Research on business, work, and organizations. Covers dissent and management, innovation, workplace activism, and generative AI in investing.
White-collar criminals report fewer problems with cell mates, feelings of safety, and difficulties in prison compared to other populations. The study found that they were more likely to make friends in prison and had lower rates of safety concerns.
A study by Western University found that cardiac rehabilitation programs lead to a 31% reduction in hospital readmission rates and a 26% drop in cardiovascular mortality. The program's cost savings exceed $400,000 over two years, making it a financially viable option.
Researchers found that realistic stories with identifiable characters and plots lead to 'narrative transportation,' a phenomenon where consumers mentally enter the story. Five characteristics - familiarity, attention, fantasizing ability, higher education, and female gender - contribute to this effect.
A study in Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers develop strong emotional attachments to commercial spaces when they experience familiarity, authenticity, and security. This attachment leads to loyalty and willingness to make sacrifices to support their favorite businesses.
Researchers found that expansive postures, like standing up and spreading arms, make people feel powerful across cultures. However, some postures that violate cultural norms, such as putting feet on desk, have little effect on individuals from East Asia.
C-Voltaics, a University of Houston nanotech company, has won the $50,000 Goradia Innovation Prize for its commercially viable nano-coatings that protect various products from environmental hazards. The company's win is confirmation of market demand for its product, which was launched this fall in the Energy Research Park.
A major transportation company survived Hurricane Sandy by adopting flexible strategies to meet customer demand and ensure personnel safety. The company's schedulers bypassed normal communication channels to speed up information exchange, relying on face-to-face conversations instead.
A new study from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that employees who had autonomy over their lunch activities were less tired at work. Relaxing activities freely chosen by workers led to reduced fatigue, while socializing with colleagues increased it.
A federal study by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has shifted daytime delivery truck traffic to off-hours, reducing congestion and improving supply chain management. The program benefits businesses, delivery companies, and the environment, with estimated annual emissions reductions of over 100 tons.
A new study by researchers at the University of Toronto found that independent and financially-literate audit committees lead to higher firm values and less diversion of resources. The study suggests that regulators should maintain flexibility around rules requiring high-quality audit committees, particularly for smaller firms.
The CARRE Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) for an in-depth genomic investigation into MSA. TGen's research will utilize whole genome sequencing and family-based investigations to uncover novel genetic associations with MSA.
Researchers warn of an 'economic time-bomb' in the Arctic due to thawing permafrost, which could trigger catastrophic climate change with a global cost of $60 trillion. The release of methane from the East Siberian Sea alone would have a mean global impact of this value.
A new study reveals that sports fans are willing to sacrifice brand loyalty for a chance at winning, as they build associations between product use and desired outcomes. Despite knowing there's no rational support for superstition, fans continue the behavior.
A new approach to designing visual notations has been proposed, challenging conventional wisdom that experts should design these notations. The approach, which involves naive users in the process, increases semantic transparency by almost 300% compared to existing notations.
Research reveals that people with individualistic mindsets prioritize an item's inherent value, while those with collectivist mindsets focus on the relationships between items. This difference in mindset affects consumer decision-making, including choices about favorite sets and purchasing decisions.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that avoiding dwelling on problems can actually help individuals manage multiple role responsibilities, such as work, family, and school. This 'mind break' allows people to detach from their concerns and increase their satisfaction.
Researchers develop a self-contained toilet unit that can treat 1200 users' daily fecal waste using supercritical water oxidation technology. The process produces clean water, heat, and excess energy, making it a sustainable solution for communities in developing countries.
Researchers found that exposure to images of Chinese culture impairs English fluency, with higher recognition of literal translations and faster processing times. This disruption occurs due to the automaticity of frame-switching, which sometimes interferes with second-language performance.
A new study finds that individuals in expansive physical environments are more likely to exhibit dishonest behavior, such as stealing and cheating. The research suggests that subtle postural shifts can influence thoughts and feelings, leading to a state of power that elicits dishonest actions.
A new study by the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that caregiving dads are treated disrespectfully at work due to non-traditional gender roles. The study suggests that employees who violate traditional gender norms, such as men doing less caregiving and domestic tasks, face harassment in the office.
Research from the University of Sheffield reveals a decline in Europe's undeclared economy from 22.3% to 18.4% of GDP between 2003 and 2012. The study found an east-west divide, with southern European countries having larger undeclared economies.
Dr. Matt Huentelman and Dr. Glen Weiss are among the 40 Under 40 honorees recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal for their contributions to genomic research, including TGen's MindCrowd project and lung cancer studies. The recognition highlights the institute's advancements in understanding human genetics and developing new treatments.
A recent study by Columbia Business School professors found that using precise dollar amounts in negotiations can lead to more favorable outcomes. The researchers discovered that people making precise offers are perceived as more informed, causing their counterparts to concede more value.
A recent study by USC Marshall School of Business professor Scott S. Wiltermuth found that segmenting rewards into arbitrary categories increases motivation. Participants worked longer on tasks when rewards were separated into categories, as they felt they would miss out on potential benefits if they didn
A recent study by Brigham Young University found that employees who exhibit a strong belief in a brand's mission or cause become more influential in important company circles. Those who simply focus on their job performance without being invested in the organization's mission tend to be less influential.
A new study found that consumers are more likely to endorse certain responses on agreement scales when labels are familiar to them. This can lead to biased survey results if the labels are not equivalent across languages. Researchers recommend paying closer attention to response category labels to avoid such biases.
Research by Kwanho Suk found that relying on general information about teams' performance improves prediction accuracy, while incorporating detailed information does not.
Researchers from MIT found that individuals with strong connections to successful people in their online networks are more likely to succeed. Affiliation with prominent academic institutions like ETH Zurich also plays a significant role in predicting success.
Royal Holloway has been awarded a multi-million pound grant to host a new Centre for Doctoral Training in cyber security, aimed at boosting PhD graduates with relevant skills. The grant will fund ten PhD scholarships and secure industry backing from prominent organisations like IBM and McAfee.
A new study by researchers at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management and the Bank of Canada found that shorter lists of available investment options prove to be of higher quality than longer ones. The study used mathematical models and analysis of U.S. pension plans in 2007 to reach this conclusion.
A new study by University of Illinois business professor Ravi S. Gajendran suggests that leaders can use a relationship-based approach, known as leader-member exchange, to build trust and loyalty with team members in virtual teams.
A team of researchers from the University of Bristol and the University of Bern studied the investment strategies of dominant pairs in a species of cichlid fish. They found that removing large helpers for 30 days allowed dominants to reduce their territorial duties, with new helpers taking over after seven days.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that subtle physical acts of closure can trigger choice closure and increase consumer satisfaction. Consumers who closed lids or menus on their selected items liked what they ate more than those who didn't perform an act of closure.
A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that sellers tend to focus on a product's desirability, while buyers consider both its desirability and usability. This difference in focus leads to price discrepancies between what sellers ask for tickets and what buyers are willing to pay.
A new study published in Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that individuals with a focus on security tend to prioritize avoiding low status over maximizing gains. In contrast, those with a growth focus are more likely to pursue higher-value options.
A new UBC study reveals that North American service workers are more likely to retaliate against rude customers, while Chinese workers disengage from customer service altogether due to cultural differences. The study suggests that companies must be mindful of these cultural variations when expanding globally.
A recent survey by NORC at the University of Chicago found that getting ahead is seen as a personal responsibility, with employers investing in training but facing confidence issues. Lower-wage workers are less satisfied and perceive fewer advancement opportunities, with pessimism being acute among white and younger workers.
Scientists found that chimpanzees coordinate actions and understand the need to help a partner perform their role to achieve a common goal. In trials, pairs of chimpanzees solved problems together, even swapping tools, to get food out of a box, demonstrating strategic coordination similar to humans.
Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia have selected a benchmark plan to meet the Affordable Care Act's essential health benefit requirement. Most selected the largest small-group plan, which will serve as the basis for individual and small-group market plans.
VitaThreads, a WPI startup developing biopolymer microthreads for wound healing and tissue regeneration, has made it to the final four in the Association of University Technology Managers' international business plan contest. The company will present its business plan on March 1 in San Antonio, Texas.
A recent study from the University of British Columbia's Sauder School of Business reveals that female-female workplace conflicts are often perceived as more negative than male-male or male-female conflicts. Participants rated all-female conflicts as more likely to negatively influence job satisfaction and team repair, despite finding ...
Decision makers who feel powerful are more likely to make decisions that benefit their future selves. Researchers found that power can embolden decision makers and lead to better long-term choices. Power appears to foster saving behavior by putting people in touch with their future selves.
New research shows that criticism from team members can lead to downward spirals, but external criticism can boost performance by encouraging a 'them and us' mentality. This study offers a method for improving performance following setbacks in both sport and business.
Researchers from TUM designed a smart wall panel to assist elderly people in their homes. The panel provides access to vital information, entertainment, and assistance with daily tasks. It also detects critical health issues and contacts healthcare professionals for support.
Research found that conservative counties had lower market share for generic products and fewer adoption of newly launched products compared to liberal counties. This suggests a link between political ideology and daily buying behavior.
Researchers developed an integrated model to capture both product innovation and customer evaluation processes. The conceptual model illustrates the interaction between innovation and customer response, aiming to help companies adapt their innovation processes more efficiently.
A recent study, published in Human Performance, draws on NBA player statistics to explore on-the-job adaptability. Researchers found that about 10% of players shift their focus over time, leading to improved retention rates.
Research suggests that highly powerful individuals often ignore constraints, but low-power team members can serve as a check. The study found that powerful people are less likely to consider risks, while their lower-powered colleagues are more aware of potential pitfalls.
A new study by UAlberta researcher Trish Reay suggests that Primary Care Networks can thrive with strong leadership, redefined workspaces, and creative discord. The PCN model allows physicians to practice medicine in a team-based approach, improving patient care and doctor satisfaction.
A new study from UBC's Sauder School of Business finds that treating employees relatively better than others can increase self-esteem, conformity to workplace norms, and group-oriented behavior. This approach is more effective in maintaining high levels of productivity among top performers than a strictly egalitarian culture.
Research by USC Marshall School of Business professor Scott Wiltermuth found that giving individuals a sense of power leads to a clear sense of right and wrong, causing them to punish transgressions more severely. This moral clarity can lead to organizational problems in the private and public sector.
A new study by De Montfort University reveals worrying inconsistencies in how NHS hospital trusts in England define and report surgical site infections. The findings suggest that published rates do not accurately reflect the true scale of surgical infections, highlighting the need for improved data collection and reporting systems.
A recent study by University of Arizona professor Sudha Ram analyzed the Twitter activity of 12 major news organizations over a six-month period. The research found that articles on Twitter dissipate fairly quickly, with retweeting typically ending between 10 and 72 hours after an article is originally shared. The BBC had the maximum r...
Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute will design, build and deploy mining robots, robotic tools and autonomous technologies for Anglo American PLC. The partnership aims to improve productivity through innovations in processes and technologies, enhancing safety and increasing efficiency in the mining industry.
A new study by Aalto University found that sustainable business innovations significantly increase a company's market value. Regular announcements of sustainability innovations result in an 0.82% increase in market capitalization.
A study by Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management found that people distort their memories and convince themselves they passed up opportunities for racism, even if none existed. This mental trick increases willingness to express less racially sensitive views and feel licensed to behave in questionable ways.
A USC Marshall study found that smog check firms cluster with competitors, leading to lenient passing grades for cars that should fail. This practice could have passed 39,000 cars in New York State, contributing to public health problems.
The SustainValue project creates concrete tools for ensuring partners act sustainably. A networked approach helps develop comprehensive solutions rather than individual products. The project also establishes new indicators for assessing economic, social, and environmental impacts across entire networks of stakeholders.
Researchers found that outside observers, including personal acquaintances and co-workers, can provide equally fair evaluations of employees' personalities as those who know them in a work context. This challenge traditional practices of using self-rated personality tests, which may lead to biased perceptions.
Gustavo Arellano, best-selling author and '¡Ask a Mexican!' columnist, will discuss how Mexican food conquered America in his new book. He'll address misconceptions about what constitutes 'Mexican' food and its influence on US cuisine.