Articles tagged with Business
A Cornell University study finds that noncompete agreements disproportionately affect women entrepreneurs, blocking them from starting high-growth companies. The 'fear factor' associated with noncompetes also limits the ability of women to hire experienced employees, making entrepreneurial ventures riskier.
Researchers found that emotional expressions of anger in negative reviews influence consumer attitudes and choices, counterintuitively increasing the negative impact. Online retailers and review platforms should take angry reviews seriously and address them promptly to mitigate their effects.
A new study from the University of Illinois evaluates fintech systems in 16 emerging markets, finding that digital technologies improve access to financial services. However, vulnerable populations face barriers to usage due to digital literacy, cost, and limited consumer protections.
A UCF study examines the link between 'coworker presenteeism' and mistreatment, finding that heavy workloads lead to self-interest and avoidance of sick colleagues. Managers are advised to encourage employees to stay home to recover quickly and protect their health.
A new study examines the effect of corporate social responsibility on consumers' actual purchase behavior, finding that corrective and compensating CSR actions boost sales, while cultivating CSR initiatives lead to slight drops. The study also reveals that sincere motives play a crucial role in consumer perception of CSR.
New research from University of Georgia suggests that the no-makeup movement isn't liberating women from cosmetics. Instead, cosmetic sales have increased alongside the rise of the no-makeup trend. The study found that people perceive 'natural' looks with makeup as more attractive than those without.
A study published in the Journal of Marketing found that complimenting a competitor can increase a brand's reputation and sales, particularly among skeptical consumers. The tactic is most effective when done strategically and authentically, signaling a brand's warmth and trustworthiness.
A new study from Cornell University's ILR School found that people overestimate how quickly senders expect responses to non-urgent work emails, leading to increased stress. By clearly defining response expectations, senders can alleviate this 'email urgency bias' and create a more manageable inbox.
The August nTIDE COVID Update reports a decline in unemployment for people with disabilities, attributed to increased employment and labor participation rates. However, the overall job market remains unstable, with chronically high unemployment compared to pre-pandemic levels.
The University of Huddersfield's AI Skills Bootcamp will provide learners with personalized learning and employment plans, alongside Artificial Intelligence and transferable skills. The 16-week program aims to support learners from across the UK in developing independent skills and addressing current barriers to digital skills employment.
A study by Youssef Benzarti and Jarkko Harju found that regional payroll tax cuts in Finland reduced negative effects of the Great Recession on employment, particularly among men and low-skilled employees. The cuts also relaxed liquidity constraints for firms, making them more resilient during downturns.
A study by University of Texas at Dallas researcher Dr. Sheen S. Levine found that white Americans are prone to making poor decisions when they ignore their Black peers. When given the opportunity to witness Black peers' accomplishments, however, the racial attention deficit subsides, suggesting a remedy for diversity efforts.
Research reveals that salespeople conduct rational benefit–cost analyses when deciding which opportunity to pursue. They also use a calibration decision-making strategy for solution selling, which can lead to serious under- or overestimation of conversion rates. The findings highlight the importance of managing salespeople's avoidance ...
Researchers found that aging workforces, characterized by a higher ratio of workers 56 and older to those ages 21-55, are associated with increased robot deployment in 60 countries. This study suggests that automation adoption is partly driven by labor shortages, particularly middle-aged labor needed for blue-collar work.
A new study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that cultural context greatly affects the likelihood of unhappy employees becoming entrepreneurs. Countries with low uncertainty avoidance and high social acceptance of entrepreneurship have a stronger link between job satisfaction and entrepreneurial intent. In contrast, countri...
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.
A study by researchers at Mainz University found that digital presence of service employees improves customer loyalty. The study, published in the Journal of Marketing Research, showed that customers perceive websites with images or videos of service employees as more attractive and memorable, leading to increased customer loyalty.
A new study from the University of Georgia suggests that eliminating physical currency could benefit average Americans as long as certain taxes are lowered too. The research finds that reducing cash transactions would lead to lower tax evasion, allowing governments to reduce other taxes and boost overall well-being.
A study by Binghamton University found that companies that express remorse in the wake of a product failure are more likely to encourage customers to repurchase from them. The researchers also discovered that remorseful statements can help stave off retaliatory actions such as lawsuits by framing messages that match consumers' natural ...
A Simon Fraser University study reveals that workers who use mobile technology to actively connect with colleagues experience higher levels of communication effectiveness and better work performance. However, these same technologies can also impair performance due to interruptions. The study highlights the importance of finding a balan...
Researchers provide generalized communication principles for successful bid writing in the gig economy, including moderate call length, task information focus, and concreteness. By managing uncertainty through bids, freelancers can increase their chances of winning gigs and achieving price premiums.
Moving experienced engineers between units reduces costs by 4.2% and $12.2 million, making it an effective way to promote learning and diffuse best practices
Co-authors James Salzman, Andrew Plantinga, and Christopher Costello propose changing the 'use it or lose it' stipulation in public resource laws. This would allow non-extractive interests to compete with traditional extractive interests in bidding for licenses and permits, potentially increasing biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Researchers found a positive link between online influence and geographical proximity, with followers more likely to heed an influencer's recommendation when they live closer. This study suggests that local influencers may have a leg up in the influence game due to their proximal connections.
A new study by Abhi Bhattacharya, Neil Morgan, and Lopo Rego finds that most of the variance in the market share-profit relationship is explained by market power and quality signaling mechanisms. The researchers also identify conditions under which market share can be negatively related to firm profits, such as niche strategy firms and...
A new study from the University of South Australia reveals that Australian firms with large gender pay gaps are not only perpetuating inequality but also harming their overall performance. The research found that women executives in top management teams can lower a firm's annual return on assets by 2.2%.
A recent study found that rewarding costly skepticism in auditors may not be effective and can even lead to a decrease in red flag investigation. Instead, supporting skepticism from supervisors and promoting a culture of investigative mindset can encourage auditors to identify and pursue potential problems.
A new survey by University of Colorado Denver researchers found large disparities in virtual care models across US health systems. Smaller and low-burdened health systems adopted analytics and customer-oriented digital technologies, while larger and higher-revenue systems used futuristic and growth-oriented digital technologies.
Researchers found that backers with prior affiliations decrease the amount of funds raised for crowdfunded ideas. The study suggests that social language and moral licensing contribute to this effect. Creators may need to adjust their strategies to maximize crowdfunding success.
Researchers studied 13 social enterprises in Munich after refugee arrival, finding two types of founders: idealistic and self-interested. Idealists prioritized rapid support, while self-interested ones focused on long-term business success with flexible organizational structures.
A new study by Cornell University reveals that TV ads significantly influence retail investors' decisions, leading to increased online searches and stock trading volumes. The study found that certain types of ads, such as those airing during prime-time hours or for financial sector products, generated the strongest investor response.
A UC Riverside-led study finds that venture capital-backed startups organized as corporations pay more taxes than if they were limited liability companies. The study found that switching to an LLC would yield a tax savings of $43.9 billion, equivalent to 4.9% of invested equity.
Consumers are seeking products with local origin, traditional designs, and reminders of their childhood and family. Groundedness increases product attractiveness and consumers' willingness to pay. Products providing a sense of groundedness improve self-perceptions related to resilience and feelings of strength and stability.
The National Institute on Aging's $280 million investment in small businesses has advanced research on care interventions, diagnostic tools, and therapies for Alzheimer's disease. This funding has enabled the commercialization of technologies such as ActivePERS and PrecivityAD, which aim to improve care and diagnosis.
A recent meta-analysis of existing research on social norms reveals new generalizations about their impact on consumer behavior. The study found that descriptive forms of social norms are more effective than injunctive ones in promoting socially approved behaviors, such as mask wearing and eco-friendly practices. Effective communicatio...
A new study by Simon Fraser University researchers found that building rapport among tourists can significantly increase satisfaction with guided group tours. The study identified four key aspects of tourist-tourist rapport and showed that high levels of rapport lead to improved overall experience, while low levels decrease satisfactio...
Research by City University London's Business School reveals that fund managers who start their careers in difficult economic conditions perform better over the long-term. They exhibit better market timing and tilt their investments towards defensive industries during tough times.
Research finds that M&As can negate gains in synergy and efficiency if customers are dissatisfied, leading to a 1.14% lower customer satisfaction rate. Firms with marketing leaders on the board experience a 45% reduction in loss of firm value from M&As.
A new tool measures the relevance of academic marketing articles to marketing practice, highlighting a profound disconnect between scholars and practitioners. The R2M Index finds that only 24% of published articles are relevant to both academia and practice, with most articles focusing on topics of little interest to managers.
A new study found that a digital marketing campaign increased the number of vehicles fixed due to recalls, with a positive impact for airbag inflator-related recalls. The campaign also improved recall compliance for older vehicles, highlighting the effectiveness of digital tools in facilitating consumer access to relevant information.
A new study at the University of Cincinnati found that work interruptions can counterbalance negatives and lead to higher job satisfaction. Employees who experienced social interactions during interruptions felt more like they belonged, which mitigated negative effects on their well-being.
Researchers found that startups using A/B testing are more successful, with improved performance by 30-100% and higher product innovation rates. The study also found that smaller firms without financing can benefit the most from A/B testing, but use it least.
The poor are unlikely to obey strict lockdowns due to lack of nutrition, economic opportunities, and infrastructure. African policymakers need to prioritize social and economic measures over stringent lockdowns to slow the spread of COVID-19 and future pandemics.
A study by UC Riverside researchers found that street-based sex workers invest considerable emotional effort into maintaining loyal customers. They use relational work activities such as friendly service, flexible payments, and scheduling to retain clients. This approach helps them avoid potentially violent or abusive clients and provi...
A new study from the University of Notre Dame challenges the common practice of retaining a director from the target company after an acquisition. Contrary to expectations, the research found that director retention tends to undermine post-acquisition performance. The study analyzed over 550 acquisitions between 2004 and 2014 and disco...
Research reveals that refugees experiencing longer stays in Moria camp are more likely to suffer from acute mental health crises. The study found a significant link between the length of stay and the risk of mental health deterioration, with male refugees being more affected than women.
A study from Copenhagen Business School reveals that website owners can influence users' data privacy decisions by manipulating the choice architecture and outcome. The researchers argue that this approach is problematic as it exploits psychological mechanisms to benefit the website owner, rather than benefiting the user. The findings ...
A new study by University of Texas at Arlington professors explores how businesses respond to ransomware attacks and finds that negotiating with attackers may not be the best approach. The researchers suggest that companies should prioritize investing in cybersecurity to avoid long-term risks.
The number of NHS doctors taking early retirement has more than tripled over the past 13 years, with 1358 doctors quitting in 2020-21. The British Medical Association blames tax regulation changes and freezing of the lifetime allowance for pensions taxation, citing a potential mass exodus of highly experienced doctors.
A study published in Economic Inquiry examined data from 133 countries from 1950-2014, finding that reduced fiscal space in high-income countries after the 2007-2009 global financial crisis led to procyclical policy actions. This resulted in prolonged economic downturns and aggravated business cycle fluctuations.
Researchers from Bentley University analyzed reader comments on two partisan news sites after a challenging news event, revealing obstacles to sense-making and breakdowns in deliberation. The study adds to the understanding of political discourse and polarization, highlighting the need for solutions to combat misinformation.
Researchers analyzed over 900 patents to identify key technological trends in the New Space economy. The study found that data is the most valuable asset in this ecosystem, with 62% of patents related to data products and services. Emerging topics include active constellation management and new satellite systems design.
A new study by Rice University found that offering a set of rewards allows employees to choose the most effective incentive, leading to increased creative ideas and improved creativity levels. The study also discovered that rewards aimed at helping others can be particularly powerful in boosting creativity.
A recent study published in Drug and Chemical Toxicology found that BAT's modern oral nicotine pouches have a comparable toxicant profile to NRTs, with significantly lower levels of toxicants than traditional oral snus. The study suggests that MO products should be placed close to NRTs on the reduced-risk product continuum.
Researchers from Universitat Oberta de Catalunya estimate that food home delivery platforms require at least 8,000 orders per day to become profitable. The study also highlights the importance of investors and venture capital funds in sustaining these businesses.
A Concordia University study reveals that only a few Quebec public bodies have implemented substantial employee-driven innovation in line with the Sustainable Development Act. Institutional factors, such as bureaucratic processes and political agendas, often hinder meaningful staff action.
According to a review article in Science Robotics, researchers are making progress in learned robot manipulation, which enables robots to adapt to changing stimuli. The authors propose nine promising areas for future exploration, including representation learning, modular design, and task/skill customization.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen are developing a method to assess IT security measures and their costs for businesses. The ProBITS project aims to evaluate the business process effects of IT security measures, taking into account operational impacts on employee productivity and flexibility.
A study of Italian lockdowns found that business shutdowns significantly reduced COVID-19 deaths. The research estimated that the shutdowns saved over 9,400 lives in less than a month.
A new study examines the antecedents of disaster preparedness in firms, finding that organizational experience with disaster is a powerful motivator, but also notes the importance of external learning and collaboration. Effective disaster preparation requires working with others to learn from best practices.