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How firms frame training programs for gig workers boosts promotion and uptake of the programs, strengthening the bond between worker and company

A study found that firms can increase promotion and uptake of training programs by framing them in relational terms, strengthening the bond between worker and company. This approach signals a commitment to nurturing workers' development, leading to prolonged productivity collaborations.

SourceStrategic Management Society·JournalStrategic Management Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 19, 2024

AI can boost service for vulnerable customers

Researchers developed an AI framework to identify vulnerable consumers, address their needs, and mitigate potential discrimination. The framework provides real-time analysis of consumer chat responses to build risk scores and offer customized tips to customer service agents.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of the Academy of Marketing Science·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 18, 2024

How should boards handle visionary CEOs?

A new model shows that boards should invest more resources to confirm the CEO's plan when they are mildly overconfident. However, if the CEO is highly confident, the board should act as a monitor and only intervene if necessary. In extreme cases, visionary CEOs may be allowed to run with their ideas without intervention.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Accounting Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 12, 2024

Does self-checkout impact grocery store loyalty?

Research from Drexel University finds that customers are more likely to remain loyal to a grocery store when using regular checkout service. The perceived ease of checkout, sense of entitlement, and number of items purchased play a role in explaining the effect of loyalty.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of Business Research·DateJan 4, 2024

Chung-Ang University study reveals a higher market valuation of cash holdings of firms adopting electronic voting

A study by Chung-Ang University found that electronic voting enhances shareholders' perception of corporate governance, increasing the market value of a firm's cash holdings. Firms with larger free cash flows and minority ownership saw stronger governance effects from adopting electronic voting.

SourceChung Ang University·JournalInternational Review of Financial Analysis·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 4, 2024

Job ads with wide pay ranges can deter applicants

A Washington State University study found that job ads with very wide pay ranges evoked less favorable impressions of employers. Participants viewed these ads as less trustworthy and doubted the organization would offer high salaries to employees. However, some saw the large range as a positive sign of possible 'room for growth',

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateJan 3, 2024

How do financial incentives for CEOs affect business outcomes? Bonuses have minimal effect, stock options have none

A systematic review of 20 empirical studies found that CEO financial incentives have a small predictive effect on return on assets, but no effect on other performance metrics or financial restatements. The analysis suggests caution regarding current practices and recommends alternative arrangements to enhance firm performance.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalCampbell Systematic Reviews·DateDec 19, 2023

Workplace gossip can benefit employees and employers

A new study from Binghamton University School of Management found that positive workplace gossip can reduce employee turnover and improve an organization's effectiveness. Employees who engage in positive gossip with coworkers may experience social gains, including reduced negative feelings towards their workplace.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalGroup & Organization Management·DateDec 13, 2023

Workplace culture is preventing men from taking paternity leave, writes Claudine Mangen

A study by Claudine Mangen found that male professionals prefer to spend more time with their partners and newborn babies but are pressured to delay or forego paternity leave due to workplace obligations. This highlights the need for organizations to rethink strategies around gender inequality and foster equitable workplaces.

SourceConcordia University·JournalAccounting Horizons·TypeSurvey·DateDec 5, 2023

Digital marketplace: The role of probabilistic selling strategies in the travel industry

A novel strategy, probabilistic selling, has proven effective in driving revenue, attracting new users, and managing inventory efficiently in the travel industry. The study finds that this approach enhances market demand and boosts consumer satisfaction, benefiting both the platform and sellers.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalJournal of Economy and Technology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 4, 2023

Disruptive ideas rely on old fashioned meetings

Studies have shown that collaborative teams working remotely produce fewer truly disruptive ideas compared to their in-person counterparts. In-person teams tend to engage in more conceptual work, such as conceiving hypotheses and writing, which is more likely to lead to radical new ideas.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 29, 2023

The role of marketing in disrupted health care markets: It’s time to move beyond conventional strategies to account for new actors, roles, and exchanges

Disrupted health care markets have changed the creation, provision, and consumption of health care. Marketing strategies need to account for new producers, providers, and consumers. The editorial calls for a research agenda outlining opportunities for marketing scholars to examine the impact of disrupted exchanges on consumer welfare.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateNov 29, 2023

Gig workers saw greater financial hardship during COVID-19 compared to other workers

A recent study published in Work and Occupations found that gig workers experienced higher rates of food insecurity, skipped housing payments, and unpaid credit card bills during the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic hardships were more pronounced for those with children, less savings, or working multiple gig jobs.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro·JournalWork and Occupations·TypeObservational study·DateNov 27, 2023

Non-profit organisations can act as drivers of sustainability for multinational companies

A new study from the University of Eastern Finland highlights the potential for non-profit organisations to promote sustainable practices in multinational businesses. By using a Strategic Confrontation and Collaboration Interaction Model (SCCIM), non-profits can influence stakeholders such as employees, investors, and politicians to ad...

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalNonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly·DateNov 27, 2023

More is not always better

A new framework demonstrates that proportionately more multi-homing consumers lead to significant efficiency gains when integrating two business platforms. However, this trend also creates higher barriers to entry for new platform firms and may require policy guidance to mitigate potential harms of platform mergers.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of Industrial Economics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 22, 2023

Colored by numbers? Pack images get tick of approval to make product varieties stand out

New research from the University of South Australia found that images are more effective at signaling product variety than colors, with only 56% of color choices matching customer expectations. The study analyzed consumer perceptions of 576 products and recommended using images to convey variety and protecting master brand colors.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalInternational Journal of Market Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 15, 2023

Focus groups can work without a moderator, shows research

A novel 'remotely-moderated' focus group method has been developed and tested, where questions are posed on a screen and moderated by an off-site researcher. This approach encourages participants to go beyond their usual role and engage in frank discussion, revealing valuable insights into issues they may not have considered before.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalQualitative Research in Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 15, 2023

Just in time for Halloween: Researchers document the power of 'ghostly encounters' on organizations

Organizational ghosts are admired former leaders who embody an organization's values and identity, continuing to influence members long after they've departed. Researchers found that these ghostly encounters can safeguard organizations from risky decisions and legitimize current leaders.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·TypeObservational study·DateOct 30, 2023

Are retrospective adjustments to sustainability reports helping CEOs score a bonus?

New research found that companies are altering their sustainability reports to improve their environmental and social performance metrics, which are tied to CEO bonuses. Only 15% of revisions were reported as due to error, while 69% were attributed to changes in measurement, suggesting manipulation may be occurring.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalJournal of Management Accounting Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 23, 2023

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

Startup workers flee for bigger, more established companies during pandemic

Researchers found that job seekers were 20% more likely to search for work at companies with over 500 employees after March 13, 2020. The average size of companies searched increased by 29%, driven by highly-skilled and better-educated candidates, which can impact startup success.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalReview of Financial Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 19, 2023

SEC insider trading rule has loopholes

A recent study by University of Texas at Austin professor Robert Parrino found that the SEC's Rule 10b5-1 has limited effectiveness in limiting insider trading. Despite being widely used, the rule allows CEOs to game the system by canceling trades or using limit orders within the plan.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Financial Economics·TypeObservational study·DateOct 17, 2023

Unveiling real-time economic insights with search big data

A team of Japanese researchers created a big data-driven model that accurately forecasts key economic indicators in real time, eliminating the need for aggregated semi-macroeconomic data. The approach leverages search engine query data to identify highly correlated queries and provides timely insights into economic trends.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalThe Journal of Finance and Data Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 16, 2023

Is less more? Or is less sometimes less? Examining the consumer trend toward minimalist packaging in consumable products

A new study finds that simple packaging design is positively associated with price, but not always enhances consumers' willingness to pay. The research team discovers that store-brand products and health-oriented consumers benefit from simplicity, while indulgent consumers prefer complex packaging.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateOct 11, 2023

New study offers improved strategy for social media communications during wildfires

Researchers from the University of Notre Dame found that social media engagement improves when national and local levels mismatch audiences during recovery phases, increasing user engagement by 29.6%. The study suggests a nuanced approach to content coordination, with national headquarters leading production and local accounts following.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalInformation Systems Research·DateOct 10, 2023

How much are you willing to pay for a product or service? It depends on your other options and the given context

A new study published in the Journal of Marketing presents the Comparative Method of Valuation as a more accurate way to measure customers' willingness to pay. The study finds that existing methods can provide vague and inaccurate results due to their inability to capture relevant comparisons or context.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateOct 5, 2023

Employee surveys may miss out on uncovering toxic leadership practices

A new study from Binghamton University's School of Management found that standard employee surveys may be missing out on crucial information about toxic leaders. Participants in the survey often rely on their long-term memory to rank harmful leadership practices, which can lead to overlooked negative encounters if they're few and far b...

SourceBinghamton University·JournalAcademy of Management Proceedings·DateSep 18, 2023

A secret for boosting hotel bookings: analyze online user reviews for your hotel and your competitors

A new study reveals that a hotel's own sentiment score and its competitor's sentiment score have a significant impact on booking performance. Hotels that improve their own sentiment score by 1% can increase bookings by .38%, while those that improve their competitors' sentiment score by 1% can decrease bookings by .25%. The research al...

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateSep 6, 2023

Potential employers view job candidates differently if they post online about mental health

A new study by North Carolina State University reveals that posting about mental health challenges on LinkedIn can affect how potential employers perceive job applicants. Researchers found that disclosures about anxiety and depression led to viewers viewing candidates as less emotionally stable and less conscientious.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Business and Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 29, 2023

AI recommendation vs. user subscription: analyzing in-feed digital advertising performance on platforms like Twitter, Google News, and TikTok

Researchers found that subscription channels have greater source credibility and content control, leading to higher conversion rates despite perceived ad intrusiveness. In contrast, AI-recommended channels elicit more clicks but with smaller proportions of genuine interest and purchases.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateAug 23, 2023

Automate or informate? Firms must invest in specific types of IT to improve working capital management

A new study from the University of Notre Dame reveals that investing in specific types of IT can help firms manage their working capital more efficiently. The research shows that IT infrastructure investments have a stronger impact on improving working capital-firm performance relationships than IT labor investments.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Operations Management·DateAug 22, 2023

New study finds electoral uncertainty threatens international investment at companies with government ties

A new study in the Global Strategy Journal found that electoral uncertainty creates challenges for state-owned businesses and multinationals with indirect government ties. These companies are less likely to expand internationally during election years and instead adopt more flexible strategies or withdraw state support.

SourceStrategic Management Society·JournalGlobal Strategy Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 22, 2023