Articles tagged with Business
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
The Fraunhofer Institute is developing a platform to interconnect various IT systems in rural areas, enabling secure real-time communication and optimizing transportation systems. This technology will be presented at CeBIT, allowing people to test business models for rural areas with a real-life simulation.
The book, 'Unfinished Work: The Struggle to Build an Aging American Workforce,' explores how businesses, governments, and individuals deal with the issue. Coleman traveled extensively, including Japan, France, and Sweden, to research how companies are adapting to an aging workforce.
A Concordia University study found that individuals from collectivist societies generate fewer ideas but with higher quality, while those from individualistic countries produce more ideas but with lower quality. The study suggests that understanding cultural differences is crucial for maximizing productivity in international teams.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that humorous complaints on Amazon and Yelp get more attention from consumers but may not lead to serious responses from businesses. Consumers tend to prefer funny reviews over non-humorous ones.
A study by University of Missouri and Lehigh University researchers discovered that job seekers with learning goal orientation are more successful in achieving career goals. Individuals with this disposition tend to react to failures by intensifying their search process, while those with low LGO decrease intensity. The study suggests t...
A strong hierarchy can increase both summit and fatality rates in the Himalayas, yet it helps groups achieve best outcomes by offering coordination and organization. The key to finding the right balance lies in identifying barriers that prevent lower-ranking members from voicing their perspective.
A new study from Columbia Business School found that 'crystallized intelligence,' gained through experience and accumulated knowledge, is more important than 'fluid intelligence' in making sound financial decisions. The research suggests guidelines for policymakers to help older adults with complex financial decisions.
A recent study found that trying to suppress anger about crucial negotiation topics can lead negotiators to lose focus. In contrast, bottling up emotions related to incidental matters does not negatively impact performance.
Research by András Tilcsik at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management shows that employees who experience similar economic environments in their early and later work lives perform better. Companies can help avoid 'curse of extremes' by diversifying new employees' experiences.
A UT Arlington study found that businesses near the stadium experience success when they synchronize their activities with events. Businesses closer to the stadium saw as a negative became paralyzed, but adapting to time-adaptation strategies helped them thrive.
A new study reveals that men from disadvantaged groups are disproportionately represented in low-paid, part-time jobs traditionally associated with women. The research found that disabled men are three times more likely to have a disability and be in the lowest income bracket than women.
A Danish research team has gained a new understanding of the diarrhea-causing bacteria, ETEC, and is exploring its potential for developing an entirely new class of vaccines. The research aims to create a vaccine that can activate the immune system to recognize the agent as foreign and destroy it.
Researchers argue that social networking sites can be used to provide timely updates and guidance during emergency situations on campus. The study suggests that these platforms could complement existing emergency notification systems, providing a cost-effective way to reach students and staff.