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How Politics Drives Business Decisions in a Polarized Nation

by Jay Fitzgerald

As the US heads toward a presidential election, political polarization is influencing personal relationships, living choices, and even corporate decision-making. Research by Elisabeth Kempf reveals how partisan divides are shaping businesses, with significant implications for investment returns, credit ratings, and economic growth.

Charting 'Cheapflation': How Budget Brands Got So Pricey

by Ana Elena Azpúrua

Rising prices prompted many consumers to shift to lower-cost goods from premium brands. However, an analysis of millions of products by Alberto Cavallo shows how inflation hit budget products harder in many countries, a phenomenon called “cheapflation.”

Why Small Businesses Deserve More Credit

by Rachel Layne

Small firms and startups don't always seem like sound lending opportunities to banks. But research by Olivia Kim shows that they draw down debt conservatively—and expanding their access to credit could drive growth.

Global Talent, Local Obstacles: Why Time Zones Matter in Remote Work

by Michael Blanding

Remote employees working in different time zones often stretch beyond their typical schedule to connect with colleagues in real time. But communicating after hours is especially challenging for some workers, including women, research by Prithwiraj Choudhury finds.

Advice for the New CEO: Talk to Your Employees Early and Often

by Ami Albernaz

Shortly after a new CEO takes over, uncertainty and fear dampen communication among employees, research by Raffaella Sadun and colleagues shows. Sadun explains the steps organizations can take to get dialogue flowing quickly following a leadership transition.

What Happens When Business Owners Turn to ChatBots for Advice

by Ben Rand

Can generative AI help entrepreneurs solve their business problems? Yes, but mostly when companies are already thriving, suggests research by Rembrand Koning that reveals the potential for AI-powered mentors to reach owners around the world.

Is It Even Possible to Dam the Flow of Misleading Content Online?

by Jay Fitzgerald

With a US presidential election on the horizon, tech companies are struggling to stem misinformation on social media. Research by Scott Duke Kominers and Jesse Shapiro suggests it's time to focus on eliminating content that can lead to potential harm rather than false beliefs.

Shoot for the Stars: What to Know About the Space Economy

by Kara Baskin

Outer space has come a long way since the 1960s. Matthew Weinzierl explains the current state of the space economy, highlighting the various opportunities for businesses hidden among the stars.

Can AI Match Human Ingenuity in Creative Problem-Solving?

by Michael Blanding

Generative AI handles a variety of business tasks, but can it develop creative solutions to problems? Yes, although some of the best ideas emerge when humans and machines work together, according to research by Jacqueline Ng Lane, Karim Lakhani, Miaomiao Zhang, and colleagues.

Reading the Financial Crisis Warning Signs: Credit Markets and the 'Red-Zone'

by Rachel Layne

While fears about slowing economic growth have roiled stock markets in recent weeks, credit markets remain stable and bullish, and a recession hasn't materialized as some analysts predicted. Robin Greenwood discusses the market conditions that are buoying the economy—and risk signals to watch.

Why Companies Shouldn't Delay Software Updates—Even After CrowdStrike's Flaw

by Jay Fitzgerald

The CrowdStrike outage created a new sense of urgency for companies to protect their tech systems. A study by Shane Greenstein and colleagues illustrates just how many companies are vulnerable to cyberattacks and other threats simply because they put off updating their software.

Watching for the Next Economic Downturn? Follow Corporate Debt

by Rachel Layne

Rising household debt alone isn't enough to predict looming economic crises. Research by Victoria Ivashina examines the role of corporate debt in fiscal crashes since 1940.

Do Social Movements Sway Voters? Not Really, Except for One

by Sean Silverthorne

People often take to the streets to express their outrage, but research by Vincent Pons finds that only one recent social movement has shifted public opinion: Black Lives Matter. In an election year marked by widespread protests, Pons explores why marches and rallies often fail to achieve long-term results.

Why Great Ideas Get Stuck in Universities

by Ben Rand

Academic institutions incubate novel ideas and are important innovation partners for companies, but getting products out of universities and onto the market can be challenging. A study by Maria Roche and Justine Boudou illustrates how researchers might be getting in their own way.

Forgiving Medical Debt Won't Make Everyone Happier

by Rachel Layne

Medical debt not only hurts credit access, it can also harm one's mental health. But a study by Raymond Kluender finds that forgiving people's bills—even $170 million of debt—doesn't necessarily reduce stress, financial or otherwise.

New Hires Lose Psychological Safety After Year One. How to Fix It.

by Michael Blanding

New hires begin their roles eager to offer ideas. But research by Amy Edmondson shows how they become more reluctant to share over time. She explains how psychological safety erodes on the job and provides advice for strengthening it.

Weighing Digital Tradeoffs in Private Equity

by Michael Blanding

Private equity firms often streamline the operations of portfolio companies, but cost-cutting isn't the only road to efficiency. The right technology improvements can increase the value of PE investments, says research by Brian Baik and Suraj Srinivasan.

Chance Encounters: What's at Stake in Return-to-Office Decisions

by Jen McFarland Flint, HBS Alumni Bulletin

What's the role of the office in an increasingly virtual world? How can organizations spark collaboration among people who prefer to isolate? Andy Wu and Maria Roche discuss the value of bringing people together—and why that’s still so hard to do.

Are Management Consulting Firms Failing to Manage Themselves?

by David Fubini

In response to unprecedented client demand a few years ago, consulting firms went on a growth-driven hiring spree, but now many of these firms are cutting back staff. David Fubini questions whether strategy firms, which are considered experts at solving a variety of problems for clients, are struggling to apply their own management principles internally to address their current challenges.

The Critical Computer Science Principles Every Strategic Leader Needs to Know

by Ben Rand

Technology is such an integral part of so many industries now that business executives can't afford to leave all the digital know-how to their tech teams. Andy Wu explains the five essential principles of computer science that all leaders need to grasp to gain an edge.