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Growing influence of the financial sector in serious illness care in the US

A new article in Journal of Palliative Medicine highlights the growing role of for-profit entities in home health and hospice care, which can compromise care quality and patient welfare. The authors emphasize the need for research and regulatory responses to address these trends and ensure better care for seriously ill older adults.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Palliative Medicine·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 16, 2024

Older people are more swayed by the impulsive actions of others when making financial decisions – new study reveals

A new study published in Communications Psychology found that older adults (60+ years) are more susceptible to social influence when making impulsive financial decisions. In contrast, younger adults tend to stick to their original preference even after seeing others opt for the impulsive option.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalCommunications Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 23, 2024

Shrinking the pint can reduce beer sales by almost 10%

Research published in PLOS Medicine found that reducing the serving size for beer, lager and cider in UK pubs resulted in a 9.7% decrease in daily mean volume of beer sold. The study suggests smaller serving sizes could contribute to reducing alcohol consumption and decreasing the risk of various diseases.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2024

Husbands still dominate investment decisions

New research reveals a persistent gender gap in household decision-making, with husbands holding more control over investments and potentially exposing their wives to unwanted financial risks. The study found that this power imbalance can have significant consequences for women's financial well-being and overall security.

SourceUniversity of Essex·JournalReview of Financial Studies·TypeSurvey·DateAug 28, 2024

When climate reporting fails to create impact

A new study from the University of Auckland finds that mandating social and environmental disclosures doesn't necessarily improve businesses' performance. The researchers analyzed a cross-country sample of companies under the EU Directive 2014/95/EU and found no meaningful improvement in environmental outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Auckland·JournalThe British Accounting Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 21, 2024

Climate reporting standards insufficient, must be expanded, say Oxford net zero experts

A new study by the University of Oxford recommends expanding climate reporting standards to capture companies' wider impact on global net zero. This includes their product power, purchasing power, and political influence. The goal is to incentivize systemic change through products, purchases, and policy lobbying.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalCarbon Management·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 14, 2024

Balancing fairness and welfare in the face of uncertainty

A mathematical model developed by Chris Zobel and colleagues optimizes resource allocation in urban infrastructure while considering social vulnerabilities and projected sea level rise impacts. The approach prioritizes investments that enhance resilience and mitigate socio-economic disparities, enabling informed decision-making that ba...

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProduction and Operations Management·DateAug 5, 2024

A novel method implementing investment decision-making of prospect theory utility toward stock markets

A novel method implementing investment decision-making of prospect theory utility toward stock markets has been developed and empirically investigated. The new method, cross-sectional prospect theory value (CSPTV), is shown to improve the predictive power of performance persistence in future holding periods compared to existing methods.

SourcePusan National University·JournalInternational Review of Financial Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 29, 2024

Carbon assurance likely to become mandatory

Research from Edith Cowan University finds that carbon assurance will likely become mandatory due to growing stakeholder demand and IFRS climate change disclosures. Companies with existing systems in place for tracking carbon emissions are expected to reap benefits, including increased shareholder investment.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalThe British Accounting Review·TypeObservational study·DateJul 29, 2024

New regulations needed to limit impact of favouritism on country credit ratings

Research by economists at University of East Anglia and others found links between finance ministers and executives at biggest credit ratings agencies associated with higher ratings for countries without these connections, highlighting a conflict-of-interest problem in the credit ratings agency business model.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalJournal of International Financial Markets Institutions and Money·DateJul 2, 2024

For better loan terms, find a partner

Researchers found that companies in strategic alliances can access more favorable loan rates and terms through the financial networks of their partners. This is because banks with existing relationships with an alliance partner offer lower interest rates to a company entering the alliance.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalThe Accounting Review·DateJun 25, 2024

New research casts doubt over cryptocurrencies’ ‘safe haven’ properties

A recent study published in the International Review of Financial Analysis suggests that cryptocurrencies are not completely disconnected from economic risks. The research found that during turbulent periods like the COVID-19 pandemic and Ukraine war, cryptocurrency prices experienced increased volatility.

SourceBangor University·JournalInternational Review of Financial Analysis·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 21, 2024

New study reveals the costs of sanctions

A new study examines the economic effects of sanctions on Iran and Russia, finding significant declines in GDP and prosperity. The researchers propose transferring funds to mitigate welfare losses among participating countries, suggesting a more effective approach to sanctioning.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalEconomic Policy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 21, 2024

Anti-trust regulators should consider their options carefully when start-ups are acquired, new study suggests

A new study from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management suggests that blocking killer acquisitions may stifle innovation, as startups are driven to create new products or processes to be bought by big companies. Regulators are exploring less extreme options, such as taxing acquisitions or offering subsidies to startups.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalInternational Economic Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 20, 2024

Baby bonuses and wedding bells: how life's big moments can challenge startups

A study by ECU's Professor Pi-Shen Seet and Associate Professor Wee-Liang Tan found that positive family events have a greater influence on the survival of new ventures, leading to overconfidence and poor decision-making. This can increase vulnerability to making mistakes that harm the venture.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalInternational Entrepreneurship and Management Journal·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 23, 2024

CEOs’ human concern translates into higher stock price

A study by the University of Zurich found that CEOs who expressed empathy during COVID-19 pandemic conference calls had better stock prices. The researchers analyzed data from 510 CEO calls and discovered a 2.49 percentage point increase in cumulative returns for companies with human care statements.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalAcademy of Management Discoveries·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 18, 2024

How discrimination, class, and gender intersect to affect Black Americans’ well-being

A new study explores how discrimination, gender, and social class intersect to affect Black Americans' personal and relational well-being. Researchers found that racial discrimination and financial strain were associated with lower levels of psychological well-being.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Family Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 22, 2024

Chinese Medical Journal study explores the health and economic burden of air pollution

A Chinese Medical Journal study examined the spatiotemporal features of disease burden due to air pollution across China between 2005 and 2017. The findings revealed a downward trend in premature mortality from fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) pollution, but an increasing financial burden due to economic growth.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 6, 2024

Regulation makes crypto markets more efficient

A new study finds that regulated cryptocurrencies create the most efficient markets, providing protection for investors. Unregulated ICOs were found to be the least efficient, while IEOs and exchange-based regulation approached traditional stock market levels of efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 2, 2024

Independent dispute resolution of no surprises act financially unviable for radiology

A study found that the No Surprises Act's independent dispute resolution (IDR) process would be financially unfeasible for a large portion of out-of-network claims for hospital-based specialties, particularly radiologists. This could undermine patient access to in-network care due to limited bargaining power.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 17, 2024

Chung-Ang University study reveals a higher market valuation of cash holdings of firms adopting electronic voting

A study by Chung-Ang University found that electronic voting enhances shareholders' perception of corporate governance, increasing the market value of a firm's cash holdings. Firms with larger free cash flows and minority ownership saw stronger governance effects from adopting electronic voting.

SourceChung Ang University·JournalInternational Review of Financial Analysis·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 4, 2024