Articles tagged with Business
A new MSU study suggests that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) should intervene in the stock market only when external financial disruptions make it difficult for large shareholders to fend off speculators. The study finds that such interventions are rare and should be temporary.
The project aims to improve professional translators and mediators in navigating cultural differences and minimizing misunderstandings. Experts investigate the impact of language, body language, and cultural variables on mediation processes.
A Michigan State University study found that online shoppers tend to be happier when they receive an offer rather than making one. This can have significant impacts on the fast-growing e-commerce industry. By putting customers in the receiver role, businesses may be able to fill more hotel rooms and airplane seats.
Researchers found that former drug traffickers often want to quit due to safety reasons, family ties, and personal growth, but struggle to relinquish power and status. The study suggests policies addressing socioeconomic conditions, cultural values, and the demand for illicit drugs are needed to help traffickers leave the trade
Physician-owned specialty hospitals are driven by commercial interests rather than patient care, argues Indiana University professor Joshua Perry. Despite providing jobs and revenue, these hospitals treat a lower percentage of severely ill patients and have higher costs and utilization rates compared to general hospitals.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers underestimate how often they make 'exceptional' purchases, leading to overspending. The authors suggest that understanding these differences can help consumers make wiser budgeting decisions.
A growing number of recession-weary Americans are shifting towards 'gift economies' built on freebies and community spirit. Online gift-giving communities like Freecycle generate strong feelings of solidarity and identification, driving people to give more gifts in the system.
The Open Data Institute (ODI) will incubate and mentor new businesses that exploit open data, aiming to drive economic growth. The institute will also host 'appathons' or 'hackathons' to develop new use cases for open data.
A study by Concordia University found that business students who evaluate their peers regularly improve in evaluating others. This leads to more effective management skills. The research developed a standardized online peer evaluation system, which can be incorporated into university-wide programs.
A new study explores the moral ideas behind tax aversion in America, finding that middle-class feelings of exploitation drive hostility towards taxation. Respondents associate income tax with a violation of the moral principle that hard work should be rewarded.
A new study reveals that male leaders who make mistakes are viewed as less competent and effective than female leaders in the same situation, with a greater impact on followers in masculine work domains. The researchers found that male leaders' errors are perceived more negatively, leading to decreased follower desire to work for them.
A study found that students with Caucasian male names were more likely to get an appointment, but only if they requested a meeting for next week. In contrast, appointments scheduled for the same day were equally likely for all groups.
A new study published in Science found that workplace safety inspections conducted by California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) reduce on-the-job injuries and their associated costs, with no negative impact on companies' performance or profits. The researchers examined the effects of randomized inspections on w...
New research from the University of Warwick found that people are more likely to invest in someone whose face is perceived as trustworthy. Even when given negative information about a person's reputation, participants invested 6% more in those with trustworthy-looking faces.
Researchers found a correlation between bed shortages and higher readmission rates, suggesting patients were discharged too early. The study recommends better planning and logistical solutions to prevent these problems.
A recent study from the Rotman School of Management found that dominant East Asians face workplace harassment and are often stereotyped as being non-dominant. The research highlights the importance of recognizing and challenging these prescriptive racial stereotypes to create a more inclusive work environment.
A study published in Psychological Science finds that regifting is not as offensive to givers as perceived. Researchers discovered that receivers equate regifting with discarding, while givers view it as less bad than throwing a gift away. The study aims to destigmatize regifting and promote its benefits.
A new study from the University of Toronto found that blood drive donations increased by 15 to 20 percent when incentives such as gift cards were offered. The study analyzed data from over 14,000 blood drives and a field experiment, suggesting that rewards can attract more donors.
Sarah Moore's research finds that analyzing emotional experiences reduces emotions, while analyzing practical experiences amplifies them. For positive experiences, it's best to relive the emotion without rationalizing, while cognitive experiences benefit from analysis and reflection.
A study by Penn State economists found a significant correlation between the number of Wal-Mart stores and hate groups in an area. The researchers suggest that the large-scale retail chains may contribute to the fraying of social bonds and promote intolerant attitudes, particularly through their promotion of typical Protestant values.
The Kansas State University Rural Grocery Initiative is helping rural communities across the US reopen grocery stores using $409,000 grant funding. The initiative has already established stores in several Kansas towns and is providing guidance on creating new stores through a tool kit with community assessments and financial support.
Researchers found that customers' perceptions of call center performance are not influenced by location or accent, but rather by the agent's customer orientation. The study recommends companies prioritize this aspect when recruiting staff, regardless of location.
A recent study from Concordia University found that employees who feel obligated to stay with their employer are more likely to experience emotional exhaustion. This type of commitment can lead to feelings of indebtedness and loss of autonomy, ultimately contributing to turnover.
A new international study on healthy heating found that Danes are most willing to accept economic interventions to promote healthy eating habits, with 70% prepared to pay more tax for healthier food. Danish consumers also show a positive attitude towards public authorities and high taxes, leading to higher support for nutritional changes.
A study by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid found that workplaces with a high percentage of women in management positions adopt more individualized employee feedback, democratic decisions, and establish more interpersonal channels of communication. This is attributed to the distinct behavior of men and women leaders in society.
A former Army colonel argues that improving supply chain alignment can help the Defense Department reduce costs by tens of billions of dollars. The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) conference highlights the use of advanced analytics and operations research to address pressing military challenges.
A new study by the University of Toronto's Rotman School finds that countries with English as an official language have higher rates of foreign investment and trade. The study suggests that companies should prioritize embedding English skills in their workforce to expand internationally.
A new study found that consumers' search for individual products is influenced by the order of choices, with larger choice sets being more daunting when presented first. By presenting smaller choice sets before larger ones, retailers may make large selections less intimidating.
A new research center, AU RECEIV, will study the impact of maternity/paternity and health visitor schemes on infant health and development. The center aims to understand how these schemes affect parental involvement, daycare institutions, and long-term child outcomes.
A study found that cultural 'tightness' can prevent the emergence of women leaders in some countries, but also supports equal opportunities for both sexes. Societies with loose cultures, such as New Zealand and Norway, showed a high rate of female leadership, while culturally tight countries like Pakistan had low rates.
A new study by Timothy Judge reveals that ambitious people, who typically attend the best colleges and universities, have prestigious careers, and earn high salaries, do not necessarily lead happier or healthier lives. The research tracks 717 high-ability individuals over seven decades and finds a slightly negative impact on longevity.
A University of Illinois expert calls for embedding sustainability practices in business education, marrying managerial, ecological and social values. The approach aims to bring about a better world by understanding the associated challenges with realizing that vision.
A recent study suggests that US radiation residents' curricula for business practice and health care policy are in need of improvement, with most programs offering variable topics and educational time. The study's findings indicate that current curricula may be suboptimal, highlighting the need for further commitment and innovation.
A recent study by USC Marshall professor Nathanael Fast and colleagues found that unconstrained power can lead to overconfident decision-making. In experiments, participants who felt powerful made riskier bets, losing money, whereas those who didn't feel powerful were less risky and did not lose.
A recent study by Columbia Business School researchers suggests that using a broadened set of information on new recruits, including nontraditional predictors of effectiveness, can help identify effective teachers. The results found that collecting such measures could explain 12 percent of the variance in teacher effectiveness.
Nearly half the world's population suffers from severe respiratory diseases due to limited access to clean energy sources. Researchers at University of British Columbia are working to develop viable markets for cleaner cookstoves and modern fuels.
A new study by Rotman School of Management researchers reveals that treating time as money can undermine well-being. The study shows individuals who perceive their time as monetizable tend to experience greater impatience and lower satisfaction during leisure activities compared to those who do not.
Researchers Dr. Allen W. Wilhite and Dr. Eric A. Fong found that journal editors coerce authors into adding unnecessary citations to articles in the same journal for increased ranking and prestige. The study analyzed 6,672 responses from researchers in various fields, revealing a widespread practice among editors.
A study by Columbia Business School Professor Doron Nissim reveals that book value multiples are a more accurate measure for valuing insurance companies than earnings multiples. The research finds that excluding certain financial components, such as Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI), can worsen valuation accuracy.
A new study finds that desires for sleep and leisure are the strongest, yet hardest to resist, while those for media and work are the weakest. Resisting desires is not easy, as willpower becomes lower throughout the day, making it more challenging to make self-control efforts.
A study by James Burton and team found that stressed supervisors who engage in moderate exercise report less abusive behavior towards their subordinates. The research suggests that wellness programs with exercise components can help smooth out relationships between supervisors and employees.
A study suggests that moral imagination can help workers in stigmatized professions make better decisions and reduce social stigma. Organizations can foster moral imagination by promoting narratives, autonomy, and critical capacity among employees.
A new study found that unhappy employees are more likely to have unmet psychological needs, including autonomy, competence, and relatedness. When supervisors provide options and support, employees' basic needs are met, leading to higher happiness and well-being.
A University of Alberta researcher found that people are willing to lie to help a friend protect their reputation or save face. The study suggests that friends with closer relationships may be more likely to fib on behalf of their friends.
A new study by Columbia Business School researchers found that retailer characteristics, not individual stores, explain variation in price dynamics. The analysis used millions of price observations to document high-frequency price movements across stores and chains.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new calendar system that eliminates year-to-year changes, making timekeeping and financial calculations more predictable. The Hanke-Henry Permanent Calendar features a 91-day quarterly pattern, which simplifies interest calculations and reduces economic uncertainty.
A new science rigorously evaluates the effectiveness of team training in improving safety, decision-making, and communication. The study shows that training can produce results and improve clinical outcomes.
A study by Columbia Business School researchers found a significant correlation between time discounting and low FICO credit scores. Participants with better patience scores had significantly higher FICO scores, indicating a potential link between impatience and poorer financial decisions.
A new study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that female students who were more optimistic achieved significantly higher grades than their less optimistic peers. In contrast, male students who were too optimistic struggled with overconfidence and lower grades due to a lack of conscientiousness.
Health insurance costs outpaced income growth in every state, with premium increases ranging from 33% in Idaho to 70% in Mississippi. Employees contributed 63% more to premiums while getting less protective coverage, with per-person deductibles doubling over the same period.
Research by University of Cincinnati professor Leila Rodriguez examines business strategies and networking patterns among Nigerian immigrants in New York City. The study reveals that these entrepreneurs adapt African business models to Western strategies, maintaining social distance with suppliers, customers, and employees.
A study by Professor Timothy Golden found that individuals who juggle conflicting demands between their work and home lives experience more work exhaustion. However, those with lower levels of conflict benefit from teleworking during traditional or non-traditional work hours, leading to reduced exhaustion.
Researchers identified three patterns in couples dealing with male depression: 'trading places,' where partners assume atypical roles; 'business as usual,' where couples downplay problems; and 'edgy tensions,' where resentment builds. The study underscores women's crucial role in helping men manage their depression.
Researchers develop a general model of disinhibition, which occurs when inhibitory forces are temporarily removed, allowing initial impulses to be expressed. This can result in pro-social or anti-social behavior depending on the context.
A national survey found that businesses primarily invest in signs to make their businesses stand out and aid potential customers find locations. The study also found economic impacts of sign changes on businesses.
A Rutgers-affiliated company has received a $207,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop a technology that analyzes tissue from breast cancer biopsies to predict how aggressive the disease is likely to be. This technology could help physicians and patients plan effective therapies with minimal side effects.
A UBC study reveals that envious employees are more likely to undermine peers if they feel disconnected from others. The researchers found that moral disengagement is a key factor in sabotaging behavior, occurring when employees experience weak relationships with colleagues.
A new study explains why leaders are often perceived as strong and dominant, despite their generosity. In non-competitive contexts, generous individuals are admired and respected, but in times of competition, they are seen as weak and submissive.
A study by USC, Stanford, and Kellogg School researchers found that individuals with power but low status are more likely to engage in demeaning activities. The study's results support the idea that a combination of power and lack of respect can be toxic, as seen in incidents like Abu Ghraib torture and the Stanford Prison Experiment.
Patients with acute low back pain who were advised to stay active despite the pain fared better in recovery and mental health compared to those told to adjust their activity in line with their pain. This study found that staying active can help patients recover more quickly and manage depression.