Topic: Economics
A Stabler Climate Means Stronger Traditions
The link between environmental stability and cultural change explains why cultures evolve
How an Excess of Stock Analyst Optimism Lands on Companies Least Deserving of It
Results of financially weak firms are difficult to forecast; in uncertainty, Wall Street’s views are overly generous
A Shocking Tale of Sovereign Default and Private Contracts Nullified
Sebastian Edwards brings to life a widely forgotten chapter of U.S. history starring FDR, his no-name economist and the demise of the gold standard
When Ebola Strikes, Where Should Help Go?
Improving epidemic forecasting helps response teams target aid more effectively
The Moat That Keeps Complex Asset Strategies Profitable
Andrea Eisfeldt finds that hedge funds with infrastructure to execute sophisticated arbitrage crowd out less-expert investors
Keynes vs. FDR: Lessons from the Great Recession
Sebastian Edwards finds Keynes’ public take-down of Roosevelt’s gold policies still relevant today
When It Pays Not to Help Your Customers Comparison Shop
Rakesh Sarin creates a model that shows consumer “ambiguity” about product quality should drive marketing and brand management strategy
How Life Insurers Insulate the Markets from Turmoil
Valentin Haddad’s research finds that insurers’ patient investing shields risky assets — and those who hold them — from steeper declines
Quantitative Easing Kept the Foreclosure Crisis from Being Even Worse
The Fed’s gambit didn’t trigger a home-price recovery, but research shows it reduced subprime foreclosure risk
Could Costly Housing Bring Down Superstar Cities?
Stuart Gabriel’s research shows how a vibrant economic hub loses essential residents
Why Kickstarter Funders Quickly Kick in the Last 5 Percent
Research shows that people have a sincere desire to see projects take flight
Motivating Households in India to Reduce Energy Consumption
The same message that works with U.S. households is effective in the developing world
Exploring the Relationship between Off-Label Prescriptions and Clinical Trials
A study looks at how changes in FDA labeling affect pediatric utilization of drugs
Awards as Incentives: Sometimes They Backfire
Seeking to improve school attendance, researchers learn how some students think
How ETFs Muffle Stock Market Feedback to Managers
The rise of passive investing leaves companies mistrusting market signals on how best to deploy capital
How Fashion Brands Can Best Ensure Worker Safety in Developing Nations
Collective action, rather than each brand working alone, appears more effective and costs less