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Your personality type influences how much self-control you have

A new study found that people's personality types affect their ability to exercise self-control. Promotion-focused individuals tend to do better when adopting goal-pursuit strategies that fit their needs, while prevention-focused individuals fare better with vigilance strategies. This research has important implications for consumer we...

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJan 23, 2008

People not always needed to alleviate loneliness

Research reveals that people's tendency to anthropomorphize (attribute human-like qualities) non-human entities can serve as a coping mechanism for loneliness. This phenomenon carries therapeutic and societal implications, suggesting that non-human connections can provide psychological benefits similar to those from human relationships.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 18, 2008

60 percent of psychotherapy clients felt therapy didn't end on time

A recent study found that 60% of psychotherapy clients felt their therapy either lasted too long or ended too soon. Clients who experienced a positive termination were more satisfied and reported feeling an expression of independence, reflection of positive therapeutic gains, and a sense of positive gains.

SourceUniversity of Haifa·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry·DateJan 9, 2008

Marketing the South: Commercial mythmaking and reshaping of popular memories

A study by Craig Thompson and Kelly Tian investigates the interrelationships between commercial mythmaking and the reshaping of popular memories in the South. The researchers focus on two prominent New South mythmakers who seek to ideologically reconstruct the historical legacy of antebellum, confederate, and segregationist South. They...

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJan 8, 2008

Fortune 1000 IT investments are riskier than capital investments, says management insights

A recent study by Sanjeev Dewan, Charles Shi, and Vijay Gurbaxani found that information technology (IT) investments are substantially riskier than ordinary capital investments. This increased risk is associated with a substantial risk premium, driven in part by the lost option value of making irreversible capital investment decisions.

RAND study finds evidence disease management programs

A RAND Corporation study analyzed research on disease management programs for six chronic conditions, finding consistent evidence that these programs improve healthcare quality and patient-reported quality of life. However, the study found little to no evidence of cost savings, highlighting the need for further research.

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·DateDec 10, 2007

A company's good reputation can be a bad thing

A study by Michelle L. Roehm and Michael K. Brady found that high-equity brands initially face a disadvantage after failure, but may fare better when the issue is severe. This phenomenon can be attributed to a reduction in cognitive resources, allowing customers to focus on resolving the problem rather than re-evaluating the brand.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateDec 4, 2007

Computer solution to delivery problem

Researchers have developed a computer solution to cut journey times of courier services, reducing fuel consumption and improving timely drop-offs. The new approach uses a heuristic-based model that can process real-time requests and re-route vehicles to minimize distance traveled.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Logistics Systems and Management·DateOct 18, 2007

U of M researchers find that the words of a CEO can foretell a company's future innovation

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered that a CEO's attention to future events and external activities significantly predicts a firm's early adoption and invention of new technologies. By analyzing annual reports, they found that CEOs who focus on future-oriented language lead to faster innovation development.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateAug 14, 2007

Predicting danger of flu pandemic rests on differences in affected population, says O.R. Forum

A new model predicts the danger of flu pandemics by analyzing population heterogeneity. The study highlights the importance of considering individual attributes such as social interaction and susceptibility to infection. Social distancing measures may be effective in limiting the spread of disease, according to the research.

Journal operations research introduces new 'OR forum,' spotlight on leading new research

The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) has introduced a new bi-monthly feature called OR Forum, which highlights important research in operations research. The first article in OR Forum examines how auction theory fails in practice, specifically combinatorial auctions.

Study projects effects of forest management in Oregon's Coast Range

The study, known as CLAMS, examines ecological, economic, and social consequences of forest policies in the Coast Range. The research found that maintaining current policies will lead to increased old-growth forests and habitat for old-forest species, but may result in declines in diverse early-successional and hardwood forests.

Does God answer prayer? ASU research says 'yes'

A comprehensive analysis of 17 major studies on intercessory prayer found a positive effect, suggesting that prayer offered for the benefit of another person yields positive results. However, the study also notes that standard treatments should be used as the primary method of treatment for conditions like depression.

SourceArizona State University·JournalResearch on Social Work Practice·DateMar 14, 2007

Inventors must counter negative effects of success on creativity, says management insights

Research by Pino G. Audia and Jack A. Goncalo suggests that successful inventors' creative output decreases over time, while collaboration and exploration goals can help manage this phenomenon. The study's findings have implications for R&D managers seeking to boost their departments' productivity.

Key to success in IS -- Quality and usefulness, not user satisfaction, says Management Insights

A study published in Management Science finds that system quality and perceived usefulness are key determinants of information systems (IS) success. The research suggests that developers and managers should focus on improving system quality rather than increasing user satisfaction, as this will lead to greater system use.