- 03 Sep 2024
- Research & Ideas
Is It Even Possible to Dam the Flow of Misleading Content Online?
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.
- 29 Aug 2024
- Research & Ideas
Shoot for the Stars: What to Know About the Space Economy
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.
- 26 Aug 2024
- Research & Ideas
Can AI Match Human Ingenuity in Creative Problem-Solving?
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.
- 22 Aug 2024
- Research & Ideas
Reading the Financial Crisis Warning Signs: Credit Markets and the 'Red-Zone'
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.
- 13 Aug 2024
- Research & Ideas
Why Companies Shouldn't Delay Software Updates—Even After CrowdStrike's Flaw
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.
- 05 Aug 2024
- Research & Ideas
Watching for the Next Economic Downturn? Follow Corporate Debt
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.
- 30 Jul 2024
- Research & Ideas
Do Social Movements Sway Voters? Not Really, Except for One
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.
- 26 Jul 2024
- Research & Ideas
Why Great Ideas Get Stuck in Universities
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.
- 23 Jul 2024
- Research & Ideas
Forgiving Medical Debt Won't Make Everyone Happier
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.
- 18 Jul 2024
- Research & Ideas
New Hires Lose Psychological Safety After Year One. How to Fix It.
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.
- 16 Jul 2024
- Research & Ideas
Weighing Digital Tradeoffs in Private Equity
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.
- 09 Jul 2024
- Research & Ideas
Chance Encounters: What's at Stake in Return-to-Office Decisions
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.
- 09 Jul 2024
- Research & Ideas
Are Management Consulting Firms Failing to Manage Themselves?
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.
- 08 Jul 2024
- Research & Ideas
The Critical Computer Science Principles Every Strategic Leader Needs to Know
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.
- 27 Jun 2024
- Research & Ideas
Gen AI Marketing: How Some 'Gibberish' Code Can Give Products an Edge
An increasing number of consumers are turning to generative AI for buying recommendations. But if companies can subtly manipulate the technology to favor their own products, some businesses may gain unfair advantage, says Himabindu Lakkaraju.
- 25 Jun 2024
- Research & Ideas
How Transparency Sped Innovation in a $13 Billion Wireless Sector
Many companies are wary of sharing proprietary information with suppliers and partners. However, Shane Greenstein and colleagues show in a study of wireless routers that being more open about technology can lead to new opportunities.
- 25 Jun 2024
- Research & Ideas
Rapport: The Hidden Advantage That Women Managers Bring to Teams
Lack of communication between managers and their employees can hurt productivity and even undermine the customer experience. Female managers are more adept at building rapport among mixed-gender teams, which can improve an organization’s performance, says research by Jorge Tamayo.
- 18 Jun 2024
- Research & Ideas
Industrial Decarbonization: Confronting the Hard Challenges of Cement
CEOs in construction and heavy industries must prioritize innovative abatement strategies to meet rising global demand for cement while reducing emissions. Research by Gunther Glenk offers an economic framework for identifying emission reduction options.
- 18 Jun 2024
- Research & Ideas
Central Banks Missed Inflation Red Flags. This Pricing Model Could Help.
The steep inflation that plagued the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic took many economists by surprise. But research by Alberto Cavallo suggests that a different method of tracking prices—a real-time model—could predict future surges better.
What Happens When Business Owners Turn to ChatBots for Advice
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.