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Increased number of female engineers in managerial roles brings unintended consequences

Research by M. Teresa Cardador found that women in managerial roles in engineering firms experience mixed identification with the profession, feeling they don't belong in technical roles. This can lead to stereotypes about women's suitability for technical work and increased work-life balance tensions.

Two in 5 GPs to 'quit within 5 years'

A large-scale survey found that over half of GPs in the South West report low morale, with seven out of ten intending to change their working patterns, including reducing patient contact. The impending shortage could lead to severe gaps in GP services if action is not taken.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBMJ Open·DateApr 11, 2017

Too much structured knowledge hurts creativity, shows Rotman study

A study from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that giving structure to information can hinder creativity and cognitive flexibility. Participants in organized information groups displayed less creativity and spent less time on tasks compared to those working with unorganized information.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateMar 22, 2017

Tweeting in times of emergency

The study found that only half of Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies have adopted Twitter, highlighting the digital divide as a constraint. Despite this, high activity rates were observed in countries like Kenya, Indonesia, and the Philippines, suggesting potential for growth in developing economies.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Emergency Management·DateMar 20, 2017

An epidemic of epipens

Researchers at the University of Birmingham found nearly 24,000 children prescribed epipens between 2000 and 2012, with prescriptions increasing five-fold over 12 years. The study highlights a need for clear guidelines on optimal epipen prescribing to reduce unnecessary prescriptions and ensure child safety.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalBritish Journal of General Practice·DateMar 15, 2017

New studies illustrate how gamers get good

Researchers analyzed data from thousands of online Halo and StarCraft matches to understand skill development patterns. They found that players who spaced out their activity and used consistent hotkeys habits improved most efficiently, while elite players warmed up with meaningless dummy commands to get into peak performance mode.

SourceBrown University·JournalTopics in Cognitive Science·DateFeb 27, 2017

The damage of discrimination

A Harvard study found that minority workers perform worse under biased managers, with a 53rd percentile performance rate compared to the 79th percentile under unbiased managers. This disparity is due to biased managers interacting less with minorities, leading to reduced productivity and lower pay for minority workers.

SourceHarvard University·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·DateFeb 13, 2017

Imposing 'meaningful work' leads to staff burnout

A new study by Professor Catherine Bailey suggests that manipulating employees' desire for meaningful work can damage organizations and alienate staff. The researchers identify two forms of 'acting' used by employees when they perceive organizational efforts to manage meaningfulness, which can lead to negative consequences.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalHuman Resource Management Review·DateJan 16, 2017

Incentive pay schemes can affect employee well-being

A new study found that only performance-related pay had a positive impact on employee attitudes such as job satisfaction and commitment. However, profit-related pay and employee share-ownership had mixed effects, with negative impacts on job satisfaction and no significant effects on commitment and trust in management.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalHuman Resource Management·DateJan 11, 2017

Investing in fisheries management improves fish populations

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that successful fisheries management is critical to maintaining productive fish populations. The research found that science-based stock assessments, limits on fishing pressure, and adequate enforcement are key attributes of effective management systems.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 19, 2016

Reseracher finds 'identity loan' common in undocumented workers

A new study by University of Colorado Denver researcher Sarah Horton challenges common portrayals of identity theft in workplaces dominated by undocumented immigrants. Many employers furnish workers with invented or borrowed work authorization documents, a practice she has termed 'identity loan'. This study highlights the active role e...

SourceUniversity of Colorado Denver·JournalPoLAR Political and Legal Anthropology Review·DateDec 12, 2016

How social media impacts consumer spending

A study by University at Buffalo School of Management found that social media popularity, even negative posts with high engagement, significantly impacts purchases. Combining social media with traditional TV and email marketing efforts boosts customer spending and cross-buying.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateNov 18, 2016

Improving pain care through implementation of the Stepped Care Model for Pain Management

A new study published in Journal of Pain Research found that implementation of the Stepped Care Model for Pain Management resulted in clinically significant improvements in quality of pain care outcomes, including increased provider knowledge and referrals to behavioral health providers. The model's individualized approach has the pote...

SourceDove Medical Press·JournalJournal of Pain Research·DateNov 14, 2016