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Shoppers know fast fashion harms environment but keep buying: study

A new study from RMIT University suggests that environmental awareness alone may not stop people from buying ultra-fast fashion. Shoppers weigh sustainability against price and convenience, using budgets and careful planning to make purchases feel more acceptable. The study identifies two psychological patterns, strategic spontaneity a...

SourceRMIT University·JournalJournal of Global Fashion Marketing·TypeCase study·DateSep 20, 2026

Good news, false expectations? How people assess potential returns in the stock market

A study found that people, including retail investors and financial professionals, often have different expectations for stock market returns due to varying mental models. Despite receiving outdated news, many respondents continued to expect higher returns, focusing solely on future profits rather than current share prices.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 12, 2026

Oxytocin selectively boosts trust

A new study confirms that oxytocin selectively increases trusting behavior in men with a low disposition to trust, regardless of their trust scores. The hormone's effect persists even after controlling for personality traits, suggesting that oxytocin may intensify the expectation of cooperation and reduce fear of being cheated.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 12, 2026

Carnegie Mellon study finds that rideshare launches boost regional GDP and flexible jobs

A new study from Carnegie Mellon University and Oxford Saïd Business School found that the entry of ride-hailing platforms drove measurable increases in economic output and intermittent employment. Regional GDP per capita increased, and the number of seasonal, temporary, or intermittent jobs rose after Uber and Lyft entered the region.

People avoid loss, regret rather than rely on 'risk-return' financial strategy

A new study led by Lisa Posey found that individuals prioritize avoiding losses and regrets over risk-return strategies in monetary decisions. Women are more likely to make decisions to avoid potential losses than men. The results suggest that understanding these biases is crucial for marketing products effectively or regulating financ...

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Risk and Uncertainty·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 23, 2026

Financial education may need to move beyond knowledge alone in the digital age

A Hiroshima University study finds that practical digital skills, positive financial attitudes, and self-protection are more consistently associated with lower old-age anxiety than traditional financial knowledge alone. The study suggests that financial education may need to move beyond knowledge alone in the digital age.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalInternational Journal of Financial Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 22, 2026

Climate compensation isn’t always enough

A Danish study reveals that financial compensation alone is insufficient to persuade landowners to restore low-lying soils as wetlands. The decision-making process is influenced by factors such as responsibility, professional pride, and attachment to the land, highlighting a mismatch between policy design and farmers' actual thoughts.

SourceAarhus University·JournalAgriculture and Human Values·DateJun 15, 2026

Transition to electric vehicles in Brazil and Mexico driven by domestic politics and global pressures, study shows

A new study by the University of Exeter reveals that Brazil and Mexico's EV growth has been shaped by factors beyond emissions and efficiency. The research highlights how domestic coalitions, market size, and foreign technology influences have driven policy decisions in both countries.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPolitics and Governance·TypeObservational study·DateMay 29, 2026

Fast-food waste driven by wrong orders: study

A review of food waste in Australia's quick service restaurants found order mistakes as the biggest driver of waste, with better staff training crucial for reduction. The study recommends ongoing training and making food waste metrics part of performance evaluations to mitigate back-of-house food waste.

Space logistics on the right track

A team of researchers at Bielefeld University has developed a precise mathematical approach to plotting routes through space and time. The new method could help make space missions more efficient and also improve transportation systems on Earth.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalINFORMS Journal on Computing·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 4, 2026

Sugary drink taxes may not be effective in fast-food settings

A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that sugary drink taxes had no effect on beverage calorie purchases from Taco Bell locations with and without such taxes. The analysis of nearly 7 billion transactions suggests that these policies may not be effective in reducing sugar consumption in fast-food restaurants.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 2, 2026

Climate change and the private solution trap

A new study found that wealthier nations tend to invest more in private solutions, exacerbating climate change. The research involved over 7,500 participants from 34 countries, who took part in a simulation on how economic resources are allocated to address climate change.

SourceUniversità di Bologna·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 24, 2026

Lithium and sodium-ion technologies are more closely linked than assumed

A recent study published in Nature Energy found that switching to a new battery technology does not automatically open the door to new market players due to established companies' structural advantages. The researchers analyzed over 15,000 patents and found significant knowledge transfer between lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalNature Energy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 23, 2026

AI is already writing almost one-third of new software code

A new study reveals that around one-third of all newly written software functions in the United States are already being created with AI support, with productivity gains mainly driven by experienced developers. The study found wide regional gaps, with the US leading at 29% AI-assisted code, while China and Russia lag behind.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 22, 2026

New research reveals how dread shapes decision-making

A new study from the Universities of Bath and Waterloo finds that people are more emotionally affected by anticipating negative future outcomes than positive ones, shaping economic behaviour. Individuals with stronger negative anticipatory emotions are more likely to avoid risk and less willing to wait for delayed outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalCognitive Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 22, 2026

A new Japanese study investigates how tariff policies influence long-run economic growth

A new Japanese study uses a two-country model to investigate the impact of tariff policies on economic growth outcomes across countries. The researchers found that similar trade policies can lead to very different growth outcomes across countries, depending on a country's existing industrial structure.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalEconomic Modelling·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 8, 2026

The suspension of the foreign corrupt practices act generated record gains for companies involved in overseas corruption cases

The suspension of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act generated record gains for companies involved in overseas corruption cases. Companies that had been subject to investigations or sanctions under the FCPA collectively gained around $39 billion, with individual companies recording increases in market capitalization of billions of dollars.

SourceUniversità di Bologna·JournalInternational Organization·DateDec 23, 2025

ESMT Berlin study: What makes a first offer successful in negotiations

The ESMT Berlin study analyzed 90 studies with over 16,000 participants to conclude that those who make the first offer and come well-prepared tend to achieve better outcomes. Higher first offers often lead to better final outcomes, but there are limits to this approach, particularly when demands are very high or unrealistic.

SourceESMT Berlin·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 18, 2025

Taxing homes in an economic boom and subsidising them in a crash could prevent the next housing crisis

Researchers argue that taxing housing purchases during economic booms and providing temporary subsidies on housing during recessions could help prevent the next housing crisis. The study found that this approach can lift house prices exactly when the system is at greatest risk, preventing fire sales and severe price collapses.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalJournal of Economic Dynamics and Control·TypeObservational study·DateDec 11, 2025

Study shows people support higher taxes after understanding benefits of public goods

Researchers found that providing information on the benefits of public goods increases support for higher taxation, with effects observed across income levels and political stances. The study suggests that investment in public goods can act as a 'political foundation' to enhance citizens' support for government and enable redistribution.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJapanese Economic Review·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 17, 2025

For platforms using gig workers, bonuses can be a double-edged sword

Research finds that fixed bonuses are more effective in abundant labor markets, while contingent bonuses are better suited for tight labor markets. However, both strategies have downsides, including reduced worker pay and operational inefficiency. This study sheds light on the complexities of bonus competition in the gig economy.

SourceCornell University·JournalProduction and Operations Management·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 2025

One bad safety review can tank an Airbnb booking — Even among thousands of positive ones, new study finds

A new study found that safety-related reviews on Airbnb can reduce bookings and lower nightly prices, with a significant impact from personal experiences. The study suggests increasing transparency to balance financial incentives with customer welfare, providing the greatest long-term benefits.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalMarketing Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2025

Study: Most US homes can save money and affordably weather blackouts with solar plus storage

A new Stanford University study finds that most US households (60%) can reduce their electricity costs by 15% and weather local or regional blackouts with solar-battery systems. The systems would meet about half of the household's electricity needs on average, allowing them to save money or see no rise in costs.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Energy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 1, 2025

Hotel revenues are reaching a new high in Colorado

A study by Florian Zach found that Colorado hotels increased average monthly revenue by 25% between 2014 and 2019, primarily due to higher room bookings and daily rates. Hotels closer to dispensaries, newer and more upscale, and in high-demand areas saw the greatest benefits from dispensary legalization.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProduction and Operations Management·DateJul 22, 2025

Boardroom battles: How corporate coalitions influence firms’ resource allocation

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.

SourceWaseda University·JournalJournal of Business Ethics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 30, 2025

How social media influencers impact FOMO in young consumers

A new study at Ohio State University found that young consumers who shop online and experience fear of missing out (FOMO) tend to feel lower levels of social, psychological, and financial well-being. However, having a stronger attachment to a social media influencer is linked to improved feelings of well-being in those areas. The study...

SourceOhio State University·JournalPLOS One·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 29, 2025

Environmental awareness trumps cost in electric car purchase decisions

A recent study found that environmental awareness is the most decisive factor in choosing an electric car, outweighing concerns about cost and performance. The research, conducted by the University of Córdoba, suggests that governments and companies can promote adoption by emphasizing sustainability and improving charging infrastructure.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalTechnology in Society·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 6, 2025

A common CEO pay strategy is stalling innovation, a new study reveals why

A new study by Virginia Tech researchers Jin Xu and Pengfei Ye finds that value-based stock grants can weaken executive motivation and limit corporate growth. The study analyzed thousands of U.S. firms from 2006-22, revealing that companies tying CEO compensation to a fixed dollar amount can unintentionally discourage executives from m...

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJournal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis·DateApr 22, 2025