Research on business, work, and organizations. Covers dissent and management, innovation, workplace activism, and generative AI in investing.
A new study examines the role of six brand factors, including price positioning, advertising spending, and distribution breadth, in moderating the impact of business cycles on brand equity. The research finds that premium pricing, market leadership, and extensive distribution contribute to brand equity during economic expansions.
Researchers found that mixed-gender coalitions perform better than single-gender groups in advocating for gender equity issues. Adding men to the coalition makes the message appear more legitimate and signals that it matters to a wider range of stakeholders.
Researchers developed guidance for organizations to regulate cybervetting, reducing biases and promoting diversity. Job seekers can also take steps to limit their exposure to bias by removing negative posts and using privacy settings.
Researchers at Washington State University found that eco-friendly hotel certifications do not lead to financial benefits for hotels. However, displaying comparable pricing information and informing consumers about green certification can boost future sales. The study suggests that the tourism industry needs sustainable practices to re...
A study found that resiliency and family support play a crucial role in helping Hispanic breast cancer survivors manage lymphedema. Adaptations such as modifying work tasks and seeking support from family members enable survivors to maintain their quality of life.
A new study by St. Edward’s University, University of Mississippi, and University of Texas at Austin finds that female executives focus on customer relationships to a greater degree than their male counterparts, leading to more customer-oriented discussions in the C-suite. The researchers examine 389 Fortune 500 firms over six years an...
A new study found that people care about the visual aesthetics of assistive devices like compression gloves and knee braces. Users comment on color options, style, and texture, while also considering scent and feel. The study suggests that manufacturers should consider aesthetics in product development to improve user experience.
Researchers identified 'data architecture' as crucial for successful digital transformation, finding that legacy systems hinder integration and adoption. A coherent data architecture enables firms to automate data processing, integrate large datasets, and develop machine learning models.
New research finds conflictive home-host relations have a strong negative effect on policy risk and can imperil cross-border acquisitions. Ambivalent relations reduce the effect of policy risk the greatest extent.
A new study suggests that prediction markets could improve climate risk forecasts by incentivizing experts to share information. The markets would offer a level playing field for diverse expertise and provide a structured way to distribute research funding, promoting effective altruism.
Researchers used geospatial big data to analyze Black-owned restaurants' performance during the pandemic. They found that Black-owned restaurants experienced greater disparities in lost patronage compared to other restaurants.
Researchers found that increasing active listening and empathy in a firm's response can evoke customer gratitude, even if the actual failure is not yet recovered. The study shows that these strategies can be easy-to-implement implications for companies handling complaints via social media.
A new study finds that nearly 40% of businesses are willing to hire workers with criminal backgrounds. Offering employers crime and safety insurance or performance reviews increases demand by up to 68%. The researchers conclude that cost-effective policies can expand labor supply without deterring employers.
A recent study found that poor management is the biggest risk factor for workplace bullying, with a new evidence-based screening tool developed to address the problem. The tool identifies nine major risk areas in day-to-day practices, highlighting the need for organisations to proactively assess and mitigate underlying risk factors.
Kaunas University of Technology researchers collaborated with citizens to create a sustainable takeaway food package made from cardboard. The innovative design features heat-resistant materials, adjustable inserts, and clear recycling instructions, reducing plastic waste and promoting environmental responsibility.
A new study using cellphone location data found that visits to Black-owned restaurants dropped off after initial spikes and were inconsistent across 20 US cities. The study raises questions about the effectiveness of labelling campaigns and how tech companies can better support communities of color.
Researchers gauged small-scale fishers' willingness to use vessel tracking systems, finding that safety functionality and ownership of data were key factors. In a survey of 211 fishers, 67% were willing to pay for the technology, while those citing corruption as their main problem were more likely to participate if paid.
A study by University of Eastern Finland explores the role of self-disclosure in forging long-term B2B customer relationships. Sales professionals disclose personal and company information, leading to deeper relationships with increased trust, communication, and shared goals.
Research finds that feelings of guilt from keeping everyday consumer behaviors a secret can lead to greater relationship investment. Participants reported engaging in mundane secrets like sneaking pizza or watching ahead on a TV show, which drove them to invest more in their relationships.
A new study found that social media boycotts of Goya Foods actually caused the company's nationwide sales to rise for a few weeks before subsiding to previous levels. Sales revived after a few weeks, even in geographic areas where customers forgo Goya products, driven by politically motivated first-time buyers supporting the brand.
Researchers identified critical success factors for mitigating challenges in the food cold chain, including stakeholder pressure and sustainable investment. The study provides a detailed theoretical framework for developing sustainable business strategies in China.
A new study finds that maximizing behavior is linked to increased item usage, suggesting a potential strategy for reducing over-consumerism and its environmental impact. Maximizers tend to spend more time considering options and make greater use of their choices, which could encourage people to get more mileage out of their stuff.
A study found that women in public accounting firms are overrepresented as directors but underrepresented as partners, highlighting a persistent gender equity issue. The analysis of audit data revealed a disproportionate lack of female partners, with only 18% holding the position compared to 32% of directors.
Researchers examine pricing and brand equity implications of brands selling on one-party versus third-party online platforms. Brands may increase unit sales but compromise brand perceptions, while 3P platforms provide full control over pricing and product presentation.
Professor Gary Latham of the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management has been recognized with the Dave Ulrich Impact Award for his groundbreaking research on goal setting and its impact on human resource management. His work has significantly advanced the field, with hundreds of academic and practitioner articles published.
A study co-authored by Rotman School professor Partha Mohanram has received the 2022 Notable Contributions to Accounting Literature Award. The research used textual analysis techniques to predict firm-level earnings and stock returns based on Twitter activity, demonstrating significant predictive power.
Researchers found that while short-term success is linked to narcissism and psychopathy, Machiavellianism leads to long-term benefits. High network reach efficiency also enhances performance for dark salespeople.
A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that sustained low wages during working years are associated with significantly faster memory decline in older age. Low-wage earners experienced approximately one excess year of cognitive aging per a 10-year period compared to those who never earned low wages.
Researchers found that innovation imprinting, where firms establish product priorities and build market capabilities before going public, helps companies beat the post-IPO innovation slump. This strategy also attracts investors with risk preferences that support innovation.
Researchers say stereotypes and stigma surrounding mental illness can lead to poor workplace behavior. Employees with mental illnesses may face fear of discrimination, which drives inauthenticity and counterproductive work behaviors.
The nTIDE COVID Update reveals a rise in unemployment rates for both people with and without disabilities, driven by increased labor force participation and inflation concerns. This shift may reflect people entering the workforce to increase family income amid rising living costs.
A study published in the Journal of Marketing found that drinking caffeinated beverages before shopping leads to more items purchased and increased spending, particularly for high hedonic products. The researchers also discovered that the effects of caffeine are stronger for certain types of products and weaker for others.
The study found that TV ad content drives zapping through irritation, while creativity mitigates zapping by reducing it. Researchers recommend investing in creativity and refraining from too much information to discourage zapping behavior.
Research from Washington University in St. Louis found that awards and recognition can temper creativity by making producers feel threatened by the prospect of compromising their identity with mediocre work. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced among first-time producers, who are more likely to stop producing altogether if they f...
Research analyzed Cornell University's greenhouse gas consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic and found that 60% of emissions came from off-campus activities. The study provides a framework for universities to reduce carbon footprint and achieve climate goals, with Cornell aiming to reach carbon neutrality by 2035.
A study of over 1000 consumers from Australia and NZ found that 27% would pay nearly double the price for 'healthy' drinks with low/no sugar, natural/no additives, or vitamins and minerals. Younger consumers (18-24 years) are more likely to be interested in healthy drinks.
A new approach to developing flood maps uses confidence intervals to capture the uncertainty in flood predictions, providing a more realistic depiction of flood zones. This simplified method is more accessible and cost-effective than traditional methods, producing acceptable results with less effort and lower costs.
The study found that legislatures, rather than governors, played a crucial role in shaping data reporting practices. Standardized data collection protocols and comprehensive race and ethnicity data are essential for addressing health disparities and reducing information asymmetries.
A new study reveals that overly enthusiastic product pitches can make investors suspect ulterior motives, while a more balanced approach may increase chances of securing funding. Entrepreneurs should aim for tempered passion rather than extreme energy when pitching to investors.
Researchers from Copenhagen Business School found that moderate prototype fidelity is key to raising funds through online crowdfunding. Higher levels of fidelity can lead to higher development costs and doubts about venture viability.
Researchers argue that people with dyslexia have specific strengths in exploring the unknown, which has contributed to their successful adaptation and survival as a species. This 'explorative bias' plays a crucial role in our ability to adapt to changing environments.
A new study found that teams with stable hierarchies exhibit cooperative speaking patterns, while unstable or unspecified hierarchies lead to competitive interruptive patterns. Team gender composition also plays a role, with majority-female teams benefiting from cooperative patterns and all-male teams from competitive patterns.
The Impact Acceleration Account supports critical early-stage translation of UK research to transform public services, create new businesses, and jobs. The programme provides funding to unlock the value of UK research, including commercialisation of new technologies.
A new analysis suggests that BP's reputation declined after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon accident, but its long-term stock market returns were not significantly affected. The study found no decline in the reputations or stock prices of other oil firms.
Researchers analyzed over 11,000 venture-backed startups and found that prior collaboration between venture capitalists predicts exit type, with firms with co-invested VCs more likely to be acquired. Conversely, those without prior collaborations are more likely to go public.
Researchers found that increasing the influencer marketing budget increases consumer engagement, but firms are allocating budgets sub-optimally. Selecting influencers who post original content and have more followers leads to greater effectiveness.
Research finds that business-case justifications for diversity can undermine belonging among LGBTQ professionals, female STEM-job seekers, and Black students. Fairness-case explanations may also induce social identity threat, although to a lesser extent.
Researchers developed an algorithm to improve matching efficiency, considering user preferences and behavior. The new algorithm shows improved results in field experiments, with at least 27% more matches than the current one.
A Rutgers study finds that negative feedback can make experts more precise in their predictions, but also lead to overconfidence and decreased learning from mistakes. Experts are more likely to double down on incorrect decisions after being corrected, while novices learn from negative feedback.
A study by the University of Texas at Austin found that countries with strong rule of law have less economic volatility and higher productivity. Weak rule of law leads to poor contract enforcement, causing employee morale to suffer, ultimately sparking churn and economic instability.
The University of Jyväskylä's SAFE Project aims to replace insecure passwords with a more secure authentication method. The project, funded by Business Finland, has global market potential and promises seamless access to all systems worldwide.
Research from the University of Washington found that narcissistic executives can prevent knowledge sharing among business units, despite boosts to performance. Narcissists overestimate internal knowledge value and underestimate external ideas.
Research by Cornell University found that women directors employ various tactics to manage the 'double bind' of expectations for warmth and competence. These tactics include diversifying conversations, clarifying perspectives, and amplifying their expertise to achieve specific aims.
A new study published in the Journal of Marketing finds that requesting customers to rate service professionals first can lead to smaller tips, whereas asking customers to tip first does not influence subsequent rating scores. This research has important implications for firms and managers, suggesting that they should consider asking c...
A new project led by University of Illinois professor Jingrui He seeks to detect and predict insider threats in large organizations. The team will use multimodal data to identify outliers and rare category types of insider threats and propose dynamic update techniques.
Wealthy individuals are more likely to purchase unsustainable products with higher price tags, feeling entitled to the benefits despite environmental costs. However, when encouraged to think about equality, this effect is diminished.
Researchers found that tension and lack of it have a significant impact on surgical performance, with shared past successes priming teams for better collaboration
A new paper outlines a universal protocol for secure cryptocurrency exchanges, addressing issues of honesty, privacy, and third-party reliance. The protocol ensures honest swaps across all current and future cryptocurrencies, with no need for specialized features or high computing power.
A novel contract proposed by UTD researchers could help alleviate key sources of conflict between restaurants and food-delivery platforms. The study found that standard contractual relationships have two key issues: simple revenue sharing and strain on restaurant operations.
A study by Thorsten Lehnert reveals that price noise from trading activities of mutual funds explains the success of 'bets against beta' strategies. These strategies, which involve taking short positions in assets with higher betas and long positions in those with lower betas, result in significant positive returns.