Articles tagged with Business
A University of Illinois economist suggests reducing mail delivery to five days a week could help the USPS recover from financial losses. However, this move might also lead to a loss of lucrative business customers who rely on frequent deliveries for advertisements and promotions.
Researchers found that managers tend to downplay the significance of their past forecasting mistakes when predicting future earnings. This underestimation can influence how investors respond to new forecast announcements, contributing to persistent price drift after an earnings announcement. Further study is needed to determine if this...
Research published in MIS Quarterly found that detailed Service Level Agreements can increase trust and commitment between clients and vendors. The study suggests that overly specific clauses can actually reduce trust, emphasizing the need for flexible negotiation processes.
Thomas A. Wright, K-State professor and Jon Wefald Leadership Chair, was named a Fellow of the American Psychological Association for outstanding contributions to the field of psychology. He is also a Fellow in two other prestigious organizations, marking a rare achievement by a single scholar.
A study found that the replacement of a black manager with a non-black manager results in a significant decline in the number of blacks employed, especially in Southern stores. Black managers tend to hire people who live close to them, while non-black managers hire from a broader network.
A new study released in PLoS ONE explores the cumulative impacts of energy development on species in the West, with potential consequences for sage-grouse populations. The research highlights the need for scientifically credible conservation planning tools to balance natural resource development with wildlife conservation.
Research by McMaster University reveals that identity theft and fraud are increasing concerns for consumers, with phishing, credit card skimming, and insider theft being major threats. The study's model defines ID theft and fraud as two distinct problems, aiming to educate the public on how their personal data can be misappropriated an...
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that people who sit up straight are more likely to believe positive thoughts about their qualifications and abilities. In contrast, those who slouch over have less confidence in their own thoughts. The study suggests that body posture can influence how we think about ourselves.
Kansas State University assistant professor George Cai has received a $225,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to study supply chain management for the travel industry using online retail outlets like Priceline.com. The research aims to help suppliers and retailers determine optimal pricing and revenue management strategies.
A new study published in The Leadership Quarterly found that children raised with an 'authoritative' parenting style are more likely to assume leadership roles at work and in their communities. This approach allows children to learn from their parents while still testing boundaries, preparing them for future success.
The Business Intelligence Network aims to improve information management systems for business applications, enabling informed decisions using integrated and trustworthy data. The $5 million grant will facilitate collaboration between top Canadian researchers and companies in business intelligence.
52% of small business employees are uninsured or underinsured due to high premium costs and lack of transparency. Health reform provisions could alleviate these issues, providing standard benefits, eliminating lifetime maximums, and controlling premium costs.
Penn State researchers have received a $1 million stimulus grant to improve cyber security for modern data centers. The project aims to consolidate four areas of systems security research, including microscopic intrusion analysis and detection, redundancy, automatic response, and diversity-driven protection.
A study analyzing business return to New Orleans post-Katrina found that 65% of businesses reopened by October 2007. The main concerns cited by remaining closed businesses were levee protection and damage to physical locations, with financing becoming a primary worry later on.
Researchers found that people cling to their dreams until they're clearly shown the consequences of failure. The study involved students who were told varying levels of threat to their new dreams, with those receiving the strongest threat experiencing higher self-doubt and anxiety, leading them to drop their dream.
The UK Innovation Research Centre has announced phase two of its initiative, focusing on substantive and exploratory research projects in areas such as financial innovations, public procurement, and environmental regulation. The £1.5 million funding will support high-quality research and knowledge hub activity.
Scientists at Stevens utilize NYHOPS and firsthand knowledge to provide accurate information on water conditions, aiding emergency responders in search and recovery efforts. The forecast model proves valuable in locating downed helicopter wreckage.
A new study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that employee emotional reactions and intentions are more influenced by actual benefits and opportunities than promised ones. Organizations should focus on delivering valuable rewards rather than investing time in making promises.
Researchers discovered that customers consistently prefer white male employees over equally performing women and minorities. This preference leads to higher salaries for white males and lower salaries for women and minorities, despite similar performance levels.
A recent study by the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that CFA charterholders tend to be timelier and more objective in their forecasting, but average in terms of accuracy. This suggests that the designation brings a natural edge in talent as well as acquired skills.
Neuroscientists at Duke University Medical Center used fMRI to study brain activity while participants made economic decisions. The study found that brain regions associated with rational processing were active when subjects used simplifying strategies, contradicting traditional notions of rational vs. irrational decision-making.
Promotional tests may deter top applicants, causing anxiety and negatively impacting job performance, according to a study by the University of Toronto's Rotman School. The research found that fairness perceptions were not linked to exam results, but rather with candidates' willingness to recommend the process.
A study examining employment trends in Minnesota cities with different types of clean indoor air policies found no significant economic effect on bar and restaurant jobs. Despite this, the researchers conclude that comprehensive public health policies are still beneficial for protecting employees from secondhand smoke exposure.
A new study by Dr. Yuval Kalish suggests that some networking strategies can lead to 'social potholes,' harming individuals and businesses. Filling structural holes can bring short-term gains but long-term costs, and authenticity is key for peace-builders.
A new study finds that consumers evaluate products differently based on the timing of their purchase. When considering future use, desirability is a primary factor, while feasibility takes precedence for immediate use. Reevaluating a product later can also influence judgments, with future-considered products being viewed more favorably.
A new study outlines essential elements for successful refillable packaging, including affordability without sacrificing quality. Consumer surveys revealed that environmentally-friendly concerns drive usage, while businesses see it as a way to demonstrate responsibility and reduce costs.
Canada's persistent weakness in productivity growth is attributed to business strategy choices, including inadequate investment in information and communications technologies. The report highlights the need for Canadian businesses to adopt more innovative strategies to serve customers effectively.
A novel injectable, OCR-002, directly reduces blood levels of ammonia, a toxic chemical building up during acute hepatic encephalopathy attacks. Clinical trials will begin in 2009 to develop the treatment for patients with advanced liver cirrhosis and acute liver failure.
Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology have made significant breakthroughs in free-space optical communication by demonstrating a unique atmospheric effect called scavenging, which improves the system's performance in adverse weather conditions. The study shows that mid-infrared QCL systems can deliver up to 300% greater throug...
Researchers found that wishful bettors can contaminate beliefs throughout markets, causing investors with accurate beliefs to become overly optimistic about stock values. This contagion problem could contribute to market bubbles and other anomalies.
A new study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found consistently cooperative actors can shape group behavior, leading to increased productivity and economic efficiency. The findings challenge common assumptions about human cooperation in situations with short-term incentives.
A new study finds that power can cause individuals to think they have more personal control over outcomes than they actually do. Researchers discovered that those in positions of power are more likely to believe they can influence events beyond their control, resulting in unrealistic optimism and inflated self-esteem.
The state of Maryland is uniquely positioned to support the nation's foreign language needs by tapping into its abundant pool of well-educated, bilingual speakers. The task force recommends harnessing the skills of first, second, and third-generation Americans to recruit teachers and translators.
Commercial weight-loss programs create unrealistic expectations and false beliefs, highlighting the need for regulation. Governments must require accreditation of providers and supply evidence-based information for claims.
Jeffrey Sachs, director of Columbia's Earth Institute, wins the 2009 Green Book Award for his book 'Common Wealth,' which proposes solutions to extreme poverty and related global problems. The award recognizes the book's practical value in addressing environmental issues.
A study by Bertini et al. found that consumers favorably perceive products with add-ons, particularly those improving existing features, while negative impressions of optional upgrades lead to more favorable ratings. Conversely, participants tend to like downgrades over no add-ons at all.
The NYHOPS system provided real-time information on water conditions, weather, and environmental factors to aid in the rescue of 150 passengers. This enabled officials to deploy rescue assets downstream and guide the plane to a safe location.
The Writing and Communications program at Stevens Institute of Technology will offer workshops to engineering students to improve their oral and written communication skills. The grant will also establish a Communications Prize for senior engineering design teams.
Several congressional proposals aim to cover the uninsured through expanded Medicare coverage, building on public programs and group purchase of private insurance. These plans demonstrate that universal coverage can be achieved with little or no additional total health spending.
Lucrezia Borgia, illegitimate daughter of Pope Alexander VI, defied conventions by running massive land development projects and accumulating vast wealth. Her business ventures, including draining marshy lands and cultivating grains, demonstrate a capitalist attitude and knowledge of contract terms.
A recent study in the Journal of Political Economy found that prejudice accounts for approximately one-quarter of the racial wage gap in the US. The study suggests that levels of prejudice among the least prejudiced have a strong influence on wage gaps, while levels among the most prejudiced have no effect.
The US received an overall 'D' grade on the first Premature Birth Report Card, with 18 states and Puerto Rico receiving failing grades. The report highlights contributing factors and prevention opportunities, including smoking and uninsured women of childbearing age.
A University of Missouri study finds that analysts' self-interests influence the value of street earnings, leading to upward bias in glamour stocks. This biases makes street earnings less useful for predicting future earnings of high-growth stocks.
Researchers Edgar de Graaf and Jeroen De Knijf analyzed patterns in web surfing behavior to reduce the number of results and improve efficiency in data mining. They developed methods to detect relevant patterns quickly and effectively within large quantities of semi-structured data.
A study published in Management Science found that distant participants make less accurate judgments when communicating via videoconferencing. Face-to-face meetings allow for more nuanced interpretation of nonverbal cues.
The UK economy is expected to contract in the second half of 2008, with a forecasted GDP decline of 0.9% in 2009 and consumer spending declining by 3.4%. The financial sector crisis will spread to the wider economy through credit rationing, caution among firms and consumers, and reduced equity prices.
Thomas L. Saaty, inventor of AHP, revolutionized decision-making with a breakthrough methodology that's widely used in business and government. His work has had a broad practical impact on operations research and related fields.
The March of Dimes has launched a national petition to reduce the rate of premature birth, which affects over 530,000 babies each year. The four-point petition calls for hospitals to review cesarean-section births and inductions before 39 weeks gestation to prevent early deliveries.
Researchers found that people with high narcissism tend to take control of leaderless groups and are viewed as leaders by others. However, once in power, narcissists do not perform any better than others, according to the study.
Researchers found that whites who try to be colorblind in conversations about race are more likely to be perceived as prejudiced by black people. This includes even children as young as 10, who adopt this approach despite it leading them to perform poorly on a basic cognitive test.
Dr. Marcia Angell warns against a US-style model of healthcare, highlighting inefficiencies and poorer outcomes compared to Canada's public system. She advocates for expanding and reinforcing Canada's medicare system to ensure better health outcomes.
The Commonwealth Fund report compares Senator McCain and Senator Obama's health reform proposals, revealing divergent approaches to expanding health insurance. While both plans aim to reduce the number of uninsured, their strategies differ: Senator Obama strengthens employer coverage and public programs, while Senator McCain encourages...
A study by Kansas State University researchers found that household surveys predict the inflation rate fairly accurately and as well as professional economists. Consumers participating in surveys are more likely to think about how much they spent at the grocery store that week.
Researchers developed a tool, Distribution Builder, to help investors understand their risk attitudes and make informed decisions. The tool estimates unacceptable risk levels using probability distributions, enabling users to construct better preferences.
A recent study found that individuals appearing underage and intoxicated can purchase alcohol at professional sports stadiums, with sales rates of 18% for pseudo-underage buyers and 74% for pseudo-intoxicated buyers. Location was a key factor, with sales in the stands being 2.9 times more likely than at concession booths.
A study by Yale researchers found that prediction markets are a strong tool for forecasting US presidential elections. The authors analyzed the 2004 election market and found that traders quickly assimilated new information as it unfolded over the campaign, indicating their ability to accurately predict outcomes.
Professors David Naumann and Stan Rosenberg from Stevens Institute of Technology introduced a new programming logic to leverage existing software tools and scale up large software systems in languages like Java and C#. Their work was funded by the National Science Foundation.
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has awarded four large grants to researchers addressing significant social and economic challenges. The grants will support investigations into business taxation, health inequalities, time use, and emotional regulation.
A recent study by LSU professor Matthew Lee found that civic participation and local stability are crucial in preventing violent crime in rural areas. Rural communities with high levels of home ownership, stable populations, and robust middle-class economies tend to have lower rates of violence.
Bioscience Hypotheses is a new journal focused on stimulating innovation through radical hypotheses. The journal aims to publish papers that deliver new insight into biology and provide testable conclusions.