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University of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business


Evidence from professional golf shows political divides undermine focus and hurt performance at work

Research by UC Berkeley Haas School of Business found that professional golfers outperform when grouped with like-minded individuals. The study, which analyzed over 25,000 rounds, discovered a significant performance gap when golfers play alongside those holding opposing political views. This proximity-based anxiety disrupts focus and ...

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalManagement Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 1, 2025

Are university policies holding science back? Study shows how patenting boosts pure research.

A new study found that combining scientific inquiry with practical invention enhances both efforts, leading to more novel and influential work. Researchers who publish and patent simultaneously produce results that are more highly cited and impactful than those who only focus on one activity.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 1, 2025

Women portrayed as younger than men online, and AI amplifies the bias

Researchers analyzed 1.4 million online images and videos, finding that women are systematically presented as younger than men across various occupational and social categories. The study also found that mainstream algorithms amplify age-related gender bias in resume evaluations, rating older male applicants as more qualified.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2025

Sports betting and financial market data show how people misinterpret new information in predictable ways

Researchers found a pattern in how people interpret new information, overreacting to weak signals and underreacting to strong ones. This bias holds true across various settings, including financial markets, according to a study analyzing millions of betting transactions and prices on options contracts.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 26, 2024

How chain IVF clinics improve infertility treatment

A study by University of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business researchers found that chain IVF clinics significantly improve treatment cycles and live birth rates compared to independent operators. Clinic acquisition leads to a 27% increase in IVF cycles and a 14% rise in live births, indicating improved care quality.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalManagement Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 17, 2024

Friends with health benefits: How the buddy system pays off when pursuing goals

A field experiment found that exercising with a friend increases visits by 35% and boosts overall gym attendance. Social incentives also foster stronger social bonds and create greater accountability, making goals more attainable. This study suggests using joint-incentive programs can boost employee engagement and motivation.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalManagement Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 1, 2024

Research reveals the key to an irresistible online dating profile

A recent study found that people are more satisfied in relationships where they feel like they are being supported, rather than when they feel like they know their partner. By highlighting what you want to be known by a potential partner, you can increase your appeal on dating sites.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 9, 2024

Research shows how airline pricing really works

Researchers found that airlines use a pricing heuristic called Expected Marginal Seat Revenue-b to set prices, resulting in large gaps between ticket prices. Airlines also don't directly incorporate competitor prices into their automated price-setting, leading to dampened competitive benefits.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 20, 2023

Executives ignore SEC legal requirements to warn investors about inflation risk, new research finds

New research finds that most corporations that face significant inflation risk have failed to disclose it, causing $0.9 trillion to $2.8 trillion in shareholder damages. Companies with high exposure to inflation risk have seen their share prices drop following inflation shocks.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalJournal of Monetary Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 17, 2023

Study: Stereotypes of middle-aged women as less ‘nice’ can hold them back at work

A new study reveals that middle-aged women are held back in their careers due to a perceived lack of 'niceness', with evaluations decreasing after the age of 40. The research, led by UC Berkeley's Jennifer Chatman, found that both men and women become more capable with age but only women are seen as less warm, leading to harsher judgme...

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 20, 2022

New study undermines the theory that depressed people are just more realistic

Researchers at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business found no evidence to support the theory of depressive realism, which suggests that depressed individuals are more realistic in their judgments. The study replicated a 1979 experiment and found that depressed participants overestimated their control, contradicting the original results.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalCollabra Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 10, 2022

Who flirts to get ahead at work? Study finds it’s most often subordinate men

A new study challenges traditional stereotypes by revealing that subordinate men are most likely to engage in social sexual behavior for personal gain. The research found that these men use unwanted flirtation and harassment to appear more powerful and masculine in the workplace.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 12, 2022

Despite ideals, people don’t really like reducing inequality, study finds

A study by Berkeley Haas researchers found that people in advantaged positions perceive equality as harming them, leading to opposition to policies that reduce disparities. This cognitive mistake causes individuals to prioritize their relative advantage over absolute gains, even if it means voting for policies that cause economic harm.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2022

When everyone works remotely, communication and collaboration suffer, study finds

A new study of 61,000 Microsoft employees found that working from home causes workers to become more siloed in how they communicate, engage in fewer real-time conversations, and spend fewer hours in meetings. The study's findings suggest that a full-time remote workforce may have a harder time acquiring and sharing new information.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 9, 2021

What pandemic messaging around changing holiday rituals gets wrong

A new study by Berkeley Haas researchers reveals that altering holiday rituals can lead to strong moral outrage, as people resist even minor changes due to the importance of tradition and group values. The study suggests that public officials should focus on changing rituals in ways that still allow people to celebrate these values.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateDec 22, 2020

Being a selfish jerk doesn't get you ahead, research finds

Two 14-year longitudinal studies found that people with disagreeable personality traits, such as being combative and manipulative, are not more likely to achieve power than those who are nice. In contrast, extroverts were the most likely to advance in their organizations based on sociability, energy, and assertiveness.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 31, 2020

A model to predict and quantify racism, sexism, and other unequal treatment

A new study from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business uses computational models to analyze how people treat others differently based on stereotypes. Researchers found that variations in perceived traits translate to differences in treatment, with warmer groups receiving more than competent ones.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 11, 2018

The Haas School of Business partners with Ripple to speed innovation in blockchain and cryptocurrency

The Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley is partnering with Ripple to develop a comprehensive program focused on blockchain, cryptocurrency, and digital payments. The initiative will support academic research, technical development, and innovation in these areas, with a focus on reducing poverty and enhancing the greater good.

To be or not to be ... an entrepreneur

Research finds that incorporated business owners exhibit greater self-esteem, engage in illicit activities, and are more likely to come from high-earning families. In contrast, unincorporated business owners have manual skill requirements and lower salaries before entrepreneurship. Incorporated entrepreneurs earn significantly higher m...

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·DateMar 28, 2017

Plan to reduce air pollution chokes in Mexico City

A study by UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business found that Mexico City's Saturday driving restrictions have negligible impact on air quality. The program, which restricts vehicles with license plates ending in '5' or '6', did not lead to a decrease in pollution levels for any of the eight major pollutants monitored. Instead, experts r...

Negotiation tip: Gain sympathy and gain the advantage

Research by Laura Kray at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business found that sympathy can motivate stronger parties to help weaker ones, leading to more compassionate solutions. Being transparent about misfortune is more effective when initiated by a low-power negotiator or someone in the weaker position.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateJan 7, 2016

Stock market bubbles: Investor emotions fuel the frenzy

Researchers found that investors who experienced intense positive emotions before trading were more aggressive and pushed prices up, while those with negative emotions proceeded cautiously. This study increases understanding of how bubbles work and highlights the importance of considering emotional triggers in asset price inflation.

Frequently discounting maximizes retailer revenues

A study by UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business found that frequent discounting is the most optimal strategy for retailers to maximize revenues. This approach balances the trade-off between dynamic and static pricing, allowing retailers to charge high prices when demand is high while maintaining flexibility. By doing so, retailers can...

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalManufacturing & Service Operations Management·DateSep 29, 2015

How stock market's 'spare tire' keeps economy churning during banking crises

A new study found that firms in countries with strong shareholder protection laws raised more money through stock sales, performed better in terms of profits and investment efficiency, and terminated fewer employees than similar firms in countries with weaker shareholder protection laws. Stronger shareholder protection laws allow the s...

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalJournal of Financial Economics·DateAug 5, 2015