Dr. Friesen's current research focus is on the role of Finance in creating economic value, promoting human flourishing and the economic pursuit of common goods. His research examines not only how the financial system does work or how the financial system should work, but how the financial system can work. Dr. Friesen is particularly interested in how financial models form worldviews and influence financial decisions.
Dr. Geoffrey Friesen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Finance for the College of Business. Friesen earned his Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Iowa, and his B.S. in Mathematics and Actuarial Science from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Prior to Nebraska, Friesen was an Assistant Professor at Iowa State University and also spent several years working as an actuary in the insurance industry. His research interests include Behavioral Finance, Mutual Fund Performance, the Intellectual History of Finance, Business Ethics and the application of Catholic Social Teaching to economics and finance.
A few noteworthy publications include:
- “The Effect of Unsuccessful Past Repurchases on Future Repurchasing Decisions”, 2021, in Management Science
- “Human Flourishing and the Subjective Dimension of Work”, 2021, forthcoming, Faith & Economics
- “Human Flourishing and the Self-limiting Assumptions of Modern Finance”, 2021, forthcoming, Business and Professional Ethics Journal
- “Heterogeneous Beliefs and Risk-Neutral Skewness,” 2012, in the Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis
- “Mutual Fund Flows and Investor Returns: An Empirical Examination of Mutual Fund Investor Timing Ability,” 2007, in The Journal of Banking and Finance
Teaching Awards
UNL MBA Distance Teaching Award Recipient 2015-16
UNL MBA Distance Teaching Award Recipient 2017-18
Graduate Courses
Managerial Economics (GRBA 812) - Economic analysis applied to business decisions. Key modules include history of capitalism, economic costs & benefits, marginal analysis, simple & complex pricing, international economics, financial market bubbles, price discrimination strategies, game theory & bargaining, adverse selection and moral hazard.
Advanced Financial Theory (FIN 961) - Introductory PhD seminar focused on foundations of financial theory applied to asset pricing and corporate finance.
Undergraduate Courses
Investments (FIN 363)
Security Analysis (FIN 463)
Options & Futures (FIN 467)
Portfolio Practicum (FIN 468)
Teaching Interests
- Investments
- Advanced Financial Theory
- Managerial Economics
Other Courses
- Great Books, Catholic Social Teaching & Economic Thought
- Business Ethics and The Gospel