Research and Insights
Think Taxes When Shopping Mutual Funds
With the right strategy, mutual fund investors can enjoy both low taxes and high returns Based on the research of…
On Corporate Earnings Calls, Investors Can Believe the Hype
The stock market listens to executives who speak in superlatives Based on the research of Jeffrey Hales Don’t believe overblown…
Multitasking on the Job
Employees who like to juggle projects have advantages in the workplace Illustration by Vidhya Nagarajan By Steve Brooks Lisa Simon, MBA…
Earning a More Positive Return
Social and environmental concerns have investors increasingly aiming for a beneficial impact By Meeta Kothare One of my life’s great joys…
To Feel Happier Now, Spend on Doing Rather Than Having
Experiences lead to greater in-the-moment happiness for shoppers than buying material items, new research finds Based on the research of…
Students Who Flex Their Brains Do Better in School
Teaching high schoolers a simple technique improves their academic performance, research shows. Based on the research of Jared Murray Students who learn…
For Big Funds, Changing Climate Means Changing Portfolios
A new poll reveals action on climate change is coming from an unexpected source: institutional investors Based on the research…
To Remove Corporate Bias, Let Algorithms Summarize Earnings
New research finds that algorithm-created corporate earnings summaries offer benefits over management-penned releases Based on the research of Brian White…
Weathering a Partisan Storm
Despite their leaders’ efforts, federal agencies are anchored by mission and statutes — for now While the United States grows increasingly politically…
To Avoid a Repeat of Blackouts, Researcher Suggests Diversifying
Thousands of Californians suffered blackouts this fall, but research offers steps for utilities to prevent similar outages in the future…
The New Laws of Startup Attraction
Tech startups are drawn to cities with small but frequent funding opportunities and plenty of social networking Based on the…
‘Fake News’ Can’t Be Flagged Down
Even when the content is flagged as potentially false, Facebook users believe headlines that align with their political beliefs Based…
The Startup is Ours, but the Idea is Mine
Entrepreneurs can inspire new venture teams by seeking input — with boundaries Based on the research of Steven Gray Illustration by Gabriel Silveira Picture…
The Key to Innovation Sales is Matching Reps with the Right Boss
Researchers find novel product sales require pairing the personalities of supervisor and sales rep. Based on the research of Sebastian…
Music To Suit Your Changing Mood
To improve streaming music playlists, researchers create a “personalized DJ” computer program Based on the research of Maytal Saar-Tsechansky Imagine…
Police Become Less Proactive with Increased Public Scrutiny
Officers aren’t as likely to go ‘above and beyond’ when they feel misunderstood, new research shows Police officers who perceive…
Move Donors to the Head of the Transplant Line?
Accounting research demonstrates how a simple rule change could boost the number of usable organ donations — and save lives Based on…
Cheaters in the Home and at Work
Marital infidelity and professional misconduct linked, study shows People who cheat on their spouses are significantly more likely to engage…
The Big Shift: More Corporate Cash Flows Into the U.S. Than Out
Despite popular belief, all U.S. firms haven’t been sending most of their earnings abroad to dodge taxes, finds a study…
Well-Connected Directors Pay Off in the Long Term
Dumping directors who serve on too many corporate boards can come at a cost: sacrificing long-term investments for quarterly profits…
Three Tips for a Happier Workplace
For better results, prioritize employee well-being Workplaces filled with happy employees experience better performance. So says Raj Raghunathan, a Texas…
Building an Ethical Culture
Focusing employee attention on a company’s mission promotes workplace values Ethical scandals in business are often attributed to “bad apples”…
Don’t Be Rude: Polite Answers Favored by Online Questioners
Civil replies beat confrontational ones when answering other online readers Based on the research of Andrew Whinston Spend some time online…
Working Better Together
Organizations benefit from hiring workers of various backgrounds and abilities, says the dean for diversity and inclusion at Texas McCombs…
Clinical Optimization
Researchers work together to help patients see multiple clinicians on one visit By Steve Brooks Illustration: Nata Metlukh When a first-time…
How To Fail Smart
Why those seeking to innovate must allow for failure along the way Successful innovators are often well acquainted with failure.…
The Personnel Component
How people analytics can help your company get ahead. By London Gibson Sekou Bermiss of Texas McCombs says it’s important for…
Creative Workers Need Both Incentives and Breaks
For best results, churn out ideas, rest, repeat. Based on the research of Steve Kachelmeier Illustration by Dave Plunkert To encourage good…
What Gym Memberships Can Teach Us About Self-Control
Membership renewal strategies rely on understanding how people self-regulate It happens every year: We tell ourselves this time we’re going…
Movie Studios Build Buzz With Fake Film Tweets
It’s movie night. Which film should you see? Your decision might be swayed by fake tweets from studios. Based on the…
People Analytics: A New Weapon in the War for Talent
The human resources field is at a pivot point with the increased influence of People Analytics, a data-driven approach to…
What These Brands Know About Marketing That You Don’t
The most powerful secret to unlocking brand growth is the ‘transformational insight’ By Rob Malcolm Each of these brands achieved…
Will You See the Doctor Now?
Two landmark studies use patient no-show probability to create a scheduling model that minimizes patient wait time while maximizing profit…
In Sales Force Incentives, Give Choice a Chance
Want to get more sales out of a sales contest? Let your sellers pick their own incentives. Based on the…
Letting Banks Know Who’s Got the Power to Pay
Each year in the U.S., more than $15 billion of overdue credit card debt goes into collections. But it doesn’t…
Working Together is Easier if You Can Distinguish Perspective-Taking From Empathy
New research offers pointers on seeing a co-worker’s point of view — knowing when to read their thoughts and when to read…
Is Your LinkedIn Network Jinxing Your Job Search?
Think before you link on the popular career site. Having too many connections actually weakens your network power. Based on the…
The New Work-Work-Life Balance
Young workers are increasingly taking on side gigs in hopes of advancing professionally. Experts offer some tips for managing them. By…
Brick-and-Mortar Retailers Could Get a Boost by Tracking In-store Displays
Internet of things technology gives suppliers the ability to more efficiently monitor promotional displays — and boost profits Based on the research…
Blockchain Conversation Needs a Change
Why we should stop talking about blockchain ideals and start talking about economics By London Gibson Blockchain has been a…
Want to Stop a Whistleblower? Listen Carefully.
Companies that establish a culture of respect can identify and resolve problems before a whistle is blown. By Jeremy M. Simon…
How to Manage the Innovation Butterfly
All actions have unintended consequences and risks. This so-called ‘butterfly effect’ requires specific strategies for innovators. By Renee Hopkins Does…
Loyalty to a Leader Is Overrated, Even Dangerous
History is replete with tales of all-powerful leaders, but followers have an obligation to think for themselves and to speak…
Why Performance Rankings Can Backfire for Promotions
Ranking workers against one another can be good for business — except when they’re competing for a promotion. Based on the research…
Women Bring More Skills, Better Performance to the C-Suite
Data show that firms do better with female leaders in the mix. Based on the research of David Harrison, Laura Starks,…
Blockchain Innovation
McCombs takes a global role in research and development of groundbreaking new crypto-technology By Steve Brooks When the doors to…
Planning for Idle Time and Interruptions
If your workday is plagued by idle time and interruptions, new research shows how to turn them to your advantage…
Keeping Calm When You’re on the Clock
Stress limits thinking capacity and is harmful to health. Here are three ways to get back into the productive zone.…