Business

New geopolitical-economic order framework shows firm strategies vary under two types of state-market order

A new paper proposes a geopolitical-economic order framework that distinguishes between two types of economic orders: state-based and market-based. The former rewards strategic power and government intervention, while the latter promotes mutually beneficial voluntary exchanges. Understanding these differences is crucial for multination...

For consumers, distrust outweighs trust

A recent study by Annabelle Roberts found that consumers tend to distrust others after a negative experience, and this distrust can be difficult to overcome. The researchers conducted 21 studies involving nearly 12,000 people and discovered that people learn attitudes from a single trust interaction, whether positive or negative.

University of Toronto professor elected as a fellow of The British Academy

Professor Anita McGahan has been elected as a Fellow of The British Academy, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the humanities and social sciences. Her research focuses on social justice, humanistic governance, and entrepreneurship in the public interest.

#MeToo and the marketplace: Can social reform impact consumer spending?

A study by Nooshin L. Warren found that small changes in sexual misconduct and gender portrayals can affect box office revenue, with adjustments adding or subtracting $8-13 million. Meanwhile, public expectations of gender roles seemed to regress after #MeToo, indicating a slower adoption of new norms.

Powering up economies, WVU with Pitt and Carnegie Mellon will recharge energy security and resilience with $320M for new technology, AI, infrastructure, and jobs

The Resilient Energy Technology and Infrastructure Consortium will develop innovative ways to meet the nation's growing energy needs, generating 21,000 jobs and $1 billion in economic growth. The consortium will focus on advanced manufacturing, AI, cybersecurity, and energy technology.

Modern slavery is a business decision – not an accident

New research highlights that modern slavery is often a result of business decisions prioritizing cost and efficiency over labor conditions. Companies must invest in understanding their supply chains to tackle exploitation and shift focus from reporting to knowledge.

Mapping China’s evolving approach to seismic risk management

A study reviews China's development in seismic risk management, tracing the field's progress from disaster response policies to catastrophe risk management and emergency management. The authors suggest strengthening engineering foundations while prioritizing system recovery and adaptation after earthquakes.

How fair does AI seem in job interviews?

A study from Technical University of Munich found that people perceive AI hiring decisions as unfair when the avatar resembles them in terms of gender or skin color. After receiving a rejection, trust in AI is shaken if the avatar's appearance differs from their own.

Certifying third-party repairs retains customers, signals utility left in goods

A study by Penn State researchers found that certifying third-party repair services increases repair rates and helps brands retain market share. By signaling the value or 'unused utility' left in broken products, certified brand repair services increased repair leads with a 700% increase.

Which firms have advanced capabilities—and what others must build first

Researchers introduced a new method to measure firm capabilities, creating a 'capabilities ladder' to identify basic and advanced capabilities. The study found significant nestedness within the ladder, with firms at lower rungs having basic managerial, production, and communication capabilities.

ARU receives £4.8 million to boost innovation in the NHS

The NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme has supported the creation of 691 businesses, generating 5,184 jobs and raising over £1.27 billion in investment. The programme continues to play a critical role in retaining talent within the NHS by enabling clinicians to develop their ventures alongside their clinical careers.

Fast replies boost hiring likelihood, study finds

Researchers analyzed 11.6 million marketplace interactions and experiments involving job candidates and service providers to find that faster responders were viewed more positively than delayed responders. Employers preferred speed as a signal of future responsiveness, but authenticity also mattered.

Simple acknowledgment boosts repeat customer participation in take-back programs

A new study from Penn State researchers found that sending a simple acknowledgment message to customers can boost repeat participation in recycling and reuse programs, making sustainable behavior more sustainable over time. The study showed that acknowledgment emails tripled consumer participation in a dining service's reuse program.

When the rapid adaptation of sales channels pays off

A study by University of Cologne researchers found that sales system agility contributes to higher operating profit only when channel structure and management are aligned. Companies should review their sales channel mix and allocation of responsibilities to reap benefits from rapid adaptation.

Women negotiate as effectively as men – but leave people happier

A new study by Cornell University finds that women achieve similar economic outcomes in negotiations as men, but foster stronger interpersonal relationships, which lead to greater satisfaction. Women are preferred partners in negotiations due to their likability, fairness, and ability to build trust.

Rockefeller University Press partners with Cashmere for responsible AI discoverability

Rockefeller University Press has partnered with Cashmere to enable safe and transparent AI inference use of its journals, protecting authors' work while providing visibility and revenue transparency. The partnership uses Cashmere's infrastructure suite to manage AI-powered research applications.

Firms with independent board members are more willing to challenge risky CEO pay structures, says new research

Research found that companies with more independent board members adjust CEO compensation more quickly towards optimal levels. Boards make calculated trade-offs and consider costs and benefits before changing pay structures.

Nursing job turnover has nearly doubled since pandemic

A new University of Michigan study found that nursing job turnover increased significantly since the pandemic, with over 24% of registered nurses leaving their primary positions. The main reasons for this increase were stressful work environments, burnout, and inadequate staffing, which affected all care settings.

New Brookings study: ICE surges have triggered massive job losses—including among Americans

A new Brookings Institution study found that ICE surges have caused significant job losses in cities where enforcement is most active. Between 51,000 and 297,000 American-born workers lost their jobs due to the surges, which also led to widespread disruptions throughout industries such as construction.

Professor Kaneko’s sake and wine earn honors at French Japanese Sake Competition for second consecutive year

Aldebaran, a red wine made from Muscat Bailey A grapes, won a Gold Award in the Muscat Bailey A category, while Junmai -eme- received the Platinum Award in the Junmai Sake category at the French Japanese Sake Competition for the second consecutive year

Passive AI use at work increases feelings of work meaninglessness, study finds

A study found that passive AI use can lead to a decline in outcome satisfaction of 21% compared to manual writing, while collaborative AI use showed similar scores. Passive AI use also reduced feelings of ownership and perceived meaningfulness by nearly 20%.

How Florida’s ‘war on woke’ reframed responsible investment as a threat to ‘everyday people’

New research from Griffith University reveals how Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' anti-ESG politics are reshaping financial markets. The study found that fossil fuel companies played a significant role in limiting banks and pension funds' investments in ESG-aligned companies.

MIT researchers teach AI models to interpret charts

Researchers from MIT and IBM create a state-of-the-art dataset called ChartNet, which includes over a million varied charts. The dataset is designed to teach vision-language models how to effectively interpret charts, enabling them to outperform commercial models on tasks like data extraction and chart summarization.

Why ‘charming’ matters: Study reveals the power of puffery

Researchers found that adding words like charming, cozy, or lovely to Airbnb listings boosted booking rates by roughly 0.2%, comparable to objective claims about amenities. The study's findings suggest that subjective praise can meaningfully shape consumer behavior without consumers feeling remorseful.

Insilico Medicine appoints Jue Wang, PhD as Global Head of Business Development

Jue Wang joins Insilico Medicine as Global Head of Business Development to drive high-value alliances and empower commercial growth. She brings expertise in small-molecule novel drug discovery and has led landmark collaborations worth USD 4 billion.

Energy retail sector faces escalating cyber threats – stronger security measures required

The energy retail sector is a vulnerable part of the energy industry's value chain and critical infrastructure. A new study proposes concrete methods to strengthen cybersecurity resilience in retail organisations.

Lessons from crypto are paving the way for a democratic global financial future

The convergence of traditional and decentralized finance is breaking down barriers to financial access worldwide, particularly in emerging economies. Tokenisation is enabling essential infrastructure, including cryptocurrency payments and investment opportunities previously exclusive to the ultra-wealthy.

People who are aware of the advantages for both parties are more likely to ask for advice

A new study led by Professor Dr. Anne Burmeister found that individuals seeking advice are more likely to reach out when they learn about the benefits for both parties involved, resulting in a 40% increase in contacts and high-quality advice received.

Transition to electric vehicles in Brazil and Mexico driven by domestic politics and global pressures, study shows

A new study by the University of Exeter reveals that Brazil and Mexico's EV growth has been shaped by factors beyond emissions and efficiency. The research highlights how domestic coalitions, market size, and foreign technology influences have driven policy decisions in both countries.

Audits help change a chatbot’s bad behavior

A new framework, SUVA, enables organizations to measure and adjust AI chatbots' social preferences, improving their performance in customer complaints and other human-AI interactions. By understanding an LLM's existing tendencies, organizations can decide whether an available model already fits its values and usage scenarios.

AI will not take your job, it will transform it – but only if you trust it

Zhe Zhu's doctoral dissertation reveals that trusting AI can increase work engagement and build more sustainable careers. GenAI tools can reshape organisational decision-making and employee experiences of work.

Long-serving CEOs may weaken innovation, study finds

A new study from the University of East London found that long-serving CEOs can become less innovative unless challenged by strong independent boards. Independent directors play an important role in encouraging companies to continue investing in innovation, especially during difficult periods.

Company location, rather than growth, may lead to higher investment returns

Researchers found that portfolios considering company headquarter location and housing market trends can produce returns three times higher than those focused on growth stocks. This is because companies in more expensive areas have higher labor and infrastructure costs, reducing investor returns.

For whistleblowing, bigger rewards can backfire

New research suggests that overly aggressive whistleblower incentives can cut down internal communication, allowing problems to go unresolved. Regulators should consider a more calibrated approach to encourage reporting without discouraging internal information-sharing.

See-through packaging increases desire for ownersip, new research finds

New research reveals that see-through or cut-out product packaging on a shelf increases the psychological desire to own it. Customers rely on various cues when making purchasing decisions, with visibility of a product influencing choices.

Fast-food waste driven by wrong orders: study

A review of food waste in Australia's quick service restaurants found order mistakes as the biggest driver of waste, with better staff training crucial for reduction. The study recommends ongoing training and making food waste metrics part of performance evaluations to mitigate back-of-house food waste.

New AI system improves detection of fake online reviews

A new AI-powered detection system developed by University of East London researchers combines language analysis with behavioural clues to identify genuine reviews. The hybrid fusion model achieved 93% accuracy on Amazon review data and 91% accuracy on Yelp reviews, outperforming traditional methods.

Academic expertise aims to bolster Scottish Premiership club’s growth

Heriot-Watt University is collaborating with Falkirk FC on a £200k Knowledge Transfer Partnership to enhance the club's financial sustainability and ownership structure. The project will leverage academic expertise in data analysis, digital engagement, and supporter research to drive growth and long-term success.

Study suggests data centers will boost power bills up to 57% by 2030

New research from North Carolina State University predicts data center power demand will increase by up to 57% by 2030, leading to higher electricity costs and CO2 emissions. The study finds that regional price increases will vary depending on where new data centers are built.

Lost in translation: CityUHK research unveils hidden “home court advantages” in the market

A recent study by CityUHK researchers found that companies intentionally withhold complex information from foreign investors while emphasizing accounting details in English. This 'differential communication' strategy creates a structural disadvantage for international stakeholders, affecting their investment decisions and forecasts.

Academic publishes book on AI and business agility

A University of East London academic has published a book exploring how businesses can use AI, blockchain, and data analytics to become more adaptable and innovative. The publication argues that digital transformation is about people, strategy, and responsible leadership, not just technology.

Privately educated CEOs seen as ‘safer bets’ despite no evidence they are

To create change, new leaders should read the room

OIST Innovation Accelerator opens applications for 2027–2028 cohort focused on bioconvergence and sustainability

Low-performing organisations more likely to look outside for knowledge, study shows

How bank shocks propagate through production networks

Consumers willing to pay more for lobster harvested with ropeless technology, UMaine study finds

Book by University of Toronto professor named as one of Thinkers50 best new management books for 2026

George Newman's book, How Great Ideas Happen, explores the hidden steps behind breakthrough success and reveals that creativity is a method rather than magic. The book, published by Simon & Schuster, draws on cutting-edge research to show how successful innovators approach their work with intention and diligence.

New study suggests ‘freedom framing’ more effective than mandates for vaccine-hesitant Americans

The 10th HKU Quarterly Forum on Chinese Economy:

Board interpersonal diversity linked to lower tax avoidance

Research shows that diverse boards with members from various backgrounds bring new perspectives, strengthen oversight, and reduce aggressive tax avoidance. This leads to more questioning, debate, and closer scrutiny of management decisions, ultimately resulting in more responsible tax behavior.

Profit alone is a poor measure of success, study shows companies can look efficient while harming the planet

A new study from the University of Surrey shows that firms celebrated for strong financial performance may actually be inefficient when environmental impact is included. The research developed a new way to measure sustainable corporate efficiency, combining traditional financial metrics with environmental data.

Nonprofit hospitals spend billions on management consultants with no clear effect

A new study found that nonprofit hospitals spent at least $7.8 billion on management consulting services between 2010-2022, but saw no significant changes in finances, staffing, operations, or patient outcomes. The study suggests greater transparency and public accountability for how hospitals use tax-subsidized dollars.

Companies disclose more on cybersecurity – but markets remain indifferent

A study by the University of Vaasa and Aalto University finds that mandatory cybersecurity disclosure in the US has increased internal documentation and made cyber risks more visible to senior management, but not affected investor behavior. Companies produced new content describing their cybersecurity governance structures, suggesting ...

A Canadian Journey examines the life and lessons of L.R. “Red” Wilson

A new biography by Dimitry Anastakis explores the life and career of L.R. Red Wilson, a pioneering Canadian business leader who made significant contributions to higher education, business, and public service. The book showcases Mr. Wilson's remarkable journey, including his executive leadership positions and philanthropic efforts.

Purdue student entrepreneurs receive $50,000 from Purdue Innovates Incubator

Four teams of Purdue University student entrepreneurs won a combined $50,000 from the Purdue Innovates Incubator for their innovative solutions in healthcare and education. The winning teams included echoSURE Inc., VitaWave Tech Inc., CalcGPT, and Kova Group Inc.

Revolving doors weaken SEC oversight

New research from the University of Texas at Austin finds that regulators with ties to Big Four accounting firms are less likely to detect financial statement errors and ask for amendments. A cooling-off period might increase confidence in regulatory oversight, but its implementation could be challenging due to staff limitations.

Scrapped inheritance tax linked to stronger growth in private firms with heirs, Swedish study shows

Private firms with potential family successors in Sweden grew faster and invested more after the abolition of inheritance tax, which led to higher corporate taxes. The study suggests that rents from the tax abolition were shared with society through taxes and employee salaries.

98% of all recent environmental claims and commitments from the world’s largest meat and dairy companies can be categorized as “greenwashing”, or intentionally misleading

A recent study found that 98% of environmental claims made by the world's largest meat and dairy companies can be classified as greenwashing. The analysis of over 1,200 claims from 33 major companies revealed a lack of evidence supporting many promises.

Study finds high school journalism leading the way in financial literacy, even if business isn't part of curriculum

A study by the University of Kansas found that high school journalists learn business skills through practice and experiential learning, even if business concepts are not directly addressed. Student media advisers reported financial pressures and stressed the need for improved financial literacy education.