Why scandals aren’t bad for business in the long term
HSBC has been receiving a lot of bad press recently, but it doesn’t seem to be hurting its stock performance. Should we be surprised by this? My research into corporate scandals shows that they tend to hurt companies in the...
Read moreDetailsValentine’s Day gift-giving strategy for the hopeless romantic
A little advice on shopping for your valentine: When aiming Cupid's bow, you don't need a perfect bull's eye to score points with your sweetheart. Just get that arrow somewhere on the target. Research on gift giving from the University...
Read moreDetailsWhen the price just feels right: Do rounded numbers appeal to our emotions?
Consumers usually look for the lowest price when shopping for a product. But can prices sometimes just feel right? According to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research, consumers are drawn to prices with rounded numbers when a...
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Humorous complaining: Funny online reviews get lots of attention but do they get results?
Unless you're just looking to entertain your fellow online shoppers, you may want to think twice about writing that funny Amazon or Yelp review. According to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research, humorous complaints get a lot...
Read moreDetailsDoes behavioral economics show people are altruistic or just confused?
Behavioral economists have revolutionized the standard view of human nature. No longer are people presumed to be purely selfish, only acting in their own interest. Hundreds of experiments appear to show that most people are pro-social, preferring to sacrifice their...
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Office jerks beware – your good ideas may not always be welcomed by colleagues
You don’t have to be a jerk to come up with fresh and original ideas, but sometimes being disagreeable is just what’s needed to sell your brainchild successfully to others. However, difficult or irritating people should be aware of the...
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Risk and respect – what to know about disclosing mental illness at work
Deciding to disclose information about a non-obvious disability at work is complicated and potentially risky, no matter what you do for a living. For people with a mental health issue, like bipolar disorder or PTSD where stereotypes and bias are...
Read moreDetailsDoes your boss find you proactive or pushy?
Those wishing to prove themselves as "doers" must not only be hands-on and demonstrate proactive behavior but also have social acumen and a feel for favorable opportunities. Those who rely on personal initiative alone will quickly be standing there as...
Read moreDetailsResist the temptation: Check email less to reduce stress, study finds
Is your inbox burning you out? Then take heart – research from the University of British Columbia suggests that easing up on email checking can help reduce psychological stress. Some of the study’s 124 adults — including students, financial analysts...
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Political correctness in diverse workplace fosters creativity
People may associate political correctness with conformity but new research finds it also correlates with creativity in work settings. Imposing a norm that sets clear expectations of how women and men should interact with each other into a work environment...
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Women outperform men in some financial negotiations, research finds
In certain circumstances, women may be more effective than men when negotiating money matters, contrary to conventional wisdom that men drive a harder bargain in financial affairs, according to a new meta-analysis published by the American Psychological Association. "One reason...
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Retail rage: Why Black Friday leads shoppers to behave badly
The manic nature of Black Friday has often led shoppers to engage in fistfights and other misbehavior in their desperation to snatch up the last ultra-discounted television, computer or pair of pants. What is it about the day after Thanksgiving,...
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Trouble with your boss? Own it
Don’t get along with your boss? Your job performance may actually improve if the two of you can come to grips with the poor relationship. A new study led by Michigan State University business scholars finds that workers are more...
Read moreDetailsPeople who are good at recognizing the emotions of others earn more money in their jobs
Attending to and caring about the emotions of employees and colleagues - that's for wimps, not for tough businesspeople and efficient performers, right? Wrong! An extensive international study has now shown: The "ability to recognize emotions" affects income. The corresponding...
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The Costco effect: Do consumers buy less variety at bigger stores?
Do consumers make the same choices when products such as beer, soft drinks, or candy bars are sold individually or in bundles? According to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research, consumers purchase a greater variety of products...
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