Research and Insights from Texas McCombs
AI Can Open Up Beds in the ICU
By explaining factors that affect a patient’s length of stay, artificial intelligence can help hospitals improve scheduling for staff and patients
Need a Business Plan? Ask AI
An artificial intelligence tool can write and evaluate business plans as well as or better than humans can
For Push Promotions, Timing Is Everything
Brick-and-mortar retailers can compete with Amazon by using notifications based on your location as well as your shopping habits
To Be Happier, Take a Vacation … From Your Smartphone
Blocking mobile internet for two weeks can improve mental health, feelings of well-being, and attention spans
Tax Giveaways Create More Jobs When Someone’s Watching
States that subject business subsidies to internal disclosure see more employment and spend less per job
Just-Accepted Journal Publications
Andrew Belnap and Brady Williams (Accounting)“Hidden Wealth and Automatic Information Sharing”The Journal of Law & Economics Clemens Sialm (Finance)“Mutual Fund…
What’s The Big Idea? Social Impact Framing Leads Employees To Negotiate For Less
Job postings today are peppered with companies advertising that their work is “mission-oriented” and “makes the world a better place.”
Paradigm Wars
Doing lab experiments is like smoking cigarettes. It’s a filthy habit. But, if this guy musters up the courage and we pressure him enough, he can be cured.
Q&A: How to Manage Feedback Overload
Planning for multiple feedback channels helps employees feel heard — and makes their feedback easier to act on.
One Way To Draw More Customers: Lock Out Others
Companies can increase demand and sales by intentionally turning away some buyers
Email or Text? Zoom or in Person?
We can get better at virtual communication, research shows
America’s Political House Can Become Less Divided
A variety of social science interventions can make Democrats and Republicans feel less ire toward each other — at least for a while
When You Tax People’s Wealth, They Save More
A wealth tax in Norway inspired people to retire later and increase their savings but not to spend or invest less
Picking the Right Doctor? AI Could Help
A machine learning algorithm can evaluate whether doctors, engineers, and other experts are making good decisions
Democrat Investment Effect Spooks Corporate Raiders
Having Democratic lawmakers as shareholders discourages financial activists from targeting a company
Digital Labels Can Help Grocers Waste Less Food
Based on the research of Ioannis Stamatopoulos
Year-End Roundup
Uber rides can decrease hate crimes, waits can be made less annoying, and AI can tackle big problems
Supersized Companies Are an Economic Drag
As businesses get bigger, financial concentration slows U.S. investments and economic growth
Who Are Gig Workers, Really?
A clearer picture of microentrepreneurs in the gig economy can lead to better business strategies and government policies
To Catch Financial Rats, a Better Mousetrap
New tool helps reveal companies that might be using accounting tricks to cover up problems
Infrastructure, Enforcement Key to Ridding Food Waste From Landfills
Of 9 states with food-waste laws, only Massachusetts has figured out the formula
Protecting Tax Whistleblowers Pays Off
A New York law that shields and rewards whistleblowers led to less tax dodging from corporations
To Kick-Start a Kick-Starter, Give to Yourself
A significant self-donation early in a campaign can help a crowdfunding effort draw more donors and more money
Make Supply Chains More Resilient to Disasters
A simpler model for locating new facilities can help cut losses from hurricanes and other disruptions
To Manage Teams, a Bit of Negative Accentuates the Positive
Strategic timing of praise and criticism can boost members’ performance
Marginalized Entrepreneurs Forge Their Own Paths
Founders of startups use a variety of strategies to overcome systemic obstacles of sex, race, and ability
Want To Be Acquired? Advertise
Companies that do more advertising attract more potential buyers and higher prices
To Limit Losses, Focus on Links Between Big Banks
Regulating large institutions with overlapping assets is a more efficient way to make the whole financial system safer
To Detect Evasive CEOs, Use AI
Dodgy answers in earnings calls can be predictive of a company’s near-term financial performance
‘Good Complexity’ Can Make Hospital Networks More Cybersecure
By standardizing data, large health care systems can reduce vulnerability to hackers
A New Tack for Slack: Motivate Workers
Managers can boost everyone’s productivity by praising successful workers in company-wide messaging
How To Capitalize on Cap Rates
In real estate, understanding cap rates can lead to better investments and returns
What’s the Frequency? Quarterly Reporting Aids Investors
When companies issue financial statements more often, investors do better at predicting future earnings Based on the research of Yong…
On Facebook Ads, Users May Dislike ‘Likes’
Lots of ‘likes’ can lead to fewer clicks — depending on who does the liking Based on the research of…
For Metro Governments, Bigger May Not be Economically Better
Metro areas with more local governments have higher property values and wages Based on the research of John Hatfield When…
Social Responsibility Audits Can Bias Financial Ones
When the same firm does both kinds of reviews, a company may push for less stringent financial reports Based on…
In China, Property Rights Take Wrong Turn
Protecting property rights fueled an economic boom; eroding them risks long-term damage Based on the research of Kishore Gawande China’s…
When to Let Amazon Sell for You
For small sellers, sometimes it pays to sell to Amazon — and sometimes not Based on the research of Stephen…
Apps Get Better When Developers Diversify
When software companies develop for multiple platforms, they attract more users to the original product Based on the research of…
IoT Sensors Tattle on Stores That Neglect Promo Displays
Brands rely on promotional displays to boost sales of key products, but retail stores are not properly installing them Based…
For Better Loan Terms, Find a Partner
Companies in strategic alliances get better access to financing and more desirable terms Based on the research of Urooj Khan…
Resilient Organizations Make Relationships a Priority
Leaders indifferent to how employees get along could be putting their organizations at risk
Worth the Wait?
A Desire for Closure Influences People’s Choices: A Q&A with Annabelle Roberts, Assistant Professor of Marketing by Suzi Morales One…
Startups Spur Other Companies To Innovate
Fledgling companies outdo established businesses when it comes to accelerating the development of new technologies. What They Studied To examine…
Self-Driving Vehicles Bring the Store to You
With Autonomous Vehicles, Sellers Expand Their Reach Going Right to Their Customers Based on the Research of Junyu Cao Autonomous…
Uncovering COVID-19 Loan Fraud Schemes
How 2 McCombs Researchers Exposed Online Lenders Based on the Research of John Griffin and Samuel Kruger As John Griffin…
Measuring Bang for Value-Based Care Bucks
A new measure of value can help accountable care organizations deliver better health outcomes for less money Based on the…
Regulatory Tech Costs Can Have Benefits, Too
Though often considered a drain on the economy, regtech — technology that helps companies comply with government regulations — can…