Articles tagged with Business
Despite its commitment to tackling carbon emissions, Wellcome's £28 billion endowment holds significant stakes in fossil fuels. The charity has refused divestment despite criticism and the success of other institutions that have made similar moves.
Environmental psychologists are urging individuals and employers to capitalize on the shifts observed during the pandemic to adopt new, greener habits. Recent surveys suggest that UK lockdowns significantly reduced carbon footprints and individuals' willingness to take climate action remains strong.
Researchers argue that companies must provide explanations for algorithmic decision-making processes, as this is an ethical obligation apart from performance impact. They propose that companies can achieve transparency while maintaining trade secrets by hiring data interpreters or implementing explainable AI.
A recent study by Arizona State University and a local removal company found that snake removals were more common in wealthier neighborhoods, but residents in these areas also reported a greater appreciation for snakes' role in the ecosystem. The research used data from over 2,000 snake removals between 2018-2019, highlighting the comp...
The US Geological Survey, University of Washington and Washington Emergency Management District activate the ShakeAlert system on May 4, sending advance warning of impending earthquakes to millions of people. The system provides seconds to minutes of warning time for earthquakes above magnitude 4.5 or 5.
A new CU Denver study found that remote and virtual care models negatively impact small physician offices, decreasing revenue due to the lack of in-person visits. The researchers emphasize the need for a balance between in-person and virtual care for these businesses to survive.
New research from Duke University suggests that the SEC's growing emphasis on terrorism disclosures may come at the expense of financial reporting oversight. The study found that when SEC comment letters included references to terrorism, the agency's error-detection rate dropped significantly.
Texas A&M researchers have developed a reliability framework to improve the distribution system, reducing interruptions by 50% and customer average interruption duration by 45%. The framework can also test the impact of installing rooftop solar and energy storage on the system.
A study by Elena Fedorova and colleagues found that Donald Trump's tweets about Russia caused noticeable depreciation of the rouble. The authors controlled for other variables such as oil prices and sanctions to isolate the impact of Trump's tweets on the exchange rate.
Companies may be intentionally hiring managers with questionable ethics and narcissistic tendencies to manage earnings. Researchers found that these 'dark' personality traits are often preferred over more ethical candidates, leading to inflated earnings reports.
A new study found that outsourcing routine tasks can be risky for vendors, particularly when it involves developing specific capabilities for the client. In contrast, well-defined tasks with trained workers and longer contracts are more beneficial for vendors.
Researchers found that European listed companies in the energy and mining sector provide sparse information on future environmental costs. Only 60% of companies disclosed discount rates and 65% provided time horizons for payments. Media exposure increased environmental disclosure, but not always with specific details.
Researchers found that non-visual communication methods with better audio cues, such as prosodic synchrony, improve collective intelligence and reduce inequality in speaking turns. Video conferencing can actually dampen collective intelligence by disrupting vocal synchrony.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a 38% increase in new users and a 6% increase in engagement among existing users of DataCamp's platform. This shift in behavior was observed across all demographic groups, suggesting that online learning can provide an accessible environment for learning new skills.
A new study suggests that volcano alerts issued during long periods of volcanic unrest can decline housing prices and other economic indicators. The greatest exception was Mount St. Helens, where volcano tourism and proximity to Portland may have mitigated the impact.
BIDMC researchers developed a Business Risk Index based on anonymized cell-phone data to quantify potential COVID-19 transmission risk in establishments. The index accounted for foot traffic density and visit length, providing a more precise description of human interactions and risk.
Research from University of Florida finds community banks play a vital role in helping small businesses access Paycheck Protection Program funding, providing faster response times and more loans per dollar of deposits. Community bank focus on personal ties with customers enables quicker decision-making and higher loan volumes.
A Swiss energy market study found that adopting a 'green default' option for consumers leads to significant shifts towards renewable energy. The study, published in Nature Human Behaviour, showed that both households and businesses predominantly accepted the default option, resulting in substantial CO2 emissions reductions.
Researchers found that trusting a person early on can have benefits over the life of the relationship, even after a violation of that trust. After a significant gap in time between interactions, people tend to be more forgiving and revert back to their initial impression.
UK universities are taking steps to reduce emissions from business travel and catering, which contribute significantly to their carbon footprint. Research found that few universities have robust targets to support decarbonization, but many are planning to reduce emissions in these areas.
A study by the University of Illinois Chicago reveals that employee engagement and performance are highest when employees are mentally prepared to return to work and their managers prioritize health and safety. Managers must set a good example, communicate effectively, and enforce safety protocols to promote workplace well-being.
Researchers found that people with basic Information Technology (IT) skills are more likely to be employed and earn higher salaries. Basic IT skills include using email, copying files, and working with Excel spreadsheets.
A global survey found significant international support for governments to take more action on the environment, with high levels of agreement in seven major countries. The study suggests that voters across party lines want to see more government action, with a majority supporting policies such as protecting wildlife and planting trees.
A NUI Galway study found that problem and non-problem gamblers differ in the gratifications they seek from mobile gambling. Problem gamblers use apps to facilitate social interaction and avoid boredom, while non-problem gamblers do not.
A new study reveals that Twitter sentiment significantly predicts the valuation of young high-tech companies, while patents are a more reliable indicator of their long-term success. The researchers analyzed over 400,000 tweets and found that venture capitalists can be influenced by Twitter hype.
A recent study from Cornell University-led research highlights the risk of overvaluing prototypical leaders and undervaluing management skills. Participants preferred to hire a CEO with strong leadership qualities over those with more managerial expertise, despite the organization's need for management skills.
A recent study published in International Business Review found that small and medium-sized firms increasingly rely on social media to find and persuade new international customers. However, digital communication tools dominate finding and persuasion phases, while traditional methods are used for customer relationship management.
A new paper by MIT researchers suggests that many banking crises create long-term macroeconomic damage, regardless of whether they involve panics or not. The study found that a 30% decline in bank equity predicts a 2.7% drop in real GDP after three years, even without a panic.
Research conducted by the UOC analyzed 3,190 employees and 650 work teams to understand what makes a team efficient. The study found that inspiring leadership, realistic goals, and a collaborative work environment are key elements in driving team performance.
Researchers at University of Göttingen and Frankfurt have developed an approach to detect fake news in the stock market. The new method uses machine learning and linguistic characteristics to identify suspicious messages, making it harder for scammers to evade detection.
Research reveals that abusive bosses may 'fake nice' after outbursts instead of making genuine amends, reinforcing the cycle of abuse. Bosses focus on superficial steps to repair their images, rather than genuinely repairing damage.
A study by Bocconi University argues that the US Supreme Court's 'free market of ideas' metaphor is misleading due to concentrated platform power. The authors suggest framing Internet regulation around this concept to address issues like content moderation and user protection.
The study proposes three strategies to develop higher-level and unique human capital: identifying the right set of skills, promoting a training culture that enables employees to update competencies, and involving people in work-related decisions. This approach helps organizations adapt to change and stay ahead of competitors.
A study published in Information and Organization found that employees who master technology can use everyday organizational IT to create new ideas. This increases the return on investment on existing technologies, saving organizations money by reducing the need for specialized technology.
A new study by Berkeley Haas researchers reveals that altering holiday rituals can lead to strong moral outrage, as people resist even minor changes due to the importance of tradition and group values. The study suggests that public officials should focus on changing rituals in ways that still allow people to celebrate these values.
A recent study by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus found that employees in small businesses with strong health and safety climates reported better well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research team distributed a COVID-specific survey to 491 employees from 30 small businesses across Colorado, revealing a positi...
A study by the University of Houston found that managers who followed CDC guidelines made employees feel grateful, while those who ignored recommendations enhanced fear and anger. This mixed messaging can have significant long-term negative consequences for both employees and organizations.
A new modeling study found that limiting gatherings to fewer than 10 people and closing educational institutions significantly reduced SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Closing schools, universities, and nonessential businesses had a considerable impact on transmission rates, while targeted closures of high-risk businesses showed more benefit.
A recent study from the University of Notre Dame found that audit offices that emphasize non-audit services tend to compromise on audit quality. The researchers examined financial statement restatement rates for clients of audit offices between 2005 and 2015, and discovered a significant reduction in audit quality when an office receiv...
A genomic analysis of early SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in Boston found that a small number of importations led to most cases, while superspreading events played a significant role in the spread of the virus. The study tracked the downstream effects of these events and highlights the importance of prevention and mitigation strategies.
The UTSA Institute for Economic Development is hosting the Texas Retail Academy to educate city leaders on retail and business recruitment, real estate, and small business support. Six communities in Texas have been selected to participate in the program, which aims to boost retail and small business growth.
Local elected officials in the US are more likely to support refugee resettlement for families and single women, as well as those perceived as economically strong. Most officials favor resettling Christian refugees and those with higher education levels, indicating a nuanced approach to refugee resettlement.
The study shows Vype ePen 3 is superior to Vype ePen 2 for nicotine delivery and ranked significantly higher in user satisfaction. The device scored nearly double the likability compared to its predecessor, with improved design features such as increased power and protonated nicotine.
Researchers studied privacy-focused cryptocurrency community and found that developers are creating cryptocurrencies with built-in regulatory evasion capabilities. The study suggests that regulatory efforts will be hindered by the decentralized nature of these projects.
Tabloids' focus on misinformation drives broadsheet attention to similar issues, highlighting media market herd behavior. This cross-national study examines the spread of misinformation in political and business journalism across different countries.
A Stanford-led team created a computer model that accurately predicted the spread of COVID-19 in 10 major cities by analyzing three factors: daily destinations, duration, and crowd density. The model reveals that most infections occur at 'superspreader' sites and disproportionately affect minority and low-income populations.
A year-long study found that smokers switching exclusively to glo reduced exposure to certain toxicants, similar to quitting completely. Glo's design minimizes ash production and odour, potentially reducing smoking-related diseases risk.
A new study found that conservatives tend to focus on self-reliance and feel responsible for their own outcomes, while liberals take a community-minded view and prioritize the well-being of others. The research suggests that public health officials should tailor their messages to specific audiences, with more liberal messaging resonati...
A new study by CU Denver researchers finds that religiosity perpetuates the gender wage gap, with women earning 46% less than men in the most religious countries. The study suggests that religion sets up different social expectations for men and women, resulting in unequal power distribution and career opportunities.
Jifeng Liu, a professor at Dartmouth's Thayer School of Engineering, has been named an OSA fellow for his work on renewable energy and reducing energy consumption in information technology. His research focuses on advancing solar technologies that are less expensive and more efficient.
A new gene therapy using a novel light-sensing protein has restored significant retinal function and vision in blind mice. The therapy involves attaching the MCO1 opsin to retina bipolar cells using gene therapy, allowing treated mice to navigate mazes and detect changes in motion faster than untreated mice.
Research from Michigan State University and Ohio State University found that empowerment initiatives can be effective when implemented by leaders who value being respected, but can lead to micromanaging and decreased motivation when led by those who prioritize control. The study suggests that candid conversations between employees and ...
The newly created position aims to pioneer research and educational offerings in 'transformational strategy', a novel approach that goes beyond traditional strategy techniques. The Chair will develop practical methods to support company boards in transforming their business models.
Creating work bubbles with strict separation can reduce company-wide COVID-19 outbreaks and allow essential businesses to function. Scheduling rotating workdays, daily symptom screening, and rapid isolation are key strategies for containing outbreaks.
A University of Central Florida study suggests that keeping a gratitude journal can lead to less rude behavior and mistreatment of others in the workplace. Researchers found that employees who spent a few minutes a day writing down things they were grateful for engaged in fewer gossiping, ostracizing behaviors.
A QUT researcher argues that Netflix has metamorphosed into a global television service, commissioning series in multiple countries and making them available to its 150-million subscribers. The study highlights the unprecedented impact of Netflix on national television markets and competitive fields.
CEOs with uncommon names tend to implement distinctive strategies, deviating from industry norms to achieve competitive advantage and superior performance. This study provides insight into the relationship between a CEO's name and their strategic decisions, highlighting potential benefits for firms seeking enhanced distinctiveness.
A recent study by Cornell University found that individual success inspires greater awe and hope than team success, with people preferring to see extraordinary achievements by lone individuals. This preference has implications for how we perceive economic inequality and policy solutions.
A recent study published in The Economic Journal found that bus drivers are more likely to grant free rides to white passengers than Black passengers. The researchers tested the drivers' willingness to provide discretionary favours and discovered a strong racial bias against Black customers.
A recent EU study found that VAT cuts are less likely to be passed on to consumer prices than hikes, with firms instead using the reduction to improve finances. The study analyzed over 2800 commodities and found that prices tend to rise 3-4 times more after a VAT hike.