Articles tagged with Business
A new study by MIT researchers finds that firms with high debt levels laid off more workers during the Great Recession, exacerbating unemployment spikes. The research analyzed employment and housing data across the US, revealing a strong link between firm leverage and local unemployment.
A new study by UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business found that overnight market activity provides insight into investor sentiment at the firm level. Short-term price persistence was observed, with high and low overnight returns outperforming over the long term.
A new epoch name could raise awareness about humanity's planetary-scale impact and encourage action on climate change. However, it may also perpetuate technological hubris and ecomyopia, a phenomenon where societies ignore or fail to act on ecological information.
A new study by Adam Yore found that executive indiscretions can result in significant losses for companies, with dishonesty being the most damaging, causing a 4.1% loss in shareholder value.
Researchers found that only early adopters benefit from switching to PPS, while MBG becomes a dominant strategy under competition, forcing all retailers to switch to MBGs regardless of their benefits. The study reveals how each retailer responds and reacts to its competitor's adoption of PPS or MBG.
A recent MIT study reveals that online retail prices often match those in stores, with prices converging at around 72% of the time. The study examines data from 10 major countries and suggests that companies aim to appear 'fair' by maintaining consistent prices.
Researchers face challenges in scientific writing due to lack of support for highly specialized areas. A recent study surveyed common tools and identified key features that could be used to construct a system for production engineering.
A new study by UTA researchers reveals that people's confidence in judging phishing emails exceeds their actual ability, leading to incorrect judgments. To address this issue, businesses may benefit from implementing feedback mechanisms to regulate employees' confidence and improve detection accuracy.
President Obama expresses confidence in a clean energy economy driven by economic growth and cost savings. He cites evidence of reduced emissions and carbon dioxide drops alongside businesses profiting from renewable energy investments.
A new study suggests that off-grid solar energy can have significant economic benefits for people living in remote areas, but requires a special business model to succeed. Successful business models include community interaction, partnerships, local capacity building and addressing barriers unique to the off-grid market.
A new study by Lily Fang of INSEAD found that China's success in innovation is hindered by weak intellectual property protection, which leads to lower quality patents and fewer international citations. The study suggests that improving IP protection is crucial for China's sustainable growth
Researchers found that online reviews on Yelp reveal insights into patients' experiences with hospital amenities, staff compassion, and family care, areas neglected by standard surveys. By incorporating these comments, healthcare providers can enhance patient satisfaction and differentiate their services.
Researchers identified paltering as a distinct form of deception where individuals tell truthful statements to create a mistaken impression. People tend to prefer paltering over lying by commission but face similar consequences when caught.
Researchers found that gift givers prioritize 'wow' moments over practical attributes, leading to mismatched expectations. To choose better gifts, consider the recipient's long-term needs and values.
A new study finds that work-life laws in Nevada's brothels benefit brothel and community interests, rather than protecting workers. The lockdown policy restricts prostitutes' movements, keeping them hidden from the public eye.
Research reveals that consumers use different criteria when buying for themselves versus others, with 'scarcity' cues driving self-purchases and 'popularity' cues influencing gift-buying. Online retailers can tailor promotions to optimize sales by highlighting best-selling products on their website.
The KBED program has helped attract or retain 16 companies in Manhattan and estimate an economic impact of $32.5 million in the area. The partnership also created 394 full-time jobs generating $19.1 million in annual salaries.
A new study by UTSA researcher Kim-Kwang Raymond Choo describes a method to detect people using multiple online accounts to spread propaganda. The algorithm analyzes writing samples and detects whether one person or multiple people are responsible for the posts.
A recent study by NYU researchers found that nearly half of business managers in NYC reported encountering drug users in their bathrooms, with many calling 911 due to unresponsive users. The study suggests supervised injection facilities could help address the issue, reducing public injecting and overdose mortality.
New research highlights the need for nurses to receive more support when dealing with disrespectful behavior from colleagues. The study, led by Dr. Roberta Fida, found that self-efficacy plays a protective role in mitigating the negative effects of workplace incivility and burnout.
A study by University of East Anglia found that organisations with more creative employees enjoy higher levels of customer satisfaction. The study recommends investing in developing the creative capabilities of customer service employees through tailored HR practices, including workshops and training.
A global mindset is associated with optimistic goals, such as personal growth and advancement, whereas a local mindset focuses on stability and prevention. Researchers found that individuals with a global identity scored higher in signal detection tasks and preferred positive advertisements.
A new economic study by the University of Stirling and Royal Holloway, University of London, has found that single women who inherit unexpected wealth are more likely to become entrepreneurs. The study highlights liquidity constraints faced by women in the UK, which may be due to lack of collateral or gender discrimination.
The Affordable Care Act has decreased the number of uninsured Americans and improved access to healthcare, but disparities persist. The ACA's impact on the U.S. healthcare system is marked by better access to a physician among all income groups.
Researchers found that people are biased towards team members physically located with them, making it harder for remote workers to be seen as leaders. To avoid power struggles and communication issues, companies should ensure leaders are either physically located with the majority of the team or everyone is telecommuting.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will evaluate the Whooshh Fish Transport System, a technology that transports fish through a flexible tube, to make hydropower cheaper and more fish-friendly. The study aims to compare its performance with traditional fish ladders to move Pacific Coast salmon around barriers in the Columbia River.
A University of Cincinnati study finds that high self-esteem can help individuals recognize and respond to envy in the workplace. Researchers suggest that when envied employees attribute negative behaviors to envy, they are more likely to respond positively. In contrast, low self-esteem may lead to acceptance or suspicion. The study ai...
Research by Emily M. Zitek and Alexander H. Jordan found that narcissistic individuals are more likely to support hierarchies when they can rise through the ranks or when positions are open. In contrast, they were less likely to support a hierarchy without clear career advancement opportunities.
A two-and-a-half-year study of UK households found that consumers who start buying groceries online at a particular chain tend to spend more at that chain than elsewhere. Grocery retailers can attract customers to their online channel by offering personalized features and customized promotions.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is providing $8.3 million in funding for small businesses to develop advanced research projects. The Small Business Innovation Research program aims to stimulate technological innovations and strengthen federal research support for small businesses.
A new business model is required to drive antibiotic development, driven by market failures and perverse incentives that hinder conservation efforts. The proposed delinkage of rewards from sales volume could transform the industry and ensure the development of much-needed new treatments.
A study analyzing 893 targeted coupon promotions found that reward coupons for loyal customers yield higher redemption rates than cross-category discounts. Retailers should promote brands in categories consumers frequently buy and are already purchasing, offering relatively smaller discounts.
A meta-analytic review found that lenient return policies increase purchases more than they increase returns. Retailers may benefit from creating complex return policies varying along multiple dimensions to balance these concerns.
A recent study suggests that activating prescriptive expectations in powerful individuals can lead them to behave more ethically and cheat less than those with low power. This finding offers new insights into curbing unethical behavior by those with power.
An experimental study found that readers prefer articles attributed to real journalists, but rate computer-generated texts as more credible. The study suggests that readers' expectations and limited experience with computer-based reports contribute to these differing assessments.
A new study finds that small-scale electricity systems bring some clear benefits, but service conditions vary widely, with unreliable and limited hours of service. Solar-powered systems lead to the greatest reduction in kerosene use and health benefits.
A University of Washington-led study found little to no evidence of price increases in Seattle relative to surrounding areas after the city's $15 minimum wage law implementation. The study surveyed employers and workers and analyzed commodity and service prices, concluding that the higher wages did not translate to significant cost hikes.
Dan Trefler, a renowned economist at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, has been awarded a 2016 Killam Prize for his groundbreaking research on international trade and competitiveness. His work has had far-reaching impact on public policy formation in Canada.
The Databox Project is developing an open-source networked device that collates and curates personal data from verified third-party applications and services. This allows individuals to exercise control over their online-generated data and enhance security and privacy.
Research found that 'thrill of the hunt' and being part of a secret society are prime motivational factors behind purchases. Consumers also experience mixed emotional outcomes, including shame and positive hedonistic feelings.
Researchers found that market reactions to sudden CEO deaths have increased markedly between 1950 and 2009, with larger swings in firm value occurring over time. This suggests that shareholders perceive CEOs as increasingly influential in firm performance.
Researchers found that negative feedback can prompt immoral behavior in high-achieving students pursuing careers in law, business, and STEM fields. Those who received negative feedback were more likely to endorse questionable behaviors, such as breaking contracts or disparaging others, to demonstrate their professional capabilities.
A new study suggests that US antitrust laws may be too restrictive for companies to collaborate on sustainable and socially-responsible business practices. This could limit the development of innovative solutions to address climate change and natural resource limitations, ultimately harming consumers.
The US Department of Energy has awarded PNNL $625,000 to advance three small business projects in hydropower, energy efficiency and bio-based chemicals. The projects aim to reduce costs, increase sustainability and improve production processes for these technologies.
A University of Michigan team proposes customer loyalty programs in healthcare to enhance both health and financial benefits. They suggest perks for patients based on how long they've stayed with the same doctors or received care from network sites.
A recent study found that when people rate the attractiveness of gender-blended face morphs, they tend to judge them as less appealing if initially classified by gender. However, this effect only occurs when people are asked to categorize the face by gender before being shown the blended image
A new study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that individuals with elitist world views tend to perceive white male researchers as more credible, while those with egalitarian beliefs view women or people of color as more credible. The research highlights the impact of ideology on evaluating academic credibility.
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.
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 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.
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 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.