Research on business, work, and organizations. Covers dissent and management, innovation, workplace activism, and generative AI in investing.
A new study found that customers overwhelmingly reject gratuity requests made prior to service, leading to negative attitudes towards tipping. However, the researchers discovered that making customer-service efforts visible can offset these reactions and improve decision satisfaction.
A new study explores how cousin marriage traditions shape informal businesses in Africa, finding that firms operating in areas with a historical tradition of cousin marriage prioritize hiring relatives and experience greater employment increases but smaller gains in revenue.
A new study from Michigan State University explores the economic shock of the largest series of U.S. tariff hikes since 1930, reshaping global supply chains. The framework helps researchers and policymakers understand the chaos and make sense of future disruptions.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that labels on news articles, such as 'most shared' versus 'most read', influence audience engagement. Respondents interpreted 'most read' stories as more informative, while 'most shared' articles were seen as less serious and more entertainment-based.
Researchers found that firms set overly optimistic goals for the next period after missing their target, and surprisingly, this tactic often pays off. However, large institutional shareholders and female directors can restrain such behavior by demanding accountability and compliance with rules.
Researchers found that higher VIX levels are associated with more robust returns, suggesting that investors should hold onto stocks during times of high volatility. In contrast, a proposed strategy to reduce equity exposure during high VIX periods underperformed the market, according to the study.
A study by the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that ingroup bias led to shorter inspections for domestic vessels and increased scrutiny after a catastrophic accident. However, additional training can counteract this bias, suggesting that human capital is crucial in enforcing standards.
A new study from UC San Diego reveals that even mild heat can significantly hinder team performance, while leaving individual productivity unaffected. Teams in warmer conditions experienced a notable decline in productivity due to communication and interaction breakdowns.
A new study by Boston University's Richard A. Currie explores the impact of workplace nosiness on employee performance and satisfaction. Researchers found that employees react to nosiness by pulling down their privacy boundaries, leading to higher stress levels and lower task performance.
A recent study by University of Houston researcher Melika Shirmohammadi examines career success disparities among minority and non-minority groups. The framework of 'complex visibility' reveals how minority groups are seen or perceived, often feeling hyper-visible yet invisible in certain contexts.
A new study by Dr. Heylel-li Biton explores why foreign firms choose between IFRS and U.S. GAAP, finding that flexibility and compliance costs are key considerations. The research sheds light on the motivations behind financial disclosure decisions and offers guidance for regulators and investors.
Research by Ramkumar Ranganathan explores how tech companies influence emerging standards through cooperation and competition. Companies that form strategic partnerships and offer benefits to other players in an ecosystem are more likely to shape standards in their favor, according to the study.
A study by the University of Texas at Austin reveals that car dealers provide implicit subsidies to subprime borrowers. The dealers incur a loss of an average of $301 when arranging loans for these buyers.
A new study from the University of Notre Dame finds that returnless returns can increase brand support by up to 25%. The strategy involves allowing customers to keep returned items and receive a refund, rather than processing returns. This approach fosters goodwill and customer loyalty.
A study by the University of Florida found that CEOs exhibiting more Machiavellian traits are likely to secure higher executive pay, severance pay, and bonuses. This suggests a positive relationship between CEO personality and compensation outcomes, highlighting the potential for biases in pay decisions.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University finds that foreign multinational firms shift a modest amount of income out of the US for tax reasons. This income shifting supports a modest amount of employment and investment in the US, with results informing the potential effects of upcoming tax bills.
A new study reveals that fatal school shootings have far-reaching consequences, altering daily life and disrupting economies in affected communities for months. Anxiety about public safety drives a measurable decline in consumer activity, particularly in grocery stores and restaurants.
A study of nearly 600 US companies over 17 years found that firms in states with stakeholder-focused laws are better at avoiding environmental issues. CFOs' personalities, especially if they're overconfident, can lead to risky decisions harming both the environment and the company.
Researchers analyzed 5,915 Japanese listed companies to understand factors influencing voluntary information disclosure. International certifications and large corporate size promote information literacy, while listing on an overseas market may restrain it.
A new study reveals a robust link between organizational longevity and commitment to environmentally sustainable business practices. Older firms outperform younger counterparts on environmental metrics, suggesting that sustainability is a survival strategy.
Researchers found that plain language summaries increase consumer trust by 2-5% and willingness to share personal info. However, companies should avoid using these summaries to hide malicious practices.
A new study by TUM reveals that African green hydrogen production is much more costly than previously assumed, with only 2% of investigated locations being competitive. To make exports to Europe viable, governments and policymakers must provide price and offtake guarantees.
A recent study found that military equipment sanctioned by the West continues to reach the Russian market through indirect export routes via Russia-friendly countries. The probability of these exports increased by nearly 20 percentage points compared to neutral countries after the start of the war in Ukraine.
A study by the University of Cambridge found that two-thirds of UK gig economy riders and drivers experience anxiety over ratings and pay, with over half risking health and safety while working. The study also revealed that local workers spend an average of ten hours a week waiting for jobs to come through on the app.
A team of researchers at Texas A&M University has received a $1.6 million grant to develop a system for rapidly accelerating the certification process of 3D-printed critical components used in military applications.
A study by Waseda University finds that competing corporate coalitions within boards impact a firm's spending decisions once profitability targets are met. Firms with stronger state-endorsement coalitions allocate more resources to social causes, while those with shareholder-value coalitions prioritize dividend payments.
A new study reveals that tech workers' values are complex and diverse, with developers exhibiting a strongly liberal worldview. Non-developer tech workers tend to share more in common with other occupational elites. Understanding these values is crucial for shaping the ethics and impact of the tech industry.
The Mayo Venture Partner (MVP) program aims to create groundbreaking technologies, co-invest in aligned companies, and build new ventures from the ground up. Industry veterans will leverage Mayo Clinic's world-class research and clinical expertise to drive innovation.
New research finds that compassionate employees are more resilient to workplace broken promises, experiencing lower emotional exhaustion and higher job performance. Self-compassion and other-compassion play different roles in coping with these negative emotions.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Kentucky found that employees assigned to more complex projects during their first two years had higher levels of learning, professional certifications, and promotion rates. This suggests that early career experiences play a crucial role in shaping future career development.
New research from Washington State University finds that helpers' emotional expressions can influence whether their assistance is welcomed or resentful. Helpers who express emotions like gratitude and sympathy are more likely to foster trust and future collaboration, while those who display pride or contempt have their motives questioned.
Research from Cornell University found that consumers tend to overestimate fractional star ratings and underestimate numeric ratings, which can lead to companies overpromising and underdelivering. The study's findings highlight the need for new industry standards on rating formats.
The University of Texas at Arlington's (UTA) Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) has developed a real-time sensor data system to track environmental impact. The program helps Texas manufacturers reduce pollution, lower emissions, and save costs by identifying energy waste, water consumption, and air leaks.
A study found that 186 countries struggle to produce enough of essential food groups for their own needs, with significant gaps in meat and dairy products. The research highlights the need for international cooperation to build resilient food supply chains and ensure public health.
A new study from the University of Kansas analyzed how professional women soccer players in Europe use social media to promote their personal brand. The research found that when a player's team shared its social media presence with a men's team, it negatively affected women players' following.
A two-point rating scale was found to eliminate racial disparities in evaluations, resulting in more equitable pay for non-white workers. The system simplifies the evaluation process by focusing on whether something was good or bad, reducing bias and income inequality.
A new study found that brick kiln owners in Bangladesh are willing to implement energy-efficient operational changes after receiving training and support. The changes led to a 23% reduction in energy use and substantial savings in coal expenditures.
A new study by Reichman University and Copenhagen Business School found that companies reducing international operations by 10% or more can subsequently expand at a faster rate than those that didn't. These companies invested freed-up resources into new initiatives, such as patent applications, indicating growth in innovation capacity.
A new study from the University of Surrey explores how metaverse platforms like Roblox and ZEPETO are changing consumer engagement forever. Digital doppelgängers, using AR and VR technologies, create immersive experiences that enhance brand engagement and emotional connections.
The BMW Group and ESMT Berlin are expanding their partnership to include full-time MBA and MSc programs, offering eight fellowships for the upcoming academic year. The fellowship program aims to support leaders with strong backgrounds in mathematics and technology to drive positive change in business and society.
The collaboration aims to create new research projects and foster career development opportunities for scientists and students. The partnership will leverage clinical data from NUH and NUHS to drive breakthroughs in human health and sustainability.
Researchers found that quasi-insider shareholder activism is surprisingly common and effective, targeting smaller companies with significant stock ownership. Former CEOs and founders with large stakes can wield considerable influence, but their motivations often appear more personal than ideological.
A new study from the University of Surrey reveals that deregulated banks have led to a significant shift in corporate earnings management strategies, with companies opting for riskier real earnings management (REM) over accrual-based earnings management (AEM). This shift poses long-term risks to sustainability and innovation.
Researchers from the University of Surrey warn that manufacturers who fail to adopt digital transformation will be left behind. By harnessing emerging technologies like chatbots, digital twins, and AR/VR, manufacturers can improve customer centricity and enhance their value proposition.
A leadership trap known as the 'accidental dictator' can be avoided by embracing circumscribed empowerment, shared vision, and long-term perspective. Leaders must empower their team members within defined boundaries, engage them in the process of creating a shared vision, and prioritize a long-term perspective to build effective teams.
A new study by the University of Texas at Austin suggests that sales quota periods should be tailored to individual preferences. Low performers are more motivated by constant motivation, while high performers respond better to longer quota cycles. This implies that one-size-fits-all approach to sales compensation may not be effective.
Researchers found that victims of knowledge theft become more protective and territorial about their work, leading to a toxic environment. Organizations must confront and prevent knowledge theft by rewarding teams as a group and promoting the sharing of knowledge.
A recent study analyzed user reviews of popular apps and found that when developers imitate competing apps' features, customers are often right. However, when it comes to innovative features, developers should follow their own instincts unless they can fully understand user suggestions. The researchers used AI to sift through 7 million...
A study by UC Riverside professor Boris Maciejovsky found that revealing employee pay can influence workplace dynamics, with those at the top feeling entitled to higher compensation and those at the bottom demoralized. The research highlights a complex interplay between social comparison and individual perceptions of worth.
A settlement has been reached in an antitrust lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors, potentially leading to lower real estate commissions. The agreement prohibits sellers from listing buyers' agent commissions on MLS databases, which could give consumers relief and promote competition among agents.
A new study from the University of Surrey found that up to 90% of blockchain technology initiatives within startup businesses will inevitably fail. The research highlights the crucial role of strong leadership in managing blockchain projects, which can transform nascent ideas into thriving businesses.
Researchers found that banks referred for violations are significantly more likely to engage in risk-heavy strategies and speculative lending. Stronger boards with larger and more independent membership can dampen the negative impact of misconduct.
Khaled Abed Alghani's research reveals five key processes in managing industry platforms: creation, integration, orchestration, navigation, and evolution. Platform-based business models struggle in B2B industries due to complex relationships between businesses.
A new study reveals that Automated Lead Nurturing improves engagement and enhances salesperson–lead interactions, but its impact on sales conversions varies significantly across industries and customer segments. ALN is most beneficial for new leads, short sales cycles, and lower-value deals.
A new study co-authored by Matthew Lyle finds that 'all or nothing' strategies can weaken employee support for future initiatives if they fail to meet their objectives. Instead, framing new initiatives as chances to improve upon past mistakes while building on successes is more effective in motivating employees and achieving success.
Research from the University of Bath, King's College London, and Freie Universität Berlin reveals how club selectors assess social fit by weighing 'fitted' vs. 'standout' qualities, while curating a diverse crowd. Excessive alcohol consumption and aggression are clear red flags.
A new UCL study found that women experience a significant 4.3% reduction in earnings on average four years after a menopause diagnosis, rising to 10% by the fourth year. Women without a university degree are disproportionately affected, with graduate women facing no earnings penalty.
The study identifies two chains of influence - company-centric and owner-centric - highlighting varying power dynamics between asset owners and companies worldwide. By understanding these differences, asset owners can foster stronger ESG shareholder interaction with local companies across different global contexts.
Research by University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that adoption of international auditing standards leads to better financial reporting. Countries with stronger enforcement and more full integration of ISA into domestic practices show the most positive impact on audit quality.
New VCU research suggests that employer neurodiversity training, coupled with candidates' disclosure of their autism diagnosis during the hiring process, can help level the playing field for autistic job seekers. The study found that such training persisted in improving hiring outcomes even two months after the training.