Research and Insights from Texas McCombs
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…
UT Goes Big: The Year of AI
The University of Texas at Austin has been a leader in artificial intelligence for more than 50 years — some…
Marketers Can Manage ‘Feature Creep’
When consumers feel intimidated by too many features in a product, highlight their user-friendliness Based on the research of Wayne…
How AI Affects Our Sense of Self
And Why It Matters for Business by Gizem Yalcin Williams and Stefano PuntoniIllustration by Kacper Kiec If you ever took…
Q&A: Business Activism Brings Benefits and Blowback
Corporations have been taking more sociopolitical stands — but they may start choosing their battles more carefully Based on the…
To Combat Loneliness, Buy Experiences, Not Things
Spending on experiences boosts social connection more than spending on material things Based on the research of Amit Kumar Last…
In September, Securities Watchdogs Bark More, Bite Less
The SEC files more cases in September, right before a reporting deadline to Congress Based on the research of Matthew…
‘Free’ Delivery Plans Profit Both Retailers and Customers
Amazon and copycat retailers make money on subscription models, even when they lose money on shipping Based on the research…
When Choosing Co-Founders, Entrepreneurs Have a Gender Gap
Women use more flexible strategies than men do, balancing personal chemistry against credentials and experience Based on the research of…
Growth Mindset Teaching Helps Students Make the Grade
By focusing on potential to improve, teachers improve pass rates, especially for teens from low socioeconomic backgrounds Based on the…
Hail a Ride, Cut Hate Crime
The entry of Uber into markets leads to significant reduction in racial hate crimes across the country Based on the…
To Protect Brands, Immunize Consumers Against Bad News
Exposing customers to hypothetical negative news can keep them loyal when the real thing strikes Based on the research of…
To End Multinational Tax Dodging, Global Coordination Is Key
When a country cracks down on corporate taxes, domestic companies pay more, but multinationals pay less Based on the research of…
To Keep Volunteers, Connect Them
For struggling organizations, fostering social connections can help recruit and retain scarce volunteers Based on the research of Yifan Yu…
Corporations Use Government Grants To Lighten Debt Load
Government cash grants are a growing but under-disclosed source of corporate financing Based on the research of Lillian Mills and…