Research on business, work, and organizations. Covers dissent and management, innovation, workplace activism, and generative AI in investing.
A study found that remote workers are more likely to protect IT resources when faced with fear and a clear understanding of potential security threats. Employers can encourage secure behaviors by clearly communicating threats and promoting self-efficacy, and also consider integrating stewardship theory to promote a sense of collectivism.
Researchers from top universities examined when to send review reminders and found that timing affects both likelihood and quality of reviews. The study suggests companies should adjust their practices to elicit more consumer feedback.
A new model predicts US recessions and slowdowns by analyzing the aggregate probability of financial misreporting in the economy. The model improves recession prediction by about 25% over existing models, providing regulators with more lead time to prepare for a recession.
Researchers developed a new model to predict U.S. recessions and economic slowdowns based on financial statement manipulation. The study found that high levels of potential manipulation in financial statements can improve recession prediction 5 to 8 quarters away.
The Kimchi premium, a gap between crypto prices in South Korea and the USA, leads to increased overseas remittances to China. A study found that for every 1% increase in the premium, there's a 7.6% rise in remittance value and a 5.8% increase in quantity.
Research reveals private equity firms experience greater replacement of the workforce and rely on physician assistants and nurse practitioners. A more stable workforce is associated with better health outcomes for patients.
Researchers found that executives engage in more profitable insider trades when tax rates increase, posing risks to companies and shareholders. Conversely, fewer investigations occur when income taxes decrease, suggesting executives may use insider trading to boost compensation.
A new study found that structured visual design properties, such as symmetry and balance, reinforce claims about a brand's utilitarian benefits. In contrast, unstructured designs are associated with hedonic benefits. The research suggests marketers can use perception to influence beliefs about brand performance and consumer choice.
Researchers found that consumers pay more when asked to make payment decisions after receiving the product, especially for high-value offerings. Conversely, lower values are paid when decisions are made before receipt. This timing effect can inform businesses and organizations implementing pay-what-you-want pricing mechanisms.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology found that AI chatbots' positive emotional displays have no effect on customer service evaluations when the source is a bot, but improve when human agents exhibit emotions. The study suggests businesses should be cautious about equipping AI agents with emotion-expressing capabilities.
A new study found that only 6.1% of US firms with wildfires in their headquarters county disclose wildfire risks in required federal filings, highlighting a gap in transparency and risk management. Firms are more likely to disclose risks when they have previously experienced wildfires, and the most disclosure-sensitive firms are those ...
Researchers found that companies engaging in corporate political advocacy experience lower brand attitudes and purchase intentions, particularly among consumers with low political efficacy. These effects are driven by the lack of faith in political institutions among these consumers.
A new study found that IRS audits can lead to a significant decrease in the survival rate of small businesses, with non-compliant companies being 2.7-12.6 percentage points less likely to survive. However, compliant businesses may experience operational costs but also benefits from improved tax efficiency and increased investment.
A recent study using game theory explains why people with experience don't report sexual misconduct, citing a 'first mover disadvantage' and uncertainty over others' actions. Reporting improves when individuals are aware of other reports, problematic behavior is penalized, or targeted employees receive damage awards.
A 10-year study found that aggressive law enforcement tactics can actually increase trade-based money laundering (TBML) in the EU, with up to 11% of all trade involving 'dirty' money
A large-scale study revealed that entrepreneurs are less at risk of burnout than salaried employees due to the positive psychological effects of entrepreneurial work. Entrepreneurs show less daily work recovery after regular working hours, indicating a 'positive workaholism'. This leads to a lower risk of burnout and increased happiness.
Researchers found that secondary selling, a salesperson's considerate behavior with secondary entities like customers and company property, increases sales revenues and customer satisfaction. The study suggests training initiatives and making secondary selling behaviors visible to customers.
A new case study explores the early years of BioOne and SPIE's nonprofit platform partnership, highlighting its potential to reduce costs and enhance strategic development. The authors share key lessons learned, including the importance of regular communication and reciprocal service-level agreements.
Researchers at The University of Alabama found that properties listed by women agents sold for significantly less than those marketed by men. However, when adjusted for property attributes, there was no significant difference in price or time on the market between male and female real estate agents.
A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that individuals who are feeling tense due to time pressures and financial constraints tend not to reward themselves with gifts or experiences. However, when researchers encouraged participants to engage in self-gifting activities, they reported increased happiness and relaxat...
Researchers at Binghamton University propose a three-pillar approach to increase inclusion in STEM fields, including flexibility, accommodation, and modification. This framework aims to address the diverse needs of individuals with disabilities and other constraints.
Startups with few female employees face difficulties attracting women, leading to a lopsided workforce. To address this issue, companies must acknowledge and communicate their diversity debt, showcasing their commitment to creating a safe environment for women.
A new visual scale called Matches Measure can quickly assess job burnout, reducing participant fatigue and increasing understanding. The scale is comparable to existing burnout measures and relates to known predictors and consequences of job burnout.
University of Missouri engineers are working on a collaborative human-robot order picking system to speed up the online delivery process. The proposed model aims to optimize key decisions in warehouse operations, allowing robots to navigate efficiently and collaborate with humans to increase efficiency.
A new study from Trinity College Dublin and WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management found that brief positive interventions, such as watching a funny video, can help employees overcome daily challenges like annoying emails or unloved tasks. This leads to increased effectiveness at work, including better engagement, creativity, and beh...
New research finds that digital make-up mirrors enhance a sense of self-inauthenticity among consumers, leading to embarrassment and shame. Conversely, in-store experiences allow for a more authentic and enjoyable shopping experience.
Researchers identify conditions that reduce the negative effect of acquisitions on consumers' reactions to acquired brands. The study found that perceived loss of a brand's unique values is a key trigger for negative reactions, which can be mitigated by factors like brand age and leadership continuity.
Researchers found that conventional thinkers can come up with more creative ideas after practicing emotional reappraisal, which involves viewing a situation through another emotional lens. This technique can be trained and helps individuals tap into their knowledge and experience, improving business productivity.
Researchers found that featured reviews on Amazon can lead to higher sales and improved customer satisfaction, but the impact decreases when there are too many reviews. Products with three reviews performed better than those with more or fewer reviews.
A new study finds that automation has contributed significantly to the growth in income inequality in the US, with 50-70% of the increase attributed to technological changes. The study analyzed data from 49 industries and 500 demographic subgroups, finding that automation has disproportionately affected low-skill service workers.
Women entrepreneurs tend to be more flexible and resourceful in their decision-making, leading to greater business success. This study found that women are more likely to use 'effectual logic,' which involves creatively using available resources to achieve success.
Research from Binghamton University found that government agencies struggle with innovation due to risk-aversion and compliance constraints. Digital platforms can help strike a balance between standard and flexible approaches, enabling efficient innovation.
Researchers found that firms with higher innovation potential have lower sales of insider shares, resulting in a relatively lower stock price penalty. Firms with generic mentions of future innovation in their IPO prospectus also show improved IPO performance.
A study by Kingston University and Maynooth University found that people in early stages of their careers were more likely to experience stress and disengage from work due to remote working. Mid-career workers faced exhaustion due to juggling responsibilities, while older employees considered leaving their professions prematurely.
A new study from the University of East Anglia found that employees who perceive managerial controls as restrictive and punitive may develop dysfunctional responses, including workplace deviance and deliberate ignorance. The study suggests that threatening managerial controls have different effects on skilled and non-skilled workers, w...
A new study reveals that households using prepayment meters consume significantly fewer portions of fruit and vegetables compared to those on alternative payment methods. The researchers found a strong link between higher energy bills and lower consumption of essential nutrients, highlighting the 'heat-or-eat' dilemma.
Research found that large asset managers with common share ownership are positively associated with corporate social responsibility. They focus on reducing industry-wide risks, such as environmental responsibility and worker safety, by holding similar companies.
A new study by Cornell University researchers found that changing the wording on expiration dates could help reduce food waste. The study suggests that certain labels, such as "use by" or "best if used by," may lead to more food being discarded than others.
The employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities increased to historic highs in October, while those without disabilities are only reaching pre-pandemic levels. These gains may lead to long-term improvements in workplace integration of people with disabilities.
A Washington State University-led study found that sleep quality impacts women's mood and aspirations for career advancement. Women who get a good night's sleep are more likely to be oriented towards achieving status and responsibility at work.
A study in China found that digital coupons significantly increased redemption rates among catering and retail businesses, boosting turnover and sales. The redemption rate rose from 38% to 90% over six waves, with effects felt by businesses of all sizes.
Researchers found high-end hotels inflate their ratings on platforms like Tripadvisor and Expedia when facing greater competition from Airbnb. The study, published in MIS Quarterly, suggests that hotels use fake positive reviews to counter negative reviews from rival hotels., Low-end hotels remain unaffected by Airbnb's presence.
Researchers propose experience cocreation to transform shared coupons into a tool for relationship building, suggesting it can boost social goals and alleviate norm conflict. The study recommends three steps for managers to utilize social influence, including sending reminder messages that emphasize economic and social value.
Researchers found that groups using multivoting proved more effective in identifying the best choice, with 50% higher accuracy than plurality and ranked-choice voting. Multivoting allows individuals to allocate votes across options, promoting deeper information processing before discussion.
Researchers found that American participants had the most positive perception of gene-edited food, while German participants saw it as less beneficial and riskier. Japanese participants' perceptions were intermediate between Germans and Americans. The study suggests that public attitudes towards emerging science are influenced by regul...
Researchers found that content overlap between critic and user reviews increases movie demand, particularly for movies with mediocre review ratings. The study suggests that producers and marketers can leverage this by engaging with both professional critics and general consumers to find commonalities in their reviews.
A study by the Rotman School of Management found that pay bonuses based on managers' assessments of employee work led to improved performance, while losing pay had a demotivating effect. The research highlights the importance of cautious use of subjective penalties in incentive systems.
A new report finds that men and women in the UK have higher probabilities of dying than predicted, with a marked difference in gender. The slowdown since 2010 has raised questions about the viability of pensions schemes and inequalities within the UK.
Researchers discovered that influencers with an intermediate follower count create the most engagement, as larger and smaller influencer tiers fail to deliver comparable results. The study also found that content customization and brand familiarity can impact this relationship.
Collaborations between firms with the same partner can hurt company success, but help employees develop social capital and advance their careers. Employees often benefit from these connections, which can lead to better job opportunities and skill development.
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh will develop an open-source digital toolkit to enhance entrepreneurship resources, leveraging a $484,000 grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The 18-month project aims to create tools and connections for university-based and entrepreneur-led economic development.
New research by Cornell University ILR School tracks the rise of militant leadership in California Nurses Association, adopting fixed-duration strikes to build a more militant membership and resist concessions. The fixed-duration strike proved highly effective in protecting worker interests, imposing financial costs on employers.
A new study reveals that brand owned social media has a stronger impact on sales than previously thought. To stimulate engagement, brands should focus on emotions in their content, rather than easy-to-measure metrics like likes and comments.
A study published in Journal of Urban Economics found that bad roads in border regions increase travel time and cost, reducing international trade volumes by 18%. Underinvestment in transport infrastructure also leads to a 'border effect', where trade between regions in different countries is lower than within the same country.
A recent study from North Carolina State University found that employees' relationships with coworkers significantly impact their sense of purpose and drive at work. The researchers discovered that employees who receive advice and support from their peers are more likely to feel a strong connection to the company.
A study conducted by researchers at Hiroshima University found that smartphone users are willing to pay a premium for different surface textures on their phone covers. The study's findings suggest that the commercial viability of surface texture has not been empirically examined, but could be an important aspect of product design.
A new study examines convenience-store robberies, finding that employees on the sales floor are more likely to be injured when robbed. The research suggests revised safety protocols could mitigate this risk and improve employee health and safety.
A study of 389 Fortune 500 organizations found that female leaders prioritize customer relationships, driving long-term financial performance. Female executives are especially valuable in stable environments with a high degree of control over customer strategy.
A new study from Ohio State University finds that white consumers' preferences played a significant role in driving discriminatory practices by private businesses against Black customers before the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The study analyzed data from the Negro Motorist Green Book and found that counties with more Confederate monument...
A new study found that disclosure of advertising spending significantly lowers investor and analyst uncertainty, enhancing firms' valuation. The study analyzed 2,285 publicly listed firms over 25 years and found a moderate negative effect on idiosyncratic risk.