Research on business, work, and organizations. Covers dissent and management, innovation, workplace activism, and generative AI in investing.
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.
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.
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.