Researchers found that performance rankings dramatically disrupt cooperation in groups, but sharing individuals' histories of pro-social contributions can largely offset this effect. By displaying prosocial reputations, managers can create systems of cooperation that withstand the negative impact of performance rankings.
Local activism can change targets when community activists reach their goals, with success galvanizing activists and inspiring further action. Failure, however, does not lead to decreased mobilization, but rather sparks new protests in other industries.
A new study by Bocconi University finds that private companies with similar organizational structures display higher accounting quality than public ones. This is particularly true for standalone firms, which tend to underreport earnings to save taxes, whereas business groups exhibit more reliable accounts.
Researchers from Bocconi University, NYU Stern, and the University of Bolzano found that private firms have higher 'earnings quality' or EQ compared to public firms. The study analyzed nearly 400,000 European companies across 11 countries over a nine-year period.
A study by Bocconi University researchers found that hospitals with more open cultures have lower mortality rates, as staff are encouraged to report errors and take action. The results suggest that reforms in the English NHS since 2016 are on the right track.
A field experiment in Uganda found that raising tenants' share of crops from 50% to 75% can increase agricultural output by 60%, thanks to higher investment and risk-taking. The change also led to a sharp gain in overall welfare for tenants, but a 20% drop in landlords' income.
A new study by Bocconi University's Alexander Kentikelenis and colleagues finds that IMF loans' structural reforms weaken states' ability to regulate the economy. The research highlights how privatization, price deregulation, and public sector job cuts compromise state capacity, hindering sustainable growth.
Access to broadband internet increases fertility rates among higher-educated women by 8.7% compared to 7.2%, with improved work-life balance due to teleworking and part-time working. This effect is less pronounced for lesser-educated women, highlighting a digital divide.
A study by Bocconi University found that a new sanitation system reduced healthcare-associated infections by 52% and drug consumption by 60.3%, resulting in a 75.4% decrease in related costs. The system, which uses ecologically sustainable probiotic-based detergents, also led to an 83% decrease in detected pathogens on hospital surfaces.
A recent study by Bocconi University and University of Bath found that high pay dispersion in variable pay is associated with increased innovation, whereas low pay dispersion in fixed pay hinders it. The researchers measured the innovation output of US firms from 1992 to 2006 using patent data and citations received.
Combining rock and R&B singers or pop stars and rappers boosts a song's popularity, studies show. The difference between genres increases the likelihood of reaching the top 10 charts.
A study by Marco Sartirana and colleagues found that hospital doctors' ability to become 'hybrid' roles is dependent on effective organizational support. Successful transformations occur when professionals are surrounded by a supportive network, allowing them to legitimize their new management role.
A new study by Bocconi University finds that large individual investors' national culture plays a crucial role in determining the stock return of innovation. The researchers identified six dimensions of Hofstede's framework that contribute to innovativeness, with high individualism and low masculinity being key factors. Understanding t...
Research by Bocconi University finds that public debt increases the cost of capital for innovative firms, forcing them to choose only profitable projects over riskier ones, ultimately affecting national GDP growth. A high public debt can lead to a 4% decline in GDP growth after five years compared to a normal debt level.
A new Human Life Indicator (HLI) has been proposed as a simpler alternative to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI), taking into account inequality-adjusted life expectancy at birth. This index produces significant changes in development rankings, with countries like Japan and Spain rising to the top.
A new study by Bocconi University's Gianmarco Ottaviano and colleagues identifies resource misallocation as a major cause of the productivity slowdown. Misallocation is stronger within industries and geographical areas, making it essential to implement policies promoting reallocation from less productive to more productive firms.
A new study by Bocconi University finds that institutional investors have a positive and causal effect on firms' environmental and social (E&S) performance. These mainstream investors promote E&S issues through engagement with existing firms, rather than buying and selling shares of good or bad companies.
A new study by Bocconi scholars links measles resurgence to public health expenditure cuts in Italy. The research found that each 1% reduction in per-capita real public health expenditure corresponds to a 0.5 percentage point decline in MMR vaccination coverage, highlighting the importance of investing in public health.
A new study by Bocconi University scholars found that broadband internet access causes sleep deprivation, particularly among individuals with DSL lines. These individuals sleep 25 minutes less than those without DSL Internet and are less likely to reach the recommended amount of sleep, leading to significant economic losses in Germany.
A new study suggests that different vector control strategies are needed depending on when Chikungunya cases are notified, with optimal response strategies varying between late spring/summer and fall/colder seasons. The research provides useful indications for public health authorities to respond to emerging mosquito-borne epidemics.
Research by Zachary Estes and colleagues found that single speech sounds are statistically associated with negative or positive emotions in several languages. These associations aid survival by allowing quick reactions to vital objects.
A study by Bocconi University's Celia Moore found that the 2016 US Presidential election led to Democrats becoming more hostile and less generous towards Republicans, while Republicans became more in-group favoritistic. The effect was stronger in individuals with a stronger party identification.
A new study by Nicolai Foss and colleagues argues that taxing Multinational Enterprises (MNEs)' profits is inefficient and detrimental to global welfare. The authors propose replacing corporate tax with a hike in taxes on dividends and sales, claiming this would be more effective and harmonize easier.
Research by Francesco Billari and Ozan Aksoy found that Turkey's Islamist AKP party has brought fertility rates up due to effective local welfare policies, increasing marriage rates by four per 1,000 individuals.