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Study reveals that many people are oblivious to how they come across to counterparts and colleagues

Research from Columbia Business School finds most people misjudge their assertiveness, often thinking they're seen as appropriate when others see them as too hot or too cold. The study also reveals that those who get assertiveness right often mistakenly think they've gotten it wrong, leading to costly repairs and missed deals.

SourceColumbia Business School·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJun 30, 2014

The National Health Service -- committed to failure?

A recent study by Marianna Fotaki and Paula Hyde reveals how organizations, like the NHS, can become trapped in unrealistic policies and defensive behavior. The authors argue that unconscious social demands and the pressure to demonstrate success drive escalation of commitment, leading to greater material losses.

SourceSAGE·JournalHuman Relations·DateJun 24, 2014

Back away, please

Researchers from University of Chicago Booth School of Business found that humans have a general tendency to fear things approaching, regardless of their threat level. This 'approach avoidance' phenomenon is rooted in our survival instincts and can be observed in various daily situations.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Booth School of Business·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJun 23, 2014

UK supermarkets minimise price rises for the cheapest alcohol when taxes are increased

A study found that UK supermarkets respond to tax increases on alcohol by under-shifting cheaper products and over-shifting more expensive ones, leading to smaller reductions in excessive consumption. This could hinder efforts to reduce harmful drinking, particularly among high-risk drinkers who favor cheaper supermarket products.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalAddiction Research & Theory·DateJun 23, 2014

Study discovers the downside of African-American success stories

A recent study by Clayton Critcher and Jane L. Risen found that exposure to African-American success stories can lead to a misguided perception that these individuals simply need to work harder to achieve their goals. This misinterpretation can have significant implications for perceptions of race relations in America. The study's find...

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJun 4, 2014

Most NHL players peak by age 29: Study

A new study found that NHL forwards reach their peak performance between the ages of 27 and 28, while defencemen peak between 28 and 29. The study also revealed that players perform close to their peak levels for several years before and after their optimal age range.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJournal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports·DateMay 15, 2014

Sell-side analysts lean towards high valuation companies for comparison

A study from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that sell-side analysts tend to compare companies in the same category but with expensive stock prices. This can lead to undervalued companies being perceived as good buys compared to high-valuation peers. The research also shows a greater tendency to choose hig...

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalReview of Accounting Studies·DateApr 30, 2014

'Let it go,' but not in the boardroom

Researchers found that individuals cooperated more with computer counterparts expressing positive emotions after cooperation and negative emotions after exploitation. This study highlights the importance of managing facial expressions in business interactions to achieve cooperation.

SourceUSC Marshall School of Business·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateApr 28, 2014

Classifying cognitive styles across disciplines

Researchers propose a new, integrated framework of cognitive styles that eliminates confusing labeling and enables integration of findings on individual differences in cognition across different disciplines. The taxonomy offers a clear categorization of styles from various fields, highlighting the importance of adaptive patterns or sty...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science in the Public Interest·DateApr 17, 2014

Location matters when it comes to deal-making, says new study

A new study using the U.S. Senate Chamber as its laboratory found that co-sponsorship of bills is more likely to come from those sitting near each other, highlighting the importance of location in deal-making. The study's findings also showed that more senior senators rely on personal connections rather than their location for support.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalStrategic Management Journal·DateApr 8, 2014

One currency, one price?

A recent study by MIT economists finds strong convergence of prices within the Eurozone, with prices differing by 30-50% lower than in neighboring countries. The research suggests that the common currency drives identical pricing, contradicting previous findings.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·DateApr 1, 2014

Thoughtful people more likely to infer improvements in race relations

New research by Jane L. Risen of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business shows that people are more likely to deny the persistence of racism after being exposed to a successful African American. Thoughtful individuals are particularly vulnerable to making quick inferences about racial disparity.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Booth School of Business·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateMar 20, 2014

Tricks of the trade: Study suggests how freelancers can land more jobs

A study by UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business suggests that freelancers who exhibit movement in their past history, taking on similar jobs, are more likely to get hired. The findings aim to better understand the dynamics of virtual labor markets and prepare freelancers to demonstrate their credibility to employers.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateFeb 4, 2014

Colleges pay attention: How do top 10 rankings influence applications?

A study by Mathew S. Isaac and Robert M. Schindler found that moving just two spots up or down a ranked list can greatly influence consumer perception. The researchers analyzed data from the Graduate Management Admissions Council, finding that rank changes near round-number group borders are the best predictors of increased applications.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateDec 10, 2013

In the case of wholesale food distributors, it's all about location

A new mathematical model can help business owners and policymakers determine the optimal locations for wholesale distributors to minimize transportation costs and maximize producers' and retailers' benefits. The model considers factors like distributor size, road conditions, and gas prices to identify ideal hubs in various supply chains.

SourcePenn State·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateDec 4, 2013

Supreme Court's Obamacare decision established new limits on federal authority, IU paper says

A new paper by Tim Lemper argues that the Supreme Court's decision in National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius established new limits on Congress' power to regulate commerce and use federal funds to coerce states. The court's decision placed groundbreaking limits on federal regulation, setting a precedent for future cases.

SourceIndiana University·JournalBusiness Horizons·DateOct 31, 2013