Research on how people, markets, and policies shape the economy. Covers labor and gig work, consumer behavior, GDP and regional growth, gambling risk, and financial decision-making.
A new study from Virginia Commonwealth University finds that young adults consider physician-influencers on TikTok to be more accessible, credible, and altruistic than their own doctors. Followers do not verify the influencers' medical credentials, and instead, trust their authority based on their appearance and personal stories.
The Global Capitalism Index (GCI) provides unprecedented insights into the globe's capitalism conditions, with regional divergences widening and notable improvements in Central Asia and declines in Latin America and Western Europe. The index also highlights the relationship between capitalism and societal outcomes such as well-being, c...
A UBC study reveals consumers use product shelf lives as a mental shortcut to determine naturalness, leading to a preference for shorter-shelf-life foods. This phenomenon can result in unnecessary food waste, as consumers overestimate the relationship between shelf life and naturalness.
A new study found that films written by women but directed by men generate higher profits than those written by men, with a 34% median profit increase. Despite this, women are still severely underrepresented in directing roles, with only 29.4% of films crediting a woman as a director or screenwriter in 2023.
The HKU Business School's Wealth Management Academy aims to connect policy makers, industry, academics, and research to nurture the next generation of industry leaders. The academy will focus on thought leadership, talent development, and industry engagement to reinforce Hong Kong's position as a leading global wealth management centre.
A new study proposes a detailed public policy plan to meet Catalonia's needs in a resilient manner while respecting planetary boundaries. The report, part of the REAL post-growth research project, analyzes potential alternatives and quantifies resources required by current modes of living and production.
A new study by Cambridge Judge Business School and the University of California, Santa Barbara, found that online freelance platforms fail to recognize the credentials built up by skilled older workers over decades. This 'cold-start' problem hinders late-career workers' ability to transition to freelancing, highlighting the need for sy...
A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University and the Internal Revenue Service found that gig workers who no longer received 1099 reporting for their work reported 17 cents less in self-employment net earnings on their tax returns. The researchers estimated that 770,000 gig workers went unreported, resulting in $560 million in unreporte...
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.
Researchers at West Virginia University are studying loss-chasing behavior in West Virginia to identify trends and triggers that cause gamblers to place risky bets. The goal is to promote responsible gaming and consumer protection in gaming markets.
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.
A US county-level analysis reveals a significant association between high levels of household debt and increased suicide rates during the Great Recession. Suicide rates doubled for men and tripled for adults aged 40–64 years in high-debt counties, highlighting the need for policy interventions targeting mental health impacts.
A study by Nooshin L. Warren found that small changes in sexual misconduct and gender portrayals can affect box office revenue, with adjustments adding or subtracting $8-13 million. Meanwhile, public expectations of gender roles seemed to regress after #MeToo, indicating a slower adoption of new norms.
The Trump administration's 2025 repeal of the US Roadless Rule could put 25 million Americans at risk due to loss of access to pristine watersheds. The study assesses the value of this rule for both human health and nature.
A new study by University of Technology Sydney researchers suggests that honesty can be more efficient than incentive contracts in organisations. By modeling principal-agent relations, the authors show that trust and professional integrity may outperform performance-based pay, potentially eroding trust over time.
The Political Ecology Network will convene its biennial international conference POLLEN 2026 in Barcelona, Spain, from June 29 to July 3, 2026. The event will bring together researchers, activists, and creators to discuss contemporary crises and forge pathways toward peaceful alternatives.
A new commission, launched at the Texas Brain Economy Summit, aims to define, measure, and operationalize brain capital, a concept encompassing both brain health and critical cognitive skills. The initiative seeks to address the gap in economic planning and promote brain health as a driver of economic resilience.
A study by University of Cologne researchers found that sales system agility contributes to higher operating profit only when channel structure and management are aligned. Companies should review their sales channel mix and allocation of responsibilities to reap benefits from rapid adaptation.
A new study by Cornell University finds that women achieve similar economic outcomes in negotiations as men, but foster stronger interpersonal relationships, which lead to greater satisfaction. Women are preferred partners in negotiations due to their likability, fairness, and ability to build trust.
WSU researchers found that every 1% increase in tax burden leads to a 4.3% decrease in corruption convictions, suggesting citizens care more about government when they pay more taxes
A new bipartisan report from Tulane University's State of the Nation Project analyzes 4,000 indicators to provide a long-term progress report for each state. The report finds significant regional divides, with Southern states ranking low on trust in institutions and Mountain states having high levels of trust but low personal well-being.
A new study suggests that commercial marketing logics can hinder the effectiveness of promoting degrowth, a concept proposing an equitable reduction in production and consumption. Instead, non-commercial messaging led by institutions empowering communities is proposed as a more effective approach to shaping values and worldviews.
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.
A proposed 'polluter pays' tobacco levy scheme could raise billions in tax revenue and prevent thousands of hospital admissions. The UK could generate £1-£4.9 billion over five years, depending on the level of price cap and implementation speed.
Research by Göttingen University found that colourful Nutri-Score labels on the shelf and price tag are more noticeable and influencing consumer choices. The study suggests that companies should display multi-coloured labels to support consumers in making health-conscious choices.
A recent study published in PNAS has found no meaningful health impacts from exposure to wind turbines. The researchers analyzed data from over 120,000 households and found no correlations between turbine installation and health problems such as headaches, depression, or sleep disturbances.
Heriot-Watt University is collaborating with Falkirk FC on a £200k Knowledge Transfer Partnership to enhance the club's financial sustainability and ownership structure. The project will leverage academic expertise in data analysis, digital engagement, and supporter research to drive growth and long-term success.
A new study reveals that financial and supply network interactions amplify bank shocks' effects on the economy by nearly 50%. Shocks travel both downstream to customers and upstream to suppliers, contributing significantly to aggregate GDP impact.
A high-resolution model developed by University of Pennsylvania researchers shows that river levels once expected every 50 years now occur every few years due to climate change. The 1-in-100-year threshold marks a tipping point when flooding spreads rapidly across the urban landscape.
A new study finds that immigrants struggle to translate their knowledge and skills in the host market, leading to underemployment and overqualification. The researchers developed machine learning models to identify key factors, including lack of degree recognition and unfamiliarity with employment norms.
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.
Private firms with potential family successors in Sweden grew faster and invested more after the abolition of inheritance tax, which led to higher corporate taxes. The study suggests that rents from the tax abolition were shared with society through taxes and employee salaries.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen shows that Danish retailers can generate a net financial gain of €0.3-€0.8 per kilo by selling surplus food at discounted prices. Donating food to organizations that redistribute it to vulnerable people is often cheaper than disposal, with savings of €0.10-€0.20 per kilo.
Research from the University of Texas at Austin finds that consumers pay up to $170 extra per vehicle when buying a used car with nearly identical mileage but one digit off, due to left-digit bias. This phenomenon can result in higher prices for cars just below round numbers like 20,000 or 50,000.
A recent study by University of Ottawa professor Abel Brodeur found that 85 percent of social-science papers are computationally reproducible, suggesting improved norms for data sharing and code disclosure. This encouraging result aims to advance science and improve public trust in research.
Researchers found that more accurate weather forecasts can significantly reduce heat-related deaths. The study suggests that technological advancements in forecasting can offset projected increases in heat-related fatalities due to climate change. In fact, the economic value of saving lives through improved forecasting is substantial a...
A study published in Nature Communications finds that social capital can significantly reduce the psychological impact of lower income rank, suggesting policies strengthening social connection may be as important as those raising incomes for bolstering wellbeing. The research uses data from over 90,000 people across 109 countries.
The São Paulo School of Advanced Science in Microplastics is an intensive course designed to help students tackle plastic pollution. The program covers four frameworks: inside, on, around, and regulatory aspects of microplastics.
The West of England, a region with exceptional potential, is limited by structural constraints. Key findings include export strength, world-leading innovation clusters, and a strong but place-specific labour market.
A study by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona establishes the principles for modelling post-growth scenarios, pointing to the need for targeted demand-side measures and investments in low-carbon technologies. The research highlights the potential for post-growth to achieve pos...
Researchers find that personalized digital marketing can evoke a powerful emotional response, leading consumers to feel uncomfortable and less likely to make purchases. To mitigate this 'creepiness,' brands can focus on prevention by designing personalization practices that minimize ambiguity and avoid signals of intrusive surveillance.
Charles F. Manski is recognized for his pioneering contributions to measuring uncertainty in economic research and its application to public policy analysis. His work has profoundly influenced empirical research across various fields, encouraging economists to rely on credible and transparent inference.
The 2026 College Hiring Outlook report from Drexel's LeBow College of Business revealed that internships and co-op experiences are integral to hiring practices. Employers surveyed across industries reported a cautious openness toward AI in career development, while prioritizing authenticity and demonstrable skills.
A new report by the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) emphasizes the critical role of businesses in halting and reversing biodiversity loss. Businesses can either drive transformative change or risk extinction, as they rely on and impact nature. The report provides methods and 100+ actions for bu...
A new study from the University of Notre Dame examines the prevalence, determinants and consequences of cheap stock options. The research found that firms granting more options, having larger public offerings and venture capital backing tend to have greater gaps between IPO prices and exercise prices.
A new study found that providing financial vouchers to offset medication costs can significantly improve glycemic control among patients with uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes. After six months, participants receiving performance-based incentives saw a clinically substantial reduction in HbA1c levels.
A new study by University of Cincinnati economics professor David Brasington found that local business benefits from city services, particularly tax renewals, in Ohio. The research compared communities with renewed taxes and those with cut taxes, revealing a significant difference in commercial property redevelopment.
A landmark study by FAU and CSU found that offering six to 10 paid days off significantly lowers resignations, especially for men. Providing 11 or more days reduces quitting rates substantially for both men and women, highlighting the importance of meaningful time away from work.
The book sheds light on the often-ignored contributions of women in economics, highlighting their role as economic agents throughout history. Heggeness shares robust data and anecdotes about women who have thrived economically, from Taylor Swift to unsung heroes like Francis Perkins.
A partnership between University of Copenhagen and Danish Technical University aims to improve Europe's resilience and competitiveness by boosting innovation. The initiative seeks to develop the innovation ecosystem, drive urban development, and attract talent, companies, and investors.
A new study warns that the U.S. government's fiscal capacity depends on the dominance of the U.S. dollar, and potential losses for bondholders could be significant if another currency replaces it. Historically, countries with a strong currency have experienced economic downturns when their dominance wanes.
Coworking spaces in rural areas, such as Catalonia and Rhineland-Palatinate, have adapted to funding models that include private investment, public subsidies, and user contributions. These spaces often serve as pillars of the community, fostering social connections and local development.
The study reveals that diabetes poses a significant challenge for healthcare systems and economies worldwide. The economic impact of diabetes is substantial, with an estimated global cost of up to $152 trillion, equivalent to 1.7% of GDP, when informal care is factored in.
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.
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.
Research found that the federal earned income tax credit decreases rates of intimate partner violence, particularly among low-educated and unmarried women. The study revealed a 9.73% decrease in physical and sexual violence and a 21% decline in counts of such violence.
A study by Norwegian researchers found that labor income is key to upward mobility, while capital income often coincides with downward mobility. Employment income typically increases over time, whereas capital income is more unevenly distributed and prone to decline.
Wholesale prices for Fukushima flounder remained stable despite the August 2023 ALPS-treated water discharge, with no significant price decline found in a comprehensive market modeling study. The research provides reassurance for fisheries stakeholders and informs future policy debates on nuclear-water disposal.
Research shows that companies with strong environmental, social, and governance track records perform better after adopting rigorous auditing standards. Investors view ESG practices as a signal of corporate quality, amplifying the benefits of transparent auditing.
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.