Category: General
Consumers Habitually Seek the Middle Ground
Unpublished research shows avoiding the extremes is a common approach marketers need to address
The Surprising Power of Giving Up Choice Control
Abdicating a decision to someone else is viewed as an act of generosity that is handsomely rewarded
What Makes a True Financial Crisis?
Data back to 1870 show similarities in the worst banking system shocks — focusing on loose lending before a meltdown
When Delayed Gratification Backfires
A self-imposed quest for a perfect time to enjoy an indulgence often means missing out on actually having a good experience
A Tool to Make FDA Drug Approval Practices Transparent
Researchers aim to help the agency, drug companies and patients better understand the complex authorization process
What Drives LBO Fever? More Than Just Cheap Loans
Private equity investors weigh the total cost of capital — not just debt, but equity as well — when pursuing buyouts
Are You Nudging Me? Oh, OK, Go Ahead
Research shows individuals aren’t necessarily turned off when they know they are being coaxed toward a specific choice
Economics of Women-Driver Ride Hailing
Other safety measures are easier to implement, but research suggests how female driver pool could be increased
Helping People Make Wise Decisions for Retirement Income
Nudges, long aimed at saving behavior, are needed for people converting a nest egg into income
Maximizing Life Saving through Better Placement of Defibrillators
Just putting one where the last cardiac arrest occurred isn’t optimal — more calculations to get to fewer steps
New Technology Lifted Pay, Especially for the Bosses
Top executives saw much larger gains after broadband adoption than the workers below them
Culture Affects How People Save Money
Immigrants show saving tendencies that carry through several generations
New Appreciation for a Classic Stock Market Gauge
The relationship between short- and longer-term moving averages has strong predictive power for share price returns
Do People Donate Money to Signal Their Intelligence?
Research suggests such a connection when donations are publicized
Being Biased against Friends to Appear Unbiased
If the boss is your friend, and compensation decisions are public, a bonus you’d get on merit might not be forthcoming
Should a Company Reveal Its Cost Structure to Customers?
In certain competitive situations, cost transparency can provide an edge