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New research on society from Harvard Business School faculty on issues including political polarization, urban life, and social networks.
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When a Vacation Isn’t Enough, a Sabbatical Can Recharge Your Life—and Your Career

by Michael Blanding

Burning out and ready to quit? Consider an extended break instead. Drawing from research inspired by his own 900-mile journey, DJ DiDonna offers practical advice to help people chart a new path through a sabbatical.

Is Sweden Still 'Sweden'? A Liberal Utopia Grapples with an Identity Crisis

by Lane Lambert

Changing political views and economic forces have threatened Sweden's image of liberal stability. Is it the end of the Scandinavian business-welfare model as we know it? In a case study, Debora Spar examines recent shifts in Sweden and what they mean for the country's future.

The War in Ukraine and Nestlé’s Moral Dilemma: Stay or Leave Russia?

by Michael Blanding

Nestlé had to choose whether to leave Russia in protest and potentially deprive civilians of essential goods, such as baby formula, or stay and face global outrage. A case study by Nien-hê Hsieh explores this complex decision and offers advice for leaders weighing fraught questions.

How Much More Would Holiday Shoppers Pay to Wear Something Rare?

by Michael Blanding

Economic worries will make pricing strategy even more critical this holiday season. Research by Chiara Farronato reveals the value that hip consumers see in hard-to-find products. Are companies simply making too many goods?

Too Nice to Lead? Unpacking the Gender Stereotype That Holds Women Back

by Shalene Gupta

People mistakenly assume that women managers are more generous and fair when it comes to giving money, says research by Christine Exley. Could that misperception prevent companies from shrinking the gender pay gap?

COP27: What Can Business Leaders Do to Fight Climate Change Now?

by Lynn Schenk and Danielle Kost

The US government plans to spend $370 billion to cut greenhouse gases and expand renewable energy—its biggest investment yet. In the wake of COP27, we asked Harvard Business School faculty members how executives could seize this moment.

How Centuries of Restrictions on Women Shed Light on Today's Abortion Debate

by Kara Baskin

Going back to pre-industrial times, efforts to limit women's sexuality have had a simple motive: to keep them faithful to their spouses. Research by Anke Becker looks at the deep roots of these restrictions and their economic implications.

Why Aren’t Business Leaders More Vocal About Immigration Policy?

by James Heskett

Immigration fuels the American economy, feeds the talent pool, and can directly affect company performance. And yet few executives and entrepreneurs have waded into the policy dialogue, says James Heskett. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

People Trust Business, But Expect CEOs to Drive Social Change

by Scott Van Voorhis

Companies should do more to confront climate change, labor market shifts, and racism, according to a survey of 14,000 people in 14 countries by the Institute for the Study of Business in Global Society and the Edelman Trust Institute. Is it time for more business leaders to step up?

Why Quiet Quitters Need More Than Money to Re-Engage

by Michael Blanding

A hefty bonus might do little to inspire a truly checked-out employee. It's time for managers to genuinely connect with their colleagues, and build more community and meaning in the workplace, say Rawi Abdelal and Thomas DeLong.

Income Inequality Is Rising. Are We Even Measuring It Correctly?

by Jon M. Jachimowicz, Kristin Blesch, and Oliver P. Hauser

Policymakers trying to shrink the income gap have long relied on a statistical benchmark to guide decisions. But taking a broader view of inequality might lead to better solutions, say Jon Jachimowicz and colleagues.

Your Best Employees Are Burning Out: A Framework for Retaining Talent

by Hise Gibson and MaShon Wilson

Companies have long ignored the factors that are burning out employees today. Hise Gibson and MaShon Wilson offer a five-step approach for leaders who are ready to confront this scourge and support their talent.

When Parents Tell Kids to ‘Work Hard,’ Do They Send the Wrong Message?

by Michael Blanding

It takes more than grit to succeed in a world rife with systemic inequity. So why don't we tell children that? Research by Ashley Whillans and colleagues shows how honest talk about social barriers could empower kids to break them down.

When the Rubber Meets the Road, Most Commuters Text and Email While Driving

by Jay Fitzgerald

Laws and grim warnings have done little to deter distracted driving. Commuters routinely use their time behind the wheel to catch up on emails, says research by Raffaella Sadun, Thomaz Teodorovicz, and colleagues. What will it take to make roads safer?

Scaling a Fintech Startup for the Greater Good

Re: Emily Williams

Esusu launched in 2018 with a rotational savings product and continued growing their fintech startup in late 2019 with Esusu Rent, a rent reporting tool that enables renters to improve their credit scores. In March 2020, co-founders Abbey Wemimo and Samir Goel were working to determine how best to scale Esusu to advance their mission of promoting financial inclusion in the US. Harvard Business School Assistant Professor Emily Williams discusses how the two co-founders decided how to allocate resources and scale their business in the case, “Esusu: Solving Homelessness Backwards.”

The Moral Enterprise: How Two Companies Profit with Purpose

by Avery Forman

Despite polarized attitudes, Rebecca Henderson argues that it's the perfect time for companies to reset their moral compass. In an essay from the book A Political Economy of Justice, she explores the social efforts of Cadbury and Unilever.

What Does It Take to Close the Opportunity Gap in America’s Labor Market?

Re: V. Kasturi Rangan

In the wake of George Floyd’s killing and widespread protests for social justice in the United States, OneTen was formed by a coalition of 40 large companies to address the disparity in job opportunities for African Americans without four-year college degrees. Their goal was to provide one million jobs in 10 years. But in order to do that, OneTen had to analyze the underlying problems and formulate recommendations for both system-level problems and those that manifest themselves at an organizational level. Professor Kash Rangan and OneTen CEO Maurice Jones discuss OneTen’s approach in the case, “OneTen: One Million Opportunities in Ten Years.”

Corruption: New Insights for Fighting an Age-Old Business Problem

Re: Tarun Khanna & Geoffrey G. Jones

Corruption is as old as humanity, with cases documented as far back as the Egyptian dynasties. While the World Bank estimates that international bribery exceeds $1.5 trillion annually, the larger and more subtle effects of corruption on economies and populations is incalculable. Harvard Business School professors Geoff Jones and Tarun Khanna explore how corruption uniquely affects business in emerging markets, and why it should be addressed by the public and private sectors in their case, “Corruption and Business in Emerging Markets,” and companion video interviews with more than 100 iconic entrepreneurs in emerging markets.

Can a Social Entrepreneur End Homelessness in the US?

Re: Brian L. Trelstad

Community Solutions is a nonprofit founded in 2011 by Rosanne Haggerty, with the ambitious goal of ending chronic homelessness in America. Its “Built for Zero” methodology takes a public health approach, helping communities across the US use better data collection and outreach to improve government processes and piecemeal solutions. In 2021, Community Solutions was awarded a $100 million grant from the MacArthur Foundation, and Haggerty and her team had to decide how to prioritize projects and spending to maximize the grant’s impact. Should they continue to focus on unhoused veterans or expand their work to include families and youth in need of housing? Senior Lecturer Brian Trelstad discusses Haggerty’s approach in his case, "Community Solutions."

War in Ukraine: Soaring Gas Prices and the Return of Stagflation?

by Avery Forman

With nothing left to lose, Russia's invasion of Ukraine will likely intensify, roiling energy markets further and raising questions about the future of globalization, says Rawi Abdelal. Open for comment; 0 Comments.