Articles tagged with Business
A nationwide study in China found that 55.6% of men and 15% of women are current drinkers, with frequent binge drinking among males and women averaging 5.6 and 2.4 binges per year, respectively. Cultural factors, such as social pressure and entrenched customs, contribute to the problem.
Research by Columbia Business School and University of Chicago Booth School of Business found that offering too many 401k funds deters employees from enrolling in the plan. The study revealed a decrease in equity fund allocation and an increase in 'nothing' allocation as the number of funds increases.
The Mid-Atlantic Dray Truck Replacement Program aims to double the impact of a federal cash-for-clunkers-style program by combining public and voluntary private contributions. The initiative will offer $15,000 to truckers for new vehicle down-payments and help arrange financing.
A new study by the Commonwealth Fund reveals that Medicaid managed care plans owned by publicly traded for-profit companies spend an average of 14% on administrative costs, compared to 10% for non-publicly traded plans. The report highlights concerns about quality of care and efficiency in these plans.
Researchers found that cash-based overcompensation leads to higher satisfaction ratings than industry-standard compensation or voucher-based overcompensation. Participants were most satisfied with a $400 cash bonus, but satisfaction levels did not increase linearly with the amount of cash provided.
A University of Cincinnati researcher is using simulation modeling to study the impact of electronic health record implementation on emergency departments. The study aims to quantify the operational disruption caused by EHRs and optimize efficiency during implementation.
Researchers found that domain expertise insulates experts from biases caused by monetary favors, using functional MRI scans. Non-experts, however, are more susceptible to such biases, which can affect their judgments in various areas, including politics and medicine.
A study by Columbia Business School found that people's beliefs on global warming are influenced by daily temperature, with warmer days leading to increased concern. The researchers surveyed over 1,200 people and found that perceptions of temperature correlated with reality three-quarters of the time.
According to a new study from Tufts University researchers, whites now perceive anti-white racism as a bigger problem than anti-black racism. Whites agree that anti-black racism has decreased over the last 60 years, while also believing that anti-white racism has increased and is now prevalent.
A new report by the Commonwealth Fund recommends modifications to current policies to minimize gaps in health insurance coverage and administrative burdens when people's lives change, particularly during job transitions or income fluctuations. The report aims to ensure that individuals can easily sign up for and keep their coverage, re...
A new study from Family Process reveals that family business succession is an emotionally charged process, influenced by internal and interpersonal factors. The research highlights the importance of trust, worldview, and relationships in facilitating or hindering successful succession.
Research by Dominic Williams reveals no direct relationship between business rates and economic activity, despite politicians suggesting a link. Councils with higher rates income are mainly large cities, while growth is often driven by smaller councils with new businesses.
The Affordable Care Act is expanding health insurance coverage to nearly all uninsured women, addressing the issue of millions unable to afford needed healthcare. The law includes premium subsidies and new rules protecting women from high costs, aiming to increase access to preventive care and reduce medical debt.
The study shows that small firms can access foreign markets through intermediaries, enabling them to become direct exporters in the future. Intermediate firms facilitate direct export participation by smaller firms, especially in high-trade-cost markets.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that people are willing to trade one source of control for the other. Researchers discovered that lacking power triggers a greater need for choice, while having an abundance of choice doesn't lead to striving for power. Having neither makes people distinctly dissatisfied.
A study by UC Riverside finds that managers' conceptions of employees can be self-fulfilling prophecies affecting job satisfaction, relationships, and trust. Leaders with positive conceptions tend to treat their employees positively, while those with negative conceptions have a negative impact on followers.
Research reveals mothers have a higher sickness absence rate compared to fathers, with twice as many days paid out after childbirth. Increased gainful employment and caregiving responsibilities for women contribute to the disparity.
A new self-monitoring blood glucose sensor developed by Arizona State University engineers and clinicians enables patients to draw tear fluid from their eyes to get a glucose-level test sample. The device aims to make blood glucose testing easier, more comfortable and potentially better control diabetes.
A new study of small private firms in 21 emerging market countries found that those with higher quality accounting make better investment decisions. Firms with strong incentives to minimize taxes have poorer financial reporting and less efficient investment decisions.
InDevR received a $3 million Phase II NIH grant to develop an integrated molecular diagnostic platform for influenza screening. The technology aims to provide accurate, rapid, and cost-effective identification of influenza viruses.
A study by Columbia Business School professor Stephan Meier found that incentives can decrease public goods contribution and increase free-riding behavior in group environments with informal norm enforcement. The researchers discovered that incentives changed the norm of contribution, making it acceptable to exploit common resources.
A recent economic recession has created a shortage of credit for small businesses, forcing many to rely on personal savings and household assets to stay afloat. This can put their personal assets at risk, warns MU researcher Tansel Yilmazer.
A Baylor study found that employees with high levels of honesty and humility tend to perform better in their jobs, according to supervisor ratings. The researchers also discovered that these traits predict job performance above other personality variables.
A recent study by the University of Colorado Boulder suggests that ignoring an unemployed spouse's job search stress can lead to decreased productivity and strained relationships in the home. The researchers found that couples are better at sharing their burden than alleviating it, leading to a negative impact on both spouses.
A study by Michigan State University found that employees who fake smile for customer interactions worsen their mood and withdraw from work. In contrast, those who cultivate positive thoughts improve their mood and withdraw less. The study also showed gender differences, with women being more affected by fake smiling.
A psychological scientist in Germany found that dialing specific numbers on a cell phone can induce positive emotions and activate word meanings. The study used number sequences corresponding to words, such as "love" and "friend," to show that mere typing of these numbers could affect participants' emotional responses.
Research finds vines are outcompeting trees in tropical forests across the Americas, posing a threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services. This shift has significant implications for climate models, business models relying on tree growth data, and human communities dependent on these forests.
A study found that consumers are more likely to react negatively to poor service from a friend than a business associate. The researchers suggest that this is because people in friendships expect their partners to be concerned about them, and when this expectation is not met, it can lead to feelings of betrayal.
Researchers measured charisma using empathy, good listening skills, eye contact, enthusiasm, and self-confidence. The study found that these attributes can be acquired rather than innate, suggesting that charisma can be learned.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that people are more likely to abandon a failing investment when they focus on their hopes and aspirations, rather than their duties and obligations. This suggests that changing one's mindset can help individuals make more rational decisions about continuing or ending a project.
A new study by Michigan State University sociologist Zachary Neal challenges conventional wisdom on economic development. According to Neal's research, attracting business air-travel passengers first can lead to a significant increase in jobs.
Researchers propose a new adjustable balance mortgage contract that resets the loan balance and monthly payment based on the mortgaged home's market value. This design reduces the economic incentive to default, costing about the same as a typical fixed-rate mortgage.
Research finds that asking for advice can increase likelihood of patronizing a business and donating to a nonprofit. On the other hand, soliciting expectations creates distance and reduces subsequent transactions.
A study published in Psychological Science suggests that acknowledging group-based differences fosters cooperation among coworkers from different backgrounds. Recognizing expatriates as foreigners can lead to sharing work-related and cultural information, promoting collaboration.
A new study finds that outsourcing can lead to softened competition among firms, resulting in higher prices for consumers. The practice also leads to lost jobs for workers. Businesses may outsource to reduce costs, but the savings are often not passed on to consumers, instead being used to maintain profit margins.
A web-based curriculum was found to be an effective method for teaching and assessing systems-based practice concepts in surgical residents. The study showed a significant improvement in knowledge of health care business concepts and principles, with residents reporting a preference for Web-based learning.
A new study by Daniel M. Bartels and Oleg Urminsky found that consumers struggle to connect with their future selves, leading to impatient consumption habits. When people feel a strong sense of identity with their future self, they are more patient and willing to save for long-term benefits.
Researchers synthesize traffic matrices based on real network patterns, enabling network researchers to test communication network designs. This will help network providers make efficient and reliable networks.
The ImREAL project aims to create a simulated learning environment that responds to users' behavior and adapts accordingly. Researchers will develop intelligent tools to encourage trainees to detect subtle differences in communication and social cues across cultures.
Researchers identify skills, attitudes, and behaviors associated with successful households, including high education levels, younger household heads, and a preference for formal financial markets. Successful households also exhibit persistence in their financial management, leading to significant net worth growth over time.
Researchers found that video game training improves employee knowledge by 11%, skill-based knowledge by 14% and retention rate by 9%. Games work best when engaging users and provide flexible access.
A study by Rice University found that investment analysts' negative stock recommendations increase the probability of CEO dismissal. The researchers analyzed panel data on S&P 500 companies from 2000 to 2005 and found a significant impact of downgrades on CEO turnover decisions.
A new study published in The Leadership Quarterly found that individuals with high emotional intelligence (EQ) are more likely to be perceived as leaders by their peers. Emotional ability tests revealed that those identified as leaders scored higher on tasks such as emotion recognition and regulation strategies.
A recent study suggests that mixed-use neighborhoods can lead to lower levels of violent crime in both impoverished and affluent areas. However, the study found that increases in business-residential density initially lead to higher levels of violent crimes before declining after a certain threshold is reached.
A study by Maurice Levi, Kai Li, and Feng Zhang finds that high testosterone levels in CEOs negotiating mergers and acquisitions are associated with a higher rate of dropped deals and increased hostile takeover attempts. Younger CEOs with high testosterone levels tend to reject low offers, even if it's against their interest.
A recent study published in the INFORMS journal Management Science found that young, male CEOs with higher levels of testosterone are more likely to initiate, scrap, or resist mergers and acquisitions. This is due to testosterone's association with male dominance-seeking in competitive situations.
16.6 million small business employees are eligible for tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, with benefits including increased competition among insurers and reduced health insurance premiums. By 2013, 3.4 million workers may take advantage of the tax credit, which increases in value to up to 50% of premium contribution by 2014.
Scientists have discovered a powerful new catalyst that can significantly boost fuel cell efficiency, paving the way for 'personalized energy systems' that generate clean electricity 24/7. This technology could free homes and businesses from dependence on traditional power sources.
The study, led by D. Michael Lindsay, categorizes evangelical leaders into pragmatic, heroic, circumspect, and brazen types based on their personal faith engagement in workplace decision-making. The research highlights the diversity of evangelicals' approaches to business leadership and their motivations.
A new study in Journal of Consumer Research found that people are more satisfied with their experiences when they make personal choices, especially when the goal is pleasure. In contrast, when the goal is to achieve a higher-end consequence, there is no difference in satisfaction between those who choose and those who do not.
Scientists have discovered a powerful new catalyst that can boost oxygen production in fuel cells by 200-fold, advancing the development of personalized energy systems. This breakthrough could enable homes and businesses to produce their own clean energy for heating, cooling, and powering cars.
Research found that unselfish workers who volunteer for tasks and take on details are also among those most wanted to be voted off a team. This phenomenon occurs because others perceive these individuals as setting an unrealistic standard, making themselves appear worse by comparison.
A new article highlights the importance of considering cultural differences in the workplace. Research shows that people from different cultures have varying expectations about teamwork, leadership, and family involvement. By acknowledging these differences, employers can create more effective teams and improve collaboration.
A recent UC Denver study found that attractive women face discrimination when applying for certain jobs considered masculine, such as research and development or construction supervisor roles. In contrast, attractive men faced no similar disadvantage. The study highlights the existence of a double standard in hiring practices between m...
A study by the University of Illinois research team found that generational gaps in workplaces cannot be solved with broad stereotypes or age-based solutions. The researchers identified three primary factors that contribute to generational factions: significant life events, work tenure, and job duties.
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has awarded £38 million to 46 outstanding UK researchers, supporting their development as world-leading scientists and engineers. The fellowships aim to drive innovation and tackle major challenges such as climate change and sustainable energy.
New research from North Carolina State University finds that business practices like outsourcing and project-based teams lead to worker stress, decreased employee loyalty, and lower quality of life. Employers also face long-term problems such as increased turnover and higher costs.
A new study found that smoking bans in Minneapolis and St. Paul led to a 3-6% increase in bar employment and a 4% rise in restaurant employment, contradicting predictions of job losses. The research suggests that clean indoor air policies promote healthier workplaces for workers and patrons.
TWAS has received the 2010 Premio Feltrinelli award for its unprecedented accomplishments in promoting scientific capacity in developing countries. The prize includes a Euro 250,000 cash award and recognizes TWAS's inspirational mission to advance global economic and social well-being through South-South cooperation in science.
According to the poll, most employees reported that their company provided hand sanitizer, encouraged sick workers to stay home, and expanded leave policies. Large companies were more likely to take these measures than smaller ones. The survey suggests that businesses will play a vital role in public health during outbreaks.