Articles tagged with Business
A Rice University study explores how opposition from target countries influences the expansion of state-owned enterprises. The authors identified five geopolitical factors that shape the level of welcome, including geographic distance, similarity of religious beliefs, government types, resource complementarity, and nationalist politics.
Experts estimate that illegal cartels harm consumers by billions of dollars annually. Cartel screens, statistical tools to spot bad behavior, promise to enhance deterrence when used in combination with other measures.
Equity-based incentives improve cooperation among managers in different business units, researchers find. Companies like Amazon benefit from this practice.
Researchers developed a new mathematical model to apply to inventory problems, considering demand and determining optimal orders. The study aims to connect with businesses to assess the benefit of implementing the new model and curb profit losses.
Research reveals that high-ambition and attentive managers may resist performance-based pay, instead choosing comfort over risk. Tailored compensation strategies are necessary to motivate these individuals, as one-size-fits-all approaches prove ineffective.
Private companies like DuPont have reduced their basic research units in response to business demands, shifting focus towards quicker return on investment. This change has implications for the scientific community, which may see a decrease in groundbreaking discoveries.
Research by a University of Illinois business professor reveals that high-quality boss-worker relationships are positively related to higher salaries and greater responsibility in the next job. However, employees still leave their good managers due to limited internal opportunities for growth. Retaining valued employees can lead to inc...
Research by Laura Kray at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business found that sympathy can motivate stronger parties to help weaker ones, leading to more compassionate solutions. Being transparent about misfortune is more effective when initiated by a low-power negotiator or someone in the weaker position.
Researchers found that overqualification leads to more favorable reactions among employees and better job performance. By normalizing overqualification in the workplace, managers can encourage a positive influence on behaviors such as citizenship and teamwork.
A new study found that images of intense staring eyes and a clean citrusy smell substantially improved hand-washing rates among hospital staff and visitors. The researchers discovered that exposure to male eyes led to a higher rate of hand-washing compared to female eyes, while the citrus smell boosted hand-washing by nearly 50%.
Human cells have evolved mechanisms to detect and respond to latent herpesvirus infections, but the virus has developed ways to evade these defenses. The study identifies a viral protein that blocks cellular proteins from reactivating the infection.
Researchers found that investors who experienced intense positive emotions before trading were more aggressive and pushed prices up, while those with negative emotions proceeded cautiously. This study increases understanding of how bubbles work and highlights the importance of considering emotional triggers in asset price inflation.
A Baylor University study found that changing labor laws could lessen political participation by teachers and other public employees, traditionally a key group in Democratic Party conventions. The shift could affect the distribution of political power across society, including in the 2016 elections.
A study by University of Bath researchers found that reducing the minimum trading unit from one share to one share increased retail trader participation and reduced transaction costs. The change led to a substantial improvement in market quality, with a 10.2% decrease in bid-ask spread on average.
A study by University of British Columbia researchers reveals that envy plays a significant role in driving Facebook posts and negatively impacting users' mental well-being. Envy-induced behavior, fueled by unrealistic social media portrayals, can create a cycle of jealousy and self-importance.
Research reveals widespread use of flexible work arrangements (FWAs) in the Australian Defence Force, with men and women making requests for flexibility in equal proportions. FWAs are valued by personnel across all ranks, with 78% of requests fully granted.
Researchers found that arguments based on a political opponent's moral principles have a better chance of success in winning them over. The study suggests using purity-based arguments can help bridge gaps between liberals and conservatives, increasing support for universal healthcare and same-sex marriage.
A recent study found that people can recognize irrational thoughts but still allow them to influence their behavior. This process is called acquiescence, which highlights the challenges of changing deeply ingrained beliefs.
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology are investigating innovation systems to guide businesses and stimulate economic growth. The project aims to develop a theory of innovation systems to analyse which processes are most beneficial for organisations.
A study by U of T Scarborough and Rotman School of Management found that a high-performing founder can drive a spin-out's success with an experienced team, boosting the firm's ability to start quickly and operate smoothly.
Research by Dr Roman Kräussl and colleagues suggests that private equity fund performance is not significantly better than traditional stock market investments. The study found that expected returns from private equity investments are similar to those of listed securities, contradicting previous assumptions.
A recent study found that leader-humor's effect on subordinates' job satisfaction depends on the relationship quality between leaders and their subordinates. Positive or negative humor use by leaders is positively related to subordinates' job satisfaction when the relationship is good.
A new study by the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management suggests that truly innovative breakthroughs need in-depth knowledge in a narrow domain. Most high-impact innovations occur through cross-collaboration, but this research shows that recombining existing knowledge is only one part of the puzzle.
A Tel Aviv University study found that even benign forms of incivility can impede medical personnel's ability to perform under pressure. Rudeness is linked to poorer diagnostic and procedural performance, as well as reduced information-sharing among medical staff.
LSU researchers analyzed the impact of CDBG-DR funds on housing, infrastructure, and economic development recovery since Katrina and Rita. The study found that investments led to increased solvency and population growth in parishes with higher disbursements, while also improving fiscal health and reducing debt-to-asset ratios.
Academic researchers found that teams with small, incremental improvements performed better than those with big changes, especially when regulatory environments were changing. Small, marginal improvements gained efficiency without disturbing the whole system. The study suggests that sometimes, going slow can be beneficial for business.
The study found that people are harder to convince to choose healthy options than to reject unhealthy ones, especially when it comes to customizable foods like pizza. Retailers can use this insight to design menus that encourage healthier choices while still catering to customers' desires for tasty options.
A study published in the Financial Review shows that frequent portfolio rebalancing can significantly reduce trading costs, leading to higher risk-adjusted returns. Investors can apply these strategies to existing portfolios with ease, reducing costs by up to 90% and improving investment outcomes.
A new Penn study shows that preserving social network boundaries can facilitate the spread of complex ideas, contradicting previous theories. By analyzing computational models and correlations between individual characteristics, researchers found that stronger group ties allow for more effective knowledge sharing across organizations.
A recent study at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business found no evidence that having a female manager reduces the gender wage gap. In fact, low-performing women who switched to working for a high-performing female supervisor fared worse financially than their male colleagues making a comparable switch.
A study published in Basic and Applied Social Psychology found that men who engage in small talk before negotiations tend to receive more favorable outcomes. In contrast, women who make small talk are perceived less favorably and do not experience the same benefits.
A study of federal policy decisions between 1998 and 2002 found that businesses have a roughly equal chance of success as citizen groups when opposing them. However, businesses may excel in certain types of legislative battles, such as technical projects, where they draw little opposition. The researchers also found that businesses hav...
A new study published in PNAS found that groups outperform individuals in detecting lies, with a 61.7% group accuracy rate compared to 53.5% individual accuracy. The researchers discovered that the group advantage comes from the process of group discussion rather than statistical aggregation of individual opinions.
The US National Science Foundation is launching the Exploring Innovation Frontiers Initiative (EIFI) to identify emerging models of technological innovation that will propel US competitiveness in the coming decades. The two-year initiative aims to explore innovation strategies, tap into the nation's innovation capacity, and nurture new...
Current mobile contracts are causing significant environmental damage through frequent upgrades and waste. Researchers propose a cloud-based product service system to reduce precious resources needed for mobile devices.
A new study by Michigan State University business scholars estimates the costs and benefits of the Unfair Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, concluding that regulated online gambling would benefit both the industry and consumers, reducing uncertainty and confusion among firms and individuals.
A study found that customers rate customer service agents higher when they use emoticons in their responses, indicating a sense of emotional connection. Agents who respond quickly also receive positive ratings, as this creates a feeling of social presence.
The new system dynamic model supports investment decision-making and optimizes production guidance in mining investments. The model has already sparked interest among international mining companies.
A NREL report finds that shared solar programs can expand access to renewable energy, reaching 32-49% of the US distributed photovoltaic market in 2020. The program's structure and regulation impact its potential for deployment.
A consultant cardiologist argues that private practice has direct adverse effects on the NHS, leading to increased waiting times and unnecessary tests. He believes doctors should not be allowed to work in both sectors due to conflicting priorities.
Scientists analyzed 1,350 congressional testimonies and found that experts generally agree on global warming and human causation. Despite Republican-controlled congresses featuring skeptical scientists, the majority still support action to combat climate change.
Research by UC Berkeley economists finds that limiting CEO stock-based compensation benefits shareholders, while executives may be incentivized through trust-based contracts. The study suggests that government regulation can make executive pay less costly and more effective.
Research suggests that job candidates with interview anxiety are often rated as less assertive and less warm, leading to rejection. Experts recommend focusing on broader impressions rather than nervous tics to improve job prospects.
A new study by Santa Fe Institute researchers reveals that public companies have a standard mortality rate, lasting about ten years before being acquired, merged, or liquidated. The findings contradict existing theories and evidence on company mortality, which suggested varying rates based on age and economic sector.
A new study identifies five essential elements that determine how consumers experience time: technology, skill, plans and moods, rules and regulations, and cultural understanding. When these elements are out of alignment, time seems to rush or drag, affecting consumer experiences in various activities.
Consumers are curating looks and creating images on outfit sharing websites, fueling popular fashion bloggers and a new logic of accessibility. This shift has changed market-level changes in institutional work, categories of actors, and underlying logics.
A new study by Daniel M. Bartels and Oleg Urminsky found that consumers who consider the future consequences of spending money tend to spend less, but also make better financial decisions.
A mix of positive and negative reviews can be beneficial for products judged on personal taste, but detrimental when quality is the primary consideration. The authors investigated how consumers respond to diverse online reviews and found that varied ratings due to individual tastes are more acceptable in some cases.
A recent study from Brigham Young University finds that leaders with a mix of narcissism and humility are more effective and engage their employees better. The research, which was published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, suggests that when leaders balance their self-confidence with humility, they can avoid the negative traits as...
A new study by University of Chicago Booth School of Business researchers found that redesigning bike networks can increase ridership by up to 29.4% and reduce the distance commuters need to walk to reach stations. By taking commuter preferences into account, cities can optimize their bike-share systems to attract more users.
Research finds that US Treasury securities show a significant swing in returns between October and April due to seasonal depression. The average monthly return difference is 80 basis points, indicating a substantial impact of SAD on investment decisions.
A study published in Evolution and Human Behaviour found that women are more attracted to war heroes than regular soldiers or men who display heroic traits in other fields. The researchers also discovered that heroism in combat increases women's levels of sexual attraction towards male soldiers, but not in disaster zones.
A study suggests that supervisors can distinguish between selfless and self-servingly motivated employees based on their organizational citizenship behavior. Selfless employees are more likely to contribute positively to the organization, while self-servingly motivated employees focus on personal advancement.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers choose different products when looking up versus down. When looking up, consumers tend to focus on general features and quality, while looking down focuses on specific details and reliability.
A study by Luxi Shen and colleagues found that uncertainty motivates people to put in more effort to obtain uncertain rewards. In experiments, consumers completed tasks for lower potential rewards when the outcome was uncertain, highlighting the motivating-uncertainty effect.
A new study from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that homes sold through bidding wars have increased their market share over the last two decades. Bidding war sales rates were correlated with economic and housing booms, but not consistently across jurisdictions.
A new UT Arlington study finds that employees who receive electronic correspondence from work after hours become angry more often than not, interfering with their personal lives. The researchers identified two categories of workers: segmentors who separate work and personal life, and integrators who want to stay connected with work.
A new study from Columbia Business School suggests that using range offers in negotiations can lead to better settlements for the offer-maker without harming their relationship with the other party. Bolstering and bracketing range offers were found to be effective strategies, while backdown range offers were less successful.
A study by MIT researchers projects the growth potential of high-tech firms with new precision, identifying key characteristics and locations with higher growth prospects. The study found that firms with certain features, such as formal registration and capital investment, are more likely to grow.
A new model developed by Harvard researchers explains how motives impact cooperation and why people trust genuine altruists over those who open envelopes. The 'envelope game' helps capture the notion that people value principle-driven behavior, especially in situations where cooperation comes with a cost.