professor in the Economics Division. She teaches graduate Managerial Economics and undergraduate Principles of Microeconomics and Economics of Labor Markets. Her research spans several areas, including family economics and intergenerational financial transfers, gender differences in returns to entrepreneurial activity, and cost-containment in higher education. Other research interests include immigration/migration, remittances and international business networks. Professor Way has also participated in a Boston College study group on economics and evolutionary biology, examining how evolutionary forces may drive preference formation. Prior to going to graduate school, Professor Way spent 8 years as a marketing professional in the software industry, working for Open Environment Corporation, WebSpective Software and Inktomi Corporation. Her work experience includes growing an internet start-up company from the founding stages to maturity, forming international channels partnerships, and coordinating national and international product marketing strategies. She also spent two years teaching in the IDEOR MBA program in Cordoba, Spain.

Academic Degrees

  • Ph D, Boston College
  • MA, Boston College
  • BA, Wellesley College

Academic Interest / Expertise

Economics; Labor Economics; Family Economics: International Trade: Cost Issues in Higher Ed

Awards & Honors

  • 2022 — The Case Centre Category Award in Economics, Politics and Business Environment 2022, The Case Centre
  • 2018 — Excellence in Service, Olin School of Business, Babson College
  • 2016 — Highly Commended Paper, Emerald Literati Network
  • 2004 — Donald J. White Teaching Excellence Award, Boston College
  • 2001 — Boston College GSAS Full Fellowship, Boston College
  • 1990 — Bernice D. Brooks Award, Wellesley College
  • 1990 — Ford Fellowship , Wellesley College
  • 1990 — Phi Beta Kappa, Wellesley College
  • 1988 — Truman Scholar Alternate , Wellesley College

Courses

  • Degree Courses 2025

    • ECN 3671 ECONOMICS OF THE LABOR MARKET
    • SES 2000 SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

  • Degree Courses 2024

    • SES 2000 SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
    • ECN 2002 PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS

Publications

Journal Articles

  • Rodgers, V.L., Deets, S.G., Foster, S.Q., Schmitz, P., Way, M.M. (in press). An interdisciplinary, co-teaching approach to a course in urban social-ecological systems. Urban Ecosystems.
  • Way, M.M. (in press). Applying Thomas Merton's Wisdom to the Undergraduate Economics Classroom. The Merton Annual: Studies in Culture, Spirituality and Social Concerns. Vol: 37. Fons Vitae for the International Thomas Merton Society. link
  • Simon, J.K., Way, M.M., Polutnik, L., Albright, J. (2019). Linking College Mission Statements to Cost Containment Strategies. International Journal of Educational Management. Vol: 33, Issue: 4, Page: 792-804. Emerald.
  • Simon, J.K., Way, M.M. (2016). Why the Gap? Determinants of Self-Employment Earnings Differentials for Male and Female Millennials in the US. Journal of Family and Economic Issues. Vol: 37, Issue: 2, Page: 297-312. Springer New York LLC. link
  • Way, M.M., Polutnik, L., Gai, Y., , . (2016). Compensation and Employment Impact of a Full-time MBA Program. International Advances in Economic Research. Springer.
  • Simon, J.K., Way, M.M. (2015). Working from home and the gender gap in earnings for self-employed US Millennials. Gender in Management: An International Journal. Vol: 30, Issue: 3, Page: 206-224. Emerald Group Publishing. link

Books

  • Way, M.M. (2018). Family Economics and Public Policy, 1800s - Present. Palgrave Macmillan.

Cases and Teaching Notes

  • Polutnik, L., Way, M.M. (in press). Apple Watch (A) - The Launch. The Babson Collection.

Book Chapters

  • Simon, J.K., Way, M.M. (2021). Gendered returns to education for self-employed U.S. Millennials: A call for research: Women and Global Entrepreneurship: Contextualising Everyday Experiences. Routledge.
  • Way, M.M. (2014). Factor Prices: Wiley Encyclopedia of Management. Issue: 3rd. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
  • Way, M.M. (2014). Contribution Analysis: Wiley Encyclopedia of Management. Issue: 3rd. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
  • Way, M.M. (2014). Efficiency Wages: Wiley Encyclopedia of Management. Issue: 3rd. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
  • Way, M.M. (2014). Factor Markets: Wiley Encyclopedia of Management. Issue: 3rd. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
  • Way, M.M. (2014). Factor Productivity: Wiley Encyclopedia of Management. Issue: 3rd. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
  • Way, M.M. (2014). Imperfect Information: Wiley Encyclopedia of Management. Issue: 3rd. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
  • Way, M.M. (2014). Operating Leverage: Wiley Encyclopedia of Management. Issue: 3rd. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
  • Way, M.M. (2014). Piece-Rate Wages: Wiley Encyclopedia of Management. Issue: 3rd. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
  • Way, M.M. (2014). Reservation Wage: Wiley Encyclopedia of Management. Issue: 3rd. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
  • Way, M.M. (2014). Time-Rate Wages: Wiley Encyclopedia of Management. Issue: 3rd. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
  • Way, M.M. (2014). Tournament Theory: Wiley Encyclopedia of Management. Issue: 3rd. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
  • Way, M.M. (2014). Transfer Pricing: Wiley Encyclopedia of Management. Issue: 3rd. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..

Reports

  • Polutnik, L., Way, M.M., Simon, J.K. (2016). Containing costs while enhancing the educational mission: A study of best practices for small private colleges. Davis Educational Foundation.
  • Way, M.M., Jones, K.A., Polutnik, L. (2014). Education of girls vital to moving up the trade value: Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on Trade Policy Brief. Issue: 43, Page: 8. ARTNeT Secretariat, United Nations ESCAP. link

Conference Proceedings

  • Way, M.M., Polutnik, L., Gai, Y. (2013). Return to Investment in a Full-time MBA Program: The Relative Value of Ability, Skill and Experience: Proceedings of the 40th Northeast Business & Economics Association Annual Conference.

Book Reviews - newspapers or magazines

  • Way, M.M. (2024). Living the General Dance at Gethsemani: A Matter of the Heart: A Monk's Journal, 1970-2022. Vol: 49, Issue: 4, Page: 38-29. The International Thomas Merton Society. link

Presentations

  • Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics 2023 - Claudia Goldin Way, M. Nobel Prize Talk, Babson College (2024)
  • Supply, Demand and the Sacred: Applying the Wisdom of Thomas Merton to the Principles of Economics Way, M. International Thomas Merton Society 18th General Meeting, Notre Dame, IN (2023)
  • Supply, Demand and the Sacred: Applying the Wisdom of Thomas Merton to the Principles of Economics Way, M. Babson Faculty Research Day, Wellesley, MA (2023)
  • Correlation or Causation? A Lecture on the 2021 Nobel Prize in Economics Way, M. Nobel Prize Talk, Babson College (2022)
  • The Refugee/Migration Crisis in Ukraine and Its Implications Way, M. Ukraine and Russia Teach-in, FME Ampitheater (2022)
  • The Impact of Changing Family Structures on Intergenerational Transfers Way, M. Babson Research Day, Babson College (2020)
  • Using Analytics for Mission-Driven Capacity Management and Cost Containment in Small Colleges Polutnik, L. Way, M. Simon, J. NERA Annual Conference, Trumbull, CT (2017)
  • Containing Costs While Advancing the Educational Mission: A Study of Best Practices for Small Private Colleges Polutnik, L. Way, M. Simon, J. Babson Trustees and Overseers, Babson Park, MA (2017)
  • Intergenerational Transfers and the Great Recession Cox, D. Way, M. IAST General Seminar, Toulouse, France (2016)
  • Containing Costs While Advancing the Educational Mission: A Study of Best Practices for Small Private Colleges Polutnik, L. Way, M. Simon, J. Babson Faculty Research Chat, Babson Park, MA (2016)
  • Returns to Education for Self-Employed US Millennials and the Self-Employment Earnings Gap: A Quantile Regression Approach Way, M. Simon, J. Population Association of America Conference 2016, Washington, D.C. (2016)
  • Returns to Education for Self-Employed US Millennials and the Self-Employment Gender Earnings Gap: A Quantile Regression Approach Simon, J. Way, M. UMass Lowell Department of Economics Seminar, Lowell, MA (2016)
  • Economic Returns to Education for Self-Employed US Millennials and the Self-Employment Gender Earnings Gap: A Quantile Regression Approach Simon, J. Way, M. Babson Faculty Research Chat, Babson College (2015)
  • A Preliminary Examination of Cost Containment While Advancing Colleges’ Educational Mission Way, M. AEFP 40th Annual Conference, Washington, DC (2015)
  • Compensation and Employment Impact of A Full-Time MBA Program Gai, Y. Way, M. Polutnik, L. 78th International Atlantic Economic Conference, Savannah, GA (2014)
  • Family Diversity Way, M. Diversity Matters, Wellesley, MA (2014)
  • Gendered Location Choices and Earnings Outcomes for Self-Employed US Millennials Simon, J. Way, M. Diana International Research Conference 2014, Stockholm, Sweden (2014)
  • Intergenerational Transfers During the Great Recession: The Relationship Between Marital Status and the Familial Safety Net Way, M. Population Association of America 2014 Annual Meeting, Boston, MA (2014)
  • The Earnings Gender Gap for Self-Employed Millennials: Evidence from the NLSY 97 Simon, J. Way, M. Population Association of America 2014 Annual Meeting, Boston, MA (2014)
  • Return to Investment in a Full-time MBA Program: The Relative Value of Ability, Skill and Experience Way, M. Polutnik, L. Gai, Y. 40th Northeast Business & Economics Association Annual Conference, Bretton Woods, NH (2013)
  • Intergenerational Transfers and the Great Recession Way, M. Cox, D. Babson Faculty Research Chat, Wellesley, MA (2013)
  • Intergenerational Transfers and the Great Recession of 2008 Way, M. Gerontological Society of America Conference, Boston, MA (2011)
  • intergenerational Transfers and the Great Recession of 2008 Way, M. Population Association of America Conference, Washington, D.C. (2011)
  • Divorce, Remarriage, and Inter-Vivos Transfers from Parents to Adult Children in Mexico Way, M. Population Association of America Conference, Washington, D.C. (2011)
  • The Correlation Between Expected Parental Longevity and Transfers to Adult Children Way, M. American Economic association Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (2011)
  • intergenerational Transfers and the Great Recession of 2008 Way, M. Gerontological Society of America Conference, New Orleans, LA (2010)
  • Divorce, Remarriage, and Inter-Vivos Transfers from Parents to Adult Children in Mexico Way, M. Babson Faculty Research Chat, Babson College, Babson Park, MA (2010)
  • The Correlation Between Expected Parental Longevity and Transfers to Adult Children Way, M. Population Association of American Conference, Detroit (2009)
  • How Widespread is the Potential for ‘Operative’ Intergenerational Transfers Way, M. Babson Faculty Research Chat, Wellesley, MA (2008)
  • Intergenerational Transfer Inflows to Adult Children of Divorce Way, M. Population Association of American Conference, New York (2007)
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Professional Memberships

  • Population Association of American (2005 - Present)
  • American Economic Association (2003 - Present)

Department & College Wide Services

  • Coordinator of International Business Concentration (Fall 2023 - Present)
  • Babson Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (Spring 2021 - Present)
  • Faculty Senate (Summer 2020 - Fall 2022)
  • Faculty Workload and Compensation Committee (Fall 2020 - Spring 2022)
  • Diversity Council (Spring 2019 - Spring 2021)
  • Faculty Workload and Compensation Committee (Fall 2019 - Fall 2020)
  • Chairs & Deans Subcommittee to Examine Annual Evaluation Process (Summer 2018 - Fall 2018)
  • PA/IP Standards Committee (Spring 2018 - Fall 2018)
  • Design & Grading of Waiver Exams (Summer 2018)