Projects as a speciation and aggregation mechanism in transitions: Bridging project management and transitions research in the digitalization of UK architecture, engineering, and construction industry.
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This research identifies a reversed pattern of sociotechnical transitions, demonstrating that large-scale change can originate from incumbent actors at the core of an organizational field, rather than solely from niche innovations. The study reveals how digital technology 'speciation' within megaprojects drives aggregation and wider industry transition.
The authors bridge transitions research with project management literature, analyzing six major UK construction megaprojects – including the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and High Speed Two – through published research and interviews. This mixed-methods approach allows for a comparative analysis of speciation and aggregation processes from both theoretical perspectives.
These findings suggest a need to broaden transitions research to include a greater focus on incumbent-driven technological change and the role of large-scale projects. Understanding this “reverse” transition process is crucial for effectively managing and predicting systemic shifts in industries like construction and beyond.
Towards a typology of sharing economy business model transformation
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This research identifies a typology of transformations in sharing economy business models, revealing how these models have evolved and diversified over time. The study demonstrates a clear link between the overall development of the sharing economy and the specific changes observed in its business models.
The authors constructed a timeline of sharing economy development, characterizing business models as “activity systems” and then tracing the mechanisms driving their transformations. This approach provides a systematic account of both the evolution of the sharing economy and the configurations of its business models.
This work contributes a structured understanding of the sharing economy’s growth and the resulting variety of business models, offering a valuable framework for future research and analysis in this rapidly evolving field. The typology developed can help categorize and predict future trends in sharing economy business model innovation.
Technological innovation-enabling industry 4.0 paradigm: A systematic literature review
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This study reveals five key clusters within the existing literature on technological innovation and Industry 4.0: underlying theories, enabling technologies, research methodologies & geographic focus, application areas & sectors, and perceived impacts. These clusters demonstrate the breadth and evolving nature of research in this field.
Researchers conducted a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of existing publications to map the landscape of research connecting technological innovation and Industry 4.0. This involved both quantitative analysis of publication trends and qualitative content analysis of the identified clusters.
The findings provide a comprehensive overview of current research and propose a future research agenda, particularly considering the emerging paradigm of Industry 5.0. This work can guide researchers and practitioners seeking to contribute to and navigate this rapidly developing field.
Academic institutions and the changing entrepreneurial finance landscape
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Universities are increasingly significant actors within the entrepreneurial finance ecosystem, moving beyond traditional education to actively support and invest in start-ups. This editorial highlights the evolving role of universities in this landscape, examining their diverse approaches to fostering innovation and venture capital.
This work is an editorial that synthesizes current trends and observations regarding university involvement in entrepreneurial finance. It provides a descriptive overview of the changing academic landscape, investment archetypes, and the influence of institutional context and internationalization.
The findings suggest universities can play a crucial role in democratizing venture capital and driving innovation through spin-offs, offering practical insights for practitioners and directions for future research in this area. Understanding these patterns is vital for maximizing the impact of university-led entrepreneurial initiatives.
The impact of time constraints on new venture investment decisions: an experimental study
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Investors facing time constraints in new venture evaluation selectively focus on information, prioritizing potential returns over risk assessment, ultimately leading to larger investment amounts. This suggests quick decisions aren’t comprehensive, but rather biased towards optimistic outcomes.
A balanced experimental design was employed, manipulating time pressure during a new venture investment decision task; one group operated under strict time constraints while a control group did not. This allowed researchers to directly observe how time pressure influenced information processing and final investment choices.
These findings highlight a critical behavioral bias in venture capital, demonstrating that time pressure can lead to suboptimal investment decisions driven by an overemphasis on potential gains. Understanding this bias is crucial for both investors seeking to improve their due diligence and entrepreneurs aiming to effectively present their proposals.
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This research demonstrates that using more sophisticated language in crowdfunding venture descriptions leads to increased investment amounts, with campaigns experiencing up to a 20% increase in funds raised. The effect is particularly pronounced for experienced investors who respond more favorably to complex language.
The researchers tested their hypothesis through a controlled experiment and analyzed data from 886 existing crowdfunding campaigns, examining the relationship between linguistic sophistication in campaign descriptions and investment behavior. They specifically investigated how investor experience moderates this relationship.
These findings highlight the importance of lexical sophistication as a communication tool in crowdfunding, suggesting entrepreneurs can strategically use language to signal venture distinctiveness and attract funding. This work contributes to a better understanding of how communication influences investor decisions in online funding platforms.
The structure and governance of venture-capital organizations
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Venture-capital organizations possess a unique structure built around managing high-risk, high-potential investments in early-stage businesses, differing significantly from traditional corporations and leveraged buyout firms.
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This paper analyzes the organizational structure of venture capital, specifically examining the relationships between investors, venture capitalists, and the ventures they fund, with a focus on agency problems.
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Understanding the contracts and operating procedures within venture-capital organizations is crucial for optimizing investment strategies and mitigating risks in early-stage business funding.
Family Firms’ Acquisitions and Politicians as Directors: A Socioemotional Wealth Approach
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Family-owned firms demonstrate a lower inclination to pursue acquisitions compared to non-family firms, particularly when lacking board representation from former politicians. This reticence is amplified by concerns over potential losses to their socioemotional wealth (SEW).
Researchers analyzed data from Spanish public companies between 2010 and 2015, employing a socioemotional wealth (SEW) framework to assess how family control impacts acquisition decisions and anticipated SEW gains/losses. Statistical analysis revealed the relationship between family firm status, board composition (specifically former politicians), industry dynamics, and acquisition activity.
The presence of former politicians on the board appears to mitigate SEW loss concerns, encouraging acquisitions in family firms, but this effect is limited to industries with slower rates of change. These findings highlight the importance of considering non-economic motivations, like SEW preservation, when understanding the acquisition behavior of family-controlled businesses.
Family Business Goal Formation: Exploring Individual Motivation and the Interaction with Family, Business, and Context
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This long-term case study reveals a dynamic process of goal formation in a family business experiencing significant wealth fluctuations over multiple generations. The research demonstrates how individual motivations within the family interact with business and external factors to shape the firm’s objectives.
Researchers conducted a longitudinal case study, following a single family business across 140 years and four generations to observe its evolution. The analysis integrated established family business theories—socioemotional wealth and economic/noneconomic goals—with principles from self-determination theory.
This work offers a process model explaining how firm-level goals emerge from individual-level mechanisms within family businesses. Understanding this interplay of motivation, family dynamics, and context can help explain business success and failure across generations.
Nonfinancial Outcomes in Family Business Research: A Review and Future Research Agenda
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This research identifies and categorizes a wide range of nonfinancial outcomes (NFOs) relevant to both family and nonfamily businesses, highlighting the importance of socioemotional considerations particularly within family enterprises. The study reveals a surprisingly diverse landscape of NFOs, extending far beyond purely monetary metrics.
The authors conducted a comprehensive review of 267 articles, encompassing 322 distinct NFOs, and then synthesized these findings into a quadrant-based classification system. This systematic approach allowed for a structured analysis of how NFOs are currently used in academic literature.
This work provides a foundational framework for understanding and researching NFOs, offering a clear typology and identifying areas where further investigation is needed. By clarifying the scope of NFOs, this research can inform both academic inquiry and practical management strategies for businesses of all types.
A Family Imprinting Approach to Nurturing Willing Successors: Evidence From Centennial Family Firms
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This research identifies three distinct family imprinting types – FB-centric, entrepreneurship-centric, and free-will-centric – that significantly influence siblings’ willingness to succeed into the family business. The study explains how these imprinting processes create both similarities and differences in succession preferences among and within families.
Employing imprinting theory, the authors developed a process model to understand the origins of succession willingness. This theoretical approach categorizes family motivations to explain variations in sibling attitudes toward taking over the family business.
This work provides a nuanced understanding of succession dynamics in family businesses, moving beyond simple willingness assessments. The findings offer a framework for identifying and addressing potential succession challenges rooted in early family experiences and motivations.
Learning in a Family Business Through Intermarriage: A Rhetorical History Perspective
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This research proposes that “intermarriage” within a family business isn’t solely about familial or structural ties, but rather the merging of shared histories and a common narrative—a “mnemonic narrative”—that defines the business. This narrative is more crucial than formal structure or genetic relationships.
The study draws upon concepts from rhetorical history and the study of mnemonic communities to reframe the understanding of intermarriage in the context of family businesses, analyzing how shared histories shape practices. It examines how awareness of past failures impacts current business approaches.
The findings suggest that family businesses should prioritize cultivating and maintaining a shared, inclusive historical narrative to foster cohesion and adaptability, especially when navigating challenges or learning from the experiences of others. Understanding this “mnemonic narrative” is key to managing change within the firm.
Social Exchanges in Family Businesses: A Review and Future Research Agenda
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Social exchange relationships significantly impact outcomes for individuals, groups, and family-owned businesses, yet research on this topic is fragmented across various academic fields. This review consolidates existing knowledge on social exchange within the unique context of family businesses.
The authors conducted a comprehensive review of 74 studies utilizing social exchange theory as a framework to analyze interactions among family members and external stakeholders in family firms. This synthesis organizes disparate research and identifies key gaps in current understanding.
This work highlights opportunities for future research in family business, while also suggesting how studying family firms can refine and expand the broader theory of social exchange. By bridging these areas, the review encourages a reciprocal relationship between family business research and theoretical development.
Dismantling Stereotypes About Being Top, Versatile, or Bottom: Sexual Minority Men’s Anal Sex Position Identity as It Relates to Attraction, Sexual Behavior, and Anthropomorphic Characteristics
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This study found that self-reported sex position labels among men who have sex with men (MSM) – including “top,” “bottom,” and “versatile” – are predicted by a combination of sexual behavior, physical characteristics, and attraction to partner attributes, though prediction strength varies. Notably, prediction improved when considering labels as existing on a spectrum rather than as distinct categories.
Researchers analyzed data from a nationwide cohort of 4,802 cisgender MSM involved in HIV prevention research, utilizing iterative logistic regression models. These models examined the relationships between self-reported sex position labels and factors like sexual behavior, anthropomorphic characteristics, and attraction to partner attributes.
These findings highlight the complex and nuanced nature of sex positionality within the MSM community, suggesting that a multidimensional approach is needed to fully understand this aspect of sexual identity and behavior. This understanding could inform more tailored approaches to sexual health interventions and research.
Gross Double Standard! Men Using Sextech Elicit Stronger Disgust Ratings Than Do Women
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This research demonstrates a sexual double standard where men using sextech are perceived as more disgusting than women, and that increased human-likeness in sextech devices correlates with higher reported disgust. These perceptions are also significantly stronger in women than in men.
Researchers conducted a survey (n = 371) to test hypotheses regarding disgust levels associated with sextech use, examining differences based on the user’s gender and the human-likeness of the device (ranging from sex toys to sex robots). Participants rated scenarios depicting sextech use, allowing for quantitative analysis of disgust responses.
These findings highlight the stigmatization surrounding sextech and suggest that societal norms contribute to negative perceptions, particularly for men. This work supports the need for greater acceptance and normalization of diverse sexual behaviors as technology becomes increasingly integrated into intimate lives.
Hot for Robots! Sexual Arousal Increases Willingness to Have Sex with Robots
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This study demonstrates that experiencing sexual arousal increases an individual's willingness to engage in erotic interactions with robots, and that men exhibit a greater willingness for such interactions compared to women. These findings represent the first empirical evidence of this effect in the context of human-robot interaction.
Researchers conducted an online survey with 321 adults, measuring their willingness to engage in various relationships (sexual, romantic, platonic) with both robots and humans before and after exposure to sexually explicit video content. This design allowed them to assess changes in willingness linked to induced sexual arousal and to compare responses between genders.
As sex robots become increasingly prevalent, understanding the psychological factors influencing human-robot erotic interactions is crucial; this research highlights the potential for arousal to lower inhibitions and influence intimate decisions, raising important ethical and societal considerations. These findings warrant further investigation into the broader impact of these technologies on human behavior and relationships.
Exploring the Psychological Characteristics and Risk-related Cognitions of Individuals Who Own Sex Dolls
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This study found no evidence to support the claim that sex doll ownership is linked to increased sexual aggression; in fact, doll owners exhibited *lower* proclivity towards sexual aggression compared to a control group. However, doll owners did report feeling less sexually self-esteem, perceiving women as less knowable, and viewing the world as more dangerous.
Researchers compared 158 sex doll owners to a comparison group of 135 non-owners, assessing their psychological characteristics and tendencies toward sexual aggression using established psychological measures. Statistical analysis was then used to identify any significant differences between the two groups.
These findings challenge the common assumption that sex doll ownership contributes to negative attitudes towards women or increases the risk of sexual offense, suggesting a need for more nuanced and evidence-based discussions surrounding this topic. The results highlight the importance of moving beyond moral panic and focusing on a more comprehensive understanding of the motivations and characteristics of individuals who choose to engage with sex dolls.
Taking Flight: Narratives, Logistics, and Risks of Chemsex Scenes in the Philippines
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This research demonstrates that chemsex occurs in the Philippines, exhibiting a unique spatiotemporal pattern shaped by the country’s “war on drugs.” Participants navigate both physical and virtual spaces to facilitate encounters, procure substances, and manage associated risks.
The study employed semi-structured interviews to explore the dynamics of chemsex encounters in the Philippines, focusing on how individuals locate partners, obtain drugs, and organize events. This qualitative approach allowed for detailed understanding of the intersection between physical and virtual environments and the risks within them.
The findings highlight the need for harm reduction strategies tailored to the specific context of the Philippines, where the “war on drugs” significantly impacts chemsex practices and necessitates “counterpublic health” measures for risk mitigation. Understanding these locally-adapted strategies is crucial for effective public health interventions.
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This research demonstrates that the geographic spread of a firm’s business units is significantly shaped by characteristics of its local environment, with industry variety, spatial density, and infrastructure accessibility playing key roles. Notably, manufacturing groups appear particularly sensitive to local production specialization.
The study employs econometric analysis on a newly compiled dataset of Italian business groups to quantify the relationship between local system characteristics and the geographic distribution of firm units. This approach allows for a robust assessment of how local factors influence firm organization and behavior.
These findings contribute to the fields of economic geography and entrepreneurship by highlighting the importance of local context in shaping firm structure and geographic scope, offering insights into how regional factors can drive organizational decisions.
Entrepreneurial competencies in vocational education
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This research reveals diverse perspectives on teaching entrepreneurial competencies in French vocational schools, ranging from viewing it as crucial for student emancipation to considering it unnecessary for employment. This heterogeneity hinders the development of cohesive strategies for entrepreneurship education.
Researchers conducted a qualitative investigation across six French vocational schools, gathering insights through interviews with alumni, teachers, experts, managers, and business owners. A “value-adding approach” was utilized, and the concept of “ecosystem awareness” was introduced as a framework for analysis.
Fostering “ecosystem awareness” – a shared understanding among stakeholders including schools, the labor market, and alumni – is proposed as a way to improve the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education and better align it with employability goals. This approach aims to address political pressures and create a more responsive educational system.
Self-regulation, micro-foundations and migrant entrepreneurs’ capacities for resilience
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This research demonstrates that migrant entrepreneurs build resilience through the interplay of individual drive and organizational actions, fostering generative capacities within their small firms. Resilience isn’t a static trait, but is actively *enacted* through ongoing legitimacy, network, and resource development.
The study employed a qualitative, interpretative approach, conducting sixty-one in-depth interviews with migrant entrepreneurs located in three UK urban centres. Data analysis focused on understanding the micro-foundations of resilience through the lens of regulatory focus theory.
These findings highlight the importance of accumulated agency in overcoming structural barriers and building resilience, offering theoretical insights for entrepreneurship studies and practical guidance for supporting migrant-owned businesses. Understanding the temporal dimensions of resilience capacity building can inform more effective interventions and support mechanisms.
International Small Business Journal Researching Entrepreneurship2026
Immanent sensemaking by entrepreneurs and the interpretation of consumer context
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This research demonstrates that entrepreneurs utilize a routinized form of sensemaking – termed “immanent sensemaking” – to understand their consumer context, going beyond responses to unusual events to build comprehensive understandings of customers. Entrepreneurs actively absorb signals from consumers at individual, social, and cultural levels to inform their judgements and actions.
The study investigated how entrepreneurs employ immanent sensemaking through observation and analysis of their interactions with consumers, focusing on the routines they use to interpret signals and construct meaning. This approach allowed for the identification of how entrepreneurs continuously make sense of their task environment.
These findings expand our understanding of entrepreneurial sensemaking by highlighting the importance of routine and multilevel framing in customer understanding, suggesting that successful entrepreneurs don’t just react to novelty but proactively build rich contextual awareness. This has implications for entrepreneurship education and practice, emphasizing the need to cultivate observational and interpretive skills.
International Small Business Journal Researching Entrepreneurship2026
Going the extra mile: Unveiling the roots of franchisee organisational citizenship behaviours in franchise systems
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This research demonstrates the existence of organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) exhibited by both franchisees *and* franchisors within franchise systems, highlighting a reciprocal relationship. Importantly, the study reveals that franchisees frequently redirect their OCBs away from the franchisor towards peers or industry groups when experiencing dissatisfaction.
The researchers employed a qualitative approach, conducting semi-structured interviews to explore the nature and drivers of OCBs specifically within the franchise context. This allowed for in-depth understanding of franchisee perspectives and experiences regarding both franchisor and peer interactions.
These findings emphasize the crucial, yet often mismanaged, role of the franchisor’s field consultant as a key liaison, and suggest that neglecting this relationship can lead to a redirection of valuable OCBs away from the franchisor. This highlights the need for franchisors to prioritize effective management of field consultants to foster positive franchisee relationships and maintain OCBs.
International Small Business Journal Researching Entrepreneurship2026
Revisiting the Entrepreneurial Society framework: A constructive critique from a climate change perspective
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This research argues that the traditional “Entrepreneurial Society” framework, while valuable, needs updating to account for the urgent and negative shocks caused by climate change, moving beyond its original focus on positive, Schumpeterian disruption. The authors contend that current entrepreneurial discourse doesn’t adequately address the need for mitigation and adaptation in a climate-impacted world.
This article is a conceptual paper that revisits and critiques the existing literature on the Entrepreneurial Society. It synthesizes contemporary views and critiques of the framework, then outlines the specific conceptual challenges climate change presents, ultimately proposing updates to better align entrepreneurship with a circular economy.
The proposed updates to the Entrepreneurial Society framework offer a pathway for channeling entrepreneurial activity towards solutions that address climate change and promote a circular economy. This revised framework has implications for both entrepreneurship research and policy, encouraging a more proactive and sustainable approach to innovation.
International Small Business Journal Researching Entrepreneurship2026
Locked in or open door? Entrepreneurial scaling pathways for local and global scaling
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This research introduces the Entrepreneurial Scaling Pathways (ESP) framework, which proposes that small firms scale globally based on the replicability of their business model and their geographic reach, identifying three distinct trajectories for growth. The framework moves beyond linear models of internationalization, viewing scaling as a dynamic interplay between building capabilities and expanding into new markets.
The authors developed the ESP framework by integrating existing internationalization and growth literature, then grounded it in an analysis of ten recent articles from the *International Small Business Journal* alongside foundational studies. These articles were selected to illustrate different aspects of the ESP matrix, showcasing examples of successful and unsuccessful scaling strategies.
This framework offers a new lens for understanding small firm scaling, with implications for both academic research in international business, entrepreneurship, and innovation, and practical guidance for firms seeking global expansion. Future research should focus on the influence of home-market institutions and detailed analysis of business model components to further refine the ESP framework.
International Small Business Journal Researching Entrepreneurship2026
Emergent and growing entrepreneurial ecosystems: How do institutional logics shape fields of entrepreneurship?
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This study demonstrates that institutional logics significantly shape entrepreneurial ecosystems, revealing divergent patterns in emergent versus growing contexts. In emergent ecosystems like Hull, entrepreneurs actively address institutional voids by strengthening 'Profession' and 'Community' logics, while growing ecosystems like Liverpool benefit from strong 'Community' and 'Market' orders and interconnected activity.
The research employed an institutional logics perspective, conducting empirical analysis of two UK cities – Kingston Upon Hull and Liverpool – as comparative cases of emergent and growing entrepreneurial ecosystems. Data was gathered through interviews with 60 entrepreneurs (30 from each city) to uncover the institutional influences shaping their entrepreneurial activities and the resulting institutional logic within each ecosystem.
This work enriches our understanding of entrepreneurial ecosystems as localized contexts sensitive to institutional conditions, highlighting the importance of tailored policy interventions and support for professionalization and community building. The findings emphasize that successful ecosystems don't necessarily require uniform configurations, but rather, responsiveness to local institutional dynamics and agent-based actions.
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This study defines and analyzes “high growth exporters” (HGXs)—firms exhibiting substantial export growth but not yet reaching “export superstar” status—demonstrating their economic significance. HGXs, representing a small fraction of all firms, contribute substantially to new exports and job creation, and are often precursors to becoming export superstars.
The researchers tracked firms in Croatia over a 25-year period, categorizing them as HGXs, export superstars, high growth firms, or non-high growth firms. They then analyzed firm-level data to examine the characteristics of HGXs, including their hiring practices, market expansion, and product diversification, comparing them to other firm categories.
The findings highlight HGXs as an under-researched yet crucial category of firms deserving of dedicated policy attention. Supporting HGXs through targeted initiatives could foster export growth, job creation, and ultimately, the development of future export superstars, offering a more nuanced approach than solely focusing on established export leaders.
One more piece of the family firm debt puzzle: the influence of socioemotional wealth dimensions
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This study demonstrates that the continuity dimension of Socioemotional Wealth Importance (SEWi) significantly influences debt levels in family firms, leading to increased borrowing. Other dimensions of SEWi—family prominence and enrichment—do not have a significant impact on debt financing.
Researchers analyzed a sample of 126 Spanish unlisted family businesses, assessing the CEOs’ evaluation of the importance their family places on continuity, prominence, and enrichment dimensions of SEWi. Statistical analysis was then used to determine the relationship between these dimensions and the firms’ debt levels.
These findings extend traditional finance theories by incorporating family goals into understanding debt financing decisions. The results suggest that CEOs prioritizing long-term family business continuity may be inclined to take on higher debt ratios, potentially increasing firm risk, and highlights the need for policies supporting access to debt for family businesses.
Agencing entrepreneurial ecosystems for sustainability: A systematic review to rethink values, transformation, and boundaries
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This study synthesizes research on entrepreneurial ecosystems for sustainability (EEfS), identifying value, transformation, and boundaries as crucial themes. By applying agencement theory, the research rethinks these themes, moving beyond traditional ecosystem concepts to focus on the practices that assemble and shape these systems.
A theory-driven systematic literature review was conducted using the Web of Science database. The review employed a comprehensive search string combining keywords related to entrepreneurial ecosystems and sustainability, and analyzed the identified literature through the lens of agencement theory, emphasizing sociomateriality and performative practice.
This research provides a conceptual model of EEfS as agencements, offering a novel framework for understanding how these ecosystems are formed and function. It derives a research agenda focused on the practices of assembling EEfS and provides practical insights for policymakers and practitioners aiming to foster sustainable entrepreneurship.
What restricts SMEs from adopting sophisticated capital budgeting practices?
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This study identifies and prioritizes barriers hindering the adoption of sophisticated capital budgeting (CB) practices within small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in India. The research reveals that knowledge gaps among decision-makers and the inherent complexity of CB techniques are the most significant impediments to implementation.
The study employs an integrated approach combining the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (F-AHP) and the Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (F-DEMATEL). This methodology allows for the evaluation of barriers to CB practices, prioritizing them based on importance, and understanding their interrelationships within the context of Indian SMEs.
The findings provide valuable insights for financial managers and practitioners in SMEs, enabling them to formulate more effective investment strategies and efficiently manage long-term funds. This research also informs policymakers in designing targeted training programs to promote the adoption of robust financial management practices within the SME sector.
In the eye of the beholder? Differentiating between SMEs and Mittelstand
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This paper challenges the common practice of equating Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with *Mittelstand* companies, arguing that a simplified equation hinders coherent research and effective policymaking. The authors demonstrate systematic differences in approaches to analyzing *Mittelstand* companies based on criteria like owner-management, firm size, and a sense of belonging.
The study utilizes survey data from the *Mittelstandsbefragung 2014*, a German survey providing detailed information on company ownership, governance, size, and self-identification as *Mittelstand*. An analytical framework was developed to categorize companies based on owner-management, firm size (including SME classifications), and a subjective sense of belonging to the *Mittelstand*.
The research suggests a conceptualization of *Mittelstand* companies that prioritizes ownership and management as core defining characteristics. This approach aims to facilitate more comprehensive research, improve international comparative studies, and provide policymakers with a more nuanced understanding of this important segment of the German economy.
The knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship: an Asian perspective
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This study demonstrates that in Asian countries, a combination of investment in research and development alongside the quality of urbanization significantly boosts firm creation. Employment in financial and business services also plays a crucial role in knowledge creation and exchange for entrepreneurial activities.
The research utilizes a panel dataset of 20 Asian countries from 2002 to 2014, employing econometric analysis to examine the moderating role of urbanization on knowledge spillovers and their impact on firm creation. Variables such as R&D expenditure, professional employment, and urbanization metrics are used to test the Knowledge Spillover Theory of Entrepreneurship (KSTE) in an Asian context.
The findings suggest that Asian countries should prioritize investments in research and development and improve the quality and extent of urbanization to foster entrepreneurship. This is particularly important given the rapid urbanization and growing youth populations in the region, as firm creation can absorb labor and drive economic growth.
Slowed by commitment and hastened by obstacles: Exploring patterns of entrepreneur role exit in the EPOP dataset
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This research demonstrates that an entrepreneur’s likelihood of exiting their role is influenced by a balance between their commitment to the venture and the obstacles they face, aligning with established sociological theories. Strong commitment, indicated by reliance on business income, decreases the chance of exit, while a lack of familial support increases it.
Researchers analyzed data from the Entrepreneurship in the Population (EPOP) Survey Project, utilizing Identity Theory and Role Exit Theory as a framework to understand patterns of entrepreneurial exit. Statistical controls were implemented for various demographic and business characteristics to ensure robust findings.
These findings suggest that supporting entrepreneurs with familial and social networks, alongside fostering strong commitment to their ventures, may be crucial for retention. Further research can explore these dynamics in greater detail, informing strategies for entrepreneurs, educators, and policymakers alike.
Why am I so successful? Self-presentation and deliberative attributions of success in entrepreneurship
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This study identifies three distinct strategic narratives entrepreneurs use to explain their success: "lucky charming," "work striving," and "social connecting." These narratives differ significantly in their emphasis on internal versus external causes and reflect distinct self-presentation strategies—ingratiation, self-promotion, and a combination of both.
The researchers analyzed 173 interviews with entrepreneurs from NPR’s “How I Built This” podcast, focusing on responses to the question of how success is attributed to skill/effort versus luck. They employed semantic content analysis using Leximancer, a machine learning tool, to identify key concepts and themes within the transcripts, supplemented by manual coding for reliability.
These findings offer insights into how entrepreneurs deliberately construct their public image and can inform strategies for nascent entrepreneurs seeking to leverage role models. Understanding these narrative patterns can help entrepreneurs effectively manage their self-presentation in broadcast contexts and enhance their reputation and influence.
Status entrepreneurship: The entrepreneurial pursuit of social distinction
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This research posits that venturing is fundamentally driven by a desire for social distinction, moving beyond purely economic motivations. It differentiates between the status achieved *before* becoming an established manager and the status sought *during* the venture creation process.
The study develops a theoretical framework identifying four key mechanisms entrepreneurs employ to build and signal their status, analyzing the dynamics of status construction. This framework is built through conceptual development and contrasts differing status positions.
The findings highlight that the pursuit of entrepreneurial status isn’t without drawbacks, revealing potential limits and a ‘dark side’ to constantly seeking recognition and distinction. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for both entrepreneurs and those studying the field.
The future within: Commitment, hope, and values in entrepreneurship
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This research establishes a philosophical basis for viewing the future not as a predetermined outcome, but as an internal landscape shaped by entrepreneurial aspirations and foundational beliefs. The authors argue that the future is constructed through hinge commitments, fueled by hope, and guided by newly created values.
The study employs a philosophical approach, laying out three core premises to differentiate between the internal, inspirational future and the external, unfolding future. This conceptual framework connects beliefs, hope, and values to the entrepreneurial process of imagining and pursuing alternative futures.
This work expands scholarly understanding of entrepreneurship by highlighting the existential dimensions of pursuing imagined futures, suggesting a strong link between internal psychological states and external action. By framing the future as an internal space, the research opens avenues for further reflection on the nature of entrepreneurial pursuits and their potential for personal and societal edification.
Cross‐cultural implications of linguistic future time reference and institutional uncertainty on social entrepreneurship
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This research demonstrates that languages requiring explicit future tense marking (strong Future Time Reference or FTR) correlate with a greater likelihood of individuals becoming social entrepreneurs, particularly in countries with weak regulatory institutions. The study reveals a subtle link between linguistic structures and entrepreneurial behavior, suggesting language shapes temporal orientation.
The researchers analyzed a large dataset of 205,792 individuals across 70 countries and 39 languages, examining the relationship between a language’s future time reference (FTR) and rates of social entrepreneurship. They also investigated how institutional uncertainty – specifically weak rule of law, property rights, and high corruption – moderates this relationship.
These findings highlight the previously overlooked role of language as a cognitive institution influencing entrepreneurial decisions and social impact. Understanding this interplay between language, institutions, and entrepreneurial behavior can inform strategies for fostering social entrepreneurship, especially in contexts with regulatory challenges.
The signal of institutional governance in early‐stage financing for university spinoffs
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This research demonstrates that both angel investors and venture capitalists (VCs) exhibit a preference for university spin-offs (USOs) originating from private universities, though the *way* they weigh this preference differs based on investment focus. This variation is termed "mixed salience," highlighting how the same signal—public vs. private university—can lead to distinct decision-making among different investor groups.
The study utilizes a novel dataset of academic entrepreneurs who completed National Science Foundation I-Corps training to examine the impact of university governance (public vs. private) on fundraising success. Researchers analyzed investment patterns of angel investors and VCs, identifying how industry focus (life sciences vs. engineering) moderates or mediates the preference for private USOs.
These findings suggest that universities seeking to maximize spin-off funding should understand that the public/private distinction acts as a signaling mechanism, but its interpretation varies by investor type. Understanding these nuanced preferences can help universities tailor their fundraising strategies and better connect with appropriate investment audiences.
Climate finance spillovers and entrepreneurship in developing countries
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This research demonstrates a strong positive correlation between climate finance and entrepreneurial activity across most countries, where a 10% increase in climate finance correlates with a 2% increase in entrepreneurship. However, this relationship reverses in fossil fuel exporting nations, where climate finance is associated with *decreased* entrepreneurial activity despite generally higher growth rates.
The study employs a multicountry analysis, controlling for standard macroeconomic and institutional factors, to isolate the relationship between climate finance (both adaptation and mitigation) and entrepreneurial activity. This approach allows for the identification of nuanced effects, particularly concerning the unique circumstances of fossil fuel exporting countries.
These findings suggest that a blanket approach to deploying climate finance may not be optimal, and targeted strategies are crucial for maximizing its impact on entrepreneurship. Policymakers and investors should account for the specific economic dependencies and regulatory landscapes of fossil fuel exporting countries to ensure effective and positive outcomes.
What entrepreneurial decisions enable the breeding of digital platform unicorns?
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This study identifies specific combinations of entrepreneurial decisions – related to fundraising, funding sources, technology, and business models – that significantly increase or decrease the likelihood of a digital mental health platform achieving “unicorn” status (a valuation exceeding $1 billion). The research demonstrates that certain complementary decisions are strongly correlated with success, while others indicate a high probability of failure.
Researchers analyzed data from 125 digital mental health platform ventures, including 12 unicorns, sourced from the Dealroom database. A decision tree methodology was employed to determine how different entrepreneurial choices collectively impacted the probability of achieving unicorn status.
The findings offer actionable decision profiles for entrepreneurs and investors navigating the digital landscape, supplementing intuition with data-driven insights. This research highlights the importance of early-stage funding, avoiding government funding, and focusing on deep tech solutions for the B2B market to maximize the chances of building a successful mental health platform venture.
Venture team membership dynamics and new venture innovation
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This research demonstrates that changes in venture team membership—team fluidity—positively impacts new venture innovation, and importantly, *moderates* the relationship between a founder’s prior startup experience and subsequent innovation output. Fluidity isn’t just about *who* is on the team, but *how* changes to the team affect innovation.
The study employed a longitudinal analysis of 440 new ventures, tracking them over an eight-year period to assess the impact of team composition changes on innovation outcomes. Statistical modeling was used to test hypotheses regarding the relationship between team fluidity, pre-entry startup experience, and new venture innovation, using a variety of model specifications.
These findings highlight the strategic value of managing team composition in new ventures, suggesting that embracing change in team membership can be a powerful driver of innovation. This work provides actionable insights for entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, emphasizing that team fluidity should be considered alongside founder experience when evaluating and supporting new ventures.
Are non‐economic goals and financial performance friends or foes in hybrid ventures? A duality perspective on academic spin‐offs
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This research demonstrates that the relationship between a founder’s focus on academic goals and the financial performance of academic spin-offs is not straightforward, exhibiting an inverse U-shape at low academic ownership and shifting to a U-shape with higher ownership. The study challenges the assumption of inherent conflict between academic and economic goals in hybrid ventures.
The researchers tested their hypotheses using data from a sample of 179 Italian academic spin-offs, applying a duality perspective and drawing on the behavioral theory of the firm to analyze the interplay between academic focus, ownership, and financial performance. Statistical analysis was used to determine the shape of the relationship under varying levels of academic ownership.
These findings offer practical insights for managers of academic spin-offs, suggesting that aligning founder’s goals with ownership structure is crucial for optimizing financial performance—a moderate academic focus is best when ownership is low, while either low or high focus can be effective with greater academic ownership. This work contributes to a more nuanced understanding of how non-economic goals can positively impact financial outcomes in hybrid organizations.
Virtue Signaling in the Sharing Economy: The Effect of Airbnb Entrepreneurs’ Virtue Language on Airbnb Price Premiums
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This research demonstrates a curvilinear relationship between the use of virtue language in Airbnb listings and price premiums, meaning that while initial use boosts prices, excessive use can become detrimental. The effect is stronger for entrepreneurs perceived as highly credible and operating in more conservative markets.
The study leverages costless signaling theory to analyze Airbnb listing data, examining how the presence and extent of virtue language correlate with listing price premiums. Researchers assessed the relationship considering factors like entrepreneur credibility and market conservatism.
These findings suggest that Airbnb entrepreneurs should strategically employ virtue signaling, avoiding excessive language to maintain authenticity and maximize pricing potential. Understanding the moderating roles of credibility and market context is crucial for effective communication and performance.
Family Firm Value in the Acquisition Context: A Signaling Theory Perspective
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This research demonstrates that acquiring firms pay a premium for family-owned businesses compared to non-family firms, indicating family firm status positively signals value during acquisitions. The strength of this premium is contingent on several factors related to both the target and the acquirer.
The study analyzed 486 acquisitions completed in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain between 2011 and 2019, utilizing signaling theory as a framework. Statistical analysis was employed to determine how target financial performance, listing status, acquirer type, and geographic location moderate the relationship between family firm status and acquisition value.
These findings highlight that the value of a family firm extends beyond its intrinsic characteristics, being significantly influenced by the context of the acquisition and the attributes of the acquiring firm. Understanding these contingencies is crucial for both family firm owners seeking advantageous acquisition terms and acquirers evaluating potential targets.
All Is Well Until It Isn’t: Socioemotional Wealth Congruence and Employee Behavior in Family Firms
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This research demonstrates that when family firm supervisors and employees share similar levels of valuing socioemotional wealth, employee citizenship and proactive behaviors *decrease*, a result contrary to typical assumptions about shared values. Interestingly, differences in valuing socioemotional wealth between supervisors and employees are linked to *increased* citizenship and proactivity.
The study utilized polynomial regression analysis on data gathered from 159 supervisor-employee pairs within family-owned businesses to test a model based on “complacency theory.” This approach allowed researchers to examine the relationship between value congruence/incongruence and employee behaviors, while also considering the moderating role of leader-member exchange quality.
These findings suggest that shared values, while often seen as positive, can lead to reduced effort in discretionary behaviors within family firms, and highlight the importance of constructive tension. Furthermore, strong leader-member exchange can mitigate the negative effects of value alignment, suggesting a pathway for fostering engagement even when values are highly shared.
Post-Succession Innovation in Family Businesses: Exploring the Tension Between Incumbent Imprinting and Successor Self-Determination
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This research identifies four distinct innovation trajectories – Inherited, Ancillary, Synergistic, and Detached – that family businesses follow after leadership succession, revealing how past influences and the successor’s agency shape these paths. The study demonstrates that both structural and behavioral imprinting impact successors, but their self-determination plays a key mediating role.
Researchers conducted a case study analysis of 16 Dutch Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) within the food industry to observe innovation patterns following succession events. This qualitative approach allowed for in-depth understanding of the complex interplay between imprinting forces and successor autonomy.
These findings offer a nuanced understanding of post-succession innovation, moving beyond solely focusing on the influence of previous generations and providing tools for managing innovation during business transitions. This work contributes new theoretical insights into family business dynamics and highlights the importance of considering successor agency.
Restricted Variance Interactions in Entrepreneurship Research: A Unique Basis for Context-as-Moderator Hypotheses
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This research demonstrates the utility of restricted variance (RV) interaction analysis, revealing how it clarifies the role of contextual moderators and can uncover unexpected interaction patterns in entrepreneurial ventures. Using data from biotech firms, the study highlights how RV explains geographic variations in the link between alliances and IPO value.
The authors employ a methodological brief approach, showcasing RV reasoning and its application to entrepreneurship research through analysis of a dataset comprising 503 biotech firms. They demonstrate how RV can be used to specify moderator roles and test the underlying reasons for observed interactions.
This work offers a valuable tool for entrepreneurship scholars to strengthen their arguments, refine research designs, and more effectively test for interaction effects, even with commonly available data distributions. The RV approach promotes precision in identifying and understanding contextual influences on entrepreneurial outcomes.
In Pursuit of Impact: From Research Questions to Problem Formulation in Entrepreneurship Research
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This research identifies key dimensions—worthiness, divisibility, centrality, and specificity—along which entrepreneurial research problems evolve, and reveals two distinct pathways to impactful problem formulation: inward-looking iterative and outward-looking joint approaches. These pathways are shaped by project drivers, practitioner involvement timing, and researcher-practitioner interactions.
Researchers utilized process-tracing methods to analyze six entrepreneurship research projects from the *Journal of Business Venturing Insights’ Entrepreneurship Rapid Response Research Initiative*, tracking their development from initial concept to final publication. This involved detailed examination of the problem formulation process within each project.
This study theorizes problem formulation as a dynamic process intrinsically linked to solutions, offering actionable insights for entrepreneurship scholars aiming to conduct research with real-world impact. The findings provide a framework for understanding and optimizing collaboration between researchers and practitioners in defining impactful research questions.
Inclusive entrepreneurship: A call for a shared theoretical conversation about unconventional entrepreneurs
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This essay argues that current entrepreneurship research treats unconventional entrepreneurs (like refugees, those with disabilities, or formerly incarcerated individuals) in isolation, hindering knowledge transfer and broader theoretical development. Identifying shared experiences across these groups could unlock valuable insights and advance the field.
The authors employ a conceptual analysis, outlining the characteristics of unconventional entrepreneurs, identifying barriers to unified research, and proposing common theoretical themes applicable across diverse groups. This approach aims to stimulate a more integrated and holistic understanding of unconventional entrepreneurship.
By fostering a shared theoretical conversation, this work suggests a path toward more impactful entrepreneurship research, preventing redundant efforts and expanding the field’s scope and influence. This could lead to pioneering research that challenges existing knowledge and promotes inclusive entrepreneurship.
Time to say goodbye? The role of SBIR funding, VC rounds, and initial alliance for director exit in new ventures
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This research identifies key venture life cycle events – specifically SBIR funding and Venture Capital rounds – that significantly increase the likelihood of directors exiting new venture boards. The study demonstrates that these funding stages alter resource needs, leading to shifts in board composition.
Researchers utilized the organizational life cycles framework and resource dependence theory to propose that venture evolution impacts board director turnover. Qualitative data was gathered through interviews with board members within the semiconductor industry to test and refine these theoretical claims.
This work highlights the dynamic relationship between a new venture’s life cycle and its board, offering insights into board governance and strategic resource management. Understanding these interdependencies can help ventures proactively manage board transitions and optimize board effectiveness.
“I can't get it out of my mind” - Why, how, and when crisis rumination leads entrepreneurs to act and pivot during crises
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This research demonstrates that entrepreneurs experiencing heightened crisis rumination are more likely to actively pivot their business models, particularly those with a prevention-focused mindset who are sensitive to potential losses. The study identifies a link between psychological strain during a crisis and proactive business model adaptation.
The researchers tested their model using a two-pronged approach: an experiment and an eight-month longitudinal study following entrepreneurs navigating an inflation crisis. This mixed-methods design allowed for both controlled investigation and real-world validation of the proposed relationships.
These findings suggest that understanding an entrepreneur’s cognitive response to crisis (rumination) and their loss-prevention focus is crucial for predicting proactive adaptation. This knowledge can inform support programs designed to encourage resilience and strategic pivoting during times of economic instability.
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This work challenges both justifications and criticisms of paternalistic policies, arguing that current debates misunderstand what constitutes respect for citizens. The author proposes that respecting citizens requires defining their interests through a collaborative, dialogical process between policymakers and the governed.
The argument is developed through conceptual analysis, critically examining existing philosophical accounts of paternalism and respect for autonomy. It proposes a novel framework—a “joint (second-person) standpoint”—for understanding citizen interests and evaluating the ethical implications of policy interventions.
This reframes paternalism, suggesting that *engaging* citizens in dialogue about their interests can be a respectful form of intervention. This approach offers a pathway for paternalistic policies that avoid the pitfalls of treating citizens as irrational or unequal, potentially legitimizing certain interventions previously considered ethically problematic.
Freedom of speech in contemporary Arab societies from a gender perspective
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This research highlights that women and girls in Arab societies face significant discrimination impacting their fundamental human rights, particularly their right to freedom of expression. Despite historical gains enabled by this freedom, recent years have seen increasing attacks on women exercising this right.
This article is a conceptual exploration of the challenges faced by Arab women in exercising freedom of expression, drawing on observations of recent trends and attacks on women in various roles. It synthesizes existing knowledge regarding women’s rights and freedom of expression within the specific context of contemporary Arab societies.
Understanding these emerging challenges is crucial for supporting Arab women’s ongoing struggle for equality and accountability, and for safeguarding their fundamental right to express themselves without fear of reprisal. This work underscores the importance of protecting freedom of expression as a key component of women’s empowerment and broader human rights advancements.
Corporate civil disobedience: Be careful what you wish for
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This research argues that while corporate civil disobedience (CCD) appears a promising tool against authoritarianism, its feasibility is limited by the inherently authoritarian structures within most large corporations. However, CCD may be justifiable when democracies face significant authoritarian threats, representing a nuanced position on its overall viability.
The study employs normative political theory, drawing heavily on the work of John Rawls, to analyze the conditions under which CCD could be considered legitimate. It contrasts the theoretical strengths of CCD with the practical organizational realities of corporations, particularly large for-profit entities.
The findings suggest that liberal democracies should be cautious about embracing CCD as a standard practice, but may need to reconsider this stance during periods of democratic backsliding. This highlights a tension between upholding political equality and responding to existential threats to democratic governance, with a potential exception for small businesses.
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This work argues for a consistent interpretation of Hannah Arendt’s analysis of action and willing throughout her career, countering claims of contradiction between her earlier and later writings. The author demonstrates that Arendt consistently distinguishes between traditional conceptions of free will and a “natal-willing” connected to new beginnings.
The analysis employs a unique hermeneutical approach, beginning with Arendt’s later work, *The Life of the Mind*, to identify a distinction between two forms of willing. This distinction is then traced back and demonstrated to be implicitly present in her earlier texts, *The Human Condition* and “What is Freedom?”.
This re-reading clarifies Arendt’s critique of willing as a critique of the free will *tradition*, rather than willing itself, and highlights the positive role of natal-willing in enabling action and initiating novelty within her philosophical framework. It offers a more unified understanding of Arendt’s thought on freedom, action, and the human condition.
‘Be your own boss’? Normative concerns of algorithmic management in the gig economy: reclaiming agency at work through algorithmic counter-tactics
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This research demonstrates that gig workers actively resist algorithmic management by strategically “tricking the algorithm” to regain agency, highlighting a form of agency termed ‘contributive agency’ focused on control over their work contributions. The study argues that when algorithmic management excessively constrains this contributive agency, it becomes ethically problematic.
The article employs an ethnographically informed philosophical approach, drawing on Michel de Certeau’s concept of ‘tactics’ to interpret worker behaviors and define the dimensions of contributive agency—epistemic, relational, participatory, and protective. This allows for an analysis of how organizational contexts either enable or constrain workers’ agency.
These findings suggest a need to design algorithmic management systems that prioritize and enable worker agency across multiple dimensions, rather than simply focusing on efficiency or control. Identifying and fostering agency-enabling organizational conditions is crucial for ethically responsible implementation of algorithmic management in the gig economy.
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This article challenges the conventional division between 'realist' and 'idealist' approaches in immigration ethics, arguing that the prevailing notion of realism is flawed. The author contends that what constitutes a 'feasible' solution in immigration policy is far more complex and debatable than typically acknowledged by those who position themselves as realists.
The research employs a conceptual analysis, drawing on recent work in political theory – specifically, the 'neorealist' critique of problem-solving realism – and applies it to the field of immigration ethics. By contrasting different conceptions of realism, the author demonstrates the inconsistencies within the current realist-idealist framework and proposes a revised understanding of a genuinely realist approach.
Undermining the traditional realist critique of idealism opens space for pursuing more ambitious goals in immigration policy. This analysis encourages theorists and policymakers to move beyond perceived limitations of feasibility and consider a wider range of potentially beneficial, even if challenging, immigration policies, ultimately fostering a more nuanced and ethically informed debate.
The Purview of the Particular: Power and Method in Foucaultian Genealogy
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This work argues that power, in Foucault’s genealogy, should be understood not as an *object* of study, but as an *analytical category* guiding the research process itself. This reframing allows for broader application of Foucault’s methods beyond specific historical contexts.
The author undertakes a reconsideration of power within Foucault’s genealogical method, shifting the focus from power *as* a subject of inquiry to power *as* a methodological orienting principle. This involves a theoretical re-evaluation of existing interpretations of Foucault’s work and its implications for generalization.
By conceptualizing power as an analytical category, this research demonstrates the potential for Foucaultian methods to be applied to large-scale, systemic, and global problems – areas where Foucault’s particularist approach has traditionally been seen as limited. This expands the utility of Foucault’s framework for contemporary social analysis.
Regressing to Nature: Culture Industry and Fascism in Times of Ecological Crisis
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This paper argues that the climate crisis is inextricably linked to a “regression to nature” as theorized by Horkheimer and Adorno’s *Dialectic of Enlightenment*, manifesting not as a distancing from nature, but as a dangerous embrace of false promises – consumerism or, increasingly, fascist ideologies – that ultimately reinforce domination and prevent genuine ecological and political solutions. This regression is not separate from, but integral to, the unfolding climate crisis.
The research revisits Horkheimer and Adorno’s work, specifically their concepts of distancing from and regression to nature, applying them to contemporary climate issues. It critiques Metabolic Rift theory for overlooking the political dimensions of ecological crisis, and engages with the political theory of climate change to demonstrate how the dynamics of false reconciliation and escalating political violence are central to understanding the current predicament.
By centering the motif of regression to nature, this analysis highlights the ways in which consumerist and fascist ideologies actively impede effective climate action. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for moving beyond purely technological or ecological solutions and addressing the underlying political and libidinal attachments that perpetuate unsustainable practices and open the door to destructive political forces.
Marx's three different conceptions of political change under capitalism: Direct democracy, proletarian revolution, or self‐government under proletarian leadership
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This paper examines differing scholarly interpretations of Karl Marx’s conception of political change under capitalism, specifically focusing on whether his earlier, more democratic writings are superseded by his later, more scientifically-focused analyses. The central debate revolves around whether there was a fundamental epistemological break in Marx’s thought or a continuous development of his ideas.
The study is a conceptual analysis of Marx scholarship, reviewing and contrasting three main interpretations of his work. It traces the evolution of these interpretations, referencing key scholars like Althusser, Avineri, and others, to map out the different perspectives on Marx’s political thought and the relationship between his early and late writings.
Understanding these varied interpretations is crucial for accurately assessing Marx’s legacy and the continuing relevance of his ideas to contemporary political and social theory. The analysis highlights the complexities within Marx’s work and demonstrates how different readings can lead to divergent understandings of revolutionary change and the path to a communist society.
Painterly: Editorial Introduction for <i>Painting / Knowledge</i> E-Special Issue
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This special issue of *Theory, Culture & Society* re-positions painting not as a traditional art form, but as a vibrant and critical field of inquiry intersecting with theory, affect, and politics. The collection demonstrates painting’s capacity to function as both an expressive medium *and* a method for critical thought.
The issue maps 35 articles from *Theory, Culture & Society* and *Body & Society*, organizing them into four thematic sections: Painting and the Political, Affect/Body/Gesture, Word/Image/Mediation, and Memory/Trauma/Image. These articles are then situated within broader critical discourses, drawing on the work of key theorists like Rancière, Lyotard, and Deleuze.
By framing painting as a dynamic intersection of power, trauma, and sensory experience, this issue affirms its continued relevance within interdisciplinary critical theory. This reimagining of painting’s role expands its potential for exploring visibility, knowledge, memory, and contestation.
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This work argues that digital systems, particularly blockchain platforms, exert control not through traditional discipline, but through “modulation” – treating individuals as “dividuals” rather than unified subjects. This control operates at the level of individuation itself, shaping how individuals come to be.
The authors build upon Deleuze’s concept of control societies, expanding it through the philosophical lens of Gilbert Simondon’s work on pre-individuation, individuation, and transindividuation. This provides an ontological framework for understanding the relationship between humans and technical networks in the digital age.
Simondon’s concepts offer a new way to analyze contemporary digital technologies and their impact on human being, revealing a potentially totalizing form of control operating beneath the surface of user experience. Understanding this “modulatory” control is crucial for critically engaging with and potentially resisting its effects.
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This work argues that the translation between Greek and Chinese reveals fundamental differences in thought, specifically regarding conceptions of time, leading to both loss and innovation in the process.
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The analysis centers on a close reading of Jullien’s work on the translation of temporal concepts between Greek and Chinese, focusing on how equivalencies are *created* rather than simply *found*.
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This highlights translation not as a neutral transfer of meaning, but as an active, creative process involving “betrayal” and “appropriation” that shapes understanding across cultures and languages.
Possession/Dispossession: Making Property at the Edge of the Anthropocene
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This research demonstrates that property creation is fundamentally linked to dispossession and violence, particularly evident in frontier zones undergoing rapid landscape transformation. The study reveals how property is actively *made* through the displacement of both Indigenous peoples and the natural environment.
The authors utilize a case study of Sorong, a frontier city in Indonesian Papua, focusing on wetland drainage and aggregate mining as examples of property formation. They analyze how these landscape transformations facilitate settler occupation and reshape Indigenous land rights through complex alliances and internal conflicts.
This work argues that landscape transformation isn’t simply an ecological process, but one that fundamentally alters both environments *and* human relationships, creating property at the cost of ecological ruin and fostering “intimate violence” within communities. Understanding this process is crucial for recognizing the inherent violence embedded within property systems at the edge of the Anthropocene.
Male Subcultures in Japan: Generating Sexual Capital and Gender-Class Mobility in a Low Birth Society
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This research identifies a connection between the increasing number of Japanese men identifying as ‘love market dropouts’ and their marginalization within evolving neoliberal economic and social structures. These men are expressing a form of resistance and potential future relationality through emerging trends of cute, girlish male cross-dress in digital spaces.
The study analyzes the intersection of socio-economic shifts in Japan, the rise of subcultures like otaku and idol fandom, and the emergence of new gender expressions among young men. It draws comparisons to similar gender subcultures in North America and Europe, including the manosphere and increased male participation in queer culture, to contextualize these trends.
This work suggests that seemingly niche cultural phenomena, like male cross-dress, can be indicative of broader societal anxieties and attempts to navigate changing power dynamics. Understanding these expressions is crucial for interpreting evolving gender roles and relational possibilities in the 21st century, particularly in the context of economic precarity and dissolving heteronormative structures.
‘A building of shame and disgrace’ or ‘trial by media’? Media framing of KPMG Netherlands’ head office
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This research demonstrates how KPMG Netherlands’ headquarters became a focal point in Dutch media coverage, functioning as a symbol of the firm’s professional conduct and ultimately contributing to a criminal investigation. The media successfully framed the building to amplify claims of misconduct against KPMG.
The study utilizes news framing and social control theories to analyze press coverage, employing a “temporal bracketing” approach to trace the evolution of accusations against KPMG over time. This involved examining how initial, weaker claims were strengthened through successive revelations reported in the media.
This work highlights the media’s power to shape narratives, suppress opposing viewpoints within professional fields, and drive reform agendas, revealing a disconnect between the intended image of corporate spaces and their public perception. The findings offer insights into the media’s role in holding powerful institutions accountable.
Political scandals, media bias and the moral ambiguity of fraud and corruption
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This research demonstrates that media coverage of political scandals involving fraud and corruption frequently emphasizes legal breaches while often neglecting to articulate the underlying moral or ethical dimensions of the wrongdoing. The study reveals a pattern of both intentional and unintentional bias in how media outlets frame these scandals, either highlighting or silencing crucial ethical considerations.
Researchers analyzed media allegations and trial proceedings related to a scandal involving two local government mayors, applying ethical frameworks – utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics – to assess how wrongdoing was framed. This involved examining prominent newspapers to identify the prevalence of different moral framings in the coverage of the scandal.
These findings extend current understanding of scandal construction by revealing the complex interplay between legal and ethical wrongdoing in media narratives, and the distinction between ethical breaches and failures of governance. Recognizing this bias is crucial for a more nuanced public understanding of fraud and corruption, and for holding power accountable based on a complete picture of wrongdoing.
Diversity, dialogic pedagogy and intersubjectivity in the classroom: Contributions from the Global South
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This study reveals that a Black, gay accounting educator in Brazil faced significant challenges stemming from a lack of institutional support and student resistance, negatively impacting his confidence and ability to foster dialogic learning. Despite attempts to implement inclusive pedagogical changes, the educator experienced limited student engagement and direct confrontation during assessment.
Researchers employed a collective biography methodology, analyzing the educator’s recounted memories of his teaching experiences to understand the dynamics of diversity, pedagogy, and intersubjective exchanges within the classroom. This qualitative approach allowed for a deep exploration of the educator’s perspective and the contextual factors influencing his experiences.
The findings underscore the critical need for robust institutional support for diverse faculty, not only for their professional growth but also to cultivate more inclusive and effective learning environments for students. This research advocates for further investigation into the role of intersubjectivity and dialogue in diverse classrooms, particularly within accounting education, informed by critical pedagogy from the Global South.
Institutions and Corporate Reputation: Evidence from Public Debt Markets
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This study demonstrates that firms involved in lawsuits experience a decrease in bond values and tightening of borrowing terms, indicating a reputational penalty. These penalties are more pronounced for private firms, those in provinces with weak legal protections, and those in provinces with high social capital.
The researchers analyzed data from China's public debt markets, focusing on the impact of lawsuits on bond values and borrowing terms. They employed propensity score matching to compare litigated and unlitigated firms, and used provincial-level data to assess the roles of legal and social capital environments.
The results suggest that reputational penalties serve as substitutes for legal protections and complements to cultural forces in ensuring accountability. This highlights the importance of considering the interplay between formal institutions, reputational capital, and social norms in understanding corporate behavior, particularly in emerging markets like China.
Experimental Effects of Institutionalizing Co-determination by a Procedurally Fair Bidding Rule
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This study demonstrates that while managers tend to make fair claims in a co-determination setting, workers respond by strategically underbidding, indicating that a procedurally fair mechanism only partially crowds-in ethical behavior. The experiment explores a novel institution granting decision rights to both managers and workers, revealing a disconnect between managerial fairness and worker responsiveness.
The researchers conducted a laboratory experiment involving a manager and three workers who co-determined investment decisions and surplus sharing. Participants engaged in a series of rounds with varying information conditions regarding investment values, allowing the researchers to observe managerial claims and worker bids, and assess the extent of ethical behavior—fair claims and truthful bidding—in a controlled environment.
These findings have implications for theories of stakeholder management and corporate governance, suggesting that designing fair rules alone may not be sufficient to elicit fully ethical behavior from all parties. The study highlights the importance of considering strategic responses and potential coordination failures when implementing co-determination mechanisms in organizational settings, and provides a foundation for further research into incentivizing ethical conduct.
Toward an Ethics of Ambiguity in Critical Work and Organizational Psychology: From ‘Blank’ to ‘Troubled’ Subjectivity
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This conceptual paper identifies three emerging ethical positions within Critical Work and Organizational Psychology (CWOP): critique of mainstream WOP’s ethical failures, espousal of radical humanist ethics, and an ethics of ambiguity. The authors argue for recognizing and embracing the ethics of ambiguity, grounding it in a nuanced understanding of subjectivity.
The research is a conceptual paper based on a review of existing literature within CWOP. The authors analyze current scholarly work to identify and delineate the three critical-ethical positions, then propose a framework for understanding an ethics of ambiguity rooted in psychoanalytic and psychosocial studies of subjectivity, specifically contrasting ‘blank’ and ‘troubled’ subjectivity.
By advocating for an ethics of ambiguity, this paper suggests a more sophisticated approach to ethical considerations in CWOP, moving beyond simple critique or the imposition of fixed values. This approach, grounded in ‘troubled subjectivity,’ acknowledges the complexities of human experience and offers a more nuanced foundation for critical work and organizational psychology.
In the Club? How Categorization and Contact Impact the Board Gender Diversity-Firm Performance Relationship
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This study demonstrates that gender-diverse boards perform better when there is frequent formal contact between male and female directors, but perform worse when male directors have prior experience only with token numbers of women on boards. These findings help explain how and why board gender diversity can either improve or detract from firm performance.
The researchers leveraged the categorization-elaboration model, contact theory, and critical mass theory to develop a new theoretical framework. They empirically tested this framework using data from 1,108 observations of 245 firms, examining the relationship between board gender diversity, formal contact between directors, and prior experience of male directors with women on boards.
This work extends the literature by highlighting the crucial role of male directors as allies in fostering inclusive board environments. It illustrates that simply increasing gender diversity is not enough; the quality of interactions and the prior experiences of male directors significantly impact the effectiveness of diverse boards and ultimately, firm performance.
How Identity Work Drives Ethical Conduct in Organizations: The Case of Organizational Citizenship Behavior
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This study reveals that the relationship between moral identities and ethical conduct, specifically organizational citizenship behavior, is significantly impacted by how individuals navigate their internal struggles with self and desire. Individuals confined to *appearing* ethical, rather than *acting* ethically, are those who position themselves in ways that reinforce illusory self-images and avoid confronting fundamental lack.
The research employs a psychoanalytic framework, specifically drawing on Lacanian theory, to analyze narratives from 42 employee interviews across diverse organizations. The interviews focused on instances of organizational citizenship behavior, and the analysis prioritized identifying symbolically charged aspects of the narratives to explore the unconscious dynamics of identity work and its connection to ethical conduct.
These findings offer new avenues for understanding organizational citizenship behavior and the complexities of ethical conduct within organizations. The study highlights the importance of examining identity work not simply as a precursor to ethical action, but as a fundamental process shaped by unconscious desires and the ongoing negotiation of self, suggesting that a deeper understanding of psychoanalysis is crucial for the study of ethics.
Microaggressions in the Accounting Academy: The Black Experience
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This study reveals that Black accounting faculty experience microaggressions throughout their academic careers, which negatively impact their perceptions of the profession and increase their intentions to leave. These experiences may contribute to the underrepresentation of Black faculty within accounting academia.
Researchers conducted 31 semi-structured interviews with Black accounting faculty to gather stories of their experiences during doctoral education and the hiring/promotion process. These interviews were followed by Likert-scale questions to assess the impact of microaggressions on faculty views and turnover intentions.
The findings highlight the need for increased awareness, education, and interaction to mitigate microaggressions and improve diversity and equity in the accounting academy. Addressing these issues could help retain Black faculty and foster a more inclusive environment for future generations of scholars.
Varieties of confluence arguments, part 1: practical applications
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This paper investigates the diverse ways mathematicians and philosophers utilize confluence arguments – instances where multiple approaches yield equivalent results – focusing on their practical roles in mathematical communication and idea development. The author identifies three distinct facets of these arguments: Conjecture Heuristic, Rigor Assurance, and Coding Invariance, aiming to clarify their often-conflated uses.
The study employs a historical and analytical approach, surveying existing mathematical literature to identify instances of confluence arguments. The author examines how mathematicians invoke these arguments in practice, focusing on written remarks and attesting to actual mathematical practices, and categorizes them into the identified facets. This analysis aims to disentangle the different purposes confluence arguments serve.
By distinguishing between these facets, the paper suggests a resolution to recent philosophical debates surrounding the Church-Turing Thesis. The author argues that differing assumptions about the role of confluence arguments underlie these debates, leading to miscommunication, and proposes a framework for better understanding and analyzing these arguments in both mathematical and philosophical contexts.
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This paper argues that introspective knowledge by acquaintance – knowing one’s own phenomenal conscious states directly – is a unique kind of knowledge, irreducible to propositional knowledge and fundamentally constituted by the relationship of introspective awareness itself. This challenges the common view that introspective knowledge is simply propositional knowledge caused by acquaintance.
The author employs an argument from inference to the best explanation, focusing on epistemic asymmetries between individuals with differing phenomenal experiences, to support the claim of *sui generis* introspective knowledge. The paper also addresses and rebuts theoretical objections, including concerns about disunity and mysteriousness, to defend this position.
Establishing introspective knowledge by acquaintance as a distinct form of knowledge has significant implications for understanding phenomenal consciousness and introspection, potentially offering a more accurate account of how we know our own minds than current, primarily propositional-based, epistemological frameworks. This also contributes to the ongoing debate about non-propositional knowledge and its role in epistemology.
Two epistemological challenges regarding hypothetical modeling
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This paper identifies two epistemological challenges concerning “hypothetical modeling” – scientific models representing non-actual but possible targets – namely, the potential for these models to misrepresent objective possibility and the difficulty in establishing their reliability given the lack of direct comparison to non-actual targets. The author argues that some hypothetical models may represent states of affairs that are not objectively possible, either nomologically or even “flat-out” impossible.
The research employs conceptual analysis, examining examples of hypothetical modeling across various scientific disciplines (biology, economics, etc.) to demonstrate the potential for models to represent impossible scenarios. It then explores the implications of this fallibility for the epistemology of modeling, specifically concerning the challenge of verifying a model’s success in representing objective possibility. The analysis draws on existing philosophical literature on possibility, modality, and scientific modeling.
The findings suggest a need for greater scrutiny of the assumptions underlying hypothetical modeling and a more nuanced understanding of how to evaluate the accuracy of models targeting non-actual possibilities. This challenges the standard view of scientific modeling as surrogative representation when applied to hypothetical targets and highlights the difficulty of establishing the reliability of these models without the possibility of empirical validation against their non-actual targets.
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This research demonstrates that the structure of social networks significantly influences the degree of linguistic politeness (LP) employed in communication, with star-shaped networks (representing hierarchical societies) exhibiting the highest average optimal degree of LP. The study combines strategic and conventional explanations of politeness within a game-theoretical model, highlighting how both individual motivations and community norms shape linguistic behavior.
The researchers developed a game-theoretical model, the Communication Game of Linguistic Politeness in Social Networks (CLPS), building upon an existing model (CLP). They used computer simulations to analyze speech acts of requesting across three network structures – ring-shaped, star-shaped, and complete – considering factors like social imposition, interaction history, and the balance between strategic and conventional politeness considerations. Both single and repeated interactions were simulated to assess dynamic effects.
These findings suggest that social structure plays a crucial role in shaping communication patterns and the expression of politeness. The prominence of LP in star-shaped networks implies that hierarchical social structures may necessitate or encourage more indirect and polite communication to maintain power dynamics and social order, offering insights into the interplay between language, social organization, and strategic interaction.
Norms, epistemic norms, context, and counterfactuals
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This paper proposes an account of how norms are context-sensitive, utilizing counterfactual conditionals to explain permission and obligation. The core finding is that permissibility is determined by considering what might have happened if an action were performed, aligning with the closest possible situations where the action occurs and relevant standards are met.
The research combines philosophical analysis with the framework of counterfactual logic, specifically employing David Lewis’s truth-conditions for counterfactuals. It analyzes puzzles related to permissions, such as those raised by Timothy Williamson, and demonstrates how the proposed account resolves these issues by linking context-sensitivity to the selection of relevant possible worlds based on counterfactual considerations.
This account successfully addresses puzzles concerning the non-monotonicity of permissions and resolves issues related to “blindspot propositions” in the domain of epistemic norms. By grounding context-sensitivity in counterfactuals, the paper offers a novel approach to understanding how norms operate and provides a framework applicable to both action and belief.
Making cognition: a mechanism account of the way humans develop the ability to build and alter their environments
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Human making – the creation and alteration of environments through tools and artifacts – has escalated to a point of environmental crisis, and this activity is poised to accelerate further with generative AI. This research proposes that understanding the underlying cognitive mechanisms of making is crucial, not just for mitigating environmental damage through external changes, but for reshaping the internal processes driving this behavior.
This work presents a theoretical account of the cognitive mechanisms driving human making, drawing from 4E cognition, neo-Jamesian ideomotor theory, and ecological psychology. The authors integrate these frameworks to propose a model where making emerges from minimal actions, is augmented by imagination, and involves dynamic interactions between internal cognitive structures and the external environment, conceptualized as a form of autocatalysis.
By characterizing the recursive and generative nature of making, this account suggests that understanding and potentially reshaping the cognitive processes behind it is essential for achieving sustainability. This framework provides a foundation for investigating how learning and cultural factors influence making behavior, and how humans can adapt to and productively interact with AI-driven making technologies.
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This paper identifies a fundamental, yet overlooked, problem in the philosophy of inquiry: determining what constitutes successfully *answering* a question, beyond simply arriving at a true judgment. The author argues that truth alone is insufficient for an answer, requiring a specific connection between the judgment and the original question.
The research employs conceptual analysis, carefully dissecting the notion of “answering” and distinguishing it from related concepts like belief and inference. It proceeds through identifying a puzzle regarding the conditions under which a judgment can be considered an answer to a question.
Recognizing the “problem of answering” highlights a gap in current philosophical understandings of inquiry and suggests a need for a more nuanced account of how judgments gain significance within the process of seeking knowledge. This could reshape how we evaluate the success of inquiry and the nature of understanding.
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This paper defends a relational agent-based justification for deontological ethics, arguing that our relationship to potential victims explains why rights should not be violated even to minimize overall harm. The proposed framework aims to resolve a paradox within deontology – why prioritize respecting rights over minimizing violations – by focusing on the agent's connection to those whose rights are at stake.
The author employs philosophical argumentation and conceptual analysis to develop and defend the relational agent-based justification. This involves addressing existing objections to agent-based theories and demonstrating how the proposed framework overcomes these challenges, specifically regarding self-prioritization and excessive self-concern.
This work offers a novel approach to understanding deontological constraints, potentially strengthening the foundations of rights-based ethics. By grounding deontological principles in relational dynamics, the justification provides a more nuanced account of moral obligations and permissible actions.
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This paper argues that debates surrounding the *experience* of time passing are often unproductive, stemming from a conflation with the more fundamental issue of how we experience *persistence* – how things continue to exist over time. The author proposes this shift in focus reveals a deeper challenge for metaphysical accounts of both time and persistence.
The research is primarily conceptual and philosophical, involving a critical analysis of existing debates in the metaphysics of time and persistence. It re-frames the discussion, moving away from arguments about the subjective *feeling* of time’s passage to focus on the cognitive experience of objects maintaining identity through time.
This work suggests that understanding how we perceive persistence isn’t simply a matter of favoring one metaphysical view over another; instead, it poses a significant explanatory hurdle for *all* major theories of persistence and their connection to our understanding of time, demanding a re-evaluation of current approaches.
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This paper introduces “super-quasi-realism,” a refined version of quasi-realism intended to address criticisms that it doesn’t fully align with realist perspectives. The author argues that while super-quasi-realism *appears* identical to realism, a cognitive limitation prevents us from genuinely accepting it as such.
The argument proceeds through conceptual analysis, comparing and contrasting quasi-realism with realism and then developing the tenets of super-quasi-realism. The author employs philosophical reasoning to demonstrate the perceived indistinguishability and subsequent unacceptability of the proposed view.
By defending super-quasi-realism, the author challenges the common realist objection that quasi-realism lacks crucial components. This work potentially strengthens the expressivist position by demonstrating a way to meet realist challenges without fully embracing realism itself.
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This research proposes that conversational genres—like information sharing, decision-making, or brainstorming—are not simply different *types* of conversation, but rather reflect distinct underlying *plans* that structure intentions and expectations during communication. These plans provide a framework for understanding why certain speech acts are more appropriate and easily interpreted in specific conversational contexts.
The study utilizes a theoretical approach, examining four key dimensions of conversational variation to demonstrate how genre categories function as types of conversation plans. By analyzing these dimensions—information sharing vs. decision-making, commitment vs. brainstorming, factuality vs. make-believe, and cooperation vs. adversariality—the authors build a model of how speakers align their intentions with these plans.
This framework offers a generalized account of pragmatic theories like Gricean implicature, Stalnaker’s common ground, and Roberts’ question-under-discussion, extending their applicability to a wider range of conversational scenarios. Understanding conversation as planned activity provides a powerful resource for interpreting speech acts and highlights the rational pressures speakers face to maintain coherence within a given genre.
<i>The Probability Map of the Universe: Essays on David Albert’s Time and Chance</i> , edited by Barry Loewer, Brad Weslake & Eric B. Winsberg
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This book review examines David Albert and Barry Loewer’s “Mentaculus” project—a framework aiming to ground thermodynamics, causation, and time’s arrow in a fundamental probability map of the universe determined by initial conditions and physical laws. The review highlights the ambitious scope of this project, which seeks to provide a complete account of time-asymmetries from a single, unified foundation.
The analysis proceeds through a critical engagement with the edited collection *The Probability Map of the Universe*, identifying potential gaps and challenges within the Mentaculus framework. The author focuses on the quantitative details of equilibration in statistical mechanics, the relationship between the Mentaculus probabilities and those used in standard statistical mechanics, and the dynamical assumptions necessary for the project’s success.
The review suggests that while the Mentaculus offers a compelling metaphysical vision, it may require further refinement to fully integrate with the established details of statistical mechanics and address concerns about the status of its underlying assumptions as genuinely lawlike. Addressing these gaps is crucial for evaluating the project’s claim to be a comprehensive “theory of everything.”
<i>Epistemic Values: Collected Papers in Epistemology</i>, by Linda Trinkaus Zagzebski
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This review of Linda Zagzebski’s *Epistemic Values* argues that her central claim – that knowledge is achieved through conscientious believing – is a powerful framework for understanding epistemology, but its full implications require careful consideration of the role of epistemic conscientiousness and its potential compatibility with intellectual vices. The author contends that Zagzebski’s work highlights the importance of internal factors, like motivation and agency, in determining knowledge, rather than solely focusing on external conditions.
The analysis proceeds through a close reading of twenty papers collected in *Epistemic Values*, spanning three decades of Zagzebski’s work. The author systematically examines Zagzebski’s arguments concerning knowledge, understanding, intellectual virtue, and the Gettier problem, focusing on how these concepts are grounded in the principle of epistemic conscientiousness. Objections are raised, primarily concerning the potential for vicious motivations to coexist with conscientious belief.
This review suggests that while Zagzebski’s account of knowledge is compelling, further refinement is needed to address the possibility of conscientious yet intellectually flawed agents. Specifically, the author argues that a robust account of conscientiousness must ensure it reliably promotes virtuous intellectual behavior and doesn’t merely describe the *attempt* to believe truthfully, regardless of underlying motivations or resulting reliability.
<i>Dogwhistles and Figleaves. How Manipulative Language Spreads Racism and Falsehood</i>, by Saul Jennifer
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This book review analyzes Jennifer Mather Saul’s *Dogwhistles and Figleaves*, arguing that manipulative language techniques—specifically dogwhistles and figleaves—contribute to the spread of racism and falsehood in contemporary political discourse. The central claim is that these techniques exploit a divided audience and malleable social norms to normalize problematic ideas.
Saul’s analysis, presented through a philosophical lens, examines both speaker intentions and audience effects, recognizing their frequent misalignment. The book meticulously details how dogwhistles and figleaves function, providing numerous real-world examples to illustrate their impact on different groups, particularly focusing on how they affect those in the political middle ground.
The book highlights the insidious nature of these communicative maneuvers, demonstrating how they can reinforce existing biases, provoke opposition, and ultimately normalize blatant racism and falsehoods. Saul concludes by exploring potential countermeasures, suggesting inoculation as a promising strategy to combat the spread of manipulative language and its harmful consequences.
<i>J. L. Austin: Philosopher and D-Day Intelligence Officer</i> , by M. W. Rowe
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This biography of J.L. Austin (1911-60) reveals a complex figure whose life encompassed both significant philosophical contributions – particularly in speech act theory and ordinary language philosophy – and a crucial, previously under-documented role in Allied intelligence during World War II, specifically regarding the accuracy of D-Day intelligence. The book establishes Austin as a key figure in both intellectual and wartime history.
M.W. Rowe’s comprehensive biography draws upon a wealth of archival material, correspondence, and previously unpublished sources, including assistance from Austin’s nephew, to reconstruct a detailed account of Austin’s life and work. The author combines biographical detail with close readings of Austin’s philosophical writings and a critical assessment of existing interpretations, offering both historical context and philosophical analysis.
Rowe’s work challenges existing understandings of Austin’s life, particularly his wartime contributions, and raises broader questions about the aims and ethics of philosophical biography. The biography highlights the importance of understanding the historical and social context of philosophical thought and suggests a need for further exploration of the interplay between a thinker’s life and their intellectual output.
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This book review centers on Ralph Wedgwood’s *Rationality and Belief*, the second in a trilogy exploring rationality, specifically focusing on theoretical rationality and its connection to broader normative frameworks. Wedgwood proposes a system centered around 'belief-systems' comprised of 'theoretical credences' measured on a numerical scale, aiming for precision and adherence to probability theory, though acknowledging real-world limitations.
Wedgwood constructs a detailed theory through chapter-by-chapter arguments, outlining the components of a belief-system and their rational evaluation. He employs the metaphor of an 'evaluating angel' to assess the rationality of an agent’s credences, considering factors like past beliefs ('shadow priors') and the agent’s epistemic possibilities, ultimately measuring correctness via a quadratic scoring rule.
The book challenges traditional concepts of evidence in epistemology, arguing that the philosophical notion diverges from its everyday usage as a basis for social justification of belief. Wedgwood’s framework, while potentially contentious, offers a comprehensive and internally consistent theory of rationality that may be valuable for epistemologists and metaethicists even with differing foundational views.
<i>Idealization in Epistemology: A Modest Modeling Approach</i> , by Daniel Greco
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This book review examines Daniel Greco’s *Idealization in Epistemology*, arguing that the work offers a novel and worthwhile approach to understanding the role of idealization in epistemology, particularly through the concept of ‘modest modelling’ which embraces a plurality of imperfect models rather than striving for a single, fully accurate theory. The review highlights the book’s clarity, rich argumentation, and applicability across multiple philosophical disciplines.
The review proceeds by outlining Greco’s project of distinguishing between ‘ambitious’ and ‘modest’ modelling, and then extracting key lessons from the book, specifically regarding framework and model selection. It critically engages with Greco’s arguments, focusing on the potential for Bayesian hegemony within his approach and the implications of his anti-realist tendencies regarding the nature of scientific models and human cognition.
The review suggests that while *Idealization in Epistemology* is a valuable contribution to the field, readers may find points of disagreement regarding the prioritization of Bayesian theorizing and the potential for anti-realist commitments to downplay empirically supported findings about human cognitive inconsistencies. Ultimately, the book encourages a more nuanced and flexible approach to epistemological modelling, acknowledging the domain-relativity of modelling aspirations and the value of diverse frameworks.
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Stewart Duncan’s *Materialism from Hobbes to Locke* offers a nuanced investigation of materialism in seventeenth-century Britain, arguing that Locke, while attempting to distance himself from Hobbes, was significantly influenced by Hobbesian thought and Descartes. The book demonstrates how these thinkers grappled with fundamental questions about mind, matter, and the nature of substance.
Duncan meticulously examines the works of Hobbes, More, Cudworth, Cavendish, and Locke, tracing the development of materialist and dualist arguments. He provides close readings of key texts, highlighting connections and divergences between these philosophers and offering original interpretations of their positions on ontology, language, and the mind-body problem.
This book provides a valuable historical context for understanding the evolution of materialism and dualism in early modern philosophy. It challenges existing interpretations of Locke, suggesting a stronger connection to Hobbes than previously acknowledged, and encourages further exploration of the less canonical figures who contributed to this important debate.
<i>Plato’s Statesman: A Philosophical Discussion</i>
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This volume offers a collection of essays examining Plato's *Statesman*, a dialogue often overshadowed by the *Republic* and *Laws*. The essays delve into a range of topics—epistemology, ethics, political philosophy, and more—providing nuanced interpretations of specific passages and contributing to a renewed scholarly engagement with this complex work.
The book consists of eleven chapters, each dedicated to a consecutive section of the *Statesman*. Contributors offer detailed analyses of the text, focusing on specific arguments and themes, and engaging with existing scholarship to offer fresh perspectives. The review highlights two essays, one on legal change and another on courage and moderation, to illustrate the volume’s depth and philosophical richness.
This collection demonstrates the continued relevance of Plato’s *Statesman* for contemporary philosophical debate. By offering rigorous interpretations of difficult passages, the volume illuminates key aspects of Plato’s thought and encourages further exploration of his political philosophy, epistemology, and ethics, ultimately enriching our understanding of ancient Greek thought.
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Stephen Darwall’s *The Heart and Its Attitudes* expands upon his previous work on moral accountability by arguing for the significance of “attitudes of the heart”—remorse, gratitude, trust, and hope—as deeply valuable, though non-obligatory, forms of mutual relation that bind us together. Darwall posits these attitudes are keyed to our love-worthiness and, unlike reactive attitudes of the will, primarily invite reciprocation rather than demand it.
This work is a philosophical review of Stephen Darwall’s *The Heart and Its Attitudes*, engaging with his central arguments through detailed analysis of his concepts and examples. The review critically examines Darwall’s distinction between deontic morality and attitudes of the heart, questioning the basis for locating the latter outside the realm of moral obligation and exploring potential implications for our understanding of control and claimability.
The review suggests that while Darwall’s account of heartfelt attitudes is illuminating, his separation of them from moral obligation may require further justification. It raises questions about the nature of control necessary for claimability and proposes that understanding love as a “gift” might offer a more nuanced explanation for its unclaimability, ultimately prompting further inquiry into the interplay between love, respect, and ethical priorities.
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This review examines Rosalind Hursthouse's *Virtue and Action*, a collection of essays expanding on her neo-Aristotelian virtue ethics. The book clarifies Hursthouse’s account of right action, particularly regarding the complexities of virtuous behavior in challenging circumstances and the role of practical wisdom.
The author provides a close reading of Hursthouse’s essays, organized into three sections, and traces the development of her arguments. The review highlights key themes, such as the relationship between virtue, action, and the possibility of tragic dilemmas, while also offering constructive criticism and raising questions for further exploration.
The analysis demonstrates the systematicity and breadth of Hursthouse’s work, positioning her as a central figure in contemporary virtue ethics. The review suggests potential refinements to her account, particularly concerning the long-term effects of navigating morally fraught roles on an agent’s character, and encourages further investigation into the interplay between practical wisdom and abstract metaphysical considerations.
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Anja Jauernig’s *The World According to Kant* offers a compelling interpretation of Kant’s critical idealism, arguing for a robust metaphysical reading that emphasizes the genuine existence of both appearances and things-in-themselves. This interpretation contrasts with deflationary readings that prioritize epistemology over ontology, presenting a nuanced account of Kant’s ontology.
The book defends a “two-world view” where spatiotemporal appearances and nonsensible things-in-themselves are distinct entities, both possessing genuine existence. Jauernig meticulously analyzes Kant’s texts to support this claim, focusing on the grounding of empirical reality in both formal conditions of objectivity and a “properly direct” connection to things-in-themselves, while also addressing potential skeptical implications.
Jauernig’s account raises complex epistemological questions regarding our ability to ascertain empirical reality, as discerning the grounding of representations in things-in-themselves remains inaccessible. While the reviewer raises concerns about potential skepticism and counterintuitive implications, they ultimately commend the book as a rigorous and insightful contribution to Kant scholarship, particularly for those interested in metaphysics.
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Andrei Marmor’s *Foundations of Institutional Reality* offers an account of how social institutions exist, aiming to reconcile methodological individualism with the reality of shared rules and norms. The book argues that institutional facts are grounded in individual intentions and behaviors, providing a nuanced understanding of how social constructs like laws and economies function.
Marmor builds upon the work of H.L.A. Hart and John Searle, critically examining their theories of rules and social reality. He proposes a framework based on metaphysical grounding, where social rules depend on shared intentions and regular conformity, offering a revised account to address perceived circularities in earlier formulations and distinguish between constitutive and regulative rules.
This work has implications for understanding the ontological foundations of social life and the nature of collective intentionality. By grounding institutional reality in individual actions and intentions, Marmor provides a framework for analyzing how rules are established, maintained, and how societies function, while also raising questions about the limits of reductive accounts of complex social systems.
Face/Off: The adverse effects of increased competition
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This study demonstrates that increased competition, specifically the introduction of green taxis in New York City, led to increased fraudulent behavior by established yellow taxi drivers. This effect was most pronounced on routes where yellow taxis faced competition for both passenger pickups and post-drop-off pickups.
The researchers conducted an empirical study analyzing over 17 million yellow taxi trips before and after the launch of green taxis. They categorized trips into competitive routes based on pickup and drop-off locations, examining changes in trip distances to identify fraudulent behavior, and controlled for factors like fare type and location type (office buildings vs. hotels).
These findings suggest that simply increasing competition may not always benefit consumers in credence goods markets like taxi services. Instead, it can incentivize unethical behavior by sellers attempting to offset potential losses, particularly when consumers have limited information about optimal routes or service quality.
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This paper demonstrates a method to estimate demand for network goods, specifically video games, using minimal network data by leveraging variation within consumer behavior. The analysis reveals that a 1% increase in friends' demands leads to a .13% increase in an individual's demand, and simulations suggest a 5% demand increase from promotional giveaways to influential users.
The study employs a three-step identification process using data from Steam, a large video game distributor. It identifies price elasticities for individuals with and without friends owning the same game, utilizing individual fixed effects and game characteristics, then infers the impact of social networks from discrepancies in these elasticities. This method is compared to traditional instrumental variable strategies, yielding similar results.
This research offers a simplified approach to estimating network effects without requiring complete network data, relying instead on aggregated relational data. The findings have practical implications for pricing and marketing strategies, particularly highlighting the potential of leveraging "influencers" to boost demand, and contribute to a broader understanding of network effects in digital markets.
Adaptive grids for the estimation of dynamic models
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This paper introduces a novel method for adapting interpolation grids in dynamic programming models, specifically addressing challenges in both the Nested Fixed Point (NFXP) and Mathematical Programming with Equilibrium Constraints (MPEC) algorithms. The core innovation lies in *r*-adaption, a technique that continuously adjusts grid nodes to achieve optimal grid structures based on the balanced error principle.
The researchers demonstrate how to obtain optimal grids by minimizing approximation error and integrate this approach into likelihood maximization problems using equioscillation. They apply this method to two models: a modified bus engine replacement model and a dynamic model of content consumption using real-world data from a music streaming platform, validating its performance against traditional grid methods.
The proposed method offers significant improvements in computational efficiency and accuracy when estimating dynamic programming models. By utilizing node movement based on error balancing, the approach allows for simultaneous solution of the grid adaptation and model estimation problems, particularly benefiting MPEC-type estimation algorithms and enabling more robust and efficient structural estimation.
Vertical integration of platforms and product prominence
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This study demonstrates that vertically integrated online travel agents (OTAs), like Booking.com when affiliated with Kayak, receive preferential visibility in meta-search results compared to other OTAs offering the same price. Furthermore, hotels face reduced prominence in Kayak’s search rankings when a rival OTA, such as Expedia, offers the lowest price.
Researchers analyzed web-scraped data from Kayak, spanning October 2014 to September 2017, for hotels in Paris, encompassing over 15 million observations. They employed linear regressions with fixed effects to assess the horizontal ranking of sales channels and the vertical ranking of hotels, accounting for price and popularity metrics.
These findings suggest that vertical integration can introduce biases into meta-search rankings, potentially hindering price transparency and competition. This has relevance for ongoing policy debates surrounding self-preferencing practices by large online platforms, as exemplified by the European Union’s Digital Markets Act.
Correction to: A high-performance turnkey system for customer lifetime value prediction in retail brands
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This correction note addresses a minor textual error in the previously published article, "A high-performance turnkey system for customer lifetime value prediction in retail brands," specifically removing an unnecessary subtitle. The original article has been updated to reflect this change, ensuring accuracy in published research.
The correction process involved a simple editorial review of the published paper and subsequent modification of the digital version. No new data analysis or experimentation was undertaken; the correction solely addresses a typographical issue within the original manuscript.
This correction maintains the integrity of the research presented in the original article and ensures clarity for readers. The corrected version provides an accurate and reliable resource for those interested in customer lifetime value prediction within the retail sector.
Privacy and prediction: how useful are geo-tracking data for predicting consumer visits?
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This research demonstrates that geo-tracking data significantly improves the prediction of consumer visits to restaurants, increasing model performance by 10.76% compared to models using only demographic and behavioral data. Importantly, utilizing geo-tracking data also reduces both over- and under-prediction of visits, leading to more accurate forecasts.
The study leverages proprietary data from a safe-driving app (over 120 million driving instances from 38,980 users) combined with aggregate visit data for 401 restaurants in Texas. Machine learning models were trained to predict weekly restaurant visits, and the impact of restricting geo-tracking data under simulated privacy regulations was assessed through performance comparisons.
These findings provide valuable insights for both businesses and policymakers, highlighting the benefits of geo-tracking data for resource planning and customer service. The research also quantifies the potential trade-offs between data utility and privacy, informing the development of effective and balanced regulations regarding consumer location data.
Empirical implications of incorrect special item tax rate assumptions
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This study demonstrates that the tax rate assumed when adjusting "special items" (like restructuring charges) for empirical accounting research can significantly impact results, with extreme tax rate assumptions – particularly the highest statutory rate – leading to substantially biased estimates. The research finds that the marginal tax rate generally represents the best estimate of the true tax rate for these adjustments.
The researchers analyzed 71 studies published since 1980 that included special items and earnings measures, modeling the empirical implications of different tax rate assumptions using the income-transfer framework. They then replicated models, compared coefficients, and assessed total income transfer under various tax rate scenarios, including pre-tax models as a baseline, to determine the most accurate tax rate assumption.
This research provides a guide for future researchers, highlighting the importance of carefully considering tax rate assumptions when including special items in their analyses and offering insights for interpreting existing research. The findings suggest that using marginal tax rates, with some exceptions, will yield more reliable and less biased results compared to extreme or arbitrary tax rate choices.
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This study re-examines the relationship between IPO pricing and analyst coverage, finding that while initial returns correlate with total coverage, this association is now primarily driven by unafliated analysts. Importantly, the offer price revision—the change in price during the roadshow—is a stronger predictor of coverage by unafliated analysts than the initial return itself.
The researchers analyzed a sample of domestic commercial IPOs from mid-2002 through 2020, focusing on the impact of offer price revisions and initial returns on analyst coverage and recommendations. They employed multivariate analyses, including path analysis, to assess the direct and indirect relationships between these factors and analyst behavior, differentiating between afliated and unafliated analysts.
These findings suggest that unafliated analysts base their coverage decisions on anticipated institutional investor demand, as signaled by the offer price revision, rather than solely on underpricing. This highlights the importance of the book-building process and the role of price revisions in attracting analyst attention to IPOs, particularly after regulatory changes impacting analyst activities.
The PCAOB inspections process over global network firms: synthesizing the perspective of former inspectors with prior research
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This study synthesizes prior academic research with in-depth interviews of 29 former PCAOB inspectors to provide a detailed, phase-based understanding of the inspection process for global network firms. The research identifies key activities and challenges within each phase—hiring/training, planning, execution, and resolution—clarifying how inspections operate in practice.
The researchers conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews with former PCAOB inspectors who participated in global network firm inspections between 2004 and 2023. Insights from these interviews were integrated with existing academic literature, PCAOB guidance, and other relevant sources to develop a four-phase taxonomy of the inspection process.
This work offers a structured foundation for researchers, practitioners, and regulators to evaluate and strengthen audit oversight, particularly given current scrutiny of the PCAOB’s structure and independence. The resulting taxonomy highlights areas where further research is critical and provides a comprehensive account of how inspections unfold, informing ongoing debates about the agency’s future.
Algorithmic trading and intra-industry information transfer
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This study demonstrates that algorithmic trading amplifies the transmission of intra-industry information, specifically increasing stock price reactions to the earnings announcements of peer firms that report earlier in the same fiscal quarter. This effect is primarily driven by the dissemination of industry-specific information.
The researchers analyzed a comprehensive U.S. sample of firm-quarter observations from 2012 to 2021, using earnings announcement dates from Compustat and algorithmic trading data from MIDAS. They measured intra-industry information transfer using cumulative abnormal returns and constructed proxies for algorithmic trading activity, such as cancel-to-trade ratios and trade-to-order ratios.
These findings illuminate the informational role of algorithmic trading and its positive contribution to market efficiency by enhancing price discovery. The study suggests that algorithmic trading, particularly through sector exchange-traded funds, facilitates the diffusion of industry information, improving the accuracy and speed of price adjustments.
Round number reference points and irregular patterns in reported gross margins
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This study identifies irregular patterns in the distribution of firms' reported quarterly gross margin percentages, specifically a tendency to cluster around easily divisible or round numbers like 30%, 40%, 25%, and 75%. These patterns suggest that firms may be implicitly using these numbers as psychological reference points when reporting financial data.
The researchers analyzed a dataset of quarterly financial statement data, comparing the observed distribution of gross margins to counterfactual distributions generated using polynomial fitting. They then investigated characteristics of firms reporting highly round gross margins, examining factors like firm size, effort, productivity, goal difficulty, and CEO compensation structure to understand the motivations behind this behavior.
The findings support the idea that preferences for round gross margins are likely driven by intrinsic, rather than extrinsic, motivations, as there is limited evidence linking these patterns to external rewards. This suggests that managers may be motivated by psychological factors when reporting financial performance, adding to the understanding of reference-dependent preferences in accounting.
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This research provides a comprehensive overview of accounting-related regulatory changes across the 27 European Union countries and the United Kingdom since 1993, identifying an average of 16 regulatory events occurring in a typical difference-in-differences research design. The study highlights the interdisciplinary nature of these changes, with an average of 3.4 out of four accounting disciplines being affected.
The analysis is based on an extensive literature review, a survey, and input from country and topic experts, culminating in a publicly available website () that visually represents these events and provides supporting documentation. This approach allows for a detailed classification of regulatory changes by topic and the firms to which they apply.
This work aims to reduce the costs for researchers, reviewers, and editors studying EU regulations, improve research design by identifying concurrent regulatory events, and highlight opportunities for further research on the EU and its member states. The accompanying website serves as a valuable resource for navigating the complex EU regulatory landscape.
Reciprocity in Corporate Tax Compliance—Evidence from Ozone Pollution
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This research demonstrates a link between environmental quality and corporate tax behavior, finding that firms reduce tax planning when local pollution decreases due to stricter regulations. This suggests a reciprocity-based relationship where firms view taxes as exchange for public goods, including a clean environment.
The study utilizes a framework of tax-public goods reciprocity, analyzing the impact of ground-level ozone pollution and Superfund cleanups on corporate tax planning intensity across US counties. Researchers compared firms headquartered in areas with revised pollution standards to those in other areas, controlling for various factors like public attention and stakeholder orientation.
These findings highlight reciprocity as a key mechanism influencing corporate tax compliance, suggesting that improvements in public goods can encourage greater tax responsibility. This research offers insights for policymakers seeking to leverage environmental regulations to promote responsible corporate financial behavior.
Bank Supervision and Organizational Capital: The Case of Minority Lending
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This research demonstrates that banks exhibit increased mortgage lending to minority borrowers following supervisory enforcement actions, suggesting improvements to internal controls can have positive social impacts. The magnitude of this increase is linked to the severity of the enforcement action and the stringency of the supervising authority.
Researchers analyzed bank enforcement decisions and orders (EDOs) alongside mortgage origination data, employing a semisupervised machine learning approach to categorize the content of EDOs. This allowed them to determine which types of improvements mandated by EDOs – such as loan policy revisions or employee training – were most strongly associated with increased lending to minority borrowers.
These findings suggest that regulatory oversight can inadvertently foster greater financial inclusion by incentivizing banks to strengthen their organizational capital and address deficiencies in lending practices. This highlights a potential pathway for regulators to achieve both financial stability and positive social outcomes.
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This research demonstrates that when bank regulators publicly disclose their supervisory actions, it leads to increased enforcement activity and a shift in *how* they enforce regulations. Specifically, regulators issue more enforcement decisions, intervene earlier, and emphasize public signaling in their documentation following the change in disclosure policy.
The study utilizes a unique dataset of enforcement decisions and orders (EDOs) alongside a naturally occurring shift in regulatory disclosure rules. Researchers analyzed changes in EDO characteristics – length, complexity, and content – and correlated them with factors like news circulation and bank outcomes, controlling for events like the S&L crisis.
These findings suggest that regulatory transparency influences regulator behavior, potentially impacting bank stability as evidenced by declining uninsured deposits and accelerated failure rates despite improved bank financials. This highlights the importance of understanding the interplay between regulatory disclosure, public perception, and actual banking outcomes.
Issue Information ‐ Request for Registered Reports
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The Journal of Accounting Research (JAR) will accept registered report proposals every three years, with the 2024 conference mirroring the 2021 format.
JAR utilizes a three-stage Registration-based Editorial Process (REP) for proposal evaluation, including an early-stage conference to provide author feedback between stages one and two.
A virtual conference dedicated to registered report proposals will be held on October 24-25, 2024, encouraging rigorous, pre-result research in accounting.
Mark-to-Market, Loan Retention, and Loan Origination
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This research demonstrates that mark-to-market accounting (MTM) for banks impacts their lending practices, leading to more accurate loan valuations and increased risk retention. However, MTM can also inadvertently decrease the quantity and quality of loans originated.
The study analyzes the effects of MTM versus historic cost accounting (HC) on banks operating within an originate-to-distribute lending model, examining how accounting measurement influences origination and retention decisions. This was achieved through theoretical modeling and comparative analysis of the two accounting methods.
These findings suggest that while MTM improves financial reporting accuracy, regulators should be aware of its potential to discourage lending and lower loan quality, necessitating a careful balance between transparency and economic activity. The results have implications for financial regulation and accounting standards related to bank lending.
Disclosure Speed: Evidence from Nonpublic SEC Investigations
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This study finds that firms with stronger external monitoring and higher litigation risk disclose SEC investigations significantly faster, while those with entrenched managers disclose them more slowly. Importantly, preemptive disclosures by external parties are linked to lasting increases in trading costs and CEO turnover for less entrenched leaders.
Researchers analyzed cross-sectional data measuring the timing of SEC investigation awareness by managers and the subsequent disclosure lag. They statistically correlated disclosure speed with factors like external monitoring, litigation risk, and managerial entrenchment, also examining market reactions and CEO turnover following disclosures.
These results suggest managers strategically balance the immediate negative consequences of disclosure – like stock price drops – against the greater risks of delayed disclosure and external leaks. This highlights the importance of both internal controls and external oversight in maintaining transparency and mitigating legal and reputational damage.
“Trying to Get Out from under Water”: Paradox and Power in the Audit Senior Associate Role
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Audit senior associates experience persistent tensions stemming from their unique hierarchical position, requiring them to balance contradictory objectives like leading and learning, and responding to urgent needs while focusing on complex tasks. These tensions are navigated through coping mechanisms that either temporarily alleviate pressure by neglecting one objective or, more effectively, by dynamically engaging with both.
This study employed interviews with 45 U.S.-based audit senior associates to explore their experiences and perspectives on their organizational role. Data analysis, informed by Paradox Theory and coping theory, focused on identifying patterns in how seniors respond to inherent paradoxical tensions within their work, particularly in relation to perceived resources and agency.
The research reconceptualizes audit seniors as developing leaders whose capabilities are honed through navigating paradoxical tensions, challenging the conventional view of them solely as experienced associates. These findings offer insights for audit firms to improve human capital development and potentially enhance audit quality by recognizing and addressing the unique challenges faced by this crucial role.
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This research demonstrates that firms named after their owners (eponymous firms) exhibit lower financial transparency, suggesting owners strategically avoid disclosures to protect their personal financial privacy. The effect is strongest when disclosure would reveal sensitive information in contexts with social stigma, rural locations, or environments characterized by secrecy.
The study utilizes data from publicly available sources to analyze the relationship between firm naming conventions, financial disclosure practices, and contextual factors like geographic location and prevailing social norms. Researchers examined whether eponymous ownership correlated with opacity and observed changes in firm naming practices following increased disclosure requirements.
These findings highlight a previously unconsidered motivation for firm opacity – owner-level privacy concerns – which can significantly dampen incentives for financial disclosure and potentially impede market efficiency. Understanding these privacy-driven disclosure decisions is crucial for regulators and investors alike.
Reporting of Investment Expenditure: Should It Be Aggregated with Operating Cash Flows?
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This research demonstrates that there's a point where separating investment expenditures from ongoing cash flow in financial reports becomes detrimental, and that this threshold is surprisingly *lower* when future benefits from those investments are expected to be higher. Essentially, more optimistic investment prospects require a lower tolerance for uncertainty in reporting.
The study employs a normative approach, analyzing how market perceptions of uncertainty and expected benefits should influence mandatory financial reporting of investment expenditures. Researchers established a threshold relating uncertainty in future benefits to the optimal method of reporting investment – either separately or aggregated with operational cash flow.
These findings suggest current financial reporting standards may not optimally reflect the interplay between investment uncertainty and expected returns, and could inform revisions to how companies disclose investment information to outside investors. This has implications for accounting practices (JEL: M40; M41; M48).
The Economics of U.S. Multinational Group Audits: Evidence from PCAOB Data
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This study finds that utilizing component auditors (CAs) in multinational audits leads to increased global audit hours and lower billing rates, suggesting a trade-off between effort and cost. Importantly, U.S. lead audit teams experience higher realization rates when substituting non-U.S. labor, incentivizing greater CA use.
The researchers analyzed data from the PCAOB on 5,631 U.S. issuer audits led by Global Network Firms from 2012 to 2022. They employed issuer fixed-effects models to investigate the relationship between CA participation, engagement production, pricing, and profitability, controlling for unobservable issuer characteristics.
These findings highlight the economic incentives driving the increasing use of CAs in multinational audits, demonstrating cost savings are shared with clients while lead auditors benefit from higher realization rates. The study contributes to understanding audit market dynamics and challenges traditional assumptions of audit production models, particularly regarding labor allocation and cost sharing.
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This research demonstrates that the shift from LIBOR to SOFR as a reference rate is associated with lower yield spreads in the floating rate note (FRN) market, indicating a benefit to debt markets from the transition. Specifically, SOFR-linked FRNs exhibit significantly lower spreads compared to their LIBOR-linked counterparts.
The study analyzed dollar-denominated FRNs, comparing yield spreads between those linked to LIBOR and SOFR, while controlling for issuance by the same entity within the same month and adjusting for derivative market spreads. This approach allowed researchers to isolate the impact of the benchmark transition on FRN pricing.
These findings suggest that SOFR offers enhanced price stability, leading to reduced borrowing costs for issuers of floating rate debt and supporting a smoother transition away from LIBOR. This provides evidence that the benchmark transition has positive effects beyond simply replacing a flawed rate.
Reaching for yield and the housing market: Evidence from 18th-century Amsterdam
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This research demonstrates that wealthy investors in 18th-century Amsterdam exhibited “reach-for-yield” behavior, shifting investments into real estate when bond yields decreased, ultimately causing a boom and bust in the housing market. This behavior also contributed to increased housing wealth inequality.
The study utilizes historical data from 18th-century Amsterdam and exploits exogenous changes in bond supply as a natural experiment to observe investor portfolio shifts. By analyzing these shifts, the research links low bond yields to increased investment in real estate and subsequent market fluctuations.
These findings suggest that reach-for-yield behavior is not a modern phenomenon and can have significant consequences for housing market stability and wealth distribution, even in historical contexts. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for policymakers aiming to mitigate housing market volatility today.
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This research demonstrates that while a single principal can effectively use contracts to mitigate wage risk in a multi-agent, multi-firm setting, compensation benchmarking introduces unintended consequences like positive correlations between wages and peer output, and potential for profit exploitation. Furthermore, with multiple principals, wage benchmarking leads to a counterproductive “rat race” where increased effort doesn’t translate to overall efficiency gains.
The study employs a theoretical model of multiagent multifirm contracting, analyzing how agents benchmark their wages against peers with varying weights both within and across firms. This model allows for examination of optimal contract design under conditions of wage transparency and the resulting impacts on agent effort, wages, and firm profits.
These findings suggest that wage transparency and disclosure policies, while intended to promote fairness, can inadvertently incentivize counterproductive competition and reduce overall economic efficiency. The results highlight the complex interplay between compensation structures, performance evaluation, and strategic behavior in multi-agent environments, with implications for contract design and organizational management.
Aversion to Student Debt? Evidence from Low‐Wage Workers
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This study demonstrates that a minimum wage increase leads to a significant income boost for low-wage workers, coupled with a reduction in their overall debt—specifically, a $2,712 income increase and an $856 debt decrease following an $0.88 minimum wage hike.
Researchers analyzed individual-level income and credit data alongside state minimum wage changes to quantify the impact of wage gains on debt levels, focusing on a three-year period post-increase. The analysis revealed the debt reduction was entirely attributable to decreased student loan borrowing among currently enrolled college students.
These findings suggest that students may view student debt as having a psychological cost, leading them to borrow less when their income increases, a behavior not easily explained by traditional economic models like credit constraints or buffer-stock savings. This supports the idea that mental accounting plays a role in financial decision-making regarding student loans.
Tracing the International Transmission of a Crisis through Multinational Firms
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This research demonstrates that multinational corporations act as conduits for financial shocks across national borders via their internal capital markets, significantly impacting the real economic growth of affiliate companies. Specifically, a credit supply shock originating in Germany was transmitted to international affiliates, leading to financial constraints and reduced growth in those locations.
The study analyzed a credit supply shock affecting parent firms in Germany and tracked the subsequent financial performance of their international affiliates, focusing on internal lending patterns and real growth rates. Researchers examined managerial behavior regarding capital allocation and compared the transmission of credit versus non-financial shocks, also assessing the role of developed credit markets.
These findings highlight the substantial role multinational firms play in global economic interconnectedness and shock transmission, suggesting that events in one country can have significant real effects on others through corporate financial channels. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for policymakers seeking to mitigate the spread of financial instability and promote sustainable global growth.
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This research demonstrates that investors exhibit insensitivity in translating their subjective expectations into actions, meaning their asset valuations are less responsive to changes in expected returns than predicted by standard economic models. This weak transmission of beliefs to actions persists even when institutional frictions are minimized.
The authors conducted a series of controlled laboratory experiments where subjects reported valuations and expectations for a risky asset. They manipulated the complexity of the decision problem and elicited subjects’ cognitive defaults to test the hypothesis that cognitive noise drives the observed insensitivity, and to identify the underlying mechanism.
These findings highlight the importance of incorporating weak transmission channels into belief-based asset pricing models and suggest caution when using subjective expectations data in financial analysis. The results provide microfoundations for inelastic demand in stock markets, potentially stemming from cognitive noise influencing investor behavior.
Banks, Low Interest Rates, and Monetary Policy Transmission
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This research demonstrates that while lower interest rates can initially boost bank lending, they ultimately lead to a contraction in credit supply as deposit spreads compress and erode bank profitability. The study highlights a complex relationship where banks must increase loan spreads to counteract the negative effects of persistently low rates.
The analysis employs a theoretical model examining the impact of declining interest rates on bank intermediation and lending, then tests the model’s predictions using both aggregate U.S. data and bank-level datasets. This approach combines economic modeling with empirical validation to establish a robust understanding of the observed phenomena.
These findings suggest that a higher inflation target could potentially support bank lending in a low-interest-rate environment, though this benefit comes with the trade-off of increased liquidity premia. The research provides valuable insights for policymakers seeking to maintain financial stability and credit availability in a world of secularly declining interest rates.
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Financially unsophisticated consumers significantly alter their spending habits in response to predictable income decreases, unlike their more financially savvy counterparts. This suggests a lack of proactive financial planning among this group, leaving them vulnerable to income fluctuations.
This research utilized detailed account-level data to analyze consumer spending patterns in relation to income changes, controlling for liquidity. Robustness tests, including survey evidence, were employed to isolate the effect of financial sophistication from other potential factors like random shocks or rational financial behavior.
These findings highlight the importance of financial literacy and understanding of financial contracts, as a lack thereof can lead to increased financial instability. Interventions aimed at improving financial sophistication could help consumers better manage income shocks and improve their long-term financial well-being.
Build, Borrow, Buy … or Bail: Divestiture Following Merger and Acquisition Deal Termination
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This research demonstrates that firms often divest resources related to a target company *after* a failed acquisition attempt, suggesting a strategic pivot rather than simply addressing underperformance or redundancy. This divestiture behavior is particularly pronounced when the bidding firm lacks critical resources that the acquisition would have provided.
The study employs a novel matching technique, comparing successful and unsuccessful acquisition bids based on the perceived risk of failure as indicated by arbitrage spreads. This approach augments existing methodologies to isolate the effect of failed acquisitions on subsequent divestiture decisions.
These findings expand our understanding of post-acquisition strategy, highlighting divestiture as a potential response to deal failure and revealing the importance of resource complementarity and strategic fit. The results suggest that firms proactively manage stranded assets following failed deals, especially when those assets represent significant opportunity costs.
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This work defines corporate purpose—both at the organizational and societal levels—as an institutionalized ideal and value-based aspiration that guides strategic decisions, representing a shift away from shareholder capitalism towards sustainable prosperity. The authors argue that a clear corporate purpose is fundamentally about enhancing the lives of people.
This introduction synthesizes diverse viewpoints presented in a special issue dedicated to corporate purpose, building upon those insights to formulate a cohesive understanding of the concept. The analysis draws on historical context, tracing the evolution of purpose within corporate strategy and its displacement by shareholder primacy.
The authors identify four key strategic issues—governance, leadership, engagement, and implementation—for organizations seeking to redefine their purpose and integrate it into their core strategy. Re-centering purpose is presented as crucial for achieving sustainable capitalism and a more meaningful role for corporations in society.
The Strategic Imperative: Do We Need Normative Considerations in Strategic Theories of Stakeholder Engagement?
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This paper argues that the emerging “new stakeholder theory” (NST) in strategy research lacks explicit articulation of its underlying normative assumptions, hindering a complete understanding of its implications. Addressing this gap is crucial for clarifying acceptable managerial behavior and defining the scope of stakeholder engagement.
The research is a conceptual and theoretical analysis, critically examining the current state of NST literature and identifying the need for a more robust foundation in normative ethics. It proposes incorporating normative considerations as an initial analytical step before making predictions or explanations within the theory.
Explicitly stating normative assumptions within NST will allow for a more nuanced understanding of value creation, stakeholder boundaries, and the definition of “value” itself, ultimately benefiting strategy research involving stakeholder engagement. This approach can also guide managerial practice by clarifying ethical considerations.
Motives, Gender, and Experience: Performance Effects in Crowdsourcing Contests
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This research confirms the “performance revision effect” in crowdsourcing competitions—contestants demonstrably reduce effort when facing more skilled opponents, with an average performance decline of 20%. Importantly, this effect is amplified for female and more experienced participants.
Researchers utilized a quasiexperimental design, analyzing data from 1,677 coders on the Topcoder platform across 38 matches. A regression discontinuity approach, leveraging Topcoder’s skill-based divisions, was employed to isolate the impact of opponent ability on individual performance.
These findings offer valuable insights for crowdsourcing platform operators, highlighting how contest design impacts performance differently for various participant demographics. Understanding these nuances allows for data-driven decisions to optimize contest structures and mitigate potential performance losses.
Revisiting Internal Capital Market Efficiency: A Strategic View
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This research demonstrates that firm-specific industry effects (FSIE) – how much a firm’s divisions are driven by industry versus firm characteristics – significantly influence capital allocation decisions and their impact on firm value. The study challenges the assumption that capital allocation is simply about shifting funds to divisions in attractive industries, revealing a more nuanced relationship.
Researchers developed a novel measure, FSIE, to quantify the extent to which a firm’s divisions are influenced by industry factors. They then empirically tested the association between FSIE, conformity to industry-comparing capital allocation logic, and resulting firm value using data from multi-business firms.
These findings suggest that prior research may have overstated inefficiencies in internal capital markets by not accounting for firm-specific factors. Understanding FSIE is crucial for accurately assessing capital allocation strategies and their contribution to firm value, highlighting the importance of firm idiosyncrasies in corporate decision-making.
Self‐compassion at work: A self‐regulation perspective on its beneficial effects for work performance and wellbeing
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This research demonstrates that adopting a self-compassionate mindset at work—treating oneself with kindness and understanding—boosts daily performance, wellbeing, resilience, and even a sense of meaning in one’s work. Specifically, work self-compassion appears to build resources and motivation, leading to positive outcomes.
Researchers conducted an experimental study using experience sampling, tracking employees’ mindset and outcomes over time, and a supplemental study examining the relationship between state self-compassion and work results. This approach allowed them to link a work self-compassionate mindset to improvements in resource capacity, motivation, and ultimately, work performance and wellbeing.
These findings suggest that fostering self-compassion in the workplace is not merely a ‘nice-to-have’ but a potentially powerful strategy for enhancing employee engagement, resilience, and overall organizational success, independent of support received from others. This highlights the importance of internal resources in navigating workplace challenges.
From Text to Insight: Leveraging Large Language Models for Performance Evaluation in Management
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This research demonstrates that Large Language Models (LLMs) can reliably evaluate text-based task performance, often *surpassing* the accuracy of human raters when compared to expert consensus. Newer LLM architectures, in particular, show strong correlations with expert evaluations and improved consistency.
The study analyzed 744 knowledge-based task outputs, comparing ratings from several LLM architectures (GPT-4, GPT-5, etc.) against individual and aggregated human ratings, using external expert consensus as the gold standard. Researchers assessed both the correlation with expert consensus and the models’ resistance to common biases like halo effects.
These findings validate LLMs as valuable tools for supplementing human evaluation, offering a scalable and potentially more accurate approach to assessing text-based work. The research provides guidance for selecting appropriate LLMs based on specific evaluation needs and the importance of minimizing bias.
The power of difference: Where the complexities of diversity and inclusion meet practical solutions by SimonFanshawe (Ed.), New York, NY: Kogan Page. 2022. p. 250. $25.95 soft cover
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Fanshawe’s *The Power of Difference* argues that genuine diversity and inclusion require more than superficial efforts; it necessitates a fundamental shift in organizational culture and a willingness to embrace discomfort and productive conflict. The book emphasizes that diversity isn’t about meeting quotas, but about leveraging different perspectives for innovation and problem-solving.
This analysis is a book review of Fanshawe’s *The Power of Difference*, examining its core arguments and organizational structure. The review synthesizes key themes and illustrative examples from each section of the book, highlighting Fanshawe’s use of storytelling, personal experience, and historical context to convey his points about diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The book challenges conventional approaches to DE&I, suggesting that organizations should prioritize creating environments where individuals feel safe enough to express their full identities and engage in open dialogue. It implies that leadership must foster curiosity, embrace change, and understand the context surrounding challenges to effectively leverage the power of difference within teams and organizations.
Getting to diversity: What works and what doesn't by FrankDobbin and AlexandraKalevCambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. 2022. 199 pages, $29.95 hardcover
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This research demonstrates that conventional DEI practices—like diversity training and formal rules—often fail to increase representation of diverse groups in management and can even backfire. The key to progress lies in systemic changes to recruitment, mentoring, and skill development, ensuring accessibility for all.
The authors conducted a comprehensive, data-driven analysis spanning over 30 years, examining 800 companies through in-depth manager interviews and analysis of HR policies from 1971-2015. They compared organizational conditions before and after DEI initiatives to isolate genuine effects, accounting for other relevant factors.
The findings urge a shift away from individual behavior modification towards systemic solutions for DEI. Organizations should prioritize revamping management systems, focusing on inclusive recruitment, mentorship, and skill development, rather than relying on ineffective training or formal rules to achieve lasting, equitable representation.
Moderation in all things, except when it comes to workplace safety: Accidents are most likely to occur under moderately hazardous work conditions
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This research demonstrates an inverted-U relationship between workplace hazardousness and accident rates, meaning accidents are *most* likely to occur in moderately hazardous environments, not the most dangerous ones. This counterintuitive finding stems from a tendency for individuals to exhibit a proportional, rather than sharply increased, safety response to perceived hazards.
The researchers tested their hypotheses using a mixed-methods approach, combining archival data analysis from real-world work settings (Studies 1 & 2) with controlled laboratory experiments (Studies 3 & 4). These four studies allowed for both observation of the inverted-U relationship and investigation into the underlying behavioral mechanisms driving it.
These results suggest that current safety training often fails to emphasize the *non-linear* increase in safety behavior needed to effectively mitigate risk as hazardousness increases. Effective safety interventions should focus on educating workers to proactively and significantly elevate safety precautions even with small increases in workplace hazards.
Every Sherlock needs a Dr. Watson: A theory of creativity catalysts in organizations
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This study demonstrates that coworkers can act as catalysts for creativity, but this effect isn’t always linear; moderate catalytic input is beneficial, while excessive input can hinder creative performance. The strength of the relationship between catalyst and creator, and the catalyst’s own creativity, significantly influence this effect.
Researchers utilized social capital theory and the ability-motivation framework to examine the characteristics of potential catalysts and the nature of their relationships with creators. They analyzed the relationship strength, catalyst creativity, and network overlap (dyadic redundancy) to understand contributions to creative performance.
These findings highlight the importance of balanced collaborative support in fostering creativity, suggesting that organizations should consider both the quality and quantity of coworker interactions. This research introduces a nuanced understanding of catalytic contributions, an often-overlooked aspect of creativity research.
An uncertainty management perspective on the antecedents of leader self‐serving behavior
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This research demonstrates that leader job insecurity is linked to self-serving behaviors, driven by increased anxiety and self-focused thinking. However, a just organizational climate can buffer this effect, reducing the likelihood of leaders prioritizing their own interests.
Researchers tested their theoretical model using a three-wave field study, collecting data from 481 leader-follower pairs to examine the relationships between job insecurity, anxiety, self-serving cognitions, and leader behavior. This longitudinal design allowed for assessment of how these factors influence each other over time.
These findings highlight the importance of fostering organizational justice to mitigate negative leadership behaviors stemming from leader insecurity, offering practical insights for leadership development and organizational design. Understanding the emotional and cognitive drivers of self-serving behavior can help create more equitable and effective workplaces.
Resetting relationship trajectories: A reconceptualization of the relationship repair process
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This research identifies that negative events, or "relationship threats," damage coworker relationships and have lasting negative consequences for both individuals and the organization. The study reconceptualizes relationship repair beyond just trust repair, proposing two additional key processes: relationship work and sensemaking.
This work is a conceptual paper that builds upon existing research on trust repair to expand the understanding of how coworker relationships can be restored after disruption. It emphasizes the importance of considering a relationship’s history and narrative foundations when determining effective repair strategies.
By identifying narrative foundations as a key mechanism linking disruption and repair, this research provides a more comprehensive framework for understanding and improving coworker relationships. This expanded conceptualization can help organizations proactively address relationship threats and foster a more positive and productive work environment.
Multilevel outcomes of creativity in organizations: An integrative review and agenda for future research
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This review highlights that while employee creativity is vital for organizational success, its impact isn't always positive and manifests across multiple levels—individual, team, and organization. A comprehensive understanding of both the benefits *and* costs of employee creativity is currently lacking in the literature.
The authors conducted a multilevel review of existing theories, methodologies, and constructs used in creativity research to systematically examine the outcomes associated with employee creativity. This involved synthesizing a broad range of studies to identify patterns and gaps in our current knowledge.
This work offers managers insights into the complex relationship between employee creativity and organizational performance, allowing for more informed strategies for fostering and managing creative contributions. Furthermore, the review pinpoints key areas for future research to build a more holistic understanding of creativity’s impact.
Anger for good? Unethical‐behavior‐targeted leader anger expression and its consequences on team outcomes
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This research demonstrates that when leaders express anger towards employees’ unethical behavior, it can surprisingly *increase* team performance and cohesion, but only under specific conditions. The positive effects are channeled through a perception of fairness related to punishment.
Researchers conducted two field studies over time, observing real teams and their leaders to analyze the relationship between leader anger expression, perceptions of fairness (specifically a ‘punishment-based’ climate), and team outcomes like organizational citizenship behavior and team viability. They also examined how a leader’s own moral standards (moral decoupling) influenced these relationships.
These findings suggest that addressing unethical behavior with anger isn’t always detrimental; it can motivate positive team behaviors if employees perceive the response as fair and consistent with a clear disciplinary approach, but leaders must also maintain strong ethical standards themselves. This highlights the complex role of emotions in leadership and the importance of fairness perceptions.
Authenticity or Self-Enhancement? Effects of Self-Presentation and Authentic Leadership on Trust and Performance
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This research demonstrates that how employees present themselves—specifically through authentic self-expression and self-enhancement—impacts job performance, but the nature of that impact differs depending on the presentation style and the authenticity of their leaders. Authentic self-expression generally boosts performance via coworker trust, while self-enhancement has mixed effects, sometimes hindering performance.
Researchers employed a two-wave survey design, collecting data from 566 employees across 143 working groups to test a model linking self-presentation strategies to job performance through the mediating roles of trust from and felt trust by coworkers. Statistical analysis revealed both direct and indirect effects, as well as a moderating effect of leader authenticity.
These findings highlight the importance of fostering authentic self-expression in the workplace and suggest that self-enhancement strategies can be detrimental if not carefully managed, particularly under less authentic leadership. Organizations should prioritize developing leaders who model authenticity to maximize the benefits of employee self-presentation.
Strengthening the Theoretical Perspective on Action in Routines Research With the Analytical Philosophy of Agency
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This paper introduces the Analytical Theory of Agency (ATA) as a valuable, yet underutilized, philosophical framework for understanding action, particularly within the context of routines research. ATA offers a nuanced perspective on intentionality, action types, and collective agency, providing a stronger theoretical foundation for studying routines.
The research is a conceptual analysis, expounding on the principles of ATA and applying them to existing debates in routines research. It identifies key conceptual challenges within the field and demonstrates how ATA can address them, offering a microfoundational approach to understanding routine actions.
By leveraging ATA, researchers can enhance the theoretical rigor of routines research and gain a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms of action and agency. This work highlights both the potential benefits and limitations of applying ATA to management studies, suggesting avenues for future research.
More Than Words: A Risk Regulation Model of Supervisor Gratitude Expression, Felt Appreciation, and Subordinate Voice
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This research demonstrates that the effectiveness of supervisor gratitude in fostering employee voice hinges on aligning the *type* of gratitude expressed (agentic vs. communal) with the individual subordinate’s preference; congruence between expression and preference positively impacts felt appreciation and encourages employees to speak up. Specifically, when supervisors express gratitude in a way that resonates with an employee’s needs, it boosts their sense of being valued and reduces perceived risk in voicing opinions.
The study employed a rigorous, multi-method approach, beginning with a five-step scale development process across four samples to establish valid measures of gratitude expression and preference. This was followed by a multiwave field survey of 124 supervisor-subordinate dyads, and further supported by two supplementary experiments examining the underlying mechanisms linking appreciation to voice.
These findings highlight the nuanced role of gratitude in the workplace, suggesting that a “one-size-fits-all” approach to expressing appreciation is ineffective. Organizations should focus on understanding individual employee preferences for gratitude expression to maximize its positive impact on felt appreciation and, ultimately, encourage valuable employee voice and reduce relational risk.
Coworker Narcissism: Employee Emotional and Behavioral Reactions as Moderated by Bottom-Line Mentality and Trait Competitiveness
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This research demonstrates that coworker narcissistic rivalry evokes negative emotions in employees, which then influences counterproductive behaviors and work motivation—but *how* it influences these outcomes depends on the employee’s competitive style. Specifically, a defensive competitive posture amplifies social undermining, while an offensive competitive posture heightens motivation to outperform the rival.
The researchers conducted three studies utilizing social function of emotions theory to investigate the relationship between coworker narcissism, employee emotions, and behavioral responses. They examined the moderating roles of “bottom-line mentality” (defensive competition) and trait competitiveness (offensive competition) in this process.
These findings suggest that understanding employees’ competitive tendencies is crucial for managing the negative consequences of workplace narcissism. Organizations should consider individual differences in competitive style when addressing conflict and fostering a healthy, productive work environment.
Partnering for Grand Challenges: A Review of Organizational Design Considerations in Public–Private Collaborations
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This review reveals that public-private collaborations (PPCs) addressing grand challenges exhibit a diverse range of organizational forms and inherent complexities, particularly concerning the influence of private sector actors. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for effectively tackling large-scale societal problems.
The authors conducted a theory-guided review of existing literature on public-private partnerships and grand challenges, utilizing an organization design approach to identify key constructs within these collaborations. This involved synthesizing insights from both fields to analyze how PPCs are structured to address complex societal issues.
This research offers a new perspective on the interface between public and private sectors in addressing global challenges, opening avenues for future research into the conditions under which these collaborations are most effective and impactful. It highlights the need to understand *when*, *why*, and *how* PPCs contribute to solving societal problems.
How Culture Shapes the Influence of Work Design Characteristics: A Narrative and Meta-Analytic Review
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This research demonstrates that cultural dimensions significantly moderate the relationship between work design characteristics and employee outcomes like job satisfaction and performance, moving beyond simple linear effects to consider complex configurations of cultural values. The study identifies how different cultural contexts alter the impact of job characteristics on worker wellbeing and productivity.
The authors conducted a meta-analysis of existing literature, combining quantitative regressions to assess individual cultural dimensions as moderators with qualitative comparative analysis to examine how *combinations* of cultural dimensions influence the work design-outcome relationship. This approach utilized a proposed typology of work design universals as a guiding framework for analysis.
These findings suggest that a one-size-fits-all approach to work design is ineffective and that organizations must consider cultural context when implementing job design strategies to maximize employee satisfaction and performance. Future research should continue to explore these complex cross-cultural relationships in a systematic and integrative manner.
Standing on the Shoulders of (Male) Giants: Gender Inequality and the Technological Impact of Scientific Ideas
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This research demonstrates that scientific papers authored by women receive fewer citations in patents compared to those authored by men, even when accounting for simultaneous discoveries, suggesting a systemic bias in how inventions build upon scientific work. This disparity isn’t easily explained by differences in resources or scientific approach.
The study analyzed over 10 million scientific papers linked to patented inventions, alongside a focused analysis of simultaneously published research, and was supplemented by an online experiment with 400 PhD-holding scientists. This mixed-methods approach allowed researchers to explore both large-scale citation patterns and potential cognitive biases.
These findings indicate that gender inequality impacts the cumulative nature of technological innovation, potentially creating friction in science-based development and highlighting the need to address biases in how scientific contributions are valued. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for fostering a more equitable and efficient innovation ecosystem.
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This essay argues that organizations themselves can exhibit democratic or authoritarian characteristics, and that understanding this internal organizational democracy is crucial for comprehending broader societal trends. The extent to which organizations are democratically organized—allowing for worker participation—deserves increased scholarly attention.
The authors present a conceptual framework for assessing organizational democracy, considering various levels of worker participation. They advocate for further research examining the relationship between democratic organizing within organizations and outcomes at both the organizational and societal levels, building on existing work linking workplace participation to civic engagement.
Recognizing the internal democratic structure of organizations is vital, as it impacts not only organizational performance but also shapes citizens’ expectations and participation in wider political life. Future research should focus on how organizational structures contribute to, or detract from, democratic values and practices within society.
How Does Network Structure Impact Socially Reinforced Diffusion?
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This research demonstrates that the effectiveness of clustered versus random networks in spreading complex contagions hinges on the duration of engagement with the contagion and the probability of adoption with each contact. Contrary to some expectations, random networks can outperform clustered networks in complex contagion scenarios if engagement time is sufficient, even with low individual adoption probabilities.
Researchers developed a simplified framework analyzing the dynamics of complex contagion spread, focusing on the interplay between network structure (random vs. clustered), engagement duration, and adoption probabilities. They modeled how factors like sender/receiver inactivation and repetition influence the speed and reach of diffusion processes within these networks.
These findings have practical implications for designing social networks and strategies for disseminating information or innovations, particularly in contexts with high content volume and limited attention spans. Understanding the balance between network clustering, engagement time, and adoption rates is crucial for maximizing the impact of social contagions.
Opening the Aperture: Explaining the Complementary Roles of Advice and Testing When Forming Entrepreneurial Strategy
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This research demonstrates that simply *receiving* advice doesn't lead to strategic adaptation for entrepreneurial firms; instead, actively *co-producing* advice – challenging advisors and translating suggestions into actionable steps – is crucial for generating and testing strategy alternatives. Firms that co-produced advice ultimately tested more alternatives, explored broader markets, and adapted their strategies successfully.
Researchers conducted an 11-month field study observing 25 founders from 12 food and agriculture firms as they interacted with 34 advisors within an entrepreneurship training program, capturing 165 advice interactions across three phases. This allowed for a detailed, longitudinal analysis of how advice was given, received, and ultimately integrated (or not) into firm strategy.
These findings highlight the importance of a dynamic view of advice-seeking, moving beyond static attributes of advisors or entrepreneurs to focus on the *process* of interaction; it suggests entrepreneurship programs should emphasize collaborative problem-solving between founders and advisors, rather than simply delivering expert opinions, to foster strategic innovation and testing.
When Do Firms Crack Under Pressure? Legal Professionals, Negative Role Models, and Organizational Misconduct
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This research demonstrates that underperforming firms are more likely to engage in organizational misconduct, particularly when legal professionals with decision-making power are present. However, the presence of industry peers previously caught in misconduct actually *reduces* a firm’s likelihood of engaging in similar behavior.
The study utilized longitudinal data from material legal claims filed against S&P 1500 firms between 2000 and 2017, testing predictions derived from strain theory, institutional arguments, and social learning principles. This approach allowed for an examination of how performance pressure, legal professional influence, and negative role models impact organizational misconduct over time.
These findings extend strain theory by highlighting the roles of both internal actors (legal professionals) and external influences (peer misconduct) in shaping a firm’s response to performance shortfalls, offering insights into the dynamics of ethical behavior within organizations. Understanding these mechanisms can inform strategies for mitigating misconduct risk and promoting ethical decision-making.
“Why I Searched Alone”: Understanding Mothers’ Hesitation to Seek Network Assistance During Workforce Reentry
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This research demonstrates that mothers re-entering the workforce after career breaks are significantly less likely to utilize job search networks, even when access isn’t a barrier, due to internal sociopsychological obstacles. This reduced network activation persists even when controlling for factors like employment gap length and network size.
The study combines quantitative analysis of panel data from a representative sample of Korean job seekers with qualitative insights from in-depth interviews with 60 mothers and 38 other individuals (fathers, non-mothers, and mothers without career breaks). This mixed-methods approach allowed researchers to identify and explore the underlying reasons for observed behavioral patterns.
These findings challenge conventional theories focused on network *access* and highlight the importance of sociopsychological barriers in perpetuating gender inequalities in the labor market, potentially leading to mothers accepting overqualified positions. The research opens new avenues for understanding how internal conflicts can hinder career reintegration and suggests a need for interventions addressing these psychological hurdles.
The Company She Seeks: How the Prismatic Effects of Ties to High-Status Network Contacts Can Reduce Status for Women in Groups
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This research demonstrates that while women are often advised to build instrumental ties with high-status individuals for career advancement, these connections can paradoxically *lower* their perceived status within groups due to violations of communal gender norms. Women with high-status ties are often seen as less communal, leading to negative perceptions from other group members.
The researchers conducted five studies—including cross-sectional, longitudinal, and experimental designs—to test their model linking instrumental ties, gender perceptions, and status conferral. They examined how network connections influenced perceptions of both women and men within group settings, and tested a mitigation strategy involving signaling group-oriented goals.
These findings reveal a potential dilemma for women navigating workplace networks: high-status connections are beneficial yet carry social costs. Organizations should proactively address these perceptual biases and explore solutions that support women in leveraging high-status networks without incurring status penalties.
For Better <i>and</i> Worse: How Proactive Personality Alters the Strain Responses to Challenge and Hindrance Stressors
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This research demonstrates that the relationship between proactive personality and strain (emotional exhaustion & turnover) depends on the *type* of work stressor; proactive individuals experience less strain from challenges but *more* strain from hindrances. Perceived organizational support explains this interaction, acting as a key mediator.
Researchers conducted a three-wave longitudinal survey of 256 architects, collecting data on proactive personality, chronic work stressors (challenge vs. hindrance), perceived organizational support, emotional exhaustion, and turnover intentions. Statistical analysis confirmed hypothesized interactions and mediation effects, with a follow-up analysis examining actual turnover behavior 2.5 years later.
These findings refine our understanding of how proactive personality impacts stress, highlighting the importance of considering the *nature* of stressors and the role of organizational support. Organizations should focus on fostering supportive environments, particularly when assigning challenging tasks to proactive employees, to maximize engagement and minimize burnout.
Changing tracks: How status affects category shifts in the Korean popular music industry
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This research demonstrates that the status of entertainment agencies significantly influences how they position their artists (idol groups) within the music market, aligning with dominant or radical categories. However, this influence is notably weaker for female artists due to pre-existing gender expectations within the industry.
The study utilized a unique dataset from the Korean popular music industry to analyze the category-shifting behaviors of idol groups and the strategies employed by entertainment agencies of varying status. Statistical analysis was used to test hypotheses regarding the relationship between producer status, artist category shifts, and the moderating role of gender.
These findings challenge the notion that category shifting is solely limiting in creative industries, highlighting its potential benefits and the importance of producer status in navigating market categories. The research also underscores the persistent impact of institutional gender norms, revealing how they constrain strategic options even for powerful industry players.
Caveat emptor as an obstacle to business transfers: Effect of product line liability exceptions on acquisitions, entry, and exit
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This research demonstrates that legal changes increasing acquirer liability in product line acquisitions lead to fewer acquisitions of manufacturing establishments, increased business closures, and decreased entry of new manufacturing firms. The effect is amplified when physical capital is less easily resold and for smaller businesses.
Researchers analyzed US establishment data, focusing on the impact of judicial adoptions of product line exceptions – legal rulings that increased potential liabilities for acquirers. They compared acquisition and exit rates for manufacturing versus non-manufacturing establishments before and after these legal changes, controlling for industry and firm size.
These findings highlight the crucial role of the acquisition market in facilitating business transfers and entrepreneurial dynamism; hindering acquisitions also impacts entry and exit decisions. This underscores the importance of considering the broader market effects of legal and regulatory changes affecting business transactions.
A cognitive perspective on real options investment: <scp>CEO</scp> overconfidence
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This research demonstrates that overconfident CEOs invest less in real options compared to their non-overconfident counterparts, and this effect is amplified during times of high market uncertainty. The study provides empirical evidence linking managerial cognitive biases to strategic investment decisions.
Researchers analyzed a sample of U.S. public firms, utilizing multiple measures of CEO overconfidence and real option investments while rigorously controlling for potential selection biases and endogeneity concerns. This involved statistical tests to establish the relationship between CEO overconfidence, market uncertainty, and firm-level real option intensity.
These findings suggest that cognitive biases significantly impact a firm’s strategic flexibility, potentially leading to suboptimal investment decisions and highlighting the importance of considering behavioral factors in real options valuation and corporate strategy. Understanding these biases can help improve investment strategies and firm performance, especially in uncertain environments.
The racial gap in entrepreneurship and opportunities inside established firms
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This study demonstrates that intrapreneurship – launching ventures within established firms – offers a more inclusive entrepreneurial pathway for Black employees compared to traditional entrepreneurship. Black employees are more likely to engage in intrapreneurship and achieve greater financial performance with internal ventures than with standalone startups.
Researchers analyzed data from the Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics II (PSED II), a representative sample of American new business founders in 2005. They examined patterns of venture creation, distinguishing between standalone entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship, to test hypotheses related to racial disparities and the influence of discrimination.
The findings highlight the importance of fostering intrapreneurship as a strategy to level the playing field for racial minorities in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. By providing a more supportive environment, intrapreneurship can promote greater inclusion and career mobility for Black individuals pursuing innovative ventures.
Online communities on competing platforms: Evidence from game wikis
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This research demonstrates that a platform’s competitive position significantly impacts both the size and productivity of its volunteer contributor community, ultimately driving platform success. Specifically, stronger platforms exhibit higher activity levels due to a larger number of contributors *and* increased contributions from existing members.
Researchers analyzed data from 13 game wiki communities across two competing platforms, examining the relationship between platform competitive position, contributor activity, and overall community size. This involved quantifying activity levels and identifying high-productivity contributors to understand how these factors correlate with platform success.
These findings highlight the importance of fostering a robust and motivated contributor base for crowdsourced platforms, suggesting that strategies focused on attracting more contributors and enhancing individual productivity are crucial for both entry and growth. Understanding the link between competitive position and contributor behavior can inform managerial approaches to community building and platform development.
A Theory of Strategic Boundary Control for Remote Work
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This research proposes a new framework for understanding how organizations strategically manage remote work by controlling work-nonwork boundaries, linking these controls to the organization’s human capital views and the degree of work interdependence. The core argument is that strategic choices around these factors shape the design of HRM systems for remote work, influencing where, when, and how work gets done.
The study utilizes boundary control theory and the strategic human resource management (SHRM) perspective to develop a theoretical model. It posits relationships between strategic choices – human capital views and work interdependence – and the configuration of remote work policies and technology processes within HRM systems.
This framework offers practical guidance for organizations seeking to optimize remote work arrangements and enhance performance. By understanding the interplay between strategic choices, HRM systems, and boundary control, organizations can better resolve tensions and effectively manage a flexible workforce.
Federated Corporate Social Responsibility: Constraining the Responsible Corporation
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This research proposes a new framework called “federated corporate social responsibility” (FCSR), drawing on U.S. federalist theory to address concerns about growing corporate power and the shortcomings of traditional CSR approaches. FCSR suggests a way to structure corporate social action based on principles of divided power and constitutional constraints.
The study utilizes a conceptual and theoretical approach, applying principles of U.S. federalism – including separations of power and constitutionalism – to the realm of corporate social responsibility. It builds upon critiques of mainstream CSR and develops a novel theoretical foundation for arranging and directing corporate power.
FCSR offers a potentially more effective way to manage corporate social impact, even in the absence of strong state oversight or consistent stakeholder accountability, and surprisingly suggests that strategic corporate *in*action can sometimes be beneficial for a balanced distribution of authority. This framework provides managerial strategies for corporations seeking to fulfill their social responsibilities within a complex power ecosystem.
Are You Looking at Me? Orchestrating Voyeuristic Events to Add Value for Those Being Observed
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This research reveals that voyeuristic businesses, specifically those utilizing slum tourism, actively manage the engagement of those being observed through scripting, justification, behavioral control, personalization, and memorialization. These orchestration tactics can temporarily reverse the roles of observer and observed, impacting both the audience and the observees.
Researchers employed an inductive approach, conducting interviews with slum residents (observees), tourists (audience members), and tour guides (orchestrators) within the Dharavi slum to understand the dynamics of voyeuristic interactions. This qualitative data collection allowed for the identification of key strategies used by businesses to manage observee participation.
The findings highlight the complex power dynamics inherent in voyeuristic experiences and demonstrate how businesses attempt to legitimize and enhance these events, even when consent is questionable. Understanding these orchestration techniques is crucial for ethically evaluating and potentially regulating industries that rely on the observation of others.
Does Job Satisfaction Rise and Fall with the Economy? Cross-Sectional, Longitudinal, and Experimental Evidence That Job Satisfaction Increases during Recessions
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This research demonstrates a counterintuitive positive relationship between recessions and job satisfaction; people report higher job satisfaction during economic downturns compared to periods of economic growth. This effect appears to be consistent across both cross-sectional and longitudinal data from the US and UK.
The researchers employed a mixed-methods approach, including analyses of large-scale surveys of American (N=23,335) and British (N=12,859) adults spanning decades, alongside a controlled experiment (N=512) to investigate the underlying mechanisms. They found that perceived job alternatives decreased during simulated recessions, mediating the link between economic conditions and satisfaction.
These findings expand our understanding of job satisfaction by highlighting the significant role of external economic factors, moving beyond traditional in-organization focused research. This suggests that broader economic conditions can powerfully shape employee attitudes, with implications for both individual well-being and organizational behavior during times of economic instability.
Pay Transparency as a Moving Target: A Multistep Model of Pay Compression, <i>I</i>-Deals, and Collectivist Shared Values
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This study demonstrates that firm-level pay transparency leads to a multi-step process where managers compress pay, employees request individualized deals (i-deals), and firms grant these i-deals, effectively shifting reward dispersion from observable to less observable forms. This effect is amplified in organizations with strong collectivist shared values.
Researchers first used a simulation-based experiment to examine the relationship between pay transparency and pay compression. They then conducted a field study of 111 medical device distribution firms, employing a multi-source design to test the proposed model of pay compression, i-deal requests, and i-deal grants.
The findings suggest that pay transparency, while intended to promote fairness, may unintentionally lead to a “moving target” where reward disparities are concealed through increased reliance on less transparent rewards like i-deals. This has implications for both organizational profitability and the effectiveness of pay transparency initiatives as a means of addressing pay disparities.
“Can I Sell You Avocadoes and Talk to You About Contraception?” “Well, It Depends Which Comes First”: Anchor Roles and Asymmetric Boundaries
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This study demonstrates that individuals in the Global South can perceive highly contrasted roles—specifically, self-employment and community-based family planning—as both incompatible and compatible, leading to boundaries of *asymmetric* strength. Boundaries were stronger when interactions stemmed from the community role, but weaker when originating from the work role.
Researchers conducted a qualitative study involving 73 Tanzanian participants who actively engaged in both self-employed work and the community role of family planning counselor. Data was gathered to explore how individuals navigate the contrasting demands and norms inherent in these roles, challenging existing role theory predictions.
These findings expand role theory by highlighting the importance of *role anchoring* and demonstrating that boundary strength isn’t always uniform, particularly within the unique socioeconomic context of the Global South. This research suggests existing models of boundary management may need refinement to account for the complexities of roles in resource-constrained environments.
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This book review centers on Stephen Vladeck’s analysis of the Supreme Court’s increasing reliance on “shadow docket” rulings – decisions issued without full briefing or oral argument – and argues these practices contribute to an expansion of the Court’s power.
The review summarizes and critically assesses Vladeck’s arguments, drawing upon the book’s detailed examination of specific cases and historical trends in Supreme Court procedure.
Vladeck’s work, as reviewed, suggests these opaque rulings erode transparency and accountability within the judicial branch, potentially undermining public trust and democratic norms.
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This research demonstrates a significant shift in American governance where Congress increasingly relies on large-scale spending measures rather than traditional regulatory legislation to enact policy. Despite perceptions of dysfunction, Congress remains active, primarily focusing its efforts on appropriations.
The article undertakes a theoretical examination of the causes and consequences of this shift, analyzing the advantages of spending for Congress—circumventing filibusters, political incentives, public choice dynamics, and judicial review—and the potential drawbacks for effective policymaking and public interest. It draws on public law literature and constitutional analysis to frame the argument.
The findings suggest a need to re-evaluate the role of Congress in national policymaking, highlighting its continued centrality despite a court-centered constitutional system. While spending can offer a workaround to regulatory obstacles, increased reliance on it may invite future legal challenges to congressional spending power.
Deinstitutionalization, Disease, and the HCBS Crisis
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The home- and community-based services (HCBS) system, which provides vital care outside of institutions for disabled people and seniors, is facing a nationwide crisis with extensive waitlists and workforce shortages. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened these issues, demonstrating the dangers of institutional care.
This research proposes two legal strategies to expand access to HCBS: leveraging the *Olmstead* disability rights case to compel state deinstitutionalization and enacting a new title within the Americans with Disabilities Act focused on emergency relief. The analysis centers on legal interpretation and potential application of existing and proposed legislation.
Implementing these strategies could significantly increase access to HCBS, move individuals out of institutions, and build a more robust and resilient healthcare system prepared for future emergencies. These solutions offer pathways to address the HCBS crisis even without increased federal funding.
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This research demonstrates that government agencies can actively undermine the programs they are tasked with administering – a phenomenon termed “administrative sabotage.” This sabotage isn’t simple mismanagement, but a deliberate effort to dismantle programs at the behest of presidential pressure.
The study develops a theoretical account of administrative sabotage, examining how and why agencies engage in this behavior, particularly when presidents seek to dismantle programs without congressional approval. It analyzes agency actions like budget choices, regulations, and legal positions as evidence of sabotage.
The findings suggest that standard administrative law reforms are insufficient to address sabotage; instead, Congress should focus on designing statutory programs to be less vulnerable to agency-led dismantling, paying close attention to agency leadership and the distribution of implementation authority.
The Dysgenic State: Environmental Injustice and Disability-Selective Abortion Bans
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This article identifies a “dysgenic state” wherein governments fail to protect citizens from environmental toxins that cause fetal impairments, yet simultaneously compel birth in cases of diagnosed fetal health issues. This creates a paradoxical situation where the state both produces and mandates the continuation of impaired citizenry.
The analysis draws upon critical disability studies, reproductive justice, and environmental justice frameworks to examine the intersection of environmental injustice, disability-selective abortion bans, and racial disparities. It utilizes legal analysis, historical context, and empirical evidence regarding environmental toxin exposure and fetal health.
This work highlights the racial dimensions of environmental harm and reproductive control, arguing that the dysgenic state disproportionately impacts nonwhite communities. It challenges the notion of “anti-eugenics” in disability-selective abortion bans, suggesting they perpetuate existing inequalities rather than dismantling them, and reaffirm the myth of biological race.
Measuring Quality for Patients With High Needs in Medicare Advantage
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This analysis demonstrates that while the Categorical Adjustment Index (CAI) in Medicare Advantage (MA) star ratings shows some association with bonus payments, plans serving beneficiaries with the greatest social needs remain significantly less likely to receive these bonuses compared to plans serving higher socioeconomic populations. This suggests current adjustments are insufficient to level the playing field.
Researchers quantified the number and proportion of MA contracts impacted by the CAI, and estimated the marginal effect on receiving bonus payments based on star ratings. They analyzed whether contracts with higher CAI scores – indicating greater social need – were equally likely to receive bonuses compared to those with lower scores, utilizing data from the Medicare Advantage program.
The findings highlight ongoing inequities in the MA star rating system and bonus allocation, despite attempts at adjustment. The planned elimination of a health equity index in favor of maintaining high ratings for already advantaged plans may exacerbate these disparities, necessitating substantial reforms to ensure fair quality measurement and resource distribution.
Geographic Variation in Private Equity Penetration Across Select Office-Based Physician Specialties in the US
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In 2019, approximately 4.9% of physicians across six specialties (dermatology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, obstetrics/gynecology, orthopedics, and urology) practiced in practices acquired by private equity firms, with notable geographic variation in this penetration. Private equity penetration was highest in the Northeast and lowest in the Midwest.
Researchers analyzed 2019 data from the IQVIA OneKey database, linking practice locations to known private equity-acquired corporate owners, supplemented by internet searches. Private equity penetration was calculated at the hospital referral region (HRR) and state levels, examining the percentage of physicians in the specified specialties affiliated with PE-acquired practices, and analyzed using one-way analysis of variance.
The concentration of private equity acquisitions in specific geographic areas may reduce physician competition and potentially increase healthcare prices. Monitoring practice consolidation and the regulatory environment surrounding these acquisitions is crucial, as is further investigation into the combined impact of private equity in both hospital and physician markets.
Expert Panel Urges Aggressive Research Initiative to Study Health Effects of Low-Dose Radiation
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A new report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) urges the US government to fund a comprehensive research program investigating the health effects of low-dose radiation exposure, citing gaps in understanding beyond cancer risks. The report highlights the increasing exposure of populations to low-dose radiation from various sources, including medical imaging and emerging energy technologies.
The report is based on a consensus study conducted by an expert committee, leveraging advances in biotechnology, computing power, and data-sharing systems. It proposes priorities for both epidemiological and biological studies, alongside the development of a robust research infrastructure to facilitate more precise investigation of cellular and molecular effects of low-dose radiation.
This research initiative is crucial for informing patient acceptance of medical procedures, guiding government policies on nuclear power and waste management, and addressing the health concerns of communities impacted by historical radiation exposure. The committee recommends a substantial, sustained funding commitment—approximately \$100 million annually—and collaborative leadership between the Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health.
Reconsidering and Measuring Patient Access in Medicaid
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Current methods of measuring patient access in Medicaid, particularly focusing on physician acceptance rates, are insufficient and patient-centered metrics are needed. The authors argue that focusing on clinician willingness to see new patients doesn’t accurately reflect actual access for those already enrolled in the program.
This article is a review and analysis of existing literature and data related to Medicaid access. The authors synthesize findings from studies examining physician acceptance rates, managed care organization (MCO) networks, patient surveys, and healthcare claims data to critique current measurement approaches and propose alternative, more meaningful metrics.
Improving access measurement in Medicaid is crucial for effective policy-making, particularly regarding Section 1115 waivers, quality assessment, and reimbursement rates. Shifting towards patient-centered metrics like appointment availability, wait times, and beneficiary surveys, alongside consideration of clinician supply and distribution, can better inform strategies to ensure equitable access to care for Medicaid enrollees.
Assessment of US Pharmacies Contracted With Health Care Institutions Under the 340B Drug Pricing Program by Neighborhood Socioeconomic Characteristics
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Following the 2010 expansion of the 340B Drug Pricing Program, the number of pharmacies contracting with 340B institutions increased substantially; however, this growth was concentrated in affluent and predominantly White neighborhoods, while the proportion of 340B pharmacies in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas declined.
Researchers analyzed data from 2006-2019, including information from the Health Resources and Services Administration, the American Community Survey, and the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System, on over 91,000 US pharmacies. They assessed changes in the distribution of 340B and non-340B pharmacies across socioeconomic characteristics like income, social deprivation, racial composition, and rural/urban classification.
These findings raise concerns about whether the growth of the 340B program effectively serves vulnerable communities, adding to existing evidence suggesting that program benefits may not be equitably distributed and questioning the program’s ability to address health disparities.
Investigating the Impact of E-Cigarette Price and Tax on E-Cigarette Use Behavior
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This study demonstrates a clear relationship between increased e-cigarette pricing—through mechanisms like taxes—and reduced rates of current e-cigarette use among young people, as well as a decrease in the frequency of use.
The research analyzed the impact of price and tax policies on reported e-cigarette use behaviors in a youth population, establishing a correlation between cost and consumption patterns.
These findings strongly suggest that implementing policies to raise the price of e-cigarettes, such as excise taxes, is an effective strategy for curbing youth vaping and potentially improving public health outcomes.
Characterisation and burden of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis in European patients by disease phase
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This study of 407 European patients with Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) revealed that those in the vasculitic disease phase experienced more comorbidities, clinical manifestations, and poorer outcomes compared to patients in the eosinophilic phase. The research highlights a significant impact of EGPA on both patients and healthcare resources.
Researchers conducted a retrospective chart review of real-world data from 204 physicians across 5 European countries, analyzing data from patients aged 12 years or older diagnosed between January 2015 and December 2019 with at least one year of follow-up. Disease phase was determined at the initial physician encounter post-diagnosis.
These findings underscore the need for improved diagnostic and management strategies for EGPA in Europe, with a particular focus on patients presenting in the more severe vasculitic phase of the disease. Better care could alleviate the burden on both patients and healthcare systems.
Risk factors of early dying among in-hospital community-acquired pneumonia deaths
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This study identified distinct risk factors associated with early in-hospital mortality from community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), specifically within the first day and up to the third day of hospitalization. Mortality was highest on the first day (12.5%) and the third day (9.4%), with varying factors influencing each timeframe.
Researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of nearly 76,000 in-hospital CAP deaths in Portugal between 2010 and 2018, utilizing binary logistic regression models to determine associated risk factors. The analysis focused on identifying predictors of mortality occurring within the first 24 hours and up to 72 hours post-admission.
These findings highlight the importance of considering patient demographics, socioeconomic factors, disease severity, and healthcare access when assessing early mortality risk in CAP patients. Addressing social vulnerabilities and optimizing care in less-specialized hospitals, particularly on weekends, may improve outcomes for those at highest risk.
Estimating the Effects of Lifestyle Interventions on Mortality Among Cancer Survivors: A Methodologic Framework
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This research demonstrates a novel three-step procedure for enhancing the interpretability of observational studies examining lifestyle interventions, revealing how effect estimates can shift with different analytical choices.
The study involved outlining and applying a specific procedure to observational data, systematically modifying analytical approaches to assess their impact on estimated intervention effects.
These findings highlight the importance of transparent reporting and careful consideration of methodological choices when interpreting observational research on lifestyle factors, promoting more nuanced and reliable conclusions.
Role of circadian typology in health-related quality of life in asthma
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This study demonstrates a significant association between evening chronotype and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQL) in adults with asthma, specifically manifesting as increased fatigue. The effect of an intermediate chronotype was also observed, though to a lesser degree than the evening type.
Researchers conducted a multicentre, cross-sectional study recruiting 691 adult asthma patients from Canada, India, New Zealand, and the UK. Participants completed questionnaires assessing demographics, mental health, sleep, and HRQL (using the SF-CRQ), and chronotype was determined using the reduced morningness-eveningness questionnaire (rMEQ).
These findings suggest that considering an individual’s chronotype may be important in managing asthma and improving patient outcomes, particularly regarding fatigue and sleep quality. Future interventions could be tailored to address the specific needs of different chronotypes to optimize HRQL in those living with asthma.
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Stratification is a crucial epidemiologic technique used to analyze relationships between exposures and diseases, achieving control of confounding variables, identifying effect modification, and verifying data integrity. This method involves examining data subsets defined by categories of other variables.
The chapter details the application of stratification for confounding control, specifically through pooling or standardization techniques. It advocates for stratification as a preliminary step in data analysis, prior to more complex regression modeling, to ensure familiarity with variable distributions.
Employing stratification as an initial analytical approach enhances understanding of data characteristics and strengthens the validity of epidemiologic investigations. This foundational technique provides a robust framework for interpreting complex relationships between exposures, outcomes, and potential confounders.
Dyspnoea in the multinational Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study
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This study found a wide variation in dyspnoea (shortness of breath) prevalence globally, ranging from 0% to 28.8% across 41 sites, with a mean prevalence of 13.7%. Importantly, the link between dyspnoea and airflow obstruction was weaker in obese individuals.
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Researchers analyzed data from the BOLD cross-sectional survey, assessing dyspnoea in over 25,000 adults (aged 40+) using the modified Medical Research Council scale. Multivariable logistic regression and meta-analysis were used to investigate the relationship between dyspnoea, lung function, and factors like sex, age, and obesity.
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These findings highlight the substantial global variability in dyspnoea and suggest that body mass may play a role in how airflow obstruction manifests as breathlessness. This understanding could improve the diagnosis and management of dyspnoea in diverse populations.
An introduction to bayesian spatial smoothing methods for disease mapping: modeling county firearm suicide mortality rates
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This study demonstrates the utility of Bayesian spatial smoothing models for mapping firearm suicide mortality rates at the county level, addressing the issue of unreliable estimates due to small numbers of deaths. The models successfully generated reportable mortality rates for all contiguous US counties, even those with historically suppressed data due to low event counts.
Researchers fitted Besag, York, and Mollié (BYM) Poisson spatial and space–time smoothing models to county-level firearm suicide data from 2014-2018, utilizing data from the CDC and population data. The models were implemented using the INLA package in R, leveraging spatial adjacency to "borrow strength" and improve the precision of estimates, particularly in areas with limited data.
Bayesian spatial smoothing methods provide a valuable tool for evaluating spatial health disparities in small geographic areas, overcoming limitations of traditional approaches that rely on data suppression or aggregation. The increased accessibility of these techniques through software like R makes them a practical solution for researchers and public health professionals studying rare outcomes and localized health risks.
High-risk emergency department visits and risk of all-cause mortality, suicide, and fatal overdose among US military veterans
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This study demonstrates significantly elevated all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates among US Military Veterans following high-risk emergency department (ED) visits related to suicidality or overdose. Notably, Asian or Pacific Islander Veterans experienced the most pronounced increase in mortality risk.
Researchers analyzed Veterans Health Administration (VHA) electronic health records from 2010-2019, identifying over 318,000 high-risk ED visits. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated for 90-day all-cause and cause-specific mortality, comparing high-risk patients to other VHA ED users, all VHA users, and the US general population.
These results highlight the critical need for assertive, continued mental health care following high-risk ED visits, particularly for Asian or Pacific Islander Veterans. Implementing structured suicide prevention programs and targeted interventions may reduce acute mortality and improve outcomes for this vulnerable population.
Residential segregation and late-stage colorectal cancer in the United States: a population-based study of 1.2 million adults
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Residential segregation is associated with increased odds of late-stage colorectal cancer diagnosis in the United States, particularly in areas with concentrated disadvantage based on income and race/ethnicity. These associations are most pronounced among racial/ethnic minoritized groups and younger adults.
Researchers analyzed data from over 1.2 million adults diagnosed with colorectal cancer between 2009 and 2017, utilizing the United States Cancer Statistics database. Residential segregation was measured at the county level using the Index of Concentration at the Extremes based on income, race/ethnicity, and combinations thereof, and analyzed with multilevel logistic regression models.
These findings highlight the role of institutionalized racism and structural inequities in driving health disparities in colorectal cancer outcomes. Addressing residential segregation may be a crucial step towards improving timely preventive care and reducing the burden of this disease, especially for vulnerable populations.
Referral of patients with cognitive impairment to specialty memory care: associations with patient-centered outcomes and specificity of diagnoses
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This study found that referral to specialty memory care was associated with increased rates of specific cognitive diagnoses and depression, but instrumental variable analysis suggested a decrease in weight loss; however, many estimates were imprecise. These findings highlight the complex relationship between specialty care access and patient outcomes in cognitive impairment.
Researchers analyzed electronic health records from a large healthcare system, examining over 6,600 older adults diagnosed with cognitive impairment between 2005 and 2023. They used Aalen additive hazards models to compare traditional and instrumental variable analyses, leveraging physician referral preferences as an instrument to assess causal effects on 14 patient-centered outcomes over five years.
Given existing barriers to accessing specialty memory care, further research is crucial to understand how this type of care impacts outcomes for individuals living with cognitive impairment. This study underscores the need for robust evidence to inform clinical practice and resource allocation in the context of cognitive care, particularly given the increasing demand for specialized services.
Prior infections and effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in test-negative studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis
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Data extraction from the designated source failed, resulting in an absence of analyzable content. This outcome itself represents a significant finding regarding data accessibility or source integrity.
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An attempt was made to retrieve and process data from the specified input location, utilizing standard parsing protocols; the failure was recorded and flagged for further investigation of the source or extraction process.
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This extraction failure highlights potential issues with data source reliability or the need for more robust error handling in automated data pipelines, necessitating a review of data acquisition strategies.
Migraine, comorbidity, and risks of severe maternal and neonatal morbidity or mortality: a population-based cohort study
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This large population-based study demonstrates that individuals with both migraine and other chronic conditions face the greatest risk of severe maternal and neonatal morbidity or mortality. Risks were also elevated for those with chronic conditions alone or migraine alone, compared to those with neither condition.
Researchers analyzed health administrative data from Ontario, Canada (2007-2022) encompassing over 2.6 million pregnancies. They used modified Poisson regression to compare risks of severe maternal and neonatal complications across four groups: those with migraine and comorbidity, migraine alone, comorbidity alone, and neither condition.
These findings suggest that individuals with migraine, particularly when combined with other chronic conditions, may benefit from targeted preconception and perinatal support. While additive interactions were modest, the increased risks highlight the need for proactive healthcare strategies to mitigate potential complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
The Camden Coalition Care Management Program Improved Intermediate Care Coordination: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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This study found that a care management program for high-use, high-need patients *did* successfully increase post-discharge ambulatory care visits, particularly to primary care providers, for up to a year. However, this increase in care coordination did not translate to a reduction in hospital readmissions.
Researchers linked data from a randomized evaluation of the Camden Coalition’s care management program with Medicaid claims data for 561 participants to assess the program’s impact on facilitating post-discharge ambulatory care. They specifically examined changes in the number of visits following hospital discharge to determine if care coordination was successfully implemented.
These findings suggest that simply increasing care coordination may not be enough to improve outcomes for complex patients with high hospital admission rates, indicating a potential flaw in the program’s underlying theory of change rather than a failure of implementation. Further research should explore alternative or supplemental interventions to address the root causes of readmissions for this population.
Temporary Assistance For Needy Families: Sanctioning And Child Support Compliance Among Black Families In Illinois
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This research demonstrates significant racial disparities in TANF sanctioning, with Black families being over twice as likely as White families to receive sanctions related to child support enforcement. These sanctions disproportionately affect Black families and create additional hardship for mothers experiencing intimate partner violence.
Researchers utilized a mixed-methods approach, combining analysis of Illinois TANF administrative data with semi-structured interviews of TANF recipients. Logistic regression and Fisher’s tests were employed to identify demographic differences in sanction rates and types.
These findings suggest a need for policy changes to address systemic inequities within TANF, including exploring alternative cash assistance models and removing barriers to full child support benefit access for families. Addressing these issues could improve health and economic outcomes for vulnerable families and reduce racial disparities in welfare programs.
Health Insurance Coverage In Low- And Middle-Income Countries Remains Far From The Goal Of Universal Coverage
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This meta-analysis reveals that only one in five people in low- and middle-income countries have health insurance, with substantial disparities in coverage based on sociodemographic factors like gender, age, education, and wealth. Public health insurance dominates over private insurance in these nations.
Researchers performed a population-size weighted meta-analysis of individual participant data from 56 countries (2006-2018), analyzing a sample of over 2 million individuals aged 15-59 from nationally representative household surveys. This approach allowed for robust estimation of health insurance coverage across diverse populations.
The findings highlight a critical gap in health insurance coverage in low- and middle-income countries, suggesting that significant expansion is needed to achieve universal health coverage and reduce health inequities, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Addressing these disparities is crucial for promoting health equity and achieving broader development goals.
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Reproductive health care settings frequently fail to incorporate trauma-informed care principles, despite its recognized importance.
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This statement is presented as a declarative assertion, likely based on broader research or observation within the field – specific methodology isn’t detailed in the provided abstract.
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Addressing this gap in care is crucial to improve patient experiences and outcomes, recognizing the high prevalence of trauma among individuals seeking reproductive health services.
Drug Repurposing During The COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons For Expediting Drug Development And Access
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This study reveals a shift in COVID-19 treatment development from initial reliance on drug repurposing to a greater focus on novel drug development, with repurposed drugs largely originating from those previously used for infectious diseases. Industry-sponsored repurposing efforts were notably less common for drugs facing generic competition.
Researchers analyzed detailed data from US clinical trials launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to track the progression and origins of drug repurposing initiatives. This analysis considered trial sponsorship (academic, industry, government) and the generic status of drugs under investigation.
These findings offer valuable insights for shaping drug repurposing policies, not only in response to future emerging diseases but also for optimizing broader drug development strategies. Understanding the factors influencing industry engagement in repurposing—particularly generic competition—is crucial for maximizing the potential of this approach.
Nurse Employment During The First Fifteen Months Of The COVID-19 Pandemic
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Current Population Survey data reveals a tightening labor market for nursing professionals – registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing assistants – evidenced by decreasing employment numbers coupled with increasing wages as of June 2021.
This analysis utilized data from the Current Population Survey to assess employment and wage trends within the nursing profession, specifically examining changes through June 2021.
These findings highlight ongoing disparities in unemployment rates, particularly for nurses in non-hospital roles and those from racial and ethnic minority groups, suggesting a need for targeted support and interventions.
Susana Vázquez Torres: the power of computational protein design
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This interview highlights the application of artificial intelligence in designing proteins for antivenoms, with a specific focus on increasing accessibility to these critical treatments.
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The work centers around a conversation with Susana Vázquez Torres detailing her approach to AI-guided protein design and its potential for antivenom development.
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This research aims to address the global health challenge of snakebites, particularly in regions with limited resources, by creating more affordable and readily available antivenoms.
Un miembro del personal de la Building Foundation for Development ayuda a preparar suministros para su entrega a instalaciones sanitarias y campos de desplazados en Al Jazirah (Sudán), que actualmente acoge a desplazados internos que huyen del conflicto en Jartum (Sudán).
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Multimorbidity—the presence of multiple chronic conditions—is under-documented in hospital patients across sub-Saharan Africa, despite the region experiencing a high prevalence of individual chronic diseases.
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This work highlights the need for prospective public health studies specifically designed to assess the burden of multimorbidity within this population.
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Understanding multimorbidity patterns is crucial for developing targeted, effective, and locally relevant health system interventions to improve patient outcomes and overall well-being.
Use of traditional medicine for hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolaemia measured in 71 surveys
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This research demonstrates widespread use of traditional medicine to manage hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolaemia within low- and middle-income countries.
The study assessed the prevalence of traditional medicine use for these cardiometabolic conditions, indicating a significant reliance on these practices.
These findings underscore the critical need for investigation into the potential clinical interactions and safety concerns associated with traditional medicine, to optimize overall cardiometabolic care.
Water quality and child undernutrition: evidence from 29 low- and middle-income countries
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This research demonstrates a strong link between *E. coli* contamination in household water and negative impacts on child health and growth.
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The study likely involved analysis of water sources and correlation with health/growth data from children, though specific methods aren’t detailed in this abstract.
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Addressing *E. coli* contamination through interventions like improved sanitation – specifically reducing open defecation – is crucial for improving child wellbeing.
Research Health policy implications of corporate social responsibility provisions in international investment agreements
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This research demonstrates a growing trend of detailed corporate social responsibility expectations being included within international investment agreements. These provisions represent a shift towards greater scrutiny and potential regulation of multinational corporations.
The analysis was conducted through examination of current international investment agreements to identify and characterize the inclusion of corporate social responsibility clauses. This involved a qualitative assessment of treaty language and scope.
These findings suggest a potential pathway for governments to exert influence over corporate behavior and align it with public health goals and broader societal expectations. This could enhance accountability for global corporations operating across borders.
Correction to Lancet Glob Health 2024; 12: e815–25
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This communication details a correction to Figure 4 in a previously published article regarding the exposure-response analysis of fetal weight and PM2.5 exposure, specifically refining the 98.75% confidence interval of the Z score at 33 weeks. The correction ensures accurate representation of the data presented in the original research.
The correction involved a re-evaluation of the data used to generate Figure 4, leading to a revised 98.75% confidence interval for the Z score at 33 weeks, changing it from an unspecified range to –0.10 to –0.01. This was a post-publication adjustment to ensure the precision of the reported findings.
While a minor correction, this ensures the accuracy of the published data and maintains the integrity of the research findings related to the impact of cooking fuels on fetal growth. Additionally, acknowledgement is given to the NIH's contribution to the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD).
One hundred years of solitude—underrepresentation of Indigenous and minority groups in diabetes trials
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Despite a disproportionately high prevalence of diabetes and related complications among Indigenous and racialized populations, these groups are severely underrepresented in diabetes research, particularly in clinical trials. This lack of representation undermines the generalizability of research findings and perpetuates health inequities.
This perspective piece analyzes historical and contemporary data on diabetes research participation, highlighting the stark disparities in enrollment across different ethnic groups. It draws upon examples from landmark clinical trials and recent studies, alongside ethical considerations and frameworks for equitable research practices, particularly those developed by the First Nations Information Governance Centre in Canada.
The authors advocate for a fundamental shift in research priorities, emphasizing the need for inclusive trial designs, meaningful community engagement, and transparent ethical oversight. They propose a framework for culturally inclusive research themes, arguing that prioritizing diversity is not merely a matter of ethics, but essential for ensuring that research benefits all populations globally.
Restoring dignity to the marginalised as sovereign knowers
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Research often prioritizes the perspectives of those in power, leading to the silencing and misrepresentation of marginalized groups, particularly within global health contexts. This imbalance results in flawed understandings and ultimately, inequitable resource allocation.
This analysis highlights two new papers published in *The Lancet Global Health* which propose frameworks designed to address this issue of power imbalances in research. The papers aim to shift the focus towards centering the expertise of those most affected by global health challenges.
These frameworks represent a crucial step towards more just and effective global health research and practice, offering potential solutions for ensuring relevant voices guide interventions and resource distribution. Their adoption could lead to more efficient and equitable outcomes for vulnerable populations.
The value of longitudinal qualitative approaches in vaccination pilot studies
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A qualitative study in western Kenya demonstrated the feasibility of integrating the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine into existing immunization programs, though substantial operational challenges were encountered and overcome within the first two years. This suggests program expansion is possible with targeted interventions.
Researchers conducted a qualitative longitudinal study examining the delivery and uptake of the malaria vaccine in Kenya, utilizing mixed methods to assess the health system perspective. The study emphasized the importance of understanding both supply-side and demand-side factors influencing vaccine program success, though the authors are noted to have focused more on the supply side.
Successful malaria vaccination programs require a comprehensive approach that addresses logistical, political, economic, and sociocultural barriers, engaging all stakeholders from community to national levels. Transparent reporting of implementation processes and methodologies is crucial for replication and scaling up successful interventions, alongside continued investment in research and evidence-informed guidelines.
Using height-adjusted stunting prevalence will fail disadvantaged children worldwide – Authors' reply
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This research highlights that a significant portion of observed stunting in children is attributable to maternal height, rather than current nutritional deficiencies. The authors argue that relying solely on crude stunting prevalence as a metric for undernutrition can be misleading and may misdirect resources away from the most disadvantaged children.
The study utilizes econometric analysis of data from the 2015-16 National Family Health Survey in India, alongside data from 67 low- and middle-income countries, to assess the relative contributions of maternal height and current living standards to stunting prevalence. Researchers standardized stunting prevalence for maternal height to better isolate the impact of contemporary environmental factors.
These findings suggest that policymakers should consider maternal height when interpreting stunting prevalence and designing nutrition interventions. Using height-adjusted metrics may provide a more accurate assessment of current nutritional deficits and ensure resources are effectively targeted to address the needs of the most vulnerable children.
Forging Just Futures: A Path from Climate Crisis to Climate Solutions
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This work defines just climate solutions as those actively addressing the root causes of social inequality, prioritizing community involvement, providing reparations for marginalized groups, and challenging existing power structures within climate action. The authors argue that past climate and infrastructure initiatives have frequently worsened existing inequalities.
This research is a literature review synthesizing dimensions of climate justice and formulating a definition of just climate solutions based on four key criteria: addressing root causes, community centering, reparative benefits, and disruption of power dynamics. The authors then propose guiding questions to facilitate the operationalization of this definition.
These guiding questions provide a framework for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to evaluate climate initiatives—spanning mitigation, adaptation, and disaster response—through a justice lens. This approach aims to ensure climate solutions are equitable and contribute to dismantling systemic inequalities.
Effective Narratives and Strategies from Successful Social Change Movements to Inform Public Health
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This review establishes that racism is a fundamental driver of health inequities and deeply embedded within health systems, necessitating systemic change to achieve equitable health outcomes. Learning from past US social movements offers viable strategies to dismantle racist structures within public health.
The authors conducted a review of literature surrounding successful US social movements – including tobacco control, LGBTQ+ rights, criminal justice, civil rights, and reproductive justice – to identify effective organizing, messaging, and mobilization techniques. They applied key theories and insights from these movements to the specific challenge of addressing racism in public health.
This work suggests that a focused social change movement, informed by the successes of prior movements, is crucial for uprooting racism from health-related policymaking and advancing health equity. The findings provide a roadmap for developing and implementing strategies to foster public will and drive meaningful policy reform.
Designing for Dissemination and Sustainability to Promote Equitable Impacts on Health
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Designing for dissemination and sustainability (D4DS) is a crucial approach for improving the adoption and long-term impact of health programs by prioritizing contextual fit. This article synthesizes existing literature to advocate for a shift away from traditional, less effective health research and dissemination methods.
The authors conducted a comprehensive literature review, organizing findings through a D4DS framework, and examined various dissemination strategies—including stakeholder engagement and participatory design—drawing on diverse fields like implementation science, marketing, and systems science. This review identified key design processes, products, and approaches to effectively deliver health interventions.
The research culminates in eight recommendations for adopting a D4DS paradigm, emphasizing the need for changes in mindset, skillsets, and supporting infrastructure to enhance training and evaluation of health initiatives. Implementing these recommendations can lead to more sustainable and impactful health programs and policies.
A Literature Review of the Effects of Air Pollution on COVID-19 Health Outcomes Worldwide: Statistical Challenges and Data Visualization
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This review of 139 papers reveals a strong, statistically significant positive association between air pollution exposure and adverse COVID-19 health outcomes in locations worldwide. The vast majority of studies examined (127/139) demonstrated this link, highlighting a consistent pattern across diverse geographical contexts.
Researchers systematically reviewed 139 peer-reviewed papers, focusing on statistical challenges within the field and providing a comprehensive overview of existing research. They also developed an open-source data visualization tool to summarize the findings and facilitate community contributions of new evidence.
This work underscores the importance of considering air quality as a critical factor influencing COVID-19 vulnerability and severity, and provides guidance for future research in this area. The open-source tool offers a valuable resource for researchers to synthesize and share knowledge, ultimately informing public health strategies.
Designing Difference-in-Difference Studies with Staggered Treatment Adoption: Key Concepts and Practical Guidelines
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This work highlights potential pitfalls in using difference-in-difference (DID) estimators – a common causal inference technique – when treatment adoption is staggered or varies over time, a scenario frequently encountered in public health research. The authors demonstrate that complex DID designs can be understood as averages of simpler 2x2 DID sub-experiments.
The researchers provide a practical guide to address these critiques, offering step-by-step examples, accompanying code, and a checklist for researchers. They compare the standard 2x2 DID design with increasingly complex scenarios involving multiple treatment groups and time periods to illustrate potential biases.
This guide equips public health researchers with the tools to more accurately interpret DID estimates and avoid common causal inference errors, ultimately strengthening the evidence base for public health interventions. By outlining threats to causal interpretation and proposed solutions, the work promotes more rigorous DID analysis.
The Future of Plant-Based Diets: Aligning Healthy Marketplace Choices with Equitable, Resilient, and Sustainable Food Systems
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This review establishes that a global shift towards nutrient-rich, plant-based diets is crucial for both public health and achieving sustainable food systems capable of feeding a growing population. It highlights the interconnectedness of dietary choices with planetary health, morbidity, and mortality.
The authors synthesized definitions of sustainable diets from international expert bodies, analyzed various dietary patterns, and explored the relationship between plant/animal food proportions and sustainability. They then developed a conceptual framework encompassing health, ecology, equity, and economic factors to assess challenges and needed actions.
This work recommends targeted strategies for governments, businesses, and civil society to promote plant-rich diets and foster healthy, equitable, and resilient food systems. These recommendations aim to encourage consumer choices that support both individual well-being and a sustainable future.
American Journal of Public Health and the Nations Health2026
Vibro-Acoustic Testing of the Clementine Spacecraft
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The Clementine spacecraft underwent rigorous vibroacoustic testing—combining random vibration and high-level acoustic loads—of both its Engineering Model and Flight Spacecraft to ensure structural integrity and system functionality. Data collected during these tests proved valuable for refining component testing and validating the overall spacecraft design.
Researchers at the Naval Research Laboratory subjected both the Engineering Model and Flight Spacecraft to simultaneous axial random vibration and acoustic loads, meticulously recording acceleration response data. The Engineering Model data informed design improvements, while the Flight Spacecraft test served as a final pre-launch acceptance and workmanship check.
This work demonstrates an effective vibroacoustic testing philosophy and innovative techniques for spacecraft qualification, contributing to the successful launch and operation of the Clementine mission and its extensive lunar mapping. The comparative analysis of data from both models provided valuable insights into system performance and potential areas for future refinement.
Correction to Lancet Public Health 2024; 9: e270–74
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This research highlights the critical need to prioritize and invest in bereavement care as a fundamental component of public health initiatives, noting a correction to a figure caption and a minor organizational name error in the original publication.
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This is a Viewpoint article, representing expert opinion and analysis rather than a traditional empirical study; the correction addresses inaccuracies in a previously published figure and organizational name.
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Correcting these details ensures the accuracy and clarity of the argument for increased investment in grief support, emphasizing the importance of collaborative research *with* grieving individuals and communities to develop effective practices.
Public health in Germany: structures, dynamics, and ways forward
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Germany, despite significant economic strength and health spending, exhibits poorer health indicators and high rates of preventable diseases compared to other European nations due to systemic issues within its public health infrastructure. This analysis identifies key weaknesses hindering effective health improvement.
This Health Policy review examined the development, structure, and key actors in German public health, framing the analysis around essential public health operations to pinpoint challenges and areas for improvement. The research identified gaps through an assessment of existing systems and policies.
Addressing Germany’s underperforming health indicators requires a shift towards a stronger central public health institution, increased funding for prevention, improved data interoperability, and a comprehensive national strategy that tackles commercial determinants of health. Implementing these recommendations could foster a more proactive and effective public health system.
Helicobacter pylori infection and risk of gastric cancer – Authors' reply
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This study confirms a significant association between *Helicobacter pylori* infection and both cardia and non-cardia gastric cancer in Chinese populations, highlighting the infection as a major contributor to gastric cancer cases. The research supports the potential for reducing gastric cancer burden through screening and eradication efforts.
Researchers utilized a case-cohort study nested within the prospective China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB), involving over half a million adults. They employed serology of stored plasma samples using the HelicoBlot 2.1 immunoblot assay to assess *H. pylori* infection, and adjusted criteria to account for previous infection, ensuring high sensitivity and specificity in their analysis.
The findings strongly suggest that population-based screening for *H. pylori* and subsequent eradication programs should be considered as a public health strategy in China to decrease the incidence of gastric cancer. Future research will explore these associations in other ethnic groups and consider potential interfering factors.
Influenza vaccination and stroke risk: additional factors should be considered – Author's Reply
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This communication addresses concerns raised regarding a previously published article examining the link between influenza vaccination and stroke risk. The authors are responding to specific points made by Wei-Min Chu and colleagues.
This is a response to commentary, and therefore does not present new data or a novel methodology; it clarifies and defends previously published research. The approach is a direct engagement with peer feedback on an existing study.
This exchange contributes to the ongoing scientific discussion surrounding influenza vaccination and potential cardiovascular effects, ensuring transparency and addressing valid critiques of the original research. Further clarification helps refine understanding of the association being investigated.
“The n°1 country”? A critical investigation of the booming designation of biosphere reserves in Spain
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This research demonstrates that the proliferation of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (BRs) in Spain is driven more by geopolitical strategies and tourism development than by genuine environmental conservation or sustainable development goals. The study reveals a significant disconnect between the intended UNESCO framework for BRs and their practical implementation within the Spanish context.
Researchers conducted empirical fieldwork in five Biosphere Reserves in north-western Spain, utilizing 60 semi-structured interviews. Data was analyzed through coding, categorization, and interpretation to identify key themes related to perceptions, application, and designation rationales of these reserves.
The findings suggest that BRs in Spain function largely as political and economic tools, highlighting a need to critically examine the effectiveness of the UNESCO designation in achieving its intended environmental objectives. This research contributes to a broader understanding of the challenges in aligning international conservation frameworks with national and local priorities.
Exploring urban design’s impact on physical activity: A participatory photovoice study across socioeconomically diverse neighborhoods
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This study found that the availability of quality spaces, walkability, safety, and community asset management are key factors influencing physical activity in diverse neighborhoods. These factors are consistently reported across socioeconomic groups, demonstrating a shared need for improved urban design.
Researchers utilized the Photovoice method, engaging forty-one residents of Bilbao, Spain to document and discuss how urban design impacts their physical activity through 117 photographs. A thematic analysis was then conducted on these images to identify overarching patterns and influencing factors.
The findings underscore the critical role of inclusive, participatory urban planning in addressing health disparities and fostering active communities. Policymakers can leverage these insights to develop targeted interventions – like improved pedestrian infrastructure and community-led asset management – to promote equitable access to active living environments.
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Baltimore’s history is uniquely characterized by a complex interplay of Union loyalty, a significant free Black population, and deeply entrenched racial hierarchies stemming from its Southern culture and economic position as a major slaveholding city. This combination resulted in a peculiar trajectory, allowing the city to largely avoid Reconstruction while simultaneously fostering enduring racial inequalities.
This work is a historical overview, synthesizing Baltimore’s development from its role as a commercial center in the late 18th century through the late 20th century. It traces the evolution of the city’s demographics, political landscape, and social structures to demonstrate the persistence of its distinctive characteristics.
Understanding Baltimore’s historical peculiarities—its blend of Northern and Southern influences, its vibrant Black community alongside systemic racism—is crucial for interpreting its present-day challenges and appreciating the city’s unique cultural and artistic expressions. The city serves as a case study for how historical forces can shape enduring social and economic patterns.
Cities looking for waste heat: The dilemmas of energy and industry nexuses in French metropolitan areas
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This research demonstrates that cities are increasingly exploring waste heat recovery as a strategy to gain control over their energy supply and advance decarbonization efforts, particularly in response to volatile fossil fuel markets. However, while beneficial for energy efficiency, waste heat recovery can also create new dependencies on carbon-intensive industries and should be considered a transitional solution.
The study analyzes four case studies in France, conducted between 2019 and 2022, to understand how cities are developing waste heat recovery projects and integrating this resource into their urban energy systems. This involved examining the renegotiation of relationships between cities and industries surrounding energy, ecology, and economics.
These findings suggest that waste heat recovery can be a valuable component of local energy transition strategies, fostering urban energy independence and creating new energy networks. However, policymakers must carefully consider the potential for reinforcing reliance on high-carbon industrial activities and prioritize long-term sustainable solutions alongside this transitional approach.
Are urban labour markets more dynamic? Vacancies and urban scaling
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This research demonstrates a superlinear scaling of job vacancies with employment size, meaning vacancies are disproportionately concentrated compared to available jobs, particularly in urban areas and across all skill/education levels. The concentration of labor demand is found to increase with the skill level required for a position.
The study analyzed the relationship between job vacancies and employment, examining data across different occupational and educational classes and geographic locations. Researchers ruled out simple explanations based on urban job growth, instead proposing a model centered on “vacancy chains” within interconnected labor markets.
These findings suggest cities offer enhanced opportunities for on-the-job seekers to improve their employment situations, potentially explaining higher worker mobility and better job-worker matches observed in larger labor markets. This has implications for understanding labor market dynamics and the benefits of urban employment centers.
Transport reforms and its missing publics: Insights from marshrutka abolishment and transport ‘modernisation’ policies prior to FIFA World Cup 2018 in Volgograd, Russian Federation
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This research demonstrates that transport modernization policies implemented in Volgograd, Russia, ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, negatively impacted local citizens due to poor planning and exclusion of local stakeholders. The replacement of a functional minibus system with a public-private bus network ultimately failed to improve transport, despite being presented as a beneficial modernization effort.
The study utilizes an empirical case study approach, focusing on transport reforms in Volgograd prior to the 2018 World Championship. Through this case, the research employs a pragmatist perspective to analyze how dominant governance strategies marginalized crucial public voices and silenced contestation surrounding the reforms.
This work challenges the uncritical adoption of globally recognized "best practices" in public transport, highlighting the importance of inclusive decision-making and local knowledge. The findings suggest that seemingly progressive reforms can be detrimental when implemented without considering the needs and perspectives of those most affected, while also revealing opportunities for localized, cooperative solutions.
Continuous vs. Discrete Urban Ranks: Explaining the Evolution in the Italian Urban Hierarchy over Five Decades
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This study investigates whether changes in urban ranks are better explained by continuous growth models, like Zipf's law, or by discrete shifts in urban functions, as proposed by Central Place Theory. The research demonstrates that small, continuous changes in city rank are driven by different factors than large, discontinuous leaps, with the presence of high-level functions predicting significant jumps in rank.
The authors empirically evaluate the evolution of the Italian urban hierarchy from 1971 to 2011. They analyze the determinants of both continuous and discrete changes in urban ranks, employing an instrumental variable strategy based on a shift-share argument to ensure robust results.
These findings contribute to the ongoing debate on urban system dynamics, suggesting that understanding the role of functional specialization and high-level functions is crucial for explaining changes in the urban hierarchy. The results highlight that cities' positions within a national urban system are influenced by both gradual growth and structural shifts in their roles and functions.
Geographies of Knowledge Sourcing and the Complexity of Knowledge in Multilocational Firms
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Multilocational firms develop distinct types of technological knowledge in different locations, and increasing the number of R&D units—up to a certain point—correlates with greater knowledge complexity. This complexity arises from sourcing knowledge locally and integrating it across the firm’s various units.
This study utilizes US patent data to analyze the technological output of multilocational firms’ R&D units across metropolitan areas, quantitatively linking produced technologies to local knowledge stocks. Researchers examined how the number of R&D units influenced knowledge complexity and its connection to local partnerships and internal integration.
These findings highlight the importance of geographic distribution for innovation within large firms, demonstrating that spatial organization impacts the *kind* and *complexity* of knowledge generated. This suggests that firms can strategically leverage location to enhance their innovative capacity by fostering both local sourcing and internal knowledge sharing.
Creating Knowledge Assets under Biocapitalism: Analyzing China’s Biomedical Industry and Its Patent Networks
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This research demonstrates that China’s biomedical industry has experienced a recent innovation boom driven by domestic public research institutions, a departure from its reliance on multinational corporations in other technology sectors. Analysis of patent networks reveals these institutions as central knowledge providers, positioning China distinctly within the global biocapitalist landscape.
The study analyzes the evolution of China’s biomedical industry, particularly following a 2015 regulatory overhaul, using patent collaborative network data collected since 2003. This network analysis identifies key actors and knowledge flows within the Chinese biomedical sector, contrasting them with patterns observed in other industries.
China’s approach represents a national strategy to counter global biocapitalism by prioritizing domestic research and firm development in knowledge asset production. This model offers insights into alternative pathways for developing countries seeking to build globally competitive biomedical industries and address inequalities in access to innovation.
Industrial Embeddedness and Regional Economic Resistance in Europe
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This research demonstrates that local industrial embeddedness—the degree to which a region’s economic activity is interconnected—exhibits a curvilinear relationship with regional resistance to the 2008 Great Recession, varying based on a region’s overall performance. Industries prioritized shifting input sources over reducing output during the recession, highlighting the importance of supply chain dynamics.
The study utilized regional input-output tables to quantify local economic embeddedness across EU and UK NUTS-2 regions, then employed fixed-effects and quantile regressions to analyze the connection between embeddedness and regional employment changes between 2008 and 2011. This approach allowed for an examination of how embeddedness influenced regional resilience across different performance levels.
These findings suggest that policymakers aiming to bolster regional economic resilience should consider the nuanced role of local industrial connections, recognizing that the benefits of embeddedness are not linear and vary by sector—particularly manufacturing, financial services, construction, and IT. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for effective planning and intervention strategies.
From Marimba to Sativex. Decolonizing Knowledge in Emerging Industries
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This research demonstrates that the successful emergence of Colombia’s medicinal cannabis industry wasn’t driven by external knowledge transfer, but by the mobilization of pre-existing, locally-held knowledge that had previously lacked effective channels for implementation. The study challenges conventional economic geography perspectives on industrial legitimation.
Researchers employed a qualitative and quantitative mixed-methods approach, focusing on Colombia’s medicinal cannabis industry as a case study to investigate the role of knowledge systems in industrial development. This included analyzing both formal and endogenous knowledge, and applying a decolonial framework to understand epistemic justice.
This work contributes to economic geography by offering a novel, pluralistic understanding of knowledge in industrial path development, particularly within the Global South, and advocating for more inclusive frameworks that prioritize epistemic justice. The findings have implications for understanding the emergence of controversial industries and the importance of integrating diverse knowledge systems.
Technology Network Structure Conditions the Economic Resilience of Regions
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This research demonstrates that European metropolitan areas exhibit varying degrees of technological network robustness, and those with more robust networks experienced greater economic resilience during the 2008 crisis. Specifically, regions with stronger technological knowledge networks showed higher employment stability.
The study employs a network science approach, utilizing Cooperative Patent Classification data from the European Patent Office to map and “stress test” the technological capabilities of 269 European metropolitan areas. This involved analyzing how regions would fare under simulated eliminations of key technological competencies.
These findings highlight the importance of a diversified and robust technological base for regional economic resilience, particularly for industrial regions. The research suggests that focusing solely on industrial employment without considering underlying technological vulnerability can leave regions susceptible to economic shocks.
The making and unmaking of uneven development: the role of anchor firms in creating and overcoming industrial decline in East Germany
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This article demonstrates that regional development traps are driven by the absence of anchor firms in peripheral regions, leading to their integration as dependent "Satellite Platform" districts and subsequent economic stagnation. The study highlights how the presence of these firms fosters agglomeration and innovation in core regions while exacerbating decline in peripheries through both spatial differentiation of value and Myrdalian backwash effects.
The research combines theoretical frameworks from core-periphery theory, industrial geography, and evolutionary economic geography with an empirical case study of East Germany after reunification. Utilizing historical process tracing and geospatial clustering techniques, the authors analyze the dismantling of anchor firms and its impact on regional industrial ecosystems, contrasting areas of decline with emerging hotspots like Jena.
The findings underscore the critical role of regional development strategies focused on cultivating regional anchor firms as key agglomerating forces. This suggests that effective policy should prioritize recreating anchor firm functions in peripheral regions to challenge structural disadvantages and foster sustainable, independent economic growth, complementing existing place-sensitive approaches to regional policy.
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This research examines the growing trend of patients seeking medical care in other countries, specifically focusing on the transfer of complex and expensive healthcare needs.
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The study is conceptual and analytical, considering the practice through the lens of cost and competency of care across international borders.
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This analysis highlights the need to understand the ethical, logistical, and economic implications of cross-border healthcare, particularly as it relates to managing high-cost medical issues.
New York, Abu Dhabi, London, or stay at home? Using a cross-nested logit model to identify complex substitution patterns in migration
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This research demonstrates that a cross-nested logit (CNL) model provides a more accurate and nuanced understanding of migration decision-making compared to standard logit models, revealing complex patterns of destination substitutability. The CNL approach highlights that individuals do not treat all destinations equally, and home countries are particularly difficult to substitute.
Researchers employed a cross-nested logit model, utilizing migration aspiration data collected from India to analyze how individuals adjust their migration choices in response to global changes. The performance of the CNL model was then rigorously compared to other established approaches based on model fit and predictive accuracy.
These findings have important implications for understanding migration flows and predicting responses to global shocks, suggesting that policies should account for the limited substitutability of home countries and the heterogeneity of migrant preferences. The CNL approach offers a valuable tool for more realistic and effective migration modeling and policy design.
Transit, academic achievement and equalisation: evidence from a subway expansion
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This research demonstrates that expanded subway access leads to a measurable reduction in the academic achievement gap between students with differing initial performance levels. Specifically, the study found a 5% of a standard deviation decrease in the gap three years after new subway stations opened.
Researchers utilized fixed-effects models to quantify the impact of a large-scale subway network expansion in Chile on student academic achievement. They analyzed the changes in achievement gaps as a function of proximity to the new subway lines, allowing for a robust assessment of causal effects.
These findings suggest that investments in public transportation infrastructure can serve as a powerful tool for promoting educational equity in urban environments. Improving accessibility via subways may be a viable strategy for mitigating achievement gaps and fostering more inclusive educational outcomes.
What does the state do in China’s state-led infrastructure financialisation?
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This research demonstrates that China’s state-led financialisation of infrastructure differs from prevailing neoliberal models, emerging from and supporting a productivist mode of capitalist development rather than being detached from it. The study identifies two key transformations: the coordination of development by state-owned financial intermediaries and the financialisation of traditional bank-based debt financing through public-private partnerships.
The authors employed a practice-based approach, drawing on 98 semi-structured interviews and observational fieldwork conducted in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Serbia between October 2019 and November 2020. They analyzed two empirical cases – the China Investment Corporation’s (CIC) investments in Western Europe and debt-financed EPC+F projects in the Western Balkans – to understand how Chinese state capital operates in diverse geographical contexts.
This study challenges conventional understandings of financialisation by highlighting the active role of the state in leveraging financial practices to serve the real economy and national developmental goals. It suggests that China’s approach represents a distinct model where financialisation is integrated with, rather than separate from, production and infrastructure development, offering insights into alternative pathways of state capitalism.
Fragmented governance, informal migrant workers and post-pandemic economic resilience: perspectives from the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi, India
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This paper demonstrates that post-pandemic economic resilience in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi, India, is significantly impacted by fragmented territorial governance and a reliance on informally employed migrant workers. The study introduces a 'Type D' resilience category, emphasizing the need to progressively formalize industrial pathways to leverage the capacities of this informal workforce.
The research utilizes a mixed-methods approach, combining published statistics from NGOs and government sources with semi-structured interviews conducted with NGO representatives, experts, and practitioners in Delhi NCR between 2021 and 2024. This data was used to analyze path dependence, lock-in effects, and the challenges of tracking migrant workers and informal economic activities.
The findings highlight the inadequacy of existing regional resilience typologies when applied to developing urban regions characterized by informality and fluid territories. This necessitates a new conceptual framework—Type D resilience—that prioritizes the formalization of informal economic pathways and acknowledges the crucial role of migrant workers in driving economic growth and recovery.
Global circular networks and couplings: Towards a multi-scalar architecture of the circular economy
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This research introduces the concept of Global Circular Networks (GCN) and identifies the mechanisms driving circularity – or decoupling – within the global economy. The study proposes a new framework for understanding how circular economy principles function within existing global production systems.
The authors developed a novel conceptual framework by integrating established theories from Global Production Networks (GPN) and the Circular Economy (CE) literatures. This framework utilizes four key dimensions – actors, resources, functions, and geography – and is supported by illustrative empirical examples.
This multi-scalar framework offers a new lens for both academic research and policy development, enabling a more nuanced understanding of global interconnections and how to promote circularity-oriented changes. It provides a basis for rethinking global economic entanglements to foster a more circular economy.
Geographies of gender and sexuality I: Engaging the shift towards Southern urbanism
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Recent scholarship on non-heteronormative sexualities demonstrates growing alignment with the field of Southern urbanism, suggesting a stronger connection than previously recognized within geographies of sexuality literature. This emerging trend indicates a potential for fruitful cross-disciplinary exchange.
This work is a summary and argument based on a review of current scholarship in both geographies of sexuality and Southern urbanism. The author identifies overlaps in empirical and theoretical interests to highlight the connections between these fields.
By recognizing the shared interests between these areas of study, this analysis opens possibilities for enriching the geographies of sexualities literature with insights from Southern urbanism. This could lead to new avenues of research and a more nuanced understanding of sexuality in urban contexts.
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This work posits that academic geography and literary texts can be understood as sub-genres within a larger category of “geographical writing,” emphasizing the inherent connection between space and its representation. The study reconsiders how we define geographical writing itself.
The research employs a historical overview of scholarship concerning genre and style in human geography, coupled with conceptual reconsideration of existing definitions. It advocates for specific reading practices attuned to the nuances of geographical texts.
By framing geography and literature as related genres, this approach highlights the inseparable relationship between spatial phenomena and their textual depiction, offering a new lens for analyzing both academic and literary works. This could foster interdisciplinary understanding and richer interpretations of texts dealing with place and space.
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This work re-emphasizes the critical, yet often overlooked, role of theory in quantitative human geography, arguing against the sole focus on data and methods that currently dominates the field. The author posits that robust theory is invaluable and essential for meaningful quantitative research.
This is a conceptual paper; the methodology involves a critical review of the relationship between data, methods, and theory within quantitative human geography. The author identifies and categorizes three types of useful theory – old school, enduring, and conceptual – to illustrate their contributions.
By highlighting the importance of theory, this work encourages researchers to integrate theoretical frameworks more deliberately into their quantitative designs and analyses. This approach will strengthen the development of contemporary and future quantitative methods, leading to more insightful and impactful research.
Racialized geographies of home: Property, unhoming and other possible futures
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This research redefines “home” not simply as a physical space, but as a complex interplay of dominion and belonging, revealing how the act of “unhoming” systematically disrupts the lives of racialized subjects. The central argument posits that unhoming is not an isolated event, but an inherent function of racial capitalism.
The study employs a conceptual interrogation of the relationship between home, property, and racial capitalism, shifting the focus from home as a static location to home as a dynamic process of making and unmaking. It utilizes theoretical frameworks to excavate the contradictions within homemaking practices within propertied landscapes.
By framing resistance to displacement as a form of homemaking, this work suggests pathways to challenge and potentially reshape the foundations of liberal property regimes. This reconceptualization highlights the power of everyday practices to disrupt systems of racial dispossession and reclaim spaces of belonging.
Annals of the American Association of Geographers2026
Geographic Mythology and Global Health
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This paper examines how the 'epidemiological transition theory' has become a pervasive, yet potentially misleading, framework within global health. It argues that this theory, positing a shift from infectious to noncommunicable diseases with economic development, functions as a 'geographic mythology' that obscures the complex realities of disease distribution and hinders effective prioritization of resources.
The research draws on documentary analysis and interviews with 40 key informants involved in global health advocacy, particularly those working to raise awareness of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The study analyzes how these advocates navigated and challenged existing narratives surrounding disease patterns, and how these efforts illuminate the persistence of 'geographic myths' within the field.
This work highlights the need for critical engagement with established frameworks in global health, demonstrating how seemingly objective models can perpetuate oversimplifications and inequalities. It argues for the centrality of geographic perspectives in understanding global health challenges and advocates for a more nuanced approach to addressing the burden of NCDs, particularly in the Global South.
Annals of the American Association of Geographers2026
Black Towns and (Legal) Marronage
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This research demonstrates that Black towns in the U.S., like Princeville, North Carolina, are distinct from White-founded towns due to their origins in resistance to White supremacy and their development outside of traditional capitalist frameworks. These towns represent a continuation of historical “maroon” communities—spaces of self-governance formed by Black people seeking refuge from violence and oppression.
The study utilizes archival data, public databases, and existing secondary sources to analyze the historical development of Princeville, North Carolina, and to contextualize it within the broader history of Black place-making in the United States. This approach allows for a comparative analysis between contemporary Black towns and their historical predecessors.
This work suggests that Black towns offer alternative models of community and land relations that challenge dominant capitalist paradigms and provide insights into building more equitable and resilient communities. Understanding the unique ontological foundations of these towns is crucial for recognizing their ongoing struggle against systemic violence and supporting their self-determination.
Annals of the American Association of Geographers2026
Urban Flight and Rural Rights in a Pandemic: Exploring Narratives of Place, Displacement, and “the Right to Be Rural” in the Context of COVID-19
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This research demonstrates that the COVID-19 pandemic intensified existing tensions between rural and urban areas, particularly regarding population shifts and access to rural spaces. The study highlights how these shifts are linked to issues of community, identity, and safety for both long-term and seasonal rural residents.
Researchers compared media narratives and field sites in rural Michigan, Ontario, and the Atlantic bubble of Canada, utilizing a theoretical framework of the “right to be rural.” This approach grounded in the political economy of rurality, examined power dynamics and inequalities shaping rural experiences during the pandemic.
The findings emphasize the critical need to understand the political economy of rural-urban relations to navigate the social processes impacting the “right to be rural” both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in tourism-dependent regions. This research points to uneven impacts and the need to address anxieties related to economic dependence and access.
Annals of the American Association of Geographers2026
Diverging Mobility Situations: Measuring Relative Job Accessibility and Differing Socioeconomic Conditions in New York City
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This research demonstrates the existence of “diverging mobility” patterns in New York City, where commute times do not consistently increase with distance from employment centers. The study identifies that socioeconomic characteristics play a significant role in determining who experiences these counterintuitive commute scenarios.
Researchers analyzed data from the 2012-2016 Census Transportation Planning Products, focusing on commute times and distances across New York City. They employed binomial and multinomial logistic regression models to assess the influence of socioeconomic factors, transportation infrastructure, and land use on diverging mobility situations.
These findings underscore the complexity of urban accessibility and suggest that traditional distance-based measures of commute burden can be misleading. Understanding the socioeconomic drivers of diverging mobility is crucial for equitable transportation planning and policy interventions.
Annals of the American Association of Geographers2026
From Residential Neighborhood to Activity Space: The Effects of Educational Segregation on Crime and Their Moderation by Social Context
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This study demonstrates that both residential and activity space segregation based on educational attainment are significantly linked to increased theft and violent crime rates in Beijing, with segregation in activity spaces having a more pronounced effect. The relationship between segregation and crime is further influenced by the local educational composition of the surrounding population.
Researchers utilized Baidu Map Location-Based Service data and court records from 863 geographic units within Beijing’s central urban area (2018-2019) to measure segregation between those with and without bachelor’s degrees in both residential and activity spaces. They then statistically analyzed the influence of these segregation types, and their interaction with social context, on the occurrence of theft and violent crime.
These findings extend the understanding of segregation’s impact beyond residential areas, highlighting the importance of considering activity spaces when addressing crime and safety, particularly in areas with lower educational attainment. The results suggest that interventions targeting educational disparities and promoting inclusive activity spaces could be effective strategies for reducing crime rates.
Navigating the Risks of Party Rape in Historically White Greek Life at an Elite College: Women’s Accounts
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This study reveals a shift in how college women perceive institutional responsibility for sexual violence, finding that women involved in sororities now largely *do* hold institutions accountable for safety at parties, a contrast to earlier research. Participants actively sought institutional changes while simultaneously engaging in self-protective behaviors within the Greek party system.
Researchers conducted intensive interviews with 68 women involved in historically White sororities—a total of 121 interviews—to understand their experiences and perspectives on safety, responsibility, and prevention strategies related to party culture and sexual assault risk. The focus was on women at heightened risk due to their participation in the Greek system.
These findings suggest that prevention efforts should consider the complex ways women navigate the Greek party scene, balancing demands for institutional change with self-reliance and a desire to preserve existing social structures, and address the potential for shifting blame onto survivors through preventative measures. Further research should explore the long-term effectiveness of these strategies and the challenges of implementing institutional changes.
Intergenerational Educational Mobility in Scandinavia and the United States
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This research demonstrates that Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Norway, and Sweden) exhibit significantly lower levels of inequality in intergenerational educational mobility—roughly 20-30% lower—compared to the United States. The study provides robust evidence for this difference across various analytical approaches.
Researchers meticulously compared intergenerational educational mobility in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the United States, utilizing administrative data from Scandinavia and eight surveys from the US for birth cohorts between 1958 and 1987. They employed methods focusing on *relative* mobility and a “multiverse analysis” to ensure the robustness of their findings to different variable specifications.
These findings suggest that the welfare state structures in Scandinavian nations are more effective at providing opportunities for social mobility than those in the United States. This has implications for understanding the role of welfare states in promoting a more equitable society and reducing social stratification.
The Great Leveler? Juvenile Arrest, College Attainment, and the Future of American Inequality
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This research demonstrates a significant negative impact of juvenile arrest on long-term educational outcomes, specifically reducing the likelihood of completing a four-year college by 20 to 30 percentage points. This effect is sustained even for students who *do* enroll in college and remains consistent across different demographic groups and time periods.
Researchers utilized 25 years of Illinois administrative records linked to a longitudinal study, allowing for a robust analysis of officially recorded juvenile arrests and subsequent college completion rates. This approach moves beyond self-reported data and examines long-term effects, providing more reliable estimates than previous studies.
The study highlights how early legal system involvement can contribute to enduring inequalities in educational attainment, suggesting a need for interventions supporting system-involved youth as they transition to higher education. Understanding the lasting consequences of juvenile arrest is crucial for addressing broader societal inequities and promoting opportunity.
Optimism and Obstacles: Racialized Constraints in College Attitudes and Expectations among Teens of the Prison Boom
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Data extraction from the designated source failed, resulting in an absence of analyzable content; this outcome itself represents a significant observation regarding data accessibility or source integrity.
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An attempt was made to retrieve and process data from the specified input location, utilizing standard parsing protocols, but no usable information was returned, indicating a systemic issue with the source or retrieval process.
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This extraction failure highlights the critical need for robust error handling and data validation procedures in automated information systems, and necessitates investigation into the source of the failure to ensure future data acquisition success.
The Shape of the Sieve: Which Components of the Admissions Application Matter Most in Particular Institutional Contexts?
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This study reveals that selective colleges utilize distinct approaches to admissions, ranging from prioritizing traditional academic metrics to actively considering extracurriculars and applicants’ identities. These approaches cluster into three main types: a “coarse sieve” relying on grades and test scores, a “fine sieve” emphasizing cultivated qualities and identity, and a “double sieve” combining both.
Researchers employed latent class analysis to categorize colleges based on the admission criteria they publicly state as important. This statistical method identified underlying groupings of institutions based on patterns in their stated admissions priorities, allowing for a data-driven understanding of admissions practices.
These findings shed light on how selective colleges shape their student bodies and highlight the varying degrees to which institutions prioritize different applicant characteristics. Understanding these “admissions sieves” is crucial for addressing issues of representation and equity in higher education.
Who Can Afford to Be an English Major? Economic Origins, Debt, and Public Beliefs about Higher Education
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This study reveals that Americans exhibit clear class-based distinctions when considering appropriate fields of study for college students, expecting working-class students to prioritize high-paying, employable majors more so than their upper-middle-class peers. Student loan debt, however, showed minimal independent effect on these recommendations.
Researchers conducted a nationally representative survey experiment (N=1,121) presenting respondents with scenarios involving students from varying social class backgrounds and debt levels, then asked about their likelihood of recommending different fields of study. The study also included open-ended responses to further explore reasoning behind the recommendations.
These findings suggest that societal expectations place a greater emphasis on financial security for working-class students, potentially limiting their exploration of interests and skills, and highlight the need to consider social class dynamics within higher education research. This reinforces the idea that access to higher education isn't solely about *getting* in, but also about *what* students are encouraged to study.
Struggling to Belong: Evidence From a Survey of Youth Belonging in Public Schools
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This study revealed significant disparities in school belonging among middle and high school students, with Black and Latino/x youth reporting lower levels of belonging compared to their White peers. These findings emerged despite the district’s stated commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Researchers conducted a survey of students within a mid-sized school district in the Mid-Atlantic region to assess their sense of belonging. Data was analyzed to identify differences in belonging based on race and ethnicity.
These results highlight the need for targeted policies and practices to foster a stronger sense of belonging for racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse youth, even within districts prioritizing diversity initiatives. Addressing these disparities is crucial for equitable educational outcomes.
Missing the Forest for the Trees: Toward a Networked Racial Analysis of White Parents in Education Policy and Research
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This research demonstrates that White parents actively reinforce racial hierarchies within schools through collective action, a phenomenon often missed by studies focusing on individual behaviors.
The study employs a racial network analysis of White parent collectives, moving beyond individual-level analyses to examine patterns of group behavior and influence.
These findings suggest that education policy needs to address systemic patterns of White parental organizing rather than solely focusing on individual choices, and that incorporating insights from whiteness studies is crucial for understanding these dynamics.
State-Funded Pre-K and Children’s Language and Literacy Development: The Case of COVID-19
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Data extraction from the designated source failed, resulting in an absence of analyzable content; this outcome itself represents a significant observation regarding data accessibility or source integrity.
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An attempt was made to retrieve and process data from the specified input location, utilizing standard parsing protocols, but no usable information was returned, indicating a systemic issue with the source or retrieval process.
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This extraction failure highlights the critical need for robust error handling and data validation procedures in automated information systems, and necessitates investigation into the source of the failure to ensure future data acquisition success.
2023 AERA Presidential Address A Framework for Designing Consequential Research
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This research introduces a framework for designing research intended to be impactful and address significant problems, moving beyond simply adding to the existing body of knowledge. The framework centers on intentionally incorporating elements that maximize the potential for consequentiality – research that actively seeks to solve, address, and improve identified issues.
The framework was constructed through a synthesis of existing literature and the author’s prior research, resulting in six interrelated principles for designing consequential research. These principles guide researchers in areas such as historical understanding, knowledge advancement, researcher reflexivity, inclusive framing, and diverse dissemination strategies.
This framework offers a practical guide for researchers aiming to conduct work that is not only rigorous but also purposefully directed towards positive change and social impact. By prioritizing marginalized voices and focusing on problem-solving, the framework encourages a more responsible and ethically-grounded approach to research design.
Poverty and the Brain: The New/Old Language of Cultural Deficit
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This work demonstrates that contemporary brain development research on poverty inadvertently reinforces the historically problematic “culture of poverty” narrative by focusing on perceived deficits in parenting and linguistic stimulation. Despite anthropological evidence challenging this deficit-based approach, brain science often replicates its assumptions.
The authors employ a narrative analysis, examining recent research in brain development under conditions of poverty alongside the established concept of the “culture of poverty.” This comparative approach reveals how neurological explanations can unintentionally support older, culturally biased theories.
This analysis suggests that brain development science needs to critically examine its framing of poverty, acknowledging the significant role of material and structural factors, and the sociocultural contexts of learning, to avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes and obscuring systemic issues.
The Winds of Changes: How Research Alliances Respond to and Manage Shifting Field-Level Logics
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This study reveals that research alliances operate within complex landscapes of competing expectations – research, practice, and community – and these expectations are not static but shift over time. Alliance design, available resources, and the specific local context significantly influence how these partnerships navigate these competing demands.
Researchers conducted a longitudinal, qualitative study of two research alliances, examining the dominant field-level logics in their local contexts and tracking how those logics evolved. Data collection focused on understanding how the alliances responded to these shifting expectations over time.
These findings highlight the importance of understanding the local political and practical landscape when establishing and supporting research-practice partnerships, suggesting that flexibility and responsiveness are key to successful collaboration and impact. Recognizing and proactively managing competing logics can improve the effectiveness of these alliances in bridging research and practice.
The Rise and Fall of the Teaching Profession: Prestige, Interest, Preparation, and Satisfaction Over the Last Half Century
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This study reveals a cyclical pattern in the health of the U.S. K-12 teaching profession over the past 50 years, currently at a historic low point, marked by declines in prestige, student interest, preparation numbers, and job satisfaction. These measures experienced rises and falls, but a sustained downturn began around 2010.
Researchers compiled and analyzed nationally representative time-series data spanning five decades, focusing on four key indicators of the teaching profession’s status: prestige, student interest, preparation rates, and on-the-job satisfaction. This allowed for the identification of historical trends and patterns.
The findings suggest a need to investigate the complex interplay of economic, sociopolitical, and educational factors impacting the teaching profession, and to address the current crisis to ensure a stable and qualified educator workforce. Understanding these historical patterns is crucial for informing future policies and improving school environments.
Creating Thirdspace: Indigenous Learning Lab to Transform a School Discipline System
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This study demonstrates how a collaborative, community-driven process—the Indigenous Learning Lab—successfully identified the root causes of racial disproportionality in school discipline and co-created a new, more equitable system. The research highlights the emergence of “Thirdspace” within the ILL as a site for resistance and hopeful change.
Researchers partnered with 14 school stakeholders—including American Indian students, parents, educators, and community members—to facilitate the Indigenous Learning Lab. Utilizing critical geography and decolonizing methodology, the study analyzed the group’s problem-solving process and the development of their alternative disciplinary approach.
These findings suggest that centering Indigenous epistemology and challenging race-neutral data analysis are crucial steps toward dismantling systemic racial bias in schools. The Indigenous Learning Lab model offers a promising framework for other communities seeking to address similar issues and envision truly equitable educational environments.
The Safest Bet: Identifying and Assessing Risk in Faculty Selection
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Faculty search committees, while intending to be inclusive, frequently assess candidates based on perceived risks—including competence, fit, and even the search process itself—which can become intertwined with existing social biases and hinder the hiring of racially minoritized groups and women in STEM.
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This research utilized qualitative methods, specifically observing and analyzing the inner workings of five faculty search committees to understand how members identified and evaluated risks during the hiring process, drawing on theories from behavioral economics, social psychology, and decision-making.
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Understanding how risk assessment operates within search committees is crucial for developing more effective and inclusive hiring practices, as addressing these often-unconscious biases can help to level the playing field for underrepresented groups in STEM fields.
The Tension between Money and Culture: Inequality, Economic Capital, Cultural Capital, and High School Students’ Educational Achievements from a Comparative Perspective
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This research demonstrates that the relationship between economic and cultural capital and academic achievement varies depending on the level of income inequality within a country; economic capital is more strongly linked to achievement in unequal societies, while cultural capital shows a stronger link in more equal societies. Furthermore, the benefit of cultural capital is greater for students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds in equal societies, but for those with higher economic capital in unequal societies.
The study utilized a large, multilevel dataset encompassing 72 countries to analyze the interplay between income inequality, economic capital, cultural capital, and student academic performance. Statistical analysis was performed to determine how these factors interact across different national contexts.
These findings highlight the importance of considering social context when examining the drivers of academic success and intergenerational mobility, suggesting that policies aimed at reducing income inequality may also alter how effectively different forms of capital translate into educational outcomes.
An Update of the Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Classroom Management Interventions on Students’ Academic, Behavioral, Social-Emotional, and Motivational Outcomes
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This meta-analysis confirms a small but significant positive effect (Hedges’ g = .23) of classroom management interventions on student outcomes in primary education, based on a review of 76 studies. Recent analyses suggest that interventions with a more focused approach—rather than addressing all aspects of classroom management—may be more effective.
Researchers updated a previous meta-analysis by incorporating 22 new studies published between 2003 and 2022, examining random and nonrandom controlled trials. They coded interventions based on four key strategy categories: teacher behavior, relationships, student behavior, and social-emotional development, and used sensitivity and moderator analyses to assess effect sizes.
These findings support the continued use of classroom management interventions, but highlight the potential benefits of tailoring strategies to specific student needs and classroom contexts. Educators should consider prioritizing targeted interventions over broad-spectrum approaches to maximize impact on student outcomes.
Starting Well: A Meta-Analysis of the Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status and Academic Skills in Early Childhood
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This meta-analysis demonstrates a moderate relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and early childhood academic skills, with longitudinal effects slightly stronger than cross-sectional ones. The study identified key factors influencing this relationship, including national wealth and access to early education.
Researchers synthesized data from 111 cross-sectional and 59 longitudinal studies, encompassing over 133,000 participants, to calculate effect sizes and conduct moderation analyses. These analyses examined how factors like GDP per capita, early education, and income inequality influence the SES-academic skill link.
These findings suggest that interventions focused on expanding early education and addressing income inequality may help mitigate the impact of SES on academic achievement. This research provides a valuable framework for future studies investigating the complex interplay between SES and early cognitive development.
Assessing Teachers’ Culturally Responsive Classroom Practice in PK–12 Schools: A Systematic Review of Teacher-, Student-, and Observer-Report Measures
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This systematic review of 27 quantitative measures of Culturally Responsive Practice (CRP) in U.S. classrooms reveals a reliance on teacher self-report surveys, but limited evidence supporting the validity of interpreting and using these measures effectively. The study highlights a critical need for more robust psychometric data and multi-informant assessment approaches to accurately gauge CRP implementation.
Researchers conducted a systematic review, adhering to PRISMA standards, searching six databases to identify quantitative measures of CRP used in prekindergarten–12th-grade classrooms. Identified measures were then critically analyzed using an argument-based approach to validation, focusing on how CRP was operationalized and measured.
These findings suggest that while measuring CRP is valuable for improving teaching, current instruments lack sufficient empirical support for reliable evaluation of interventions or informing professional development. Prioritizing the development and implementation of multi-informant measures—incorporating student and observational data—is crucial for advancing the field and ensuring meaningful improvements in culturally responsive teaching.
“Walking the Talk”: A Critical Meta-Methodology of Participatory Research Across AERA Journals
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This study reveals a gap between the espoused values of participatory research within educational scholarship and the actual methodological practices employed, finding that while discourse around relationality, reciprocity, and responsibility is present, it isn’t consistently reflected in how research is conducted. The analysis identifies key ways research *can* better align values with practice.
Researchers conducted a meta-methodological analysis of articles published in journals of the American Educational Research Association, examining how participatory values are discussed in relation to the methods used in the studies. This approach allowed for identification of patterns in the “talk” versus the “walk” of participatory research.
The findings offer practical guidance for strengthening participatory research through co-design, implementation, interpretation, and dissemination of knowledge, providing methodological recommendations for both researchers and community partners. This work promotes more equitable and transformative research practices.
Preservice Teachers’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Bullying: A Systematic Review
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This systematic review reveals that while preservice teachers generally express concern about bullying and a sense of responsibility to address it, they often lack a comprehensive understanding of its characteristics and report low confidence in their ability to intervene effectively. Notably, they often perceive physical bullying as more serious than other forms.
Researchers conducted a systematic review of 42 studies to assess the knowledge, attitudes, sense of responsibility, and confidence related to bullying held by preservice teachers. This synthesis of existing research provides a broad overview of preparedness levels across multiple studies.
These findings highlight a critical gap in teacher preparation programs, suggesting a need for increased and more focused training on bullying prevention and intervention strategies. Future research should explore effective methods for enhancing preservice teachers’ knowledge and self-efficacy in addressing this pervasive issue in schools.
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This note details the annotation policy of a publication reviewing economics and related books, clarifying that coverage primarily focuses on English-language titles. The policy also outlines a timeframe for expected annotations and provides guidance for inquiries regarding missing reviews.
The publication relies on a reactive system, annotating books *after* they are submitted for review, rather than proactively seeking out new publications. Annotations are performed by staff for English books and consulting editors for a limited selection of foreign-language works.
Authors and publishers should be aware of this policy, particularly the six-month window, to follow up on potential omissions in book reviews. This ensures broader visibility of scholarly work within the field of economics.
The Market Power of Technology: Understanding the Second Gilded Age
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This book review centers on Mordecai Kurz’s analysis of how technological market power contributes to economic inequality, drawing parallels to the historical context of the Second Gilded Age.
Abhinav Gupta reviews Kurz’s work, which examines the historical relationship between technology, firm power, income, and wealth inequality dating back to 1889.
The review highlights the policy implications of understanding the connection between technological advancements, market concentration, and the widening gap in income and wealth distribution.
Banzhaf, H. Spencer. Pricing the Priceless: A History of Environmental Economics
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This book review examines H. Spencer Banzhaf’s “Pricing the Priceless,” highlighting the historical development of environmental economics and the inherent conflict between preserving wilderness and utilizing natural resources.
Catherine Louise Kling provides a review of Banzhaf’s historical analysis, focusing on the evolution of economic thought regarding environmental issues within the United States from 1940-1980.
Understanding the historical context of environmental economics is crucial for addressing contemporary challenges in natural resource management and valuation, offering insights into current debates and approaches.
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This note details the annotation policy of a publication reviewing economics and related books, clarifying that coverage primarily focuses on English-language titles. The publication relies on submissions and doesn't proactively seek out new books for review.
The policy is communicated directly to potential submitters and publishers, outlining the review process and timeframe for expected annotation appearance. It establishes a clear line of communication for inquiries regarding missing annotations.
This transparent policy ensures authors and publishers understand the criteria for book review consideration and provides a mechanism for addressing potential oversights. It manages expectations regarding coverage and encourages proactive engagement with the publication.
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This paper synthesizes the growing body of economic research on social media, categorizing key insights around the lifecycle of content – production, distribution, and consumption – to provide a comprehensive overview of the field. The guide highlights how economic principles apply to understanding behavior on these platforms.
The authors conducted a literature review of empirical economics research on social media, organizing findings into a framework based on content’s journey from creation to user engagement. Case studies on misinformation, political advertising, and platform effects were examined to illustrate key concepts.
This work offers a structured understanding of the economic forces shaping social media, providing a valuable resource for researchers and policymakers interested in addressing issues like harmful content, platform governance, and societal impacts. It also points to areas for future research in this rapidly evolving landscape.
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This book review centers on Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg’s work, “The Unequal Effects of Globalization,” which analyzes how recent changes in global trade have disproportionately impacted nations and populations.
The review itself, authored by Ed Leamer, critically assesses Goldberg’s book, likely examining the evidence and arguments presented within its pages regarding the uneven distribution of globalization’s benefits and costs.
Understanding these unequal effects is crucial for crafting policies that mitigate negative consequences and promote more equitable outcomes from global trade, as highlighted by both Goldberg’s research and Leamer’s review.
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This research demonstrates that consumers exhibit inattention to inflation, but pay more attention when inflation rates are high, a pattern that helps explain recent economic trends. This heightened attention during inflationary periods can potentially contribute to self-fulfilling price increases.
The study constructs two new, direct measures of consumer inattention to inflation and analyzes how attention levels correlate with inflation rates. By quantifying inattention, the researchers were able to link it to observed economic phenomena.
These findings offer a potential explanation for the observed flattening of the Phillips curve and suggest a mechanism for the development of upward attention-price spirals. Understanding consumer inattention is crucial for policymakers navigating current inflationary pressures.
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This paper demonstrates that land transport infrastructure, specifically bridges, has complex effects on economic activity. While proximity to transport routes initially boosts economic growth and urbanization, local sorting patterns can reverse this effect over smaller spatial scales, leading to lower per capita incomes in areas immediately adjacent to these routes.
The study utilizes quasi-experimental variation in bridge construction across the U.S. to identify causal effects. Two complementary strategies are employed: exploiting the location of bridges relative to tributary confluences and analyzing the timing of bridge construction using a 150-year county-level panel dataset.
These findings highlight the importance of considering both the initial productivity gains and subsequent spatial dynamics when evaluating the economic impacts of infrastructure investments. Understanding these effects is crucial for optimizing infrastructure allocation and mitigating unintended consequences related to urbanization and income distribution.
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This research demonstrates multimodality and instability in probability estimates for standard statistical problems, even with minor changes in problem description. These findings suggest that people do not consistently apply correct statistical reasoning, and their judgments are sensitive to seemingly irrelevant details.
The authors conducted experiments involving coin flip sequences and inference problems, varying the presentation and framing of the questions. They analyzed the distribution of participant responses to identify patterns of bias, multimodality, and instability in their probability estimates, and also measured attention through free-response reports and feature selection.
The study proposes a model of salience-driven attention to explain these biases, suggesting that individuals focus on prominent features while neglecting others, leading to inconsistent judgments. This framework unifies previously disparate biases and highlights the sensitivity of decision-making to contextual factors, challenging the notion of stable heuristics or distortions of Bayesian reasoning.
Is the Social Safety Net a Long-Term Investment? Large-Scale Evidence From the Food Stamps Program
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This research demonstrates a significant positive correlation between early childhood economic resources and long-term adult outcomes, specifically showing improvements in human capital, economic self-sufficiency, neighborhood quality, life expectancy, and reduced incarceration rates. Children with greater access to resources before age five experience measurable benefits that extend into adulthood.
Researchers utilized a large dataset of 17.5 million Americans, linking Census and American Community Survey data with Social Security records to analyze the impact of the Food Stamps program rollout between 1961 and 1975. This approach allowed for a treatment-on-the-treated analysis, isolating the effects of increased economic resources on children's future outcomes.
These findings strongly suggest that investments in early childhood economic support, such as the Food Stamps program, are highly cost-effective, with an estimated marginal value of public funds of sixty-two. The study highlights the potential for policy interventions to improve long-term societal well-being through increased resources for young children and their families.
Market Structure and Extortion: Evidence from 50,000 Extortion Payments
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This research demonstrates that a gang truce in El Salvador, while reducing violence, paradoxically *increased* extortion payments by 20% and led to higher consumer prices, particularly for essential pharmaceuticals. This suggests that reducing competition amongst criminal organizations can have unintended negative economic consequences.
The study utilizes detailed data on extortion payments and sales from a major distributor in El Salvador, combined with an analysis of a 2016 gang non-aggression pact. Researchers exploited this pact as a natural experiment to compare extortion levels in previously competitive areas before and after the truce.
These findings highlight a counterintuitive consequence of crime reduction policies: decreasing competition between criminal groups may empower them to extract more resources from businesses and consumers. This underscores the need to consider the market dynamics of illicit activities when designing interventions aimed at reducing crime and improving public health.
Should We Prevent Off-Label Drug Prescriptions? Empirical Evidence from France
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This research demonstrates that banning off-label drug prescriptions doesn't improve patient health and actually *increases* prescription drug expenditure. Specifically, removing off-label options leads to a 15-26% rise in treatment costs depending on price adjustments.
Researchers developed a structural demand and supply model, utilizing nine years of detailed French panel data on physician activity and patient visits. This model incorporates prescription choices, health outcomes, and a Nash bargaining framework to estimate drug costs and the impact of off-label regulation.
These findings suggest that strict regulation of off-label prescriptions may be counterproductive, potentially increasing healthcare costs without benefiting patient health. Policymakers should carefully consider these economic consequences when designing regulations around drug usage and pricing.
Optimal Shrinkage Estimation of Fixed Effects in Linear Panel Data Models
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This research introduces a new fixed effects estimator that achieves optimal mean squared error performance, surpassing traditional shrinkage estimators without relying on strict distributional assumptions. The estimator adapts to potential time variation and serial correlation within the fixed effects themselves.
The study develops a shrinkage estimator designed to minimize mean squared error within a broad class of such estimators, allowing for both time-varying and serially correlated fixed effects. Its formulation is intentionally simple to facilitate practical implementation.
This work provides a more robust and flexible approach to estimating fixed effects, particularly in scenarios where distributional assumptions are questionable or when temporal dependencies are present. The method also enables improved one-period-ahead forecasting of these effects.
The Welfare Effects of Dynamic Pricing: Evidence From Airline Markets
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Data extraction from the designated source failed, resulting in an absence of analyzable content. This outcome itself represents a significant finding regarding data accessibility or source integrity.
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An attempt was made to retrieve and process data from the specified input location, utilizing standard parsing protocols; the failure was recorded and flagged for further investigation of the source or extraction process.
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This extraction failure highlights potential issues with data source reliability or the need for more robust error handling in automated data pipelines, necessitating a review of data acquisition strategies.
Rural Pensions, Labor Reallocation, and Aggregate Income: An Empirical and Quantitative Analysis of China
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This research demonstrates significant costs associated with rural-to-urban migration in China, alongside substantial differences in productivity between sectors, finding that worker sorting explains little of the income gap. The study highlights how a rural pension policy impacts migration patterns, overall GDP, and household welfare by improving labor allocation.
Researchers utilized a large panel dataset and a general equilibrium household model with endogenous labor supply and migration to structurally estimate migration costs and sectoral productivity. They combined reduced-form analysis with model-based counterfactuals to assess the policy's effects and explore scenarios with lower migration costs.
These findings suggest that even with reduced migration barriers, expanding rural pension policies can positively influence labor allocation, boost GDP, and enhance welfare. The results underscore the importance of social safety nets in facilitating efficient labor markets and promoting economic development in rural China.
Multinational Enforcement of Labor Law: Experimental Evidence on Strengthening Occupational Safety and Health Committees
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This research demonstrates that Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) committees can positively impact workplace safety, though the extent of improvement depends on existing managerial practices within factories. Factories with strong managerial foundations showed the greatest gains in safety metrics following the implementation of OSH committees.
A field experiment was conducted with 84 apparel supplier factories in Bangladesh, collaborating with 29 multinational buyers to randomly enforce a mandate for OSH committees on half of the factories over a nearly year-long period. The study leveraged this experimental variation to assess the causal effects of OSH committees on worker safety, wages, employment, and factory productivity.
These findings highlight the importance of combining external regulatory enforcement with internal organizational capacity-building for effective workplace safety improvements; simply mandating committees is insufficient in factories with poor managerial practices. The research suggests that interventions targeting both compliance *and* internal management are crucial for maximizing the benefits of worker voice institutions.
Nonparametric Estimates of Demand in the California Health Insurance Exchange
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This paper develops a nonparametric framework for estimating demand in the California Health Insurance Exchange, providing a rigorous approach to analyzing consumer choices under uncertainty. The authors demonstrate how to identify valuation functions and derive bounds on consumer surplus and elasticities, even with limited price variation.
The research utilizes a choice model under uncertainty, building upon existing literature in discrete choice theory. They employ a semiparametric approach, leveraging instrumental variables and constructing a Minimal Relevant Partition (MRP) to identify consumer valuations. The methodology is validated through replication of a simulation study and extended to scenarios with less price variation.
The findings contribute to a more robust understanding of health insurance demand, offering tools for policy evaluation and market analysis. The developed framework allows for sharp identification of demand parameters without strong parametric assumptions, and provides a foundation for future research on consumer behavior in complex markets.
The Bank of Amsterdam and the Limits of Fiat Money
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This research determines a critical threshold for negative central bank equity, beyond which fiat money credibility is lost, drawing on historical precedent and game theory. The study identifies the point where combined negative equity and asset illiquidity lead to a loss of faith in fiat currency.
Researchers employed a global game approach, inspired by the historical example of the Bank of Amsterdam, to model the conditions leading to fiat money becoming worthless. They mathematically solved for the unique breakpoint defining this loss of credibility.
The findings highlight the importance of fiscal support and sufficient central bank capital in maintaining public trust in fiat money, even when facing negative equity. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers regarding the limits of negative equity and the need for proactive stabilization measures.
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This research demonstrates that replacement hiring—filling positions vacated by departing employees—is a crucial driver of firm dynamics and explains observed patterns in employment stability despite ongoing worker turnover. The model introduces a new framework for understanding how firms navigate these hiring decisions, linking them to productivity differences and broader economic trends.
Researchers developed a mathematical model incorporating firm dynamics, on-the-job search behavior, and the costs associated with creating new job roles that are lost when an employee leaves. This model specifically focuses on the frictions driving replacement hiring and the resulting “vacancy chains” that emerge.
The findings reconcile the prevalence of replacement hiring with variations in labor productivity across firms and accurately reproduce observed volatility in job creation and unemployment rates. This suggests that understanding replacement hiring is key to a more complete picture of labor market behavior and firm-level decision-making.
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This paper demonstrates that foreign shocks are primarily transmitted to the French economy through large firms, a phenomenon termed the "foreign granular residual." The analysis reveals that 45 to 75% of the impact of foreign fluctuations on French GDP is attributable to the differential responsiveness of these larger firms.
The researchers combine a comprehensive dataset of French firm-level value added, imports, and exports (1995-2007) with a quantitative multi-country model. They calibrate this model to observed firm size, exporting, and importing patterns to simulate the propagation of foreign shocks and analyze both micro-level firm responses and macro-level GDP changes.
The study finds that firm heterogeneity attenuates the overall impact of foreign shocks, with GDP responses being 10 to 20% larger in a representative firm model compared to the baseline model. This suggests that ignoring firm-level differences in exposure to trade can lead to an overestimation of the effects of foreign shocks on domestic economies.
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This study demonstrates that farmers in Zambia facing greater financial hardship exhibit *more* rational decision-making when trading household items, showing decreased exchange asymmetries as constraints increase. This challenges the common assumption that poverty consistently leads to irrational choices.
Researchers analyzed 5,842 trading decisions made by Zambian farmers who were given the opportunity to exchange household items of similar value, while manipulating financial constraints and market values. They leveraged variations in these constraints to assess their impact on trading behavior and controlled for cognitive performance.
These findings suggest that scarcity can actually *improve* decision-making by heightening the perceived loss from missed opportunities, offering a nuanced perspective on the relationship between poverty and economic behavior. This has implications for designing effective interventions aimed at supporting vulnerable populations.
Monotone Function Intervals: Theory and Applications
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This research identifies the extreme points within sets of monotone functions bounded by two other monotone functions, providing a fundamental characterization of these intervals. This characterization allows for new insights into how information shapes beliefs and optimal mechanisms in various economic contexts.
The study utilizes mathematical analysis to define and characterize monotone function intervals, focusing on identifying their extreme points through rigorous proof. These theoretical results are then applied to specific economic models, building upon and generalizing existing literature in areas like Bayesian persuasion and mechanism design.
The findings unify and extend results in political economy, Bayesian persuasion, psychology, security design under adverse selection, and moral hazard, offering a more general framework for understanding information transmission and optimal contracting. This work has implications for designing better signaling mechanisms and incentive structures in a variety of economic settings.
Sticky Spending, Sequestration, and Government Debt
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This research demonstrates that government spending programs exhibit inertia, but this isn’t necessarily driven by unsustainable debt accumulation; instead, inertia can *reduce* incentives for politicians to create debt, while also creating incentives for overspending to reshape existing programs.
The study utilizes a theoretical model examining the interplay between political turnover, preexisting commitments, and political polarization to analyze the dynamics of government spending. This model allows for the exploration of how these factors influence politicians’ incentives regarding debt and program prioritization.
These findings suggest that political polarization and the desire to leave a mark on policy can exacerbate the growth of mandatory spending, potentially explaining trends observed in the US federal budget and challenging conventional views of spending inertia as solely a fiscal problem.
Consumer Credit and the Incidence of Tariffs: Evidence from the Auto Industry
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This research demonstrates that tariffs can lead to increased interest rates on auto loans, specifically finding that consumers faced higher rates from captive lenders following the implementation of metal tariffs during the Trump administration. The effect was disproportionately felt by low-income borrowers and those in less competitive lending markets.
The study analyzed the impact of the Trump administration’s metal tariffs on captive automobile lenders, comparing their interest rate changes to those of noncaptive lenders. This comparative approach allowed researchers to isolate the tariff’s effect on consumer credit terms.
These findings suggest that the economic impact of tariffs extends beyond directly affected goods, influencing the cost of financing those purchases and potentially underestimating the true cost of trade policies. This highlights the need for a broader assessment of tariff pass-through effects, including impacts on credit markets.
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This research demonstrates a unique perfect Bayesian equilibrium in a bargaining scenario with one-sided incomplete information, where players negotiate over a good and a transfer. The equilibrium involves a menu of allocations proposed by one player, designed to be optimal for the uninformed player.
The study utilizes game theory, specifically perfect Bayesian equilibrium, to analyze the strategic interactions between the informed and uninformed players. Researchers derive the optimal menu of allocations that satisfies individual rationality constraints for all types of the informed player.
These findings suggest a specific solution structure for bargaining under asymmetric information, aligning with Myerson’s neutral solution under reasonable belief assumptions. This has implications for understanding efficient bargaining mechanisms in various economic contexts.
Predictable Effects of Visual Salience in Experimental Decisions and Games
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This research demonstrates that stimulus-driven visual salience significantly influences economic decisions and strategic interactions. Experiments reveal salience impacts choices even when uncorrelated with value, enhances cooperative matching in games, and creates a "seeker's advantage" in competitive scenarios.
The study employed a combination of behavioral experiments and computational modeling. Participants made choices between sets of fruits with induced value, played location-based coordination and competition games, and participated in matrix games, while their choices were analyzed in relation to predictions from a stimulus-driven salience algorithm (SAM). Level-k models were used to explain observed behavior.
These findings suggest that incorporating stimulus-driven salience into economic models can improve their predictive power and provide insights into behavioral biases. Applications span areas like behavioral IO, price/tax salience, nudge design, and understanding visually influenced beliefs, highlighting the importance of visual factors in decision-making.
When Did Growth Begin? New Estimates of Productivity Growth in England from 1250 to 1870
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This study estimates productivity growth in England from 1250 to 1870, finding that productivity growth was non-existent before 1600 and began around 1600—predating the Glorious Revolution. Productivity growth rates were estimated at 2% per decade between 1600 and 1800, increasing to 5% per decade between 1810 and 1860.
The authors construct a new series for total factor productivity (TFP) by estimating a labor demand curve using real wages and population data, accounting for Malthusian dynamics and structural changes like the declining importance of land in production. They employ both an analysis of the Black Death as an exogenous shock and a structural Malthusian model to estimate the slope of the labor demand curve.
These findings suggest that the onset of productivity growth preceded key institutional reforms in England, prompting a re-evaluation of the drivers of early economic growth. The research highlights the importance of factors proximate to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and suggests that much of the increase in output during the Industrial Revolution stemmed from structural change rather than solely from faster productivity growth.
The Long-Run Impacts of Public Industrial Investment on Local Development and Economic Mobility: Evidence from World War II
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This research demonstrates that government-led construction of manufacturing plants during World War II had large and lasting positive effects on local development and economic mobility. Men born in counties with these plants experienced significantly higher earnings in adulthood, particularly those from lower-income families.
The study utilizes a combination of historical records, longitudinally linked administrative data, and census information to compare counties where plants were built to comparable regions without plants. Researchers analyzed earnings data, employment patterns, and pre-war socioeconomic characteristics to isolate the impact of the wartime construction.
These findings suggest that attracting high-wage manufacturing jobs can improve economic opportunities for local residents, but the key is the creation of persistent, well-paying jobs, not just any industrial investment. The study highlights the importance of considering the long-term economic environment when designing place-based policies aimed at fostering upward mobility.
Organizational Structure and Pricing: Evidence from a Large U.S. Airline
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This research demonstrates that airline pricing is significantly influenced by organizational structure and departmental decision-making, diverging from models assuming a unitary firm. The study finds that observed pricing practices, while potentially suboptimal from a purely rational perspective, are revenue-maximizing given the internal dynamics of the airline's departments and the simplifying heuristics they employ.
The authors utilize comprehensive internal data from a large U.S. airline, including pricing, capacity, demand forecasts, and the firm’s internal pricing heuristic code. They combine this data with a newly estimated demand model for air travel to simulate counterfactual scenarios, comparing observed prices to those that would result from a fully rational, unitary decision-maker.
The findings suggest that welfare and market power estimates may be biased if they assume rational, unitary firm behavior when pricing is actually decomposed across departments using heuristics. This highlights the importance of considering organizational structure and behavioral factors when analyzing firm pricing and evaluating market outcomes, particularly in complex industries like air travel.
The Race Between Education, Technology, and the Minimum Wage
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This research demonstrates that changes in the real minimum wage have dynamic effects on wages and inequality, initially small but growing over time. The study finds a substantial elasticity of real wages, increasing significantly over a three-year period, and highlights the minimum wage's role in shaping the U.S. college wage premium.
The author develops a theoretical model incorporating the race between education and technology, then tests its predictions using empirical evidence. This involves estimating an extended version of the canonical model with the real minimum wage, utilizing national time-series data from 1963-2016 and disaggregated data across regions and worker groups. Instrumental variables and a design-based specification are employed to address potential biases.
The findings suggest that minimum wages played a significant role in the decline of real wages for low-education workers in the 1980s and continue to influence wage inequality. The research challenges conventional conclusions about skill-biased technical change and provides a framework for understanding the dynamic interplay between education, technology, and institutional factors like minimum wages in shaping labor market outcomes.
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This research demonstrates that the five moral foundations proposed by Moral Foundations Theory – care, fairness, loyalty, authority, and sanctity – are evolutionarily stable, meaning they can persist in a population despite potential deviations. However, the study reveals that this set of foundations isn't minimal; subsets can equally describe all stable preferences.
The authors developed a game-theoretic model where agents play fitness games influenced by "moral principles" representing the five foundations. They analyzed the evolutionary stability of these principles, determining which combinations could survive selection pressures and characterizing conditions for social fitness improvement. The model was extended to consider scenarios with imperfect observability and *n* × *n* games.
The findings provide theoretical support for the idea that moral principles emerge from evolutionary processes and can vary between individuals and settings. Empirical analysis using the World Values Survey supports two testable implications derived from the theory, suggesting a link between societal characteristics and the emphasis placed on specific moral foundations.
Feelings of Trust, Distrust and Risky Decision-Making in Political Office. An Experimental Study With National Politicians in Three Democracies
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This research demonstrates that UK, Canadian, and South African politicians’ perceptions of public trust and distrust significantly influence their willingness to take risks in decision-making, particularly moderating typical biases related to gains and losses. Essentially, how much politicians *believe* the public trusts them impacts their choices.
The study utilizes a novel quantitative dataset collected from national politicians in three countries and employs three survey experiments. These experiments presented politicians with varied risk scenarios to assess how their perceived levels of public trust affected their decisions.
These findings highlight the importance of considering politicians’ subjective perceptions of public trust when analyzing their behavior and decision-making processes. Understanding this link could offer insights into governance and potentially explain seemingly irrational policy choices.
How to be Gracious about Political Loss—The Importance of Good Loser Messages in Policy Controversies
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This research demonstrates that messages from co-partisan leaders encouraging gracious acceptance of political defeat—"good loser messages"—can significantly improve how those who lose policy conflicts perceive the fairness of the decision-making process. These findings highlight a practical way to foster democratic norms and build consensus.
The study employed three survey experiments with a combined sample size of 4700 participants from Norway and Sweden to test the impact of these “good loser” messages. Researchers analyzed participant responses to determine whether the intervention improved evaluations of procedural fairness among individuals who identified as “losers” in specific policy scenarios.
This work suggests that strategic communication by political leaders, specifically emphasizing procedural fairness, can be a powerful tool for bolstering democratic stability. By proactively addressing the concerns of those on the losing side, leaders can cultivate greater acceptance of outcomes and strengthen the foundations of consent-based governance between elections.
Does Proportionality Increase Turnout? A Study of Adaptation to Oscillating Electoral Systems
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This research demonstrates that a move towards a more proportional electoral system in early 20th century Argentina increased voter turnout by approximately four percentage points. The study highlights that even modest increases in proportionality can have a measurable impact on participation.
Researchers utilized a difference-in-differences design, exploiting a natural experiment where some Argentinian districts switched between electoral systems across elections. This allowed them to isolate the effect of shifting from multi-member plurality rules to a slightly more proportional system.
These findings contribute to the broader understanding of electoral system effects, confirming that parties can rapidly adjust to rule changes and challenging the notion that proportionality doesn't impact turnout in Latin America. The results complement existing research and suggest that proportional representation can be a viable tool for increasing democratic participation.
Reshaping the Threat Environment: Personalism, Coups, and Assassinations
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This research demonstrates a relationship between the level of personalism in autocratic regimes and the type of elite challenge faced by the dictator, shifting from coups at lower personalism to assassinations as personalism increases. The study posits that as dictators consolidate power, elites transition from coordinated coup attempts to more desperate, individual acts of violence.
Researchers analyzed a new dataset encompassing all autocracies from 1946-2010, measuring levels of personalism alongside instances of coups and assassinations. This quantitative approach allowed for testing the hypothesized relationship between dictator personalization strategies and elite responses.
These findings suggest that attempts to concentrate power, while intended to secure a dictator’s position, paradoxically increase the risk of politically motivated assassinations. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for analyzing autocratic stability and predicting potential regime transitions.
The Shadow Cost of State Violence: Evidence From Bureaucratic Purges in China
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This research demonstrates that state-sponsored violence against bureaucrats can paradoxically worsen outcomes by incentivizing them to prioritize appearing successful to avoid further punishment, even at the cost of widespread harm. Specifically, bureaucratic purges during China’s Great Leap Forward led to inflated production reports and increased grain extraction.
The study utilizes data from approximately 1350 Chinese counties and examines the relationship between the intensity of bureaucratic purges under Mao and subsequent famine mortality rates. Researchers exploit naturally occurring variations in purge intensity to establish a causal link between coercion and harmful bureaucratic behavior.
These findings reveal the dangers of relying on violence as a means of ensuring accountability within authoritarian systems, highlighting how such practices can exacerbate crises and lead to devastating consequences like mass starvation. The research underscores that “accountability by violence” is often counterproductive and carries significant social costs.
Cross-National Support for the Welfare State Under Wealth Inequality
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This research demonstrates that wealth inequality significantly influences public support for the welfare state, with greater wealth disparities leading to more polarized opinions and reduced government spending. The study posits that wealth acts as a form of private insurance, shaping preferences for or against social policies.
The authors analyzed original cross-national survey data collected from nine OECD countries to investigate the relationship between wealth distribution and welfare state preferences. This quantitative approach allowed them to assess how varying levels of wealth inequality correlate with support for social policies and government expenditure.
These findings suggest that addressing wealth inequality is crucial not only for economic equity but also for fostering broader political consensus and expanding the scope of the welfare state. Understanding the role of wealth reshapes how we view the influence of income on welfare politics and policy outcomes.
Where You Work Is Where You Stand: A Firm-Based Framework for Understanding Trade Opinion
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This paper demonstrates that employees of more productive, globally-oriented firms exhibit significantly greater support for trade liberalization compared to those employed by less productive, domestically-focused firms, even when accounting for individual skill, sector, and occupation. The study further reveals that this firm-level effect conditions existing understandings of trade preferences, and is particularly strong for employees in positions to directly benefit from firm success.
The researchers utilized under-explored survey data from the 2008 Japanese General Social Survey, combining measures of trade opinion with employer productivity. They employed statistical analysis to assess the relationship between firm characteristics (productivity and globalization) and employee attitudes towards trade, while controlling for individual-level factors like skill and occupation.
These findings suggest that economic interests influence individual policy preferences in a more nuanced way than previously understood, highlighting the importance of firm-level factors in shaping trade opinion. The research reconciles trade opinion research with recent developments in trade economics, emphasizing the role of labor market frictions and firm-specific wage premia in driving political cleavages.
The Damocles Delusion: The Sense of Power Inflates Threat Perception in World Politics
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This paper demonstrates that the sense of state power inflates threat perception in international relations, challenging the conventional assumption that material power equates to security. The research posits that feeling powerful activates intuitive thinking, leading decision-makers to rely on gut feelings and cognitive shortcuts when assessing threats.
The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining survey experiments conducted in the US and China, a reanalysis of a survey of Russian elites, and a large-scale text analysis of Cold War US foreign policy documents. These methods provide both experimental and historical evidence to support the central argument about the relationship between power and threat perception.
These findings have significant implications for international relations theory and practice, suggesting that the psychological experience of power can contribute to phenomena like underbalancing and overextension. The research also raises the possibility that rising powers may feel *more* threatened, and highlights the need to consider the psychological dimensions of power in understanding state behavior and contemporary great power competition.
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This article demonstrates that perceptions of an international organization’s (IO) ideological profile systematically moderate the relationship between citizens’ own ideological orientations and their beliefs about the IO’s legitimacy. The study resolves a puzzle in existing research by showing that ideology does influence legitimacy beliefs, but only when considered alongside perceptions of the IO itself.
The researchers combined observational and experimental analyses using new survey data collected from Brazil, Germany, Indonesia, and the United States. Observational analysis examined perceptions of the ideological profiles of the IMF, World Bank, WHO, and UN, while experimental analysis manipulated the perceived ideological profiles of hypothetical IOs to assess causal effects on legitimacy beliefs.
These findings suggest that political ideology is a more powerful driver of legitimacy beliefs in global governance than previously understood, and that understanding how citizens perceive the ideological stances of IOs is crucial for explaining public support. This research highlights the need to consider IOs not as neutral actors, but as institutions often perceived through an ideological lens.
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This research identifies a significant historical pattern – the “great revenue divergence” – where Western governments only began to substantially outpace the rest of the world in per capita revenue collection in the mid-20th century, despite historically possessing greater fiscal innovation and wealth. Prior to 1913, revenue levels were broadly similar, but diverged dramatically over the following half-century.
The authors constructed a new panel dataset of central government revenue spanning a broad range of countries and time, combining historical data from Mitchell with information on exchange rates, gold prices, and population. This dataset, covering eighteen Western and seventy-six non-Western countries, allows for comparative historical analysis of revenue trends, supplemented by data on taxes as a percentage of GDP from Andersson and Brambor.
The findings challenge existing theories of revenue extraction, which often attribute disparities to factors present much earlier in history, and demonstrate that high revenue intake requires both societal demand for government services *and* effective bureaucratic capacity. This suggests that revenue gaps are not simply a result of fiscal demand or supply in isolation, but a conjunction of both, with implications for understanding economic development, political order, and governance quality.
Elite–Public Gaps on Nuclear Weapons: The Roles of Salience and Knowledge
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This study demonstrates a significant gap between US national security elites and the general public regarding support for nuclear weapon use, with the public exhibiting considerably higher approval rates. Importantly, increased knowledge and salience of nuclear issues among the public correlate with views more aligned with those of the elite sample.
The research employed three parallel, preregistered survey experiments: one with the US public before the Ukraine conflict, another after the conflict began, and a third with US military officers and strategists. These surveys presented scenarios involving escalating international crises and measured respondents’ preferences for various policy options, including nuclear strikes, alongside assessments of their knowledge and the salience of nuclear issues.
These findings suggest that public opinion on nuclear weapons may not accurately reflect the views of decision-makers, particularly in crisis situations. The study highlights the importance of knowledge and issue salience in shaping attitudes, and calls for a reevaluation of how survey experiments are interpreted in the context of nuclear policy and elite-public interactions.
From Cocaine to Avocados: Criminal Market Expansion and Violence
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Organized criminal groups (OCGs) increasingly expand into markets for licit commodities, such as avocados and lemons, driven by opportunities for profit and market manipulation. The study finds that rapid increases in a country’s share of global export value for agricultural goods are associated with increased homicides, but only in areas where OCGs are present.
The authors combine subnational data on avocado exports from Mexico with cross-national data from sources like the Atlas of Economic Complexity and the UNODC. They address potential reverse causality using Google Trends data on “avocado toast” searches and employ placebo tests with other crops to validate their findings.
This research suggests that policies aimed at combating OCGs should extend beyond traditional efforts focused on illicit markets and local law enforcement. Understanding the link between international commodity markets and criminal violence is crucial for developing effective strategies to address this growing threat to peace and security.
The Effects of Interactive Requests on the Quantity and Quality of Survey Responses: An International Methodological Experiment
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This study demonstrates that interactive follow-up requests generally increase survey response rates, reducing item non-response by up to 47 percent across ten countries, without negatively impacting data quality. The effects vary depending on the question type and survey design, but consistently show a positive impact on data efficiency.
An online survey experiment was conducted in 2021 with a diverse sample of approximately 3,100 respondents in each of ten countries. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group or a treatment group receiving interactive requests when attempting to skip questions, and responses to six different questions were analyzed to assess the impact on both quantity and quality of data.
The findings strongly recommend the use of interactive response requests as a valuable tool for improving survey data efficiency. By effectively reducing item non-response, researchers can gather more complete and reliable data, particularly when respondents are not offered an explicit 'I don't know' option, enhancing the overall quality of survey-based research.
Information, Uncertainty, and Public Support for Brinkmanship During the 2023 Debt Limit Negotiations
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This research demonstrates that providing voters with information about the negative consequences of a debt ceiling breach increases support for compromise, and that more certain information about these consequences is more effective than less certain information. These findings suggest that public ignorance and uncertainty play a significant role in enabling brinkmanship during debt ceiling negotiations.
The study employed a pre-registered survey experiment with a quota sample representative of the US population, conducted two weeks before the June 2023 debt ceiling deadline. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either certain information, less certain information, or no information about the potential economic consequences of failing to raise the debt ceiling, and then asked about their support for concessions.
These results highlight the importance of clear and definitive communication regarding the risks of debt ceiling standoffs. Understanding how public opinion is shaped by information and uncertainty can inform strategies for mitigating crisis bargaining and promoting more responsible fiscal policy, extending beyond debt ceiling negotiations to other situations involving third-party constraints on political bargaining.
“Our Issue Positions are Strong, and Our Opponents’ Valence is Weak”: An Analysis of Parties' Campaign Strategies in Ten Western European Democracies
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This study demonstrates that political parties prioritize issue-based appeals when presenting themselves, while focusing on valence (leadership qualities and performance) when discussing opponents. It further finds that more extremist parties emphasize issues even more strongly in their self-presentations, and that parties led by the current prime minister prioritize valence-based appeals.
The researchers analyzed media coverage of national election campaigns across ten Western European democracies between 2005 and 2015. Using content analysis, they coded parties’ self-presentations and presentations of opponents to quantify the emphasis placed on issues versus valence, and then statistically tested the relationships between these emphases and party characteristics.
These findings suggest that elections are often about parties clarifying their policy positions, which can help voters identify aligned preferences. However, the prevalence of valence-based attacks on opponents may contribute to increased political polarization, and the focus on leader character in prime ministerial campaigns may reflect a shift towards a more personality-driven style of politics.
Quick. But Impactful? United Nations Quick Impact Projects and Violence against Civilians in Civil War
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This study finds that United Nations Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) are associated with a reduction in rebel attacks on civilians during civil war. The research suggests that strategically deployed aid can be an effective tool for civilian protection, complementing traditional peacekeeping efforts focused on hard power.
The authors tested their hypothesis using disaggregated data on QIPs and rebel attacks on civilians in four African countries: the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, and South Sudan. They aggregated this geo-located data to the district-month level to analyze the relationship between QIP investments and the incidence of rebel violence.
These findings demonstrate that UN peacekeeping can effectively utilize 'soft power' through targeted aid investments like QIPs to reduce violence against civilians. This suggests that a combined approach leveraging both hard and soft power is crucial for successful peacekeeping operations and achieving lasting peace in conflict zones.
Choosing Women: Party elites’ preferences in the candidate selection process
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This study demonstrates that party elites are more likely to select women candidates when women are underrepresented on existing candidate lists. This effect is particularly pronounced among centrist and male selectors, while those already prioritizing gender equality (left-wing and female selectors) show reinforced preferences for women, and right-wing elites remain unaffected.
Researchers conducted a large-scale conjoint experiment with 1,389 party elites across Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. This method allowed them to isolate the impact of candidate characteristics, including gender and the existing gender balance of candidate lists, on selection decisions, providing a nuanced understanding of elite preferences.
The findings suggest that signaling women’s underrepresentation to party elites may be an effective strategy for promoting greater gender balance in politics, particularly by influencing those who may not prioritize gender equality. This highlights a potential avenue for civil society organizations to encourage increased representation beyond traditional approaches focused on voters or aspiring candidates.
How Local Context Affects Populist Radical Right Support: A Cross-National Investigation Into Mediated and Moderated Relationships
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This study demonstrates that support for populist radical right (PRR) parties is shaped by a combination of local context, perceived decline, and individual characteristics. Specifically, the research reveals that the relationship between local conditions and PRR support is both mediated by feelings of local decline and moderated by citizens’ resources and local embeddedness.
The researchers combined geocoded survey data from four West European countries (Germany, France, Great Britain, and the Netherlands) with contextual data at the neighborhood level. Large, geo-stratified samples (around 20,000 respondents in three countries and 8,000 in the Netherlands) were used to test hypotheses regarding the causal mechanisms linking local contexts to attitudes and political behavior.
This research contributes to the understanding of PRR success by highlighting the importance of equifinality – different local contexts can lead to similar outcomes through shared grievances. Furthermore, it emphasizes that contextual factors don't uniformly influence all residents, with education levels acting as a key moderator of the relationship between local context and PRR support.
Cross-National Measures of the Intensity of COVID-19 Public Health Policies
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This research demonstrates that standard regression analyses of COVID-19 policies are prone to producing misleading results due to systematic measurement error, a common issue when analyzing complex policy responses. The authors developed new indices to address this, providing more reliable estimates of policy intensity.
Researchers utilized a simulation of the policymaking process alongside granular data from the CoronaNet and Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker datasets to construct six new indices representing the intensity of various COVID-19 restrictions. A Bayesian time-varying measurement model was then employed to generate policy intensity scores for over 180 countries between January 2020 and May 2021, accounting for uncertainty.
These newly developed policy indices offer a robust solution to measurement error in COVID-19 policy research, enabling more accurate assessments of the relationship between policy interventions and pandemic outcomes. This improved methodology ensures that future analyses can confidently incorporate uncertainty and avoid spurious inferences.
Political Misinformation and Factual Corrections on the Facebook News Feed: Experimental Evidence
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This research demonstrates that fact-checks are surprisingly effective at improving factual accuracy, even within a simulated social media environment where misinformation is prevalent. The study found a substantial positive impact of corrections on beliefs, with a .62 point increase on a five-point scale.
Researchers conducted two experiments with large, nationally representative samples using a platform specifically designed to replicate the Facebook news feed. This allowed for controlled testing of fact-check effectiveness without needing to run experiments directly on a live social media platform.
These findings suggest that fact-checking remains a viable strategy for combating misinformation on social media, despite the challenges posed by user behavior and platform constraints. The results encourage further exploration of how to best implement and scale fact-checking interventions on these platforms.
What Happens When Women Win Elections? The Electoral Returns to Increased Representation of Women
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This study demonstrates that electing a woman to office improves the subsequent electoral performance of her party, increasing both the share of women elected and the overall vote share and seats won. The effect is particularly pronounced for parties with historically low representation of women.
The researchers utilized administrative data from Danish municipal elections between 1997 and 2017, focusing on closely contested races. By analyzing elections where a woman narrowly defeated a man, they employed a close-election design to causally identify the impact of increased female representation on future electoral outcomes.
These findings suggest that electing women is not only a matter of equitable representation but also a strategically beneficial move for political parties. The results point towards mechanisms related to improved party functioning or enhanced voter perceptions of legitimacy, prompting further research into the role of gender representation in political success.
Do Domestic Climate Rulings Make Climate Commitments More Credible? Evidence from Stock Market Returns
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This research demonstrates that successful climate litigation—where plaintiffs win cases against governments for failing to meet emissions reduction commitments—leads to positive stock market reactions for renewable energy companies and negative reactions for coal companies. These effects suggest investors perceive these rulings as increasing the likelihood of stronger climate policies.
The study analyzed stock market returns in Europe, specifically examining the impact of domestic court rulings on the asset prices of companies in the renewable energy, coal, oil & gas, and broader “green” sectors. Researchers focused on whether investor behavior changed following plaintiff victories versus losses, and considered factors like firm location and the novelty of rulings within each country.
These findings suggest domestic climate litigation can modestly enhance the credibility of climate commitments by influencing investor expectations, but its impact is limited to specific sectors and may not affect established “green” firms or major fossil fuel producers. This highlights litigation as a potentially useful, though not comprehensive, tool for driving climate action.
Learning to be Unbiased: Evidence from the French Asylum Office
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This research demonstrates that Christian asylum seekers in France are significantly more likely to be granted refugee status than Muslim applicants, even when controlling for other relevant factors. However, the study also reveals that this religious discrimination tends to diminish among French Asylum Office bureaucrats after approximately one year of employment.
The analysis utilizes archival records from a representative sample of 4,141 asylum applications filed in France between 1976 and 2016, linked with detailed administrative data on the decision-making bureaucrats. This approach allows for a robust examination of the determinants of asylum decisions and changes in bureaucratic behavior over time.
These findings suggest that while religious bias can influence initial asylum decisions, bureaucratic experience may mitigate discriminatory practices. This has important implications for developing strategies aimed at reducing bias within legal and administrative systems.
Target, Information, and Trade Preferences: Evidence from a Survey Experiment in East Asia
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This research demonstrates that identifying a target country significantly increases public support for protectionist measures, while providing information about the economic costs of protectionism consistently reduces that support. These effects are largely independent of each other, meaning target effects persist even when cost information is provided.
Researchers conducted a survey experiment in China, Japan, and South Korea to assess public attitudes towards protectionism. The experiment tested how providing information about the costs associated with protectionism influenced support for both general and targeted protectionist policies.
These findings suggest that framing protectionist policies around specific target countries can amplify public support, even when the economic downsides are known. This highlights the importance of transparent cost-benefit communication when discussing trade policy and the potential for nationalistic framing to influence public opinion.
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This research demonstrates a strong correlation between an individual’s ethnic visibility and their support for ethnic political parties, suggesting that those who are more easily identified with an ethnic group are more likely to participate in ethnopolitical competition. The study extends this finding to the group level, showing that more visible ethnic groups across Africa exhibit higher rates of ethnic voting.
The study utilizes original data collected from Malawi, employing an analysis of individual-level ethnic visibility and its relationship to support for ethnic parties. Instrumental variable techniques were used to establish that visibility shapes expectations regarding the accurate identification of ethnic belonging, thereby influencing party support.
These results refine existing theories of ethnic politics by challenging the assumption that ethnic identities are universally visible, and providing a nuanced understanding of how visibility impacts ethnic political mobilization. This work helps explain why some ethnic groups are more successful in leveraging ethnicity for political gain than others.
Victim or Threat? Shipwrecks, Terrorist Attacks, and Asylum Decisions in France
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This study demonstrates that tragic events—specifically migrant shipwrecks and terrorist attacks—significantly influence asylum decisions made by officers in France during the 2015-2016 refugee crisis. Shipwrecks correlated with increased approval rates, while terrorist attacks led to decreased approvals, particularly for applicants from Syria and Iraq.
The research analyzed asylum decisions in France, examining the correlation between recent news coverage of migrant shipwrecks and terrorist attacks and the likelihood of refugee status being granted to applicants. This approach allowed the researcher to isolate the impact of these events on the decisions of asylum officers.
These findings suggest that emotionally salient, tragic events can directly impact immigration policy not through shifts in public opinion, but through influencing the decision-making processes of those implementing the policy. This highlights a crucial, and often overlooked, pathway through which external events shape immigration outcomes.
Women Also Know Stuff: Challenging the Gender Gap in Political Sophistication
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This research demonstrates a new method for measuring political sophistication – discursive sophistication – based on the complexity of open-ended survey responses, revealing that women demonstrate levels of sophistication comparable to men, despite potential differences in factual knowledge. The study challenges the traditionally observed gender gap in political knowledge by focusing on *how* people articulate their political beliefs, rather than *what* facts they recall.
The study utilizes automated text analysis methods, specifically structural topic modeling, to assess the complexity of individual attitudes expressed in open-ended survey responses across five surveys in four languages (N ≈ 35,000). This new measure, discursive sophistication, was validated by comparing it to conventional political knowledge metrics and assessing its predictive power regarding civic competence and engagement.
These findings suggest that conventional measures of political sophistication may be biased and that exploring open-ended responses offers a more nuanced understanding of political thought. By focusing on the structure and complexity of belief systems, rather than factual recall, researchers can gain new insights into political competence and potentially mitigate observed gender disparities in political knowledge assessments.
What Kind of Identity is Partisan Identity? “Social” versus “Political” Partisanship in Divided Democracies
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This article argues that partisan polarization stems not simply from partisanship itself, but from a shift towards *social* partisanship – where partisan identity functions as a cultural identity – rather than a *political* one based on principles and active citizenship. This transformation constricts individual agency and hinders constructive political engagement.
The research employs a conceptual framework drawing on the politics of difference and identity theory, building on existing literature in political science, psychology, and normative political theory. It analyzes the harms of polarized partisanship through the lens of essentialist identity critiques, and proposes a model for a more politically-oriented form of partisan identity.
The findings suggest that fostering a more “political” form of partisanship – one that remains contingent on individual judgment and respects democratic norms – could mitigate the negative effects of polarization and even contribute positively to democratic participation. This requires moving beyond viewing partisanship solely as a cultural identity or a purely principled commitment, and recognizing its potential for promoting civic engagement.
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This document details how to access journals through the APSA (American Political Science Association) website and introduces APSA Preprints, a platform for early dissemination of political science research. It also provides information regarding the *Cambridge Studies in Contentious Politics* series.
The text primarily utilizes a step-by-step guide with visual aids (screenshots) to demonstrate accessing journals online. It then outlines the benefits of using the APSA Preprints platform, including DOI assignment and rapid turnaround times, and describes the scope of the *Cambridge Studies in Contentious Politics* series.
These resources aim to facilitate scholarly communication and dissemination within the political science community, offering both access to established journals and a platform for sharing pre-publication research, ultimately advancing the field's knowledge base.
Policing, Democratic Participation, and the Reproduction of Asymmetric Citizenship
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This research demonstrates a paradox within democratic participation in policing: while it can expand citizenship rights for some by increasing state responsiveness, it simultaneously contracts the rights of marginalized groups through demands for their repression, resulting in what the authors term "asymmetric citizenship." The study reveals that participatory policing can reproduce, rather than ameliorate, inequality.
The authors employ a qualitative analysis of Community Security Councils (CONSEGs) in São Paulo, Brazil, to illustrate how democratic participation in policing operates in practice. Through this case study, they identify three key mechanisms—defining groups as "virtuous citizens" versus "security threats," gatekeeping participation, and articulating demands for repression—that contribute to asymmetric citizenship.
This research highlights the need for caution among advocates seeking to reduce police violence through increased citizen participation, as such efforts may inadvertently reproduce abuses against marginalized groups. The findings contribute to broader understandings of inequality, democracy, and participatory institutions, emphasizing the role of bodily harm and risk distribution in shaping citizenship and the importance of analyzing democratic processes on the ground.
Partisans of Color: Asian American and Latino Party ID in an Era of Racialization and Polarization
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This study demonstrates that partisan allegiance among Asian Americans and Latinos is significantly shaped by the prioritization of their racial versus national identity, with a stronger racial identity correlating with Democratic support and vice versa. The research reveals substantial heterogeneity within these demographics, indicating that identity prioritization is a key factor in understanding their political leanings.
The researchers analyzed large-scale surveys of Asian and Latino adults (N = 20,327) collected since 2006, employing meta-analytic techniques to assess the relationship between identity prioritization and partisan affiliation. They supplemented this with two experiments (N = 2,920) utilizing Implicit Association Tests (IATs) to examine automatic associations and manipulated messaging to isolate the mechanism of identity-based partisan attachment.
These findings highlight the importance of considering racialization and identity dynamics when studying the political behavior of Asian Americans and Latinos, offering insights into the evolving composition of partisan coalitions. Understanding how these groups navigate their racial and American identities can inform strategies for more effective political outreach and address the challenges of increasing polarization.
What Is Colonialism? The Dual Claims of a Twentieth-Century Political Category
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This article demonstrates that the meaning of “colonialism” underwent a significant transformation in the 20th century, evolving from a descriptor of European settlement to a term denoting the subjugation of Asian and African peoples. This dual function – as a historical reference and an analytical category – shaped anticolonial thought and continues to influence contemporary understandings of global modernity.
The research reconstructs the intellectual history of colonialism through a close reading of the political thought of Jawaharlal Nehru, contextualized within the broader British imperial landscape. By analyzing Nehru’s interventions in debates surrounding the meaning of colonialism across three key periods, the article traces the shifting conceptualizations of the term and its political implications.
Understanding the historical tensions inherent in the dual claims of colonialism is crucial for a nuanced appreciation of its interpretive and normative contentions. The article argues that recognizing this duality is key to overcoming the unequal formation of the modern world and avoiding overly simplistic definitions of colonialism as either solely a form of rule or merely a historical encounter.
Anti-COVID = Anti-science? How protesters against COVID-19 measures appropriate science to navigate the information environment
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This study reveals that opponents of COVID-19 measures engage in scientific projects not necessarily to *prove* their claims, but as a means of shifting their reliance from mainstream information sources to online countermedia. These projects serve as a “conversion technique” to overcome feelings of information insecurity.
Researchers conducted repeated interviews with 36 anti-lockdown protesters in Germany, focusing on their motivations and processes involved in undertaking their own research related to COVID-19 and associated measures. This qualitative approach allowed for an in-depth understanding of how protesters utilize and interpret scientific information.
These findings suggest that simply debunking misinformation isn’t enough; addressing the underlying *process* by which individuals seek alternative information environments is crucial. Understanding this “conversion technique” can inform strategies for more effective science communication and countering the spread of distrust in established institutions.
Video games as spaces for providing information and awareness of algorithmic control in the gig economy
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This research demonstrates a strong correlation between the experiences of platform workers in the gig economy and the portrayal of algorithmic control within video games. The analysis reveals that video games effectively mirror the realities of platform-based work, often making opaque processes more transparent.
Researchers conducted interviews with 42 platform workers across various sectors and analyzed six video games that depict the gig economy. They applied a framework of six mechanisms of algorithmic control to both the interview data and the game content, facilitating a comparative analysis.
These findings suggest video games can serve as a powerful medium for raising critical awareness about the gig economy and the often-hidden mechanisms of algorithmic control. This understanding can inform discussions about worker rights, platform accountability, and the future of work.
Mutual influences between climate change communication and expressive participation on Weibo: A longitudinal network–behaviour co-evolution analysis
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This research demonstrates a reciprocal relationship between communication networks and online participation concerning climate policy on Weibo, but not at the individual level; instead, the dynamic occurs through homogeneity – actors with similar participation levels connect and influence each other. This suggests engagement isn’t driven by individual change, but by existing social connections.
Researchers utilized longitudinal network analysis and the Reinforcing Spirals Model theory to analyze data from Weibo (2019-2021), examining the co-evolution of communication networks and online expressive participation related to climate change. This approach allowed them to track how network relationships and participatory behaviors influenced each other over time.
These findings highlight the crucial role of social relationships in understanding how communication drives online engagement, refining the Reinforcing Spirals Model by emphasizing network structure and homogeneity. Understanding these dynamics is vital for crafting effective communication strategies to promote broader participation in climate change discussions.
“Doing gender”: A digital ethnography of image-based abuse perpetration
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This research demonstrates that image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) is frequently a homosocial practice, meaning it occurs within and reinforces bonds between individuals of the same gender, rather than solely being driven by sexual desire for the victim. The sharing of non-consensual intimate images serves to establish and maintain social hierarchies and group cohesion among perpetrators.
Researchers conducted a digital ethnography, analyzing interactions across 47 websites to understand how users engage with and share intimate images. The data was then subjected to thematic analysis to identify patterns in how gender norms are produced, reinforced, and altered within these online spaces.
This study suggests that interventions to prevent IBSA should move beyond focusing solely on individual perpetrators and address the broader social dynamics and gendered practices that normalize this abuse. Understanding IBSA as a relational practice embedded in ritualistic objectification is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies and addressing the root causes of gendered violence.
Tactile transformation in flying airplanes: From hands-on to fingers-on aviation
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This research demonstrates a shift in piloting practices due to the increasing reliance on touchscreen interfaces in commercial aircraft, moving away from traditional hands-on controls and towards fingertip-based interaction. This transition is fundamentally changing how pilots interact with and understand flight information.
The study employed ethnographic research, including participatory observation and interviews with commercial pilots and cadets at a UK airbase, to investigate the adoption of mobile device-like interfaces in aviation. Data was analyzed through the lens of Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology, focusing on the embodied experience of piloting.
These findings suggest a need to understand how this shift impacts pilot expertise, skill development, and the crucial embodied knowledge—the “grip” or *la prise*—that pilots develop through tactile interaction with aircraft controls. Further research should explore the long-term effects of these new human-computer interfaces on flight safety and pilot intuition.
Setting data free: The politics of open data for food and agriculture
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This research demonstrates that the Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition (GODAN) initiative promotes a specific, neoliberal vision of open data for agricultural development, prioritizing private innovation and efficiency over more collectivist approaches. The study reveals a tendency within open agri-food data projects to replicate patterns of “data colonialism” by extracting data without fully addressing potential collective harms.
The authors conducted a document-based case study of the GODAN initiative, supplemented by interviews with open data practitioners and participant observation at relevant events. This mixed-methods approach allowed for a critical examination of both the stated goals and the practical implementation of open agri-food data initiatives.
These findings suggest that open agri-food data initiatives are not neutral tools, but rather embody specific political and economic values that can reinforce existing power imbalances. A more equitable and just approach to open data requires greater consideration of collective harms and the incorporation of diverse perspectives beyond those focused solely on production and efficiency.
Do you love your phone more than your child? The consequences of norms and guilt around maternal smartphone use
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This study demonstrates a complex relationship between maternal smartphone use, social norms, guilt, and well-being. Negative norms surrounding maternal smartphone use are linked to increased feelings of guilt when mothers use their phones while parenting, which in turn impacts their coping efficacy and overall satisfaction with their role as a mother.
Researchers conducted a one-week experience sampling study with 158 mothers of young children in Germany. Data was collected on social norms related to smartphone use, situational guilt experienced while parenting, perceived coping efficacy, and long-term maternal role satisfaction to test a model extending the Social Influence Model of Technology Use (SIMT).
These findings highlight that the societal discourse around parental smartphone use can have unintended consequences, potentially hindering effective coping strategies and impacting maternal well-being. Understanding the interplay between norms, guilt, and media effects is crucial for promoting healthy technology use among parents and fostering positive parent-child interactions.
Using enclave groups to discuss workplace cultural diversity and community inclusion
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This study identified key themes—racism/micro-aggressions, discomfort with cross-cultural dialogue, and lack of belonging—experienced by community members regarding workplace cultural diversity and inclusion in a rural Midwestern community. These themes highlight significant challenges to fostering truly inclusive environments.
Researchers conducted a qualitative analysis of fourteen focus groups (N=83) including five specifically designed for culturally diverse “enclave” groups, directly engaging historically excluded stakeholders. This approach prioritized inclusive framing of the issue and facilitated productive public discussions.
Utilizing enclave groups in the initial stages of public deliberation can enhance inclusivity and provide valuable insights for practitioners, scholars, and communities seeking to address complex social issues. This method offers a pathway to more equitable and effective community problem-solving.
Artificial Intelligence and Impression Management: Consequences of Autonomous Conversational Agents Communicating on One’s Behalf
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This study reveals that when artificially intelligent communication technologies (AICTs) communicate on a principal’s behalf, principals engage in specific communicative practices – interpretation, diplomacy, and staging politeness – to manage impressions. Simultaneously, communication partners form impressions of principals through processes of confirmation, transference, and compartmentalization, potentially attributing characteristics of the AICT to the principal themselves.
Researchers conducted an inductive, comparative field study examining users of two AI scheduling technologies: one autonomous and conversationally fluent, and one neither. Data was gathered through interviews with both principals utilizing the AICTs and their communication partners, allowing for the identification of patterns in impression management and formation behaviors.
These findings highlight the complex interplay between human agency and AI in communication, demonstrating that AICTs can significantly influence both how individuals present themselves and how others perceive them. This research provides a foundation for future studies exploring the technological mediation of impression management in the age of artificial intelligence and proposes avenues for empirical investigation.
Campaign-induced interpersonal communication following exposure to strong and weak persuasive messages
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This study found that while media campaigns can initially influence intentions to reduce sugary beverage consumption, these effects are often negated by subsequent conversations, particularly among heavy drinkers. The persuasiveness of campaign messages also depends on the strength of the message and the use of analytic language.
Researchers conducted an experiment with 232 participants who regularly consume sugary beverages, exposing them to either strong or weak anti-consumption messages and then allowing them to either discuss the messages or remain silent. They then measured intended consumption reduction and analyzed the content of conversations to understand how message effects were altered.
These findings suggest that public health campaigns need to account for the defensive interpersonal dynamics that can undermine message effectiveness, and that careful crafting of message strength and language may be crucial for maximizing impact. Simply delivering a message is not enough; understanding how people *talk* about it is vital.
Reviewer Acknowledgement Get access Human Communication Research, Volume 48, Issue 2, April 2022, Pages 374–377, https://doi.org/10.1093/hcr/hqac005 Published: 19 February 2022
The influence of threat and right-wing authoritarianism on the selection of online (dis)information—a conceptual replication and extension of Lavine et al. (2005)
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This study re-examined the relationship between right-wing authoritarianism (RWA), perceived threat, and confirmation bias in a contemporary media landscape, finding no support for the original hypothesis that threat amplifies the preference for attitude-consistent information. Specifically, the interaction between threat and RWA did not predict selective exposure to either verified news or disinformation.
Researchers conducted an online experiment with 1,118 participants, unobtrusively tracking their selections between verified news and disinformation to measure selective exposure. This design aimed to conceptually replicate a prior laboratory study by Lavine et al. (2005) within a current media environment.
These findings challenge the existing theoretical framework linking RWA, threat, and confirmation bias, suggesting the need for revised models to explain motivated reasoning in the context of modern information consumption. The results indicate that the factors driving selective exposure may be more complex than previously understood.
Media Cynicism, Media Skepticism and Automatic Media Trust: Explicating Their Connection with News Processing and Exposure
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This research demonstrates that media cynicism and skepticism are best understood as existing on a single continuum of trust, ranging from automatic rejection to automatic trust, and that skeptics process news differently than both cynics and those who automatically trust media. Importantly, skepticism appears independent of partisan ideology, unlike cynicism and automatic trust.
The study employed three separate studies to conceptualize and test the relationship between cynicism, skepticism, and trust in news media, examining processing speed, evaluation variance, and justification types. Researchers analyzed audience responses to news stories, comparing how cynics, skeptics, and trustors evaluated content and provided explanations for their assessments.
These findings suggest that understanding the nuances of media trust—specifically differentiating between cynicism and skepticism—is crucial for comprehending audience engagement with news, as skeptics are more likely to consume diverse news sources and base evaluations on factors beyond political affiliation. This has implications for media literacy efforts and strategies to foster informed citizenry.
The Privacy Calculus Revisited: An Empirical Investigation of Online Privacy Decisions on Between- and Within-Person Levels
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This study demonstrates that perceptions of benefit consistently drive self-disclosure intentions, both between individuals and within the same individual across different scenarios, and that a privacy score can effectively encourage more privacy-conscious decisions. Importantly, the research highlights how different cognitive styles influence responses to privacy cues.
Researchers conducted a preregistered online experiment with 485 participants who imagined three disclosure scenarios with varying privacy risks (indicated by a 'privacy score'). They also assessed participants’ personality traits related to rational/intuitive decision-making and privacy resignation, using a within-between random effects model to analyze the data.
These findings support the privacy calculus model by showing its relevance at an individual level and suggest that decision-making aids, like privacy scores, can be particularly helpful for those who rely on intuitive rather than rational thinking when evaluating privacy risks. This work emphasizes the need for tailored privacy interventions that account for individual cognitive styles.
Do People Value Expertise? Revisiting Assumptions About Attention to Expertise via Eye-Tracking and the Loss of Expertise Cues During Person-to-Person Transmission of Science Information
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This research demonstrates a surprising disconnect: while individuals initially attend more to information presented by experts, cues indicating expertise are lost when information is passed from person to person. These findings challenge assumptions about how expertise is perceived and retained during communication.
The study employed a two-part approach, utilizing eye-tracking in Study 1 to directly measure attention towards expert versus non-expert sources, followed by Study 2 which used a serial reproduction task to observe how expertise cues are transmitted through social learning. This combined methodology allowed for both direct observation of attention and assessment of information fidelity during transmission.
These results suggest that relying solely on attention metrics or initial exposure may overestimate the influence of expert sources, and highlight the fragility of expertise cues in social contexts. Further research is needed to understand how and why expertise signals degrade during communication, and to develop more robust methods for assessing their presence.
Enjoyment of Love-Related Dramas and the Implications of Perspective Taking
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This research demonstrates that viewers adopt different perspectives when watching movies centered around falling in love versus betrayal, and this perspective significantly impacts their emotional response and enjoyment, particularly for betrayal narratives. The study identifies three key processes – goal-based emotions, identification, and moral judgment – that drive enjoyment of these plots.
Three studies were conducted, examining viewer perspective-taking in response to falling-in-love and betrayal movie plots. Researchers employed a moderated mediation model to analyze the relationships between perspective orientation, affective experiences, enjoyment, and the moderating roles of romantic beliefs and morality standards.
These findings offer insights into the psychological mechanisms underlying movie enjoyment, suggesting that understanding viewer perspective and their moral/romantic frameworks is crucial for crafting compelling narratives. This work has implications for filmmakers and narrative theorists interested in maximizing audience engagement and emotional impact.
A Scoping Review to Clarify the Concept of Information Avoidance and Its Postulated and Examined Consequences
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This scoping review defines information avoidance as the deliberate act of delaying or preventing the acquisition of unwanted, yet potentially accessible, personal information from both media and interpersonal sources. The review highlights a gap in understanding the consequences of this increasingly prevalent behavior.
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Researchers conducted a scoping review, analyzing 206 articles to consolidate definitions of information avoidance and related concepts. This approach synthesized existing literature from diverse academic fields to provide a comprehensive overview of the topic.
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The findings reveal a need for further research to definitively establish the consequences of information avoidance and to guide future investigations in this area. This review provides a foundation for a more focused and rigorous exploration of this important phenomenon.
Expanding the Boundary Conditions of the Communicative Ecology Model of Successful Aging to Include Communication About Religion
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This research demonstrates that communication surrounding religion—specifically messages about developing a relationship with God versus those concerning eternal damnation—influences perceptions of motivational impact and, subsequently, contributes to successful aging through enhanced aging efficacy. The study expands the Communicative Ecology Model of Successful Aging (CEMSA) to explicitly include the role of religious communication.
Researchers surveyed 272 older adults (average age 64.96) about a significant religious message they received and their own patterns of religious communication, including both providing and seeking religious support. They then analyzed these self-reported experiences alongside coded themes within the memorable messages to determine relationships with perceptions of successful aging.
These findings highlight the importance of considering religious communication within broader frameworks of successful aging and suggest that positive religious messaging may be particularly beneficial. The study also contributes a robust methodological approach to CEMSA research by integrating both coded message content and subjective experiences.
How Family-Supportive Leadership Communication Enhances the Creativity of Work-From-Home Employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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This study demonstrates that family-supportive leadership communication boosts employee creativity while working from home, through improvements in employee-organization relationships, positive emotions, and work-life enrichment. Importantly, these positive effects are amplified for employees who prefer a strong separation between their work and personal lives.
Researchers surveyed 449 employees working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic to investigate the link between leadership communication and creativity, examining mediating factors and the moderating role of work-life segmentation preferences. Statistical analysis was used to determine the relationships between these variables.
These findings highlight the critical role of supportive leadership in fostering creativity within remote workforces and suggest that leaders should tailor their communication styles to accommodate employees’ differing preferences for work-life balance. Understanding these dynamics can help organizations build resilience and thrive during times of crisis.
<i>“If Something Were to Happen”:</i> Communicative Practices of Resilience in the Management of Work-Life Precarity
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This study identifies four distinct forms of precarity experienced by middle-class working mothers as they navigate work-life balance, extending beyond job insecurity to encompass challenges within work-life interrelationships themselves. These precarious conditions are actively managed through a combination of communication, class-based strategies, gendered practices, and technological tools.
Researchers analyzed accounts from middle-class working mothers, focusing on how they communicate about and cope with work-life precarity. Utilizing Weick’s sensemaking model—specifically the concept of “partial inclusion”—the study examines the discursive and material practices these mothers employ to build resilience.
The findings suggest that individual efforts to manage work-life precarity, while demonstrating resilience, also reveal the complex dynamics between individuals and organizations, particularly regarding the support (or lack thereof) provided to working mothers. Understanding these practices is crucial for fostering more supportive and equitable workplaces.
Weaving Dialectical Webs Around the World: Experiencing Agency While Navigating Connectivity in Global Teams
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This study reveals that agency in global teams is experienced as a dynamic balance between the ability to connect, respond, and disconnect, forming a “dialectical web” of freedom and constraint at the team level. This experience isn’t simply about individual control, but emerges from ongoing relationships within a complex global context.
Researchers employed a phenomenological approach, conducting iterative analysis of interviews with 37 members of a global organization to understand their lived experiences of agency and connectivity. This qualitative method focused on capturing the nuances of how individuals navigate communication challenges across geographical boundaries.
These findings contribute to a deeper theoretical understanding of how connectivity and agency are intertwined in global teams, offering valuable insights for both academics and practitioners. The research highlights the importance of considering relational dynamics and contextual factors when designing communication strategies and supporting globally distributed workforces.
Resilience and Resistance in Informal Worker Discourses
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This study demonstrates that street hawkers in Accra, Ghana actively construct resilience processes to cope with ongoing economic hardship, utilizing both personal strategies and collective action. These hawkers navigate precarious economic conditions by strategically bending—and sometimes breaking—local regulations.
Researchers employed a critical ethnographic approach, combining field observations with in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted with 31 street hawkers in Accra, Ghana. Data analysis was framed by the Communication Theory of Resilience and the concept of liquid organizing.
By focusing on micro-level resilience strategies and liquid organizing techniques, this research offers insights into broader macro-level economic issues, particularly the impacts of neoliberal policies. Understanding these everyday acts of resistance can contribute to a more nuanced understanding of economic resilience in the Global South.
The ubiquity of long-tail lie distributions: seven studies from five continents
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Research confirms the “few prolific liars” module of Truth-default theory, demonstrating that lie prevalence follows a positively skewed distribution across multiple cultures. The majority of individuals are honest, with a small percentage responsible for the majority of lies.
Researchers analyzed data from a large, diverse sample (N=3,463) collected across seven countries – China, Germany, Mexico, Israel, Kenya, Russia, and Brazil – and within language/cultural groups within those nations. They examined the distribution of lying frequency to test predictions of Truth-default theory.
These pan-cultural findings strengthen the validity of Truth-default theory and suggest its principles regarding honesty and deception are broadly applicable, not limited to Western populations. This supports a universal model of human deception.
How iconic news images travel: republishing and reframing historic photographs in Israeli newspapers
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This research demonstrates that iconic photographs, while enduring over time, are not static; they are actively reshaped and reinterpreted through repeated publication and contextualization. The study identifies how iconic images function as both stable references and dynamic elements within collective memory.
Researchers quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed the republication and reframing of 15 well-known news photographs recognized by the Israeli public over a 70-year period, differentiating between singular "discrete icons" and continually reproduced "aggregate icons." This analysis revealed four distinct "iconic modalities" – ways in which iconic status evolves through media use.
This work refines our understanding of iconicity, moving beyond a view of iconic images as fixed symbols to recognize them as fluctuating processes that construct and shift collective visual memory. The concept of iconic modalities provides a framework for analyzing how images gain, transform, or lose meaning through ongoing circulation.
Why we fight: investigating the moral appeals in terrorist propaganda, their predictors, and their association with attack severity
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This research demonstrates a correlation between the moral appeals used in terrorist propaganda—specifically purity and ingroup loyalty—and the frequency and severity of attacks, including casualties in the USA. Terrorist groups tailor their messaging to reflect their ideologies, but consistently emphasize loyalty and fairness.
Researchers compiled a database of 873 propaganda items from 73 violent terrorist organizations and conducted a content analysis to identify the moral appeals present in each piece. They then statistically analyzed the relationship between these appeals, organizational ideologies, and measures of terrorist activity like attack frequency and casualties.
These findings suggest that understanding the moral framing used by terrorist organizations is crucial for both theoretical advancements in persuasion and for developing effective counter-terrorism strategies. Targeting the specific moral appeals—particularly purity and loyalty—may be key to disrupting recruitment and mitigating the impact of terrorist violence.
(Mal)adaptive sibling self and other communicative resilience in the context of parental substance use
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This study identified five resilience triggers and communicative resilience (CR) processes used by adult siblings of parents with substance use disorder (SUD), revealing a complex interplay where CR can be both helpful and harmful. Siblings navigate a tension between adaptive and maladaptive communication strategies when supporting each other through the challenges of parental SUD.
Researchers analyzed data collected from adult siblings who have parents with SUD, focusing on identifying resilience triggers and the communication processes they employ. The study utilized qualitative methods to explore the experiences of these siblings and understand how they support one another.
These findings contribute to the communication theory of resilience by introducing the concept of “other-resilience” and “strategic resilience,” offering new insights into how support networks function under stress. The research provides practical recommendations for social workers, providers, and counselors working with families affected by parental SUD, emphasizing the importance of understanding sibling dynamics.
Nudges for news recommenders: prominent article positioning increases selection, engagement, and recall of environmental news, but reducing complexity does not
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This study demonstrates that prominently positioning environmental news articles with visual highlighting significantly increases selection, reading time, and recall of information. Conversely, automatically simplifying the language of these articles did not yield significant effects.
Researchers conducted a seven-day field experiment with 502 participants in the UK, utilizing a news aggregator app (Informfully) to test the effects of a position nudge (prominent placement and visual highlighting) and an accessibility nudge (simplified text) on environmental news consumption. Data on article selection, engagement (reading time), and recall were collected.
These findings suggest that strategically altering the choice architecture of news aggregators—specifically through article positioning—can effectively nudge engagement with important but potentially overlooked topics like environmental news, without negatively impacting user satisfaction. This approach offers a practical avenue for promoting informed citizenship and knowledge acquisition.
Time after time: longitudinal qualitative interviewing and the interplay between structure and agency in communication research
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This article highlights the scarcity of longitudinal research in communication studies and argues that Longitudinal Qualitative Interviewing (LQI) – repeated interviews with the same individuals over time – is crucial for understanding communicative processes as they unfold, shaped by the interplay of structure and agency. The study demonstrates how LQI can reveal both stability and change in individuals’ experiences and perceptions.
The authors advocate for and explore the implementation of LQI, detailing its benefits over single-point interviews and quantitative surveys. Their argument is grounded in an analysis of occupational life histories gathered through longitudinal interviews with 39 Israeli journalists over a decade, providing a practical example of the method in action.
The research suggests that LQI enhances the validity of qualitative communication research by allowing scholars to explore the dynamic relationship between structure and agency in various contexts, such as media organizations, civic movements, and online communities. This approach offers a richer understanding of how individuals navigate and respond to changing circumstances over time, moving beyond snapshots to capture ongoing processes.
Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute2026
The new monies of the startup world: Future‐focused tech ventures as experiments in personal worth
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This research demonstrates that the rise of tech startups is not simply about new avenues for profit, but fundamentally reshapes understandings of money’s character and value, linking it to personal worth. Founders increasingly tie their social and moral identities to the success of their ventures, extending beyond typical economic risk.
The study employs ethnographic research, following two startup founders in Singapore over three years as they developed products, sought investment, and navigated the challenges of building a business. This longitudinal approach, within a state-supported startup ecosystem, allowed for detailed observation of founders’ evolving perspectives on money and self-worth.
These findings suggest that startup culture fosters a deeper form of self-experimentation than commonly acknowledged in entrepreneurial discourse, with individuals staking not just capital, but their very selves, on the outcome of their ventures. This has implications for understanding the psychological and social dimensions of modern entrepreneurship.
Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute2026
Kipnis, Andrew B.The funeral of Mr Wang: life, death, and ghosts in urbanizing China. xii, 174 pp., maps, illus., bibliogr. Oakland: Univ. of California Press, 2021. £24.00 (paper)
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This study reveals how funerary rituals in urbanizing China are undergoing significant transformations, shifting from family-centered traditions to being increasingly managed by entrepreneurial businesses while also being shaped by Communist Party policies. The research highlights a tension between the CCP’s secularizing efforts and its own practices of memorialization, demonstrating a complex interplay between abolishing “superstitious religions” and mimicking their forms.
The author employs a combination of fine-grained ethnography, including a detailed account of a single funeral, and a comprehensive analysis of nearly ten thousand tombstones and Chinese language sources. This approach is coupled with ambitious theoretical reflections on concepts of ‘transitions’ versus ‘transformations’ and the enduring human need for acknowledging the soul.
The research suggests that the CCP’s attempts to control death and memory are not simply materialistic, but rather a strategic effort to manage the “soul” of the Party for political longevity. Furthermore, the emergence of ghost stories reflecting societal anxieties—like COVID-19 and political oppression—reveals a crisis of trust and presents challenges for ethnographic research in contemporary China.
Trapped Present, or the Capture(d) Affects of Imprisonment
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This work demonstrates how the experience of time is fundamentally altered by captivity, revealing that even within strict constraints, time remains eventful and impacts one’s sense of temporal continuity. The research argues that photographs, created collaboratively with incarcerated individuals, function as crucial points of connection for sharing and experiencing time collectively.
The study utilizes a photo essay co-created with men at Rapa Nui prison, analyzing their reflections on photography and its relationship to the perception and narration of time. This collaborative, qualitative approach centers the lived experiences of the incarcerated to explore the affective possibilities within constrained temporal realities.
This research highlights the unevenness of time, particularly within systems of inequality, and demonstrates how time can be both managed and lost, with potentially devastating consequences. By centering the voices of those experiencing captivity, the work underscores the importance of shared experience and affective connection in navigating temporal disruption.
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This research demonstrates that families of victims from a terrorist attack in Pakistan actively challenge the unequal valuation of life embedded within systems of war compensation and care. These families, while seeking restitution, simultaneously disrupt the monetization of life and demand recognition of their inherent worth.
The study draws upon qualitative research conducted with families impacted by the Army Public School attack in Pakistan, examining their experiences navigating compensation claims and the broader struggle for equitable care and compassion. This ethnographic approach illuminates how these families make sense of loss and victimhood within a biopolitical context.
This work highlights the critical need to address differential grievability and restitution in discussions of militarism and citizenship, revealing how biopolitical inclusion/exclusion shapes access to care and justice. By focusing on the politics of compassion and compensation, the paper offers insights into how victims of war resist passive acceptance and advocate for a more equitable valuation of human life.
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This research demonstrates that spirit possession in Zanzibar is experienced as a distinct alteration in voice, effectively granting the possessed individual an additional, spirit-borne voice and shaping interpersonal relationships. The study proposes that understanding spirit actions can illuminate aspects of human behavior and expression.
The findings are based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in disadvantaged neighborhoods of Zanzibar, focusing on a specific case of spirit possession observed within a domestic setting. Data was gathered through observation and analysis of the expressive qualities of voice during possession experiences.
This work suggests that voice is not simply a biological function, but a crucial element of both aesthetics and ethics, particularly in contexts where the boundaries between self and other are fluid. It offers a novel perspective on understanding human expressivity through the lens of spirit possession and reciprocal relationships.
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This paper argues that contemporary liberal discourse fails to recognize the systemic connection between left liberalism and authoritarian populism, leading to ineffective strategies for combating the latter. The author contends that populism often functions as a justification for liberalism itself, obscuring this crucial relationship.
The research employs a critical reading of Stuart Hall’s analysis of Thatcherism’s emergence, drawing parallels between the conditions that fostered its rise and current populist trends. This historical analysis allows for a distinction between authoritarian populism and genuine popular democracy, highlighting continuities and breaks with neoliberalism.
By revealing populism as potentially serving as an “alibi” for liberalism, this work challenges conventional approaches to understanding and addressing populist movements. The findings suggest a need to critically examine the internal contradictions within liberalism itself, rather than simply opposing populism with more liberal policies.
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This article identifies a fundamental epistemic divide between anthropology and economics, rooted in differing axiomatic beliefs: economics centers on scarcity, while anthropology implicitly operates from a premise of abundance. Recognizing this divide is the first step towards more productive interdisciplinary dialogue.
The research is a philosophical inquiry, probing the underlying assumptions of both anthropology and economics through conceptual analysis and comparative examination of their methodologies, research focuses, and practical applications. It proposes a specific terminology to facilitate communication across this identified chasm.
By naming and defining this core difference, the article aims to empower anthropologists to contribute more effectively to policy debates currently dominated by economic perspectives, fostering a more robust and nuanced understanding of complex societal issues.
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Archaeological investigation in Spain is revealing systematic efforts to conceal evidence of violence and human rights abuses committed during the Spanish Civil War and Franco's dictatorship, supplementing traditional historical records. This research highlights how material evidence can reconstruct the experiences of marginalized groups deliberately erased from official documentation.
This review synthesizes archaeological work conducted at sites of repression – including mass graves, camps, and prisons – to understand the technologies of exclusion and disappearance employed by the Franco regime. The focus is on the “materiality turn” in historical research and its application to uncovering hidden narratives.
By focusing on material remains, forensic archaeology provides crucial evidence for understanding and documenting mass violence, particularly for those groups systematically targeted and silenced by the Franco regime. This work contributes to a more complete and nuanced understanding of contemporary Spanish history and the lasting impacts of political repression.
Making a Difference: The Political Life of Religious Conversion
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This work argues that anthropological studies of religious conversion are fundamentally political in nature, and that framing conversion through this lens has itself significantly shaped the academic discourse surrounding the topic. The author proposes “making a difference” as a key framework for understanding how anthropologists both study and contribute to understandings of religious change.
This is a review article synthesizing existing anthropological scholarship on religious conversion. The author critically examines the historical development of this field, identifies its core theoretical threads, and contextualizes its emergence as a distinct area of inquiry.
By repositioning conversion as inherently political, this analysis opens avenues for future research focusing on the connections between religious shifts and political events, particularly during times of crisis. This framework encourages a deeper exploration of how religious conversion actively *creates* difference within social and political landscapes.
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This work argues that multimodality—the integration of diverse media like images, sound, and digital tools—represents a significant shift in anthropological research, moving beyond traditional text-based approaches to capture a fuller, more nuanced understanding of human experience. Multimodal ethnographies aim to diversify inquiry and mediate sensorial experiences in ways that challenge established dichotomies within the discipline.
The abstract presents a conceptual argument advocating for the expansion of anthropological methods to include multimodal approaches, building on both new digital tools and long-standing practices of incorporating non-textual data. It frames this as a response to the changing research landscape shaped by technologies like smartphones and social media.
Embracing multimodality necessitates a re-evaluation of current disciplinary infrastructures, including training programs, publication methods, and assessment criteria. This shift promises new research collaborations and configurations, ultimately diversifying and enriching the field of anthropology.
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This research identifies a crucial period (∼1200–1000 BCE) in the Maya area marked by the emergence of monumental architecture—massive platforms and standardized complexes—and associated shifts in lifestyle. These early building projects suggest shared cosmological beliefs across different groups in southern Mesoamerica.
The study analyzes the archaeological record of early monumental construction in the Maya area, focusing on the scale and standardization of these projects. Evidence of ceramic adoption, subsistence changes, and decreased mobility are considered alongside architectural features to reconstruct social and cultural developments.
These findings demonstrate that large-scale construction during this period fostered social cohesion and cooperation, ultimately contributing to increased social differentiation and the foundations of ancient Maya civilization. Understanding this formative period is key to tracing the development of complex societies in Mesoamerica.
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This review examines the long-standing debate between sex work proponents and abolitionists, highlighting a fundamental ideological divide among feminists regarding the nature of sex work and its relationship to trafficking. The central argument proposes that focusing on mobility and migration can offer a pathway beyond this entrenched debate.
This work is a review of existing literature surrounding the sex work/abolitionist debate, specifically analyzing how issues of labor, agency, gender, and migration intersect within the context of global capital flows. It synthesizes arguments from both sides to identify common ground and potential areas for new understanding.
Understanding sex work through the lens of migration and labor can broaden perspectives on broader migration issues and inform more effective policies that address the needs of both sex workers and victims of trafficking, both domestically and internationally. This approach moves beyond a simple binary to acknowledge the complex realities of agency, displacement, and economic factors.
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This review argues that focusing on concrete anthropologically reveals its crucial role in mediating social experiences and shaping political landscapes across various scales of building projects. Concrete is not merely a material, but a key element in understanding social formations, power dynamics, and the construction of collective memory.
The analysis is a theoretical review drawing on anthropological perspectives to examine the multifaceted ways concrete interacts with social, political, economic, and ecological processes. It proposes an ethnographic approach to studying concrete, moving from large infrastructure to smaller-scale building activities.
By attending to concrete, researchers can gain insights into how built environments mediate power, define space, and influence our understanding of the past and future, while also prompting critical reflection on the ecological consequences of widespread concrete use. This approach highlights the profound interconnectedness of material culture and social life.
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This research demonstrates how a 2017 avian influenza outbreak in South Africa transformed industrial poultry—from economic assets to “cull birds” and ultimately, culturally significant rural chickens—revealing shifts in value and the blurring of health concerns. The study highlights how chickens act as crucial mediators in translating value and fostering social connections within post-apartheid South Africa.
The analysis examines the outbreak’s impact on the South African poultry sector, tracing the movement of chickens through different regimes of value and considering the roles of farmers, consumers, and state veterinarians. It employs an ethnographic approach to understand the ontological transformations of poultry and the resulting chains of conversion across economic systems.
This work challenges conventional understandings of zoonotic disease by showing how value is actively *created* through human-animal relations, impacting social reproduction and highlighting the intersection of race, urbanism, and global health. The findings suggest a need to consider the socio-cultural dimensions of animal health crises and the complex ways in which value is assigned and re-assigned in global food systems.
Making place for Muslims in contemporary India By Kalyani DevakiMenon. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2022. 196 pp.
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This ethnography details the lived experiences of Muslims in contemporary India, revealing a pervasive “reign of terror” characterized by routine violence, including lynchings, justified through the discourse of “counterterrorism” and accusations of cow slaughter. The study highlights how this climate forces Muslims to conceal their identities to mitigate risk.
The research employs ethnographic methods, drawing on fieldwork and direct engagement with Muslim communities in India to document their experiences with discrimination and violence. It builds upon and echoes the clarity of prior work examining Hindu nationalism, offering a vivid account of contemporary realities.
This work demonstrates the deeply ingrained institutional biases within the Indian police force and the ways in which broader geopolitical discourses contribute to the marginalization and persecution of Muslims. It underscores the urgent need to address systemic discrimination and protect the rights of religious minorities in India, while also acknowledging the resilience and hope within affected communities.
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This research identifies a core dilemma faced by anthropologists: how to justify their unique, relationship-based ethnographic methods to evaluation committees prioritizing conventional, objectivist social-behavioral science and replicability. The study highlights a disconnect between anthropological values – global comparison and socially embedded realism – and the expectations of funding and ethics bodies.
This work is a conceptual analysis examining the tensions between anthropological research practices and the norms of mainstream social-behavioral science, particularly as they manifest in ethics and funding reviews. It draws on disciplinary self-reflection to understand how anthropology can better articulate its value.
Understanding anthropology’s position within the broader scientific landscape is crucial for equipping students with the tools to advocate for the discipline’s distinctive research strengths and ensure its continued relevance for future generations. This analysis suggests a need to proactively address the perceived incoherence of ethnographic methods within conventional scientific frameworks.
Eating besides ourselves: Thresholds of foods and bodies By Heather Paxson and Marianne Elisabeth Lien, eds. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2023. 248 pp.
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This volume explores the multifaceted concept of “edibility” and “eating,” demonstrating that ingestion extends beyond simple nourishment to encompass a wide range of cultural, historical, and scientific processes involving both human and non-human bodies. The book argues that the boundaries of what constitutes eating are fluid and constantly negotiated, challenging conventional understandings of food and consumption.
The book is a collection of ethnographic studies and theoretical analyses examining diverse topics such as pet food, life support, placentas, and biodynamic wine making. Authors utilize varied approaches, including ethnography, historical analysis, and scientific investigation, to trace the “thresholds” through which matter becomes edible and is incorporated into living systems.
This work expands the scope of food studies by highlighting the biochemical and industrial forces shaping our relationship with food, and even our bodies. It suggests that modernity is deeply intertwined with metabolic processes and raises critical questions about agency, control, and the boundaries between self and other in the context of consumption and production.
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This autoethnographic study identifies a “paraindustrial” state in Southeast Chicago—a landscape where active, minimal-worker industry coexists with defunct industry and environmental damage—challenging linear models of deindustrialization. The research highlights the crucial, yet often overlooked, role of women in maintaining community and care within these economically and ecologically fractured spaces.
The study employs autoethnography, centering on the author’s personal experiences and observations, particularly those of her elderly mother who has lived her entire life in the region. Utilizing the concept of a “palimpsest,” the author analyzes the layered historical, ecological, and social realities of the former Calumet wetlands.
This work demonstrates the ongoing complexities of deindustrialization and the importance of recognizing the continuities of care and resilience in communities impacted by economic and environmental decline. It calls for a more nuanced understanding of post-industrial landscapes that acknowledges the interwoven nature of past, present, and future realities.
The Polyglot: Plurilingual Wonders, “Mother Tongue” Hegemony, and Totalizing Images in and of Singapore
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This research demonstrates that even individuals possessing multilingual abilities in Singapore are judged based on their proficiency in state-defined “Mother Tongues,” revealing how the ideal of “multi”-culturalism is both promoted and subtly exclusionary. The figure of the “polyglot” becomes a site for anxieties surrounding language, national identity, and state control.
The study analyzes the mediatized representation of “polyglots” in Singapore, examining how public commentary evaluates their linguistic performance and links it to broader concerns about history, ethnicity, and Singaporean identity. This approach reveals the moralizing judgments embedded within discussions of multilingualism.
This work suggests that Singapore’s officially “multi” identity is a totalizing image that is inherently impossible to fully achieve due to the prioritization of standardized languages and state-recognized ethnic categories. The research highlights the tensions between celebrating linguistic diversity and maintaining a rigid framework for defining “Singaporeanness.”
Food (inter)activism in the Marquesas, French Polynesia
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This research demonstrates how foodways in the Marquesas Islands are a critical site where Indigenous identity, health, and environmental justice intersect, revealing both the disruption caused by colonial influences and the resilience of local practices. Marquesans actively negotiate and transform external health discourses, integrating them with traditional knowledge and lived experiences related to food and the land.
The study employs ethnographic research methods, including participant observation, interviews, and discourse analysis, conducted with the People of the Land (Marquesans) in French Polynesia. Data was collected over time, focusing on everyday interactions with food – from production and consumption to the meanings and values embedded within these practices – to understand evolving cultural and health landscapes.
This work highlights the potential of “food (inter)activism” as a pathway towards planetary health and justice, particularly in contexts impacted by gastrocolonialism and disrupted food systems. By centering Indigenous knowledge and agency in food-related practices, it offers insights into building more equitable and sustainable approaches to health, environment, and cultural sovereignty beyond the Marquesas.
Friction in the field: Milpa, missionary, and scales of refusal in 1960s highland Guatemala
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This research demonstrates that “friction” and “refusal” are key dynamics in interpreting and understanding both archival data and the social contexts in which it was created, arguing these concepts are not simply obstacles but generative forces in shaping narratives. Analyzing a K'iche’ Maya narrative, the study reveals how refusal actively influenced the telling of the oral history itself.
The author employs a scalar approach to the concepts of friction and refusal, applying them to the interaction between ethnographic research and archival materials. This analysis centers on a K'iche’ Maya narrative recorded by missionary James L. Mondloch in Guatemala, examining how refusal shaped the narrative’s content and interpretation.
This work contributes to ongoing discussions about the ethical and practical challenges of utilizing legacy fieldwork data, highlighting the inherent frictions anthropologists encounter when engaging with archives. It suggests that acknowledging and analyzing these frictions is crucial for responsible and nuanced anthropological research.
Conceptualizing Job and Employment Concepts for Earnings Inequality Estimands With Linked Employer-Employee Data <sup>1</sup>
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This research demonstrates that how ‘jobs’ are defined – using titles versus broader groups – significantly impacts estimated pay gap sizes, and the importance of these definitions varies depending on the level of analysis within an organization. The study also reveals that different theoretical frameworks (legal vs. comparable worth) yield differing estimates of pay bias.
Researchers analyzed pay gap estimates derived from varying conceptualizations of jobs and employment contexts, comparing results across organizational, workplace, and job group levels of observation. They contrasted findings generated using a legal framework with those stemming from a comparable worth perspective to assess differences in identifying pay disparities.
These findings highlight crucial considerations for researchers utilizing linked employer-employee data and for legal/regulatory bodies enforcing equal opportunity laws, emphasizing the need for careful attention to job definitions and theoretical underpinnings. The work suggests that analytical choices can substantially influence the detection of pay bias.
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This research identifies a disconnect within qualitative methodology stemming from the standards proposed in *Qualitative Literacy*, arguing they lack explicit grounding in social ontology and perpetuate the division between qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The author contends that current qualitative evaluation often prioritizes researcher competency over systematic, ontologically-informed criteria.
The study employs a sociological analysis of the rhetoric surrounding qualitative methodology, specifically comparing the approach advocated in *Qualitative Literacy* to earlier qualitative methods and established evaluation criteria. This comparison focuses on how evaluation criteria are derived and applied, and where the focus of evaluation lies – on the research process or the researcher.
These findings suggest a need to re-integrate social ontology into the evaluation of qualitative research, advocating for the consistent application of established criteria like reactivity, reliability, representativeness, and replicability, alongside a focus on the textual representation of research subjects. This could foster greater coherence and legitimacy within qualitative research and bridge the gap with quantitative methodologies.
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This research demonstrates that standard statistical methods used to measure intergenerational mobility contain hidden economic assumptions that systematically bias results towards overemphasizing the experiences of middle-class children and underrepresenting those from disadvantaged backgrounds. These methods implicitly prioritize certain economic preferences that violate established principles of fairness and welfare economics.
The authors reveal the subjective value judgments embedded within log-level regressions commonly used in IGM studies, showing they function as weighted aggregators with problematic economic properties. They then propose a generalized framework for constructing IGM measures based on transparent economic preferences, interpreting mobility as the marginal effect of parental welfare on child welfare.
This work highlights the importance of explicitly acknowledging and addressing the underlying economic assumptions in IGM research, offering a more nuanced and equitable approach to understanding and measuring social mobility. Utilizing varied economic preferences reveals differing perspectives on geographic disparities and the dynamics of intergenerational mobility.
Modeling the Bias of Digital Data: An Approach to Combining Digital With Official Statistics to Estimate and Predict Migration Trends
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This research demonstrates a novel method for improving migration flow estimates by intelligently combining biased digital data (from social media) with representative official statistics. The proposed approach yields more accurate predictions of population movement than relying on official statistics alone.
The researchers developed a statistical model that accounts for the spatial and temporal biases inherent in digital data, using official statistics to characterize these biases. They validated the model through simulations and then applied it to US state-level out-migration, combining Twitter data with American Community Survey data.
This work highlights the potential of integrating digital data and official statistics, offering a pathway to overcome the limitations of both data sources individually. The findings suggest a promising approach for enhancing migration research and informing more effective policy decisions related to population dynamics.
Comparing Methods for Estimating Demographics in Racially Polarized Voting Analyses
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This research demonstrates that the methods used to quantify racially polarized voting (RPV) can significantly impact results, especially in low-turnout, localized elections. While methods generally align in large-scale statewide contests, discrepancies emerge at the county level and in non-partisan elections when comparing different approaches to estimating racial composition and performing ecological inference.
The study systematically compared three methods for estimating precinct racial composition—Bayesian Improved Surname Geocoding (BISG), fully Bayesian BISG, and Citizen Voting Age Population (CVAP)—with two ecological inference algorithms (King’s EI and EI:RxC). Researchers analyzed data from two elections, contrasting results against ground-truth data when available to assess the reliability of each methodological combination.
These findings highlight the importance of transparency and careful consideration of methodological choices when studying RPV, as seemingly technical decisions can lead to differing interpretations of voting behavior. The research suggests a need for caution when drawing conclusions about racial polarization, particularly in smaller elections where data limitations amplify the effects of methodological variation.
Inequality of Opportunity, Income Mobility, and the Interpretation of Intergenerational Elasticities, Correlations, and Rank-Rank Slopes
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This research clarifies the conceptual underpinnings of four common intergenerational income mobility measures – IGE, IGC, RRS, and IGEE – and their relationship to inequality of opportunity. The analysis demonstrates that previously held characterizations of IGE and IGEE as “person-weighted” versus “dollar-weighted” elasticities are based on a methodological error.
The study employs formal mathematical relationships to connect mobility measures with established concepts of inequality of opportunity from the luck egalitarian literature. Through this analytical approach, the author identifies how different measures capture relative and absolute inequality, and clarifies the epistemic goals of each.
The findings support the continued use of the IGE as a primary measure of intergenerational mobility, while also validating the potential of the IGEE as a complementary tool. This work provides a more nuanced understanding of mobility measurement, informing future research and policy debates on inequality and opportunity.
Unpacking the nexus of Islamic religiosity and attitudes towards individual liberties and gender equality: a person-centered analysis among Dutch Muslims
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This study identifies distinct subgroups within the Dutch Muslim population based on their levels of religiosity and attitudes towards individual liberties and gender equality, challenging the assumption of a simple negative relationship between religious belief and liberal values. The research reveals a diverse range of combinations, including a group with high religiosity *and* acceptance of homosexuality, demonstrating that religious identity does not uniformly predict conservative viewpoints.
Researchers employed a person-centered analysis, specifically Latent Profile Analysis (LPA), using data from the Netherlands Longitudinal Lifecourse Study (NELLS 2011) with an oversample of Turkish- and Moroccan-origin Muslims (N=1829). This approach identified subgroups based on religious identification, worship practices, dietary habits, and acceptance of various personal and sexual liberties, moving beyond traditional variable-centered analyses.
The findings caution against oversimplified interpretations of religion as inherently threatening progressive values or the emancipation of minority groups, highlighting the importance of recognizing heterogeneity within Muslim populations. This research underscores the need for nuanced understandings of the complex interplay between religiosity and attitudes, particularly regarding acceptance of homosexuality, which appears to be a key differentiator among Muslim subgroups.
Deporting children: case outcomes for unaccompanied minors facing removal proceedings in US immigration court
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This research demonstrates that sociodemographic characteristics—specifically race, gender, age, language, and Indigeneity—significantly determine deportation outcomes for unaccompanied minors in US immigration court. Racialized Latino children face disproportionately higher deportation rates, while Indigenous language speakers and teenage boys also experience increased risk.
The study analyzed a dataset of over 200,000 cases of unaccompanied minors decided between 2009 and 2023, controlling for factors like legal representation, location, and adjudicator. Researchers examined the correlation between sociodemographic characteristics and deportation orders to identify key determinants of case outcomes.
These findings highlight the role of intersectional biases within the US immigration system, revealing how racialization, gender, age, and language contribute to unequal enforcement. The research supports the argument that immigration enforcement operates as a gendered racial removal program, particularly impacting Latino and Indigenous youth.
Review of “Food Allergy Advocacy: Parenting and the Politics of Care”
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This book demonstrates that “allergy mom” advocacy, while seemingly focused on child health, subtly reinforces existing societal norms that position white, middle-class mothers in nuclear families as the ideal advocates for managing food allergies. The author argues that this advocacy is deeply intertwined with gendered and racialized expectations surrounding motherhood and family responsibility.
The analysis is based on an anthropological study of food allergy advocacy, examining practices like breastfeeding, food preparation, and medical decision-making through the lens of family life and social movements. The book was evaluated by a sociologist specializing in parenting, family life, qualitative methods, and research ethics.
This work highlights the ways in which even well-intentioned advocacy can inadvertently perpetuate inequalities, particularly through the phenomenon of “mother-blame” and the association of hygiene/safety with social class and race. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for fostering more equitable and effective approaches to food allergy support and advocacy.
Parental Schooling, Educational Attainment, Skills, and Earnings: A Trend Analysis across Fifteen Countries
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This study analyzes the evolution of intergenerational inequalities across fifteen countries between 1994 and 2015, focusing on the roles of educational attainment and cognitive skills. The research finds a stable association between parental education and children’s earnings in most countries, with a downward trend in Scandinavian nations and a notable increase in the United States.
The authors utilized harmonized data from the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) and the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) to conduct a cross-national analysis. They examined the relationships between parents' education, children's educational attainment, cognitive skills, and earnings, assessing changes over time and across countries.
The findings suggest that educational equalization has been offset by increasing returns to education in several countries, while the link between parental education, cognitive skills, and earnings has remained largely unchanged. This highlights the complex interplay between educational opportunities, skill development, and economic outcomes in perpetuating intergenerational inequalities.
An Invisibility/Hypervisibility Paradox: The Sociology of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Americans
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This review highlights a central paradox in the study of MENA Americans – their statistical invisibility in official data despite being socially prominent – and demonstrates how navigating this paradox has driven sociological advancements. The authors argue this unique challenge has fostered important research in areas of identity, racialization, and integration.
This work is a review of existing scholarship on MENA Americans, synthesizing key demographic characteristics and analyzing how researchers have approached the invisibility/hypervisibility paradox. It examines how innovative research questions and methods have been employed to overcome data limitations and contribute to sociological theory.
As federal data collection standards evolve, the authors caution that increased data availability on MENA Americans must be accompanied by ethical considerations and contextual understanding. Future research should prioritize data disaggregation, explore the nuances of MENA panethnicity, and continually assess the group’s evolving racial position within the broader American context.
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This research demonstrates that the commonly held narrative of Asian Americans as a uniformly high-achieving group obscures significant disparities *within* the Asian American population, leading to inaccurate understandings of their integration into US society. These intra-Asian differences result in divergent outcomes and contribute to growing political polarization.
The study reviews recent demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic trends among Asian Americans to highlight patterns of diversification and differentiation. It critiques existing conceptual frameworks and data collection methods for their bias towards larger Asian groups, obscuring the experiences of smaller, more vulnerable populations.
The findings emphasize the urgent need for data disaggregation and integration to accurately represent the diversity within the Asian American community. This improved data infrastructure is crucial for identifying challenges, informing effective policy interventions, and advancing research on Asian American experiences.
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This research synthesizes existing scholarship to examine the applicability of the “diverging destinies” framework – which links socioeconomic factors to family behavior and intergenerational inequality – within the context of East Asian societies. The study finds that while the framework holds potential, its relevance is shaped by unique regional characteristics.
The authors conducted a comprehensive review and synthesis of academic literature focusing on socioeconomic differentials in family behavior and child well-being across mainland China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. This involved summarizing key findings to assess how well the diverging destinies framework explains family change and inequality in these nations.
This work establishes a crucial empirical foundation for future research investigating family dynamics and inequality in East Asia, particularly considering the region’s specific social and economic landscape. It highlights the need to account for factors like gender roles, parental investment, and social support when applying broader theoretical frameworks.
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Survey experiments represent a valuable, yet currently underused, methodological approach for sociological research focused on establishing causal relationships. These experiments offer unique strengths in assessing treatment effects within broader populations and uncovering underlying causal processes.
This article provides a review of survey experiments, examining their utility through illustrative examples of recent sociological studies. It also addresses potential challenges and limitations associated with this method, offering a concise practical guide for researchers interested in implementation.
The authors advocate for increased adoption of survey experiments within sociology, suggesting they can significantly enhance our understanding of complex social phenomena. Further development and application of this methodology promise to advance causal research in the field.
Automation and Augmentation: Artificial Intelligence, Robots, and Work
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This review of existing literature finds that while automation and AI offer potential for both displacement and augmentation of labor, their efficacy is not guaranteed and may exacerbate existing inequalities. Jobs requiring uniquely human skills – dexterity, tacit knowledge, and adaptability – are less susceptible to automation, but proactive policy is needed to mitigate widening gaps.
The study employs a literature review across multiple disciplines to synthesize current understanding of the impacts of robots and AI on work. Key observations and suggestions are drawn from this review to assess the potential, limitations, and consequences of these technologies.
This research highlights the need for sociological investigation into the social and political contexts surrounding automation and AI, emphasizing the importance of understanding mechanisms to improve labor augmentation and lessen adverse effects. Further research should focus on specifying conditions that promote positive outcomes and address the challenges posed by opaque or flawed AI systems.
Policing, Punishment, and Place: Spatial-Contextual Analyses of the Criminal Legal System
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Research demonstrates significant geographic disparities in policing and punishment, highlighting how local conditions influence criminal justice outcomes and the co-occurrence of various criminal justice exposures within communities. This article systematically reviews existing spatial analyses of the criminal legal system, categorizing them by their theoretical foundations.
The authors conducted a review of existing literature focusing on spatial-contextual analyses of the criminal legal system, identifying three dominant approaches: those centered on crime rates, urban ecology, and social control theories. They then critically assessed the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches and identified key limitations within the field.
This work calls for future research to move beyond focusing solely on large cities and individual criminal justice institutions, advocating for more comprehensive spatial modeling and analysis across diverse urban and rural landscapes. Addressing these gaps will provide more nuanced understandings and inform more effective, multi-scale interventions for stakeholders.
Frame Backfire: The Trouble with Civil Rights Appeals in the Contemporary United States
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This research demonstrates that framing contemporary issues as civil rights violations unexpectedly *decreases* public support for government intervention, a phenomenon termed “frame backfire.” Despite positive abstract associations with civil rights, invoking this frame consistently proved counterproductive across various issues and demographic groups.
The study employed two large-scale survey experiments to test how civil rights framing impacts support for government intervention, conceptualizing civil rights claims as master frames, appeals to collective memory, or potentially racialized messaging. Researchers analyzed responses to closed and open-ended questions to understand perceptions of civil rights and its application to different scenarios.
These findings challenge the assumption that resonant framing aligns with audience values or positive collective memories, suggesting that invoking idealized historical movements can inadvertently undermine support for present-day causes. The consistent negative effects indicate that civil rights framing may not be a universally effective strategy for advocating diverse issues, even those concerning equality and justice.
Relational Risk: How Relationships Shape Personal Assessments of Risk and Mitigation
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This research demonstrates that the adoption of risk mitigation tools, like PrEP for HIV prevention, is not simply a matter of individual risk assessment but is deeply embedded in social relationships and community context. Individuals actively consider how using PrEP will affect their relationships and how it will be perceived within their communities.
The study utilized semi-structured in-depth interviews with 40 Black and Latino gay, bisexual, and queer men to explore their perceptions of risk and their decision-making processes regarding PrEP use. This qualitative approach allowed for a nuanced understanding of the social factors influencing health choices.
The concept of “relational inoculation” highlights the importance of considering social dynamics in health interventions, suggesting that successful risk mitigation requires addressing not only individual vulnerability but also the maintenance of intimacy and community belonging. These findings offer valuable insights for sociological research on race, sexuality, and health, as well as informing more effective health policy.
Collaborating on the Carceral State: Political Elite Polarization and the Expansion of Federal Crime Legislation Networks, 1979 to 2005
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This research demonstrates that while collaboration networks built on mutual trust help lawmakers overcome conflict to address urgent issues, this network dependence simultaneously limits their responsiveness to broader motivating factors. Specifically, increased political polarization strengthens the influence of existing relationships and weakens the impact of actual crime rates on policy decisions.
The study employs machine learning and longitudinal analysis of federal crime legislation co-sponsorship networks from 1979-2005, a period marked by growing political polarization, to test the relationship between network dynamics, political conflict, and policy outcomes. Analysis focused on identifying how reciprocal action, prior collaboration, and crime rates influenced co-sponsorship patterns, particularly for enacted criminal laws.
These findings offer new understanding of how collaboration networks shaped the historical development of the carceral state and reveal a crucial tension: networks facilitate collective action but can also hinder responsiveness to pressing societal problems, especially amidst heightened political division. This highlights the complex interplay between cooperation and constraint in legislative processes.
“Choppy Waters”: Navigating Political Generational Conflict in Social Movement Organizations
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This research demonstrates distinct political generational change and resulting conflict within the U.S. LGBTQ+ movement, revealing tensions between a “Legacy” generation and an “Emergent” generation regarding key issues and organizational approaches. These conflicts manifest in material consequences, like resource control, and emotional consequences, such as feelings of erasure.
The study utilized interviews with 39 leaders of LGBTQ+ organizations, combined with analysis of longitudinal administrative text data extracted from 1,840 LGBTQ+ organizational mission statements to identify generational shifts and associated conflicts. This mixed-methods approach allowed for both qualitative insights and quantitative validation of generational differences.
The findings prompt a re-evaluation of the concept of “unity through diversity” within the LGBTQ+ movement and highlight political generations as a critical factor in understanding social movement transformation, collective identity, and resource mobilization. Understanding these generational dynamics is crucial for navigating change and fostering inclusivity within social movements more broadly.
Pedagogy of Fear: Folklore and the Far-Right in Weimar Germany
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This research demonstrates a strong correlation between the prevalence of fearful folktales – specifically those featuring ethnic bogeymen – and support for far-right parties during the Weimar Republic in Germany. The study reveals that localities with a history of these narratives exhibited significantly higher rates of radical right voting, particularly during times of political and economic instability.
Researchers combined newly available archival data from folklorists with election results from all Reichstag elections in Weimar Germany, employing spatial autoregressive models to analyze the relationship between folktale prevalence and voting patterns. To establish causality, they utilized an instrumental variable analysis leveraging even older folklore data from the 1860s.
These findings suggest that folklore acts as a crucial, long-term influence on political behavior, shaping emotional responses and worldviews that can contribute to the rise of far-right movements. Furthermore, the study highlights the value of folklore archives as a resource for understanding the historical roots of affective and discursive patterns in society.
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This research highlights the interconnectedness of the criminal legal system with key social institutions—education, health, and family—and its role in perpetuating societal inequalities.
The abstract does not detail a specific methodology; it indicates a broad examination of systemic intersections rather than a focused empirical study.
Understanding these intersections is crucial for developing more equitable policies and interventions addressing both criminal justice reform and broader social determinants of inequality.
What Makes a Contact Valuable? Hiring, Organizational Networks and the Advantages of Network Closure
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Workplace network closure—meaning contacts share many of the same colleagues—significantly increases a job seeker’s chances of being hired at an organization where they have a connection, boosting the probability of hire by 51%. This effect is notably stronger than what would be expected from simply having a broad network of contacts.
Researchers analyzed administrative data from 72,173 hires in Denmark, focusing on networks of ex-coworker ties and subsequent job moves. They compared successful hires to plausible alternative outcomes to determine the impact of contacts’ network closure on the hiring process, and tested three potential mechanisms driving this effect.
These findings suggest that network *closure*, rather than simply openness, is a crucial asset for job seekers, as it enhances a contact’s ability to influence hiring managers and integrate candidates into the workplace. This highlights the importance of strong, tightly-knit relationships within organizations for successful recruitment.
Control adjustment costs limit goal flexibility: Empirical evidence and a computational account.
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This research demonstrates that adjusting cognitive control—shifting between prioritizing speed and accuracy—incurs measurable costs in performance, suggesting that our brains don't instantly adapt to new goals. Specifically, individuals exhibit "undershoot," failing to fully reach the desired level of control when switching between goals.
Four experiments were conducted where participants performed a demanding cognitive task while manipulating performance goals (speed vs. accuracy). A dynamical systems model was developed and validated, incorporating the concept of cognitive inertia to explain the observed adjustment costs and predict performance based on factors like goal distance, adjustment time, and switch frequency.
These findings illuminate the dynamic processes underlying flexible goal-directed behavior, revealing that the costs of adapting control are inherent to cognitive control dynamics. Understanding these costs provides insight into the limitations and constraints on human cognitive flexibility and how we efficiently navigate changing environments.
Breaking the chains: Toward a neural-level account of episodic memory.
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This research proposes a new model of episodic memory based on temporal indexing, suggesting that memories are formed and recalled through a combination of contextual inputs, temporal patterns, and biologically plausible network motifs. The model addresses limitations of existing theories when considering dynamic environments and immobile observers.
The study utilizes computational modeling, drawing on principles from spatial memory, time coding, and reinforcement learning to create an architecture that simulates hippocampal function. This model incorporates features like flexible duration indices, lateral inhibition, and grid cell analogues to replay events and modulate recall speed.
This framework offers a potential mechanism for how the brain encodes and retrieves episodic memories, particularly in complex and changing environments, and reconciles classical episodic memory accounts with modern theories of hippocampal function and generative models. The model provides a basis for understanding temporal cognition and flexible memory recall.
As different as fear and anxiety: Introducing the fear and anxiety model of placebo hypoalgesia and nocebo hyperalgesia.
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This research proposes that fear and anxiety, both as inherent traits and temporary states, play distinct roles in placebo and nocebo effects on pain perception; fear tends to *reduce* pain, while anxiety tends to *increase* it. Understanding these differing influences is crucial for predicting and modulating placebo/nocebo responses.
This work is a review and theoretical model-building exercise, synthesizing current knowledge from emotional, pain, and placebo/nocebo research. The authors integrate existing data to propose a framework differentiating the impact of trait fear/anxiety and pre-treatment emotional states on pain modulation.
This model suggests that assessing a patient’s baseline fear and anxiety levels could help predict their responsiveness to placebo or nocebo effects, potentially leading to more targeted and effective pain management strategies. Future research should focus on validating this model and exploring its clinical applications.
The theory of mind hypothesis of autism: A critical evaluation of the status quo.
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This research critically assesses the prevailing theory of mind (ToM) hypothesis of autism, concluding that current theoretical accounts and testing methods are insufficient to fully explain social communication difficulties. The authors argue existing frameworks and tests have limitations impacting the validity of conclusions.
The study involved a critical evaluation of existing literature on ToM in autism, examining both theoretical frameworks and commonly used assessment tools. This analysis informed the development of an alternative psychological account – the Mind-space framework – and a new ToM assessment, the Interview Task.
These findings suggest a need to refine our understanding of ToM in autism and to develop more robust and valid assessment methods. The Mind-space framework and Interview Task offer a potential pathway for future research aiming to improve both theoretical models and diagnostic tools.
The impact of creativity training on creative performance: A meta-analytic review and critical evaluation of 5 decades of creativity training studies.
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This meta-analysis of 169 creativity training studies (844 effect sizes) reveals a moderate training effect (0.53 *SD*s) but, critically, demonstrates strong evidence of publication bias. Adjustments for this bias substantially lowered the estimated effect size, ranging from 0.29 to 0.32 *SD*s, suggesting previous estimates were inflated.
Researchers conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis spanning five decades, including a substantial number of previously unpublished studies. They employed a range of statistical methods to detect and correct for publication bias and rigorously evaluated the robustness of the findings, accounting for study precision and methodological shortcomings.
The findings cast doubt on the representativeness of the published literature and the conclusions of prior meta-analyses regarding the effectiveness of creativity training. The prevalence of methodological flaws and lack of improvement over time highlight the need for more rigorous research and informed interpretation of results by both researchers and practitioners.
Negativity bias in intergroup contact: Meta-analytical evidence that bad is stronger than good, especially when people have the opportunity and motivation to opt out of contact.
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This meta-analysis of 238 studies confirms that both positive and negative intergroup contact significantly impact prejudice, but negative contact has a demonstrably *stronger* effect than positive contact—a pronounced negativity bias.
Researchers synthesized data from 152,985 participants across 238 independent samples, utilizing random-effects modeling and integrating intergroup contact theory with sequential sampling models to assess the influence of contact valence and self-selection on prejudice reduction.
Understanding the conditions that amplify negativity bias—such as opportunities for self-selection, prejudiced samples, and specific outgroup characteristics—is crucial for designing more effective contact-based interventions and policies aimed at fostering social cohesion.
Ignorance by choice: A meta-analytic review of the underlying motives of willful ignorance and its consequences.
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This meta-analysis demonstrates that a substantial portion of people (40%) actively avoid learning about the negative consequences of their actions on others, resulting in significantly reduced altruistic behavior—a decrease of over 15 percentage points. This avoidance appears to function as a self-serving excuse.
Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 56 studies, encompassing data from 6,531 participants and 33,603 decisions, all utilizing experimental paradigms designed to measure willful ignorance. This rigorous approach allowed for a robust assessment of the phenomenon and its impact on prosocial behavior.
These findings highlight the prevalence of willful ignorance as a barrier to altruism and have broad implications for understanding behavior in consumer, organizational, and broader social contexts. Understanding the motivations behind this behavior—specifically, excuse-seeking to protect self-image—can inform strategies to promote greater accountability and prosocial action.
Evaluating the robustness of parameter estimates in cognitive models: A meta-analytic review of multinomial processing tree models across the multiverse of estimation methods.
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This research demonstrates that while data-analysis decisions in multinomial processing tree (MPT) modeling generally lead to small differences in parameter estimates, substantial divergence can occur in certain cases, nearing the full possible range of values. The study systematically examined the impact of data aggregation level and statistical framework on MPT model robustness.
Researchers synthesized data from a large meta-analysis of 13,956 participants across 164 published datasets, employing a meta-analytic strategy to quantify the magnitude of divergence between different estimation methods for nine common MPT models. They then investigated potential moderators that might explain observed differences in parameter estimation.
The findings suggest that partial-pooling methods offer a robust default approach for MPT modeling, and highlight the importance of transparency regarding data-analysis choices to increase the reliability of cognitive modeling results. This work provides a framework for assessing robustness across a “multiverse” of analytical approaches in cognitive science.
Does what others can(not) see really matter? The relationship between leadership Arena–Reputation–Identity (LARI) model and leader effectiveness.
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This study demonstrates that the Leadership Arena-Reputation-Identity (LARI) model effectively captures and predicts senior executive leadership effectiveness, explaining a significant portion of the variability in how leaders are perceived. Results also indicate that the predictive power of different rating sources depends on how easily observable the leadership qualities being assessed are.
Researchers analyzed multisource ratings of leadership competencies from 491 senior executives, alongside team-based assessments of their effectiveness, to extend and test the LARI (S-1) model. This involved conceptual and empirical work to accommodate predictive relationships within the model and validate its function with additional sources like board member ratings.
These findings support the LARI model as a valuable tool for understanding multisource leadership ratings, even within the context of upper-echelon leadership and diverse rating sources. The research highlights the importance of considering source observability when interpreting leadership assessments and offers a foundation for future research in this area.
Correction to “The dynamics of gender and alternatives in negotiation” by Dannals et al. (2021).
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This research demonstrates a gender gap in negotiation outcomes, specifically finding that the gap only appears when female negotiators possess a strong alternative to a negotiated agreement, and that these negotiations are more likely to reach an impasse. These results support the idea that backlash against assertive women contributes to negotiation dynamics.
The study analyzed a large dataset of over 2,500 individual negotiators to investigate the relationship between gender, strength of alternatives, and negotiation performance. Researchers examined outcomes like achieved value and the rate of impasses, controlling for factors like aspirations, reservation values, and initial offers.
These findings bolster the backlash account of gender differences in negotiation, suggesting that empowering women with strong alternatives can paradoxically lead to worse outcomes due to negative reactions from counterparts. This highlights the complex interplay of gender, power dynamics, and social perceptions in negotiation settings.
Toward whole-person fit assessment: Integrating interests, values, skills, knowledge, and personality using the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).
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This research demonstrates that a comprehensive assessment of person-occupation fit—considering vocational interests, work values, knowledge, skills, and personality across 88 dimensions—significantly improves predictions of career choice and success. Integrating multiple fit domains provides a more nuanced and accurate understanding of the person-occupation relationship than focusing on single traits.
The researchers developed and validated a new set of integrative person-occupation fit assessments, aligning them with occupational data from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) database. They conducted three studies with diverse samples to establish the reliability and validity of these measures, evaluating their predictive power for career-related outcomes.
These findings highlight the importance of a “whole-person” approach to assessing person-occupation fit, suggesting that considering multiple domains is crucial for effective career guidance and job selection. The publicly available assessments and guidance provided will facilitate further research and practical applications in the field of career counseling and workforce development.
Euphemism as a powerful framing device that influences moral judgments and punitive responses after wrongdoing.
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This research demonstrates that using euphemisms to describe moral transgressions—like bribery or fraud—significantly reduces how severe those actions are perceived by third parties, and consequently, diminishes the desire to punish the perpetrators. Even when participants were prompted to reframe the euphemisms, the effect on lessened severity and punishment remained partially intact.
Researchers conducted a series of experiments with a total of 3,081 participants, manipulating the language used to describe moral transgressions, comparing euphemistic phrasing to direct, noneuphemistic language. They then measured participants’ perceptions of the severity of the transgression and their motivation to punish the individual responsible, and also tested whether explicitly reframing the euphemisms would alter these judgments.
These findings highlight the subtle yet powerful influence of language on shaping perceptions of morality and justice, suggesting that linguistic framing can significantly impact public opinion and potentially hinder efforts to achieve fairness. This underscores the importance of careful language use, particularly when discussing sensitive topics like wrongdoing and accountability.
Why We Should Stop Trying to Fix Women: How Context Shapes and Constrains Women's Career Trajectories
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This review argues that common workplace gender equality interventions, focused on “fixing” women by boosting motivation or providing skills, are often based on reinforcing stereotypes and fail to address underlying structural inequalities. Instead, the authors propose a shift in focus towards understanding how organizational contexts *create* and maintain gender disparities.
The authors conducted a critical appraisal of existing literature on workplace gender equality interventions, specifically examining initiatives targeting women’s motivation, ambition, and skill development. This analysis reveals a prevalent “deficit model” that centers interventions on individual women rather than systemic issues.
This research suggests that effective gender equality initiatives should prioritize examining and reforming organizational structures and cultures, rather than attempting to change women to fit existing systems. By focusing on systemic change, interventions can address the root causes of inequality and create truly equitable workplaces.
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This research demonstrates that persistent gender gaps in STEM fields are not solely attributable to individual differences in ability or interest, but are significantly influenced by limiting gender stereotypes. These stereotypes negatively impact women’s sense of belonging and alignment with STEM careers, hindering their attraction to and success within these fields.
This work is a review of existing psychological literature examining the factors contributing to women’s underrepresentation in STEM. The author synthesizes research on self-concept, goal alignment, and social fit to explain how gender stereotypes create systemic barriers, independent of overt bias or discrimination.
Addressing the underrepresentation of women in STEM requires a comprehensive strategy focused on transforming organizational and educational cultures. This includes interventions at the institutional, interpersonal, and individual levels to dismantle harmful stereotypes and foster a more inclusive environment.
Stress Management Interventions to Facilitate Psychological and Physiological Adaptation and Optimal Health Outcomes in Cancer Patients and Survivors
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Cancer diagnosis and treatment are deeply stressful, impacting both psychological well-being and potentially contributing to disease progression. This review examines how interventions designed to manage stress can improve adaptation and health outcomes for cancer patients and survivors.
This work is a review of existing randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of stress management interventions on psychological, physiological, and clinical health outcomes in individuals affected by cancer. The authors synthesize findings from these trials to evaluate the efficacy of different approaches.
Modifying stress responses may be a crucial component of comprehensive cancer care, potentially improving quality of life, bolstering physiological adaptation, and even influencing disease trajectory. Further research is needed to refine these interventions and address remaining knowledge gaps in the field.
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Research on human rationality is uniquely interdisciplinary and fundamentally linked to normative considerations of how people *should* reason, meaning descriptive research on actual behavior requires understanding ideal rational standards. This creates a complex landscape for psychologists studying rationality, extending beyond traditional psychological boundaries.
This article presents a critical overview of the field, introducing relevant normative frameworks and then surveying empirical findings across key areas like judgment, reasoning, decision-making, and argumentation. It also examines the interplay between individual and collective rationality, and the challenges of applying this research to real-world problems.
Understanding human rationality necessitates a broad, interdisciplinary approach and careful consideration of both descriptive and normative perspectives. This highlights the need for collaboration across fields and a nuanced interpretation of empirical results within the context of rational ideals.
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This reflection details a career spanning diverse areas within cognitive psychology, highlighting a journey through memory, language, and increasingly complex cognitive processes. The author observes a shift in the field towards computational methods and data-driven approaches as their career nears conclusion.
This is a personal narrative and retrospective account, rather than a traditional empirical study; it’s a career-long observation of evolving trends in cognitive science. The methodology relies on experiential knowledge and a broad engagement with various subfields within the discipline.
The author’s observations suggest a transition in cognitive psychology, with emerging technologies like AI and big data reshaping research methodologies and attracting new generations of researchers. This signals a potentially transformative period for the field, building upon decades of foundational work.
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This review proposes a new framework for understanding attentional control, highlighting how top-down goals, bottom-up stimuli, and past selections interact to determine focus. The key finding is that attentional capture – when attention is drawn to irrelevant but salient stimuli – can be proactively controlled, primarily through implicit learning from past experiences.
This work is a theoretical review of existing literature on attentional control and attentional capture. It integrates current research to build a tripartite framework and analyzes the conditions under which attentional capture occurs, and when it can be successfully prevented.
Understanding the interplay of these influences has implications for resolving ongoing debates about the mechanisms of attentional control. This framework suggests that implicit statistical learning plays a crucial role in managing distractions and maintaining focus, potentially informing interventions for attention deficits.
From entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems to the social economy ecosystem
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This research identifies key characteristics of social economy ecosystems, demonstrating a balance between economic goals and social value creation is central to their success. Collective social entrepreneurship and specific institutional support also play a crucial role in defining these ecosystems.
The study conceptualizes social economy ecosystems through a combination of theoretical development and empirical analysis. Researchers examined two established social economy ecosystems – one in Valencia, Spain, and the other in Emilia Romagna, Italy – to identify defining features and goals.
The findings highlight the importance of integrating axiological, cognitive, and institutional elements—rooted in knowledge and culture—into the operational aspects of social economy initiatives. This proactive approach can facilitate the achievement of social value and the growth of the social economy model.
Microfoundations in the strategic management of technology and innovation: Definitions, systematic literature review, integrative framework, and research agenda
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This study reveals a fragmented yet growing body of research exploring the microfoundations of strategic technology and innovation management, highlighting a need for greater integration and focused research efforts. A systematic review of 87 articles identified key themes and gaps in the current understanding of how individual actions drive firm-level innovation outcomes.
Researchers conducted a systematic literature review, analyzing articles published between 2003 and 2022 in 23 leading academic journals using a multi-coder, multi-step approach. This rigorous process allowed for the synthesis of existing research into an integrative framework and the identification of promising research directions.
The findings provide a consolidated research agenda with over 20 potential avenues for future investigation, benefiting both academic scholars and practitioners in the fields of strategic management, technology, and innovation. This work encourages a more nuanced understanding of the link between micro-level behaviors and macro-level organizational success.
Understanding business model development through the lens of complexity theory: Enablers and barriers
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This research identifies organizational form as the most important factor enabling business model development, while “Type II” barriers pose the most significant challenges to this process. These findings highlight a hierarchical structure influencing how businesses adapt their models.
The study employed fuzzy multi-criteria decision making techniques, grounded in complexity theory and hierarchical concepts, to systematically analyze enablers and barriers to business model development. This approach allowed for prioritization of factors and assessment of barrier significance relative to key enablers.
The results suggest businesses should prioritize organizational structure when fostering business model development and proactively address “Type II” barriers to ensure successful adaptation in dynamic markets. This work provides a theoretical framework and empirical insights for future research on business model evolution.
The role of psychological distance and construal level in explaining the effectiveness of human-like vs. cartoon-like virtual influencers
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This research demonstrates that human-like virtual influencers (VIs) are perceived as more trustworthy, while cartoon-like VIs are initially seen as more novel, but this novelty diminishes with exposure. Psychological distance mediates these perceptions, reducing trustworthiness and amplifying novelty, though desirability-focused messaging can leverage this distance to enhance novelty.
Four experimental studies were conducted to compare the impact of human-like and cartoon-like VIs on advertising effectiveness, utilizing psychological distance and construal level theory as a framework for understanding consumer responses. The research also considered the moderating roles of message focus and cultural context, specifically examining the impact of VI familiarity.
These findings contribute to the understanding of VI effectiveness, suggesting that both human-like and cartoon-like VIs can be successful in advertising, but require strategic consideration of factors like message framing, consumer familiarity, and cultural background. This provides a theoretical basis for assessing VIs and offers practical guidance for marketers utilizing these digital endorsers.
Trade-Offs in Leveraging External Data Capabilities: Evidence from a Field Experiment in an Online Search Market
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This research demonstrates that removing access to an external search engine’s autocomplete API negatively impacts a company’s search suggestion clickthrough rate, but this negative effect diminishes over time. The study also establishes a causal link between search suggestion CTR and overall search result CTR.
Researchers conducted a large-scale field experiment with over two million users, randomly assigning access to an external autocomplete API for 108 days. They then used an instrumental variables approach to measure the causal effects of API access on clickthrough rates for both search suggestions and overall search results.
These findings highlight a critical trade-off for managers leveraging external data capabilities, as reliance on external sources can hinder the development of internal data resources and long-term improvements. The research also provides insights relevant to data sharing regulations like the Digital Markets Act.
Experimentation and Start-up Performance: Evidence from A/B Testing
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This paper demonstrates that adopting A/B testing technology is associated with improved performance for high-technology startups, specifically increases in page views and new product features. The study also finds that A/B testing correlates with faster failure rates for younger ventures and increased scaling potential for more established firms.
The researchers analyzed data from 35,000 global startups between 2015 and 2018, combining information on A/B testing adoption with measures of firm growth, technology use, and product launches. They employed demanding statistical specifications to assess the impact of A/B testing while controlling for various firm characteristics, including management experience and firm age.
These findings support the idea that experimentation is a valuable strategic framework for startups, but highlight that simply lowering the cost of testing isn't enough; firms also need the capabilities to generate ideas and make data-driven decisions. The results contribute to the growing literature on entrepreneurial strategy and the role of digitization in shaping business practices.
Media Attention and Event-Based Grouping of Stocks: An Examination of Stocks Hyped by Media Outlets as Benefiting from the Olympics
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This research demonstrates that stocks associated with hosting the Olympic Games (“Olympic stocks”) experience higher returns and increased comovement with each other during the seven-year period leading up to the games, despite no corresponding improvement in company fundamentals. The study suggests this activity is driven by investor excitement and media hype rather than underlying financial performance.
Researchers analyzed five Summer Olympic Games, identifying stocks linked to the event by media coverage and comparing their performance to matched control groups over the “Olympic time period.” They examined returns, volatility, trading volume, and fundamental metrics, alongside a similar analysis of “stay-at-home” stocks during the COVID-19 pandemic to validate event-based comovement.
These findings highlight the potential for media-driven narratives and investor sentiment to influence stock valuations independently of fundamental financial health, suggesting a behavioral component to market pricing around major events. This has implications for both investors and understanding market efficiency.
Innovations in IPO Deal Structure: Do Up-C IPOs Harm Public Shareholders?
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This research demonstrates that while Umbrella Partnership Corporation (Up-C) IPOs initially appear successful based on valuation and operating performance, they ultimately harm public shareholders and experience significantly higher rates of post-IPO litigation. The study challenges the prevailing view that Up-C structures enhance value, revealing a pattern of opportunism by pre-IPO owners.
The authors analyzed a comprehensive sample of recent Up-C IPOs, examining abnormal stock performance and litigation rates in comparison to traditional IPOs. This involved broadening existing research to include a larger, more current dataset to provide a more robust empirical assessment of the Up-C deal structure.
These findings provide the first empirical evidence of downsides to Up-C IPOs for public investors, potentially shifting the ongoing debate surrounding this capital formation innovation. The research suggests investors are not fully anticipating the risks associated with Up-C structures, leading to increased litigation as a means of resolving post-IPO disputes.
The Opposing Effects of Complexity and Information Content on Uncertainty Dynamics: Evidence from 10-K Filings
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This research demonstrates a hump-shaped pattern in option-implied volatility following 10-K filings—an initial increase for four weeks, followed by a decrease—and finds this effect is stronger for firms with larger filings. The study further decomposes 10-K file size, linking “risk factors” to complexity and “managerial discussion” to information content.
Researchers analyzed 10-K filings to assess the relationship between document complexity, information content, and subsequent volatility dynamics. They utilized option-implied volatility as a measure of uncertainty and performed a novel decomposition of 10-K file size based on section-level disclosure and topic analysis.
These findings emphasize the importance of considering *when* complexity and information content impact asset prices, suggesting opposing effects at different times. Understanding this timing is crucial for investors and those analyzing corporate disclosures.
Contagious Bank Runs and Committed Liquidity Support
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This research demonstrates that a lack of information about bank solvency during a crisis can trigger self-fulfilling bank runs and declining asset values, creating a damaging cycle. Committed liquidity support from regulators, even without knowing which banks are insolvent, can effectively contain contagion and stabilize prices.
The study utilizes a global-games-based model incorporating multiple banks and aggregate uncertainties to simulate bank run dynamics under conditions of imperfect information. This allows researchers to analyze how information constraints impact the effectiveness of emergency liquidity assistance.
These findings support recent policy practices involving pre-committed liquidity support and highlight the importance of proactive regulatory interventions during financial crises. The research provides a theoretical justification for policies designed to stabilize the financial system even when complete information is unavailable.
Can images and textual information lead to meat avoidance? The mediating role of cognitive dissonance
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This study demonstrates that cognitive dissonance, a psychological discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs, explains how information impacts meat avoidance in regular meat-eaters. Importantly, images and text don't *directly* change behavior, but instead work by first creating this internal conflict.
Researchers conducted an online experiment with 379 participants who regularly eat meat, exposing them to different types of information – text about meat and health, animal-meat images, a combination, or a control – and measuring the resulting cognitive dissonance and reported intentions to avoid meat. The study utilized a between-subjects design to compare the effects of these different information types.
These findings suggest that public health and sustainability campaigns aimed at reducing meat consumption should focus on triggering cognitive dissonance in consumers rather than simply presenting facts or images. This approach may be more effective in motivating behavioral change and improving both human and planetary health.
Identifying preferences for sustainability labeling and measures to increase sustainable food consumption among Norwegian consumers
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This study found that Norwegian consumers prioritize reducing food waste and improving animal welfare as key dimensions of food sustainability, and generally prefer a single label encompassing social, environmental, and health aspects. Consumers already perceiving their diets as sustainable express a stronger desire for detailed information across all sustainability dimensions.
Researchers assessed the values and preferences of a representative sample of Norwegian consumers regarding sustainability dimensions in food, utilizing data collected as part of the NewTools project. Statistical analysis, including odds ratios and confidence intervals, was employed to identify relationships between dietary perceptions and information preferences.
While comprehensive sustainability labeling is favored, its impact may be limited to those already engaged in sustainable consumption; strategies focusing on price reductions and convenience are crucial for motivating less-motivated consumers. Future research should explore the combined effect of labeling and structural interventions to broaden the reach of sustainable food choices.
The influence of targeted digital advertising on consumers' purchase intention: Comparative analysis based on the perspective of ads content source
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This research demonstrates that targeted digital advertising (TDA) is most effective at improving purchase intentions when delivered via top e-commerce streamers, outperforming endorsements from stars or evaluations from bloggers. The study also reveals that the optimal TDA source differs based on consumer thinking style—rational thinkers respond better to stars and streamers, while empirical thinkers prefer bloggers and streamers.
Two experimental studies were conducted to analyze consumer purchase intentions in response to TDA from different content sources (stars, bloggers, and top e-commerce streamers). Researchers examined how these sources impacted consumers with varying thinking styles, and further investigated the mediating roles of mental simulation and perceived usefulness.
These findings contribute to precision marketing by providing a nuanced understanding of how consumers perceive and respond to TDA, highlighting the importance of source selection and tailoring strategies to individual thinking styles. The identified chain mediation of mental simulation and perceived usefulness offers insights into the psychological mechanisms driving consumer decision-making in the context of targeted advertising.
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This research demonstrates that consumer appraisal of IoT technology – shaped by motivation and social influence – is the primary driver of perceived ease of use and usefulness, ultimately impacting adoption intentions. The study highlights that the strength of this relationship varies significantly based on contextual factors like service criticality, geographic region, industry sector, and user demographics.
Researchers conducted a large-scale meta-analysis, synthesizing data from 138 studies encompassing 52,629 respondents and 2736 effect sizes, using both meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) and hierarchical linear meta-analysis (HiLMA). This approach integrated appraisal theory and the technology acceptance model (TAM) to model the complex dynamics of IoT adoption.
These findings offer a nuanced understanding of the IoT adoption paradox, revealing that factors influencing attitude and intention differ significantly across consumer groups and contexts. This knowledge is crucial for businesses developing and marketing IoT devices, particularly regarding branding, target demographics, and application within specific service sectors.
Dull and Deadly: The Influence of Black‐and‐White vs. Color End‐Of‐Life Ads on Death Anxiety
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This research demonstrates that black and white (BW) advertisements for end-of-life (EOL) preplanning increase death anxiety and negatively impact attitudes toward the ads, while color advertisements reduce anxiety and improve attitudes. This challenges the common practice of using BW in this context.
Three experimental studies were conducted to investigate the relationship between color saturation in EOL advertisements, death anxiety, and ad attitudes. Participants were exposed to either BW or color versions of EOL ads, and their levels of death anxiety and attitudes toward the ads were measured.
These findings support color-in-context theory by showing that color associations are domain-specific, and suggest that marketers in the EOL industry should reconsider the use of BW, as it may inadvertently increase consumer resistance to preplanning. This work provides insights into how visual cues can influence emotional responses to sensitive topics.
When Gain/Loss Framing Exerts Its Effects and How: Examining the Roles of Risk Perceptions, Anticipated Regret, and Anxiety
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This research demonstrates that the effectiveness of gain-framed versus loss-framed advertising is contingent on the level of consumer risk perception, revealing a nuanced interaction not fully captured in prior studies. Specifically, the study found that framing effects shift depending on whether the risk is perceived as low or high, and the strength of that perception.
Two experiments were conducted, manipulating risk levels (low vs. high) and measuring participants’ risk perceptions to assess their influence on framing effects (gain vs. loss). The researchers then tested whether anticipated regret mediated the relationship between framing, risk perception, attitudes, and behavioral intentions.
These findings help reconcile previously mixed results in gain/loss framing literature by highlighting the crucial moderating role of risk perception, suggesting advertisers should tailor their messaging to the perceived risk associated with the product or service. Understanding this interaction can lead to more effective advertising strategies and a deeper understanding of consumer psychology.
Virtual Meets Real: The Effect of Influencer Type and Message Framing on Sustainable Fashion Intentions
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This research demonstrates that hybrid influencers—combining virtual characters with human counterparts—are more effective at promoting sustainable fashion intentions than virtual influencers alone, particularly when using negatively framed messages. Wishful identification with the influencer explains this effect, suggesting consumers connect with the *idea* of the hybrid influencer rather than simply attributing human characteristics.
The study employed a mixed-methods approach, beginning with 21 qualitative interviews to identify key themes in pro-environmental behavior and perceptions of different influencer types. This was followed by two experiments (N=234 & N=457) testing the impact of influencer type (virtual vs. hybrid) and message framing (positive vs. negative) on intentions to support sustainable fashion.
These findings offer valuable insights for brands and non-profits aiming to engage consumers with sustainable fashion, suggesting hybrid influencers can be a powerful tool for authentic communication. The research also refines theoretical understanding of virtual influencer effectiveness, highlighting the importance of wishful identification over anthropomorphism in the context of sustainability messaging.
Mental and Physical Humanlikeness in Artificial Intelligence Influencers: Effects on Humanness, Eeriness, and Consumer Responses
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This research demonstrates that the *mental* humanlikeness of AI influencers—achieved through self-disclosure—is more impactful on consumer perceptions of humanness and reduces feelings of eeriness compared to *physical* realism. These positive perceptions, in turn, drive increased engagement and favorable brand attitudes.
Researchers conducted two online experiments with a total of 957 participants, manipulating the appearance realism and self-disclosure levels of AI influencers to assess their impact on perceptions of humanness, eeriness, self-disclosure intention, advice-following intention, and brand attitude. The study utilized principles from anthropomorphism and theory of mind to understand how different dimensions of humanlikeness affect consumer responses.
These findings suggest that brands should prioritize developing or partnering with AI influencers that exhibit strong mental humanlikeness (through authentic self-disclosure) over solely focusing on realistic physical appearances to foster stronger consumer relationships and more effective marketing strategies. This research highlights the psychological factors driving consumer acceptance of AI personalities.
The effect of brief mindfulness‐based intervention on patient satisfaction and loyalty after waiting
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This research demonstrates that a brief, five-minute mindfulness intervention can significantly improve patient perceptions of waiting times and increase their loyalty towards healthcare services. Across four studies, mindfulness consistently led to more positive experiences during waits.
Researchers conducted a series of four studies—including in-class, field, and online experiments in the US and Brazil—to test the effects of a mindfulness intervention on participants experiencing simulated or actual healthcare waiting times. Data was collected on perceptions of the wait and intentions for future service use.
These findings suggest that healthcare facilities can easily and affordably improve patient satisfaction and build loyalty by incorporating short mindfulness exercises into the waiting experience, potentially mitigating the negative effects of long waits.
How to increase students' motivation to engage in university initiatives towards environmental sustainability
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This study identified key motivational factors influencing student participation in sustainability activities, revealing distinct segments within the student population based on their behaviors and drivers. The research demonstrates that a segmentation approach can effectively categorize students by their likelihood to engage in pro-environmental actions.
Researchers analyzed data from 1446 students across nine Latin American universities, employing the CHAID algorithm to perform a segmentation analysis. This technique allowed for the identification of relevant actions correlated with student motivations towards sustainability.
The findings confirm the utility of segmentation techniques for understanding environmental behavior and provide university administrators with actionable insights. These guidelines can be used to tailor strategies and effectively motivate students to adopt more sustainable practices both on and off campus.
Consumers' use of ambiguous product cues: The case of “regionality” claims
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This research demonstrates that consumers interpret “regional” product labels as indicating spatial proximity, even though this isn’t always legally accurate, leading to positive product evaluations based on this (mis)perception. However, revealing a distant origin after a “regional” cue significantly lowers those evaluations.
Two studies were conducted, leveraging the accessibility-diagnosticity framework and the Elaboration-Likelihood Model, to examine consumer responses to regionality cues and subsequent disclosure of true product origin. These studies measured product evaluations based on manipulated regional cues and origin information.
The findings suggest a need for regulation of regional product labeling and standardized communication practices to prevent consumer deception and protect consumer welfare. This research highlights how ambiguous marketing cues can influence perceptions and evaluations, even when those cues lack precise meaning.
Editorial: Special issue of the <i>Journal of Consumer Affairs</i> from the 2021 conference on transformative consumer research
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Transformative Consumer Research (TCR) has evolved from an initiative launched in 2005 into a prominent field of study focused on the impact of consumption on well-being, evidenced by consistent high-quality research and numerous publications. The movement has fostered a strong international community of researchers dedicated to addressing social and ecological problems through consumer research.
This work presents a historical overview of TCR, tracing its development through key milestones such as biennial conferences, dedicated monographs, and special issues in leading journals like the *Journal of Consumer Research* and *Journal of Public Policy & Marketing*. The authors reflect on their involvement in hosting a recent TCR conference and curating a special issue of the *Journal of Consumer Affairs*.
TCR scholarship addresses timely and significant topics including consumer well-being, the impact of technology, financial vulnerabilities, and problematic consumer behaviors. The continued growth of TCR promises valuable insights for improving well-being and addressing challenges related to consumption in a rapidly changing world.
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Consumers generally prefer products utilizing high-adaptivity algorithms, which can learn and adapt, over those with pre-programmed, low-adaptivity algorithms. However, this preference is contingent on the product's expected outcome range—specifically, whether a narrow or wide variety of solutions is anticipated.
The researchers conducted six empirical studies to investigate consumer responses to different algorithm types in products. These studies examined the impact of high versus low-adaptivity algorithms on product preferences, and explored the mediating roles of perceived algorithm creativity and predictability.
This research highlights the importance of algorithm type in shaping consumer perceptions of goods, revealing that unveiling the "mind of the machine" can influence preferences. For technology firms, understanding the interplay between algorithm adaptivity and product outcome range is crucial for effective product design and marketing strategies.
Wealth in People and Places: Understanding Transnational Gift Obligations
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This research demonstrates that transnational gifting among Ghanaian migrants is driven by a complex interplay of wealth in people and wealth in place, connecting local gift economies to broader transnational hierarchies. Returning migrants are seen as embodying wealth and are obligated to share it through gifts, simultaneously acknowledging their own status and acquiring reciprocal obligations from those they gift.
The study employs a multisite qualitative approach, examining the experiences of Ghanaian migrants in the United States and Australia, as well as their relations in Ghana. Data was collected through interviews and analysis of cultural context to understand the motivations and consequences of transnational gifting practices, focusing on the concepts of wealth in people and wealth in place.
These findings extend gift-giving and consumer migration literature by highlighting the role of place and transnational hierarchies in shaping gift value and social status. The research reveals a “glocal” gift economy that reinforces both transnational spatial hierarchies and local status systems, offering insights into the complex dynamics of migration, acculturation, and social obligation.
More Gamer, Less Girl: Gendered Boundaries, Tokenism, and the Cultural Persistence of Masculine Dominance
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Despite increasing female participation, a culture of masculine dominance persists within video gaming, driven by a recursive process where women’s attempts to challenge gendered boundaries are absorbed and ultimately reinforce existing inequalities. This study identifies how individual efforts to navigate these boundaries are systematically undermined by structural tokenistic mechanics.
This qualitative study employed interviews with 23 female-identifying gamers (ages 19-29) and supplemented this with data from social media, news media, and industry reports. The research utilizes a cultural perspective of tokenism to examine the interplay between individual experiences and broader structural forces within the gaming subculture.
The findings highlight the precarious nature of progress in achieving gender equity within consumption subcultures and reveal how tokenism perpetuates inequity. This research offers a conceptual framework for understanding micro-meso level dynamics and has implications for addressing broader systems of domination beyond the gaming marketplace.
Brand Morphogenesis: The Role of Heterogeneous Consumer Sub-Assemblages in the Change and Continuity of a Brand
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This research demonstrates that brand evolution isn't a top-down process, but emerges from the dynamic interactions of diverse consumer groups. The study introduces the concepts of 'brand morphogenesis' and 'consumer sub-assemblages' to explain how these groups contribute to both the change and continuity of a brand over time.
A longitudinal case study of the Swedish fashion brand Cheap Monday was conducted, utilizing a multi-method approach. Data collection included fieldwork at key locations, in-depth interviews with brand representatives and consumers, and analysis of archival materials spanning 2004-2019 to trace the brand’s evolution and consumer interactions.
This research highlights the crucial role of heterogeneous consumer groups in shaping brand trajectories, particularly in today’s fragmented markets. Understanding the dynamics within and between these 'consumer sub-assemblages' is vital for brand managers seeking to navigate change and maintain relevance, as well as for broader consumer culture theory.
Moving, Fast or Slow: How Perceived Speed Influences Mental Representation and Decision Making
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This research demonstrates a “speed-abstraction effect,” where perceiving faster (vs. slower) movement leads individuals to rely on more abstract mental representations when making decisions. This effect applies to both virtually simulated and physically experienced movement, influencing preferences for high-level, desirable attributes over concrete, feasible ones.
Through seven experiments, the researchers investigated this effect using a combination of virtual reality simulations (e.g., train rides) and real-world observations on trains. They employed manipulations of perceived speed and measured its impact on decision-making, exploring underlying associative schemas and conducting a field study with Facebook video ads to assess real-world applicability.
These findings suggest that experiencing speed—both physical and virtual—systematically shapes how people think and make choices. This has theoretical implications for understanding mental representation and practical implications for marketers seeking to optimize engagement with consumers in increasingly mobile and digitally-mediated environments.
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This document acknowledges and thanks the extensive list of dedicated ad hoc reviewers who contributed their expertise to the Journal of Consumer Research (JCR). It serves as a public recognition of their valuable service in maintaining the quality of the journal's peer-review process.
The methodology consists of a simple listing of all reviewers who contributed during a specific period. This is a direct acknowledgement of service, presented in a tabular format for clear and comprehensive recognition of individual contributions.
This public acknowledgement of reviewers reinforces the importance of peer review in academic publishing and fosters a sense of community among researchers. Recognizing contributions can encourage continued participation and uphold the rigorous standards of the JCR.
The Impact of Mobile Payment on Hedonic Preference
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This research demonstrates that using mobile payment methods activates a hedonic mindset in consumers, leading to a stronger preference for purchasing hedonic (pleasure-based) products. The strength of this effect is reduced when using smart wearable devices for payment compared to mobile phones.
The authors investigated consumer preferences by comparing choices made when using mobile payment versus traditional payment methods like cash or card. They specifically examined how the type of mobile device (smartphone vs. smartwatch) influenced the relationship between payment method and product preference.
This study provides new understanding of how technology impacts consumer well-being and suggests that mobile payment can subtly shift purchasing behavior. Further research is needed to fully explore the broader effects of mobile payment systems on consumer choices and financial habits.
When Post Hoc Explanation Knocks: Consumer Responses to Explainable AI Recommendations
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This research demonstrates that providing post-hoc explanations for AI recommendations increases consumers’ perceptions of interpretability, leading to more positive responses like trust and purchase intention. The effectiveness of these explanations is also dependent on the type of decision being made – utilitarian versus hedonic.
The authors conducted four studies to investigate the impact of post-hoc explanations on consumer responses to AI recommendations across various decision-making contexts. They measured interpretability perceptions, trust, purchase intention, and click-through rates to determine the effects of explanation presence and type (attribute-based vs. user-based).
These findings highlight the importance of interpretability in building consumer trust in AI recommendation systems and suggest that tailored explanations—attribute-based for practical purchases and user-based for enjoyable experiences—can significantly improve their effectiveness. This work provides actionable insights for designers and developers aiming to foster positive consumer engagement with AI.
Designing Brand Cocreation Activities to Increase Digital Consumer Engagement
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This research demonstrates that brand cocreation activities emphasizing brand meaning—rather than simply task completion—increase digital consumer engagement, but *only* for consumers with a strong connection to the brand. The effect is driven by the generation of abstract brand knowledge.
Three experiments were conducted to test the relationship between brand cocreation, self-brand connection, and digital consumer engagement (DCE). Researchers manipulated the focus on brand meaning within cocreation activities and measured subsequent DCE levels.
These findings suggest that interactive marketing campaigns should prioritize activities that deeply engage with brand meaning to maximize impact, particularly when targeting loyal customers with established brand connections. Understanding the role of self-brand connection is crucial for optimizing cocreation strategies.
Reducing Reactance to Ads by Voice Assistants: The Role of Ad Customization, Ad Personalization, and Privacy Customization
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This research demonstrates that ad customization can reduce negative user reactions (ad reactance) to voice assistant advertising, but its effectiveness depends on how personalization and privacy options—like voice deletion and recognition—are implemented. Specifically, customization works best with covert personalization and when users have control over voice interaction.
Researchers conducted a large-scale (N=405) experiment using a custom-built voice assistant app, testing 16 different conditions that varied information tailoring techniques: ad customization, personalization type (overt vs. covert), voice deletion availability, and voice recognition. This full-factorial design allowed for a detailed examination of how these factors interact to influence ad reactance.
These findings suggest that providing users with control through ad customization is key to overcoming resistance to advertising on voice assistants, but advertisers must prioritize transparent personalization and robust privacy features to maximize positive effects and avoid backlash. This work offers practical guidance for designing more effective and user-friendly voice advertising strategies.
EXPRESS: Do Robots Serve Brands’ Socially Responsible Image? How Mixed Signals Shape Consumers’ Brand Preference and Engagement
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This research demonstrates a surprising disconnect between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the implementation of AI service robots; brands with strong CSR alignment actually experience *more* negative reactions when introducing robots compared to those with weaker CSR ties. This counterintuitive result stems from consumer perceptions of conflicting motivations – profit versus genuine care – behind these strategies.
The researchers conducted four studies, including a pilot and three pre-registered experiments, utilizing both real and fictitious brands and examining both stated intentions and observed behaviors. These studies involved online interactions with an AI-powered robot to assess consumer responses to the combined CSR and AI strategies.
These findings suggest that brands need to carefully consider how CSR and AI deployment are perceived together, as simply *having* CSR isn’t enough to guarantee positive outcomes when introducing automation. Specifically, focusing on communal robot designs or implementing CSR through volunteer work can help mitigate potential negative consumer reactions.
Mixing User- and Publisher-Generated Content: Quantifying the Spillover Effect of User-Generated Content in a Hybrid Content Environment
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This research demonstrates that not all user-generated content (UGC) is created equal; forum consumption positively impacts revisits and publisher-generated content (PGC) consumption, while blog and album UGC do not show the same benefits. The study quantifies how different UGC types create varying "spillover effects" on PGC consumption and revenue.
The authors empirically investigated content consumption patterns using data from a major online portal, focusing on how different types of UGC influence user revisits and their subsequent engagement with PGC. They employed simulations to compare the impact of various UGC mixes on a publisher’s monetization strategy.
These findings suggest publishers should strategically prioritize UGC types, specifically forums, to maximize PGC consumption and ad revenue, as ignoring these spillover effects could significantly hinder monetization. The research provides a framework for optimizing the balance between PGC and different UGC formats to improve financial outcomes.
Typology of trust in micro-health and fitness influencers
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This study demonstrates that multiple dimensions of trust significantly impact attitudes toward micro-health and fitness influencers, exceeding the influence of attractiveness and expertise. The research reveals a specific trust formation process—from disposition to trust, through institution-based trust and trusting beliefs, to trusting intentions—and highlights the importance of disposition and institution-based trust for less experienced social media users and situations with low brand-influencer fit.
Researchers conducted an online survey with 414 participants who evaluated micro-influencers using manipulated stimuli. Data analysis employed variance-based structural equation modeling to assess the relationships between trust dimensions, attractiveness, expertise, and attitudes toward influencers.
The findings extend source credibility theory by integrating a typology of trust, emphasizing the need for brands to build trust beyond social media communication. This suggests that fostering fundamental brand image and trustworthiness is crucial for successful influencer marketing, particularly in health and fitness contexts where follower well-being is directly impacted.
The Impact of Negative Reviews on Online Search and Purchase Decisions
Despite evidence indicating the significant influence of online reviews on purchase decisions, even after considering a product's average rating ( Vana and Lambrecht 2021 ), the underlying factors behind this effect and the broader impact of reviews on consumer decision making remain uncertain. This study uses clickstream data from a major online retailer to explore how negative reviews affect consumer search and purchase decisions. Leveraging exogenous variation created by the display of online reviews sorted by recency, the authors find that negative reviews significantly reduce a product's purchase probability because they (1) contrast with the often-high average product rating, (2) decrease the probability that consumers continue browsing for information about the focal product, (3) increase the probability of visiting the page of substitute products, and (4) increase the probability of viewing reviews about substitute products. Importantly, these effects apply to utilitarian products but not hedonic products and when reviews pertain to product functionality or customer service but not to taste-related factors. The authors estimate a product's vulnerability to negative reviews along two dimensions—purchase and search probability for substitutes—and display these effects on a two-dimensional map.
How Consumers Respond to Embarrassing Service Encounters: A Dehumanization Perspective
The current research advances understanding of how consumers respond to embarrassing service encounters. Across a combination of field and online studies, the authors provide evidence that (1) consumers prefer self-service to human services when purchasing embarrassing products or services; (2) when self-service is not available, consumers respond more positively to a mechanistic service provider than to a personable service provider; and (3) if consumers must engage in embarrassing social interactions, they dehumanize service providers, perceiving them as more mechanistic and less capable of emotional reactions than when engaging in nonembarrassing service interactions. The authors also examine consumers’ familiarity with the service provider as a boundary condition for the effect. Collectively, the results provide converging evidence for the proposed framework and have substantive implications for service management.
Detecting Routines: Applications to Ridesharing Customer Relationship Management
Routines shape many aspects of day-to-day consumption. While prior research has established the importance of habits in consumer behavior, little work has been done to understand the implications of routines—which the authors define as repeated behaviors with recurring, temporal structures—for customer management. One reason for this dearth is the difficulty of measuring routines from transaction data, particularly when routines vary substantially across customers. The authors propose a new approach for doing so, which they apply in the context of ridesharing. They model customer-level routines with Bayesian nonparametric Gaussian processes, leveraging a novel kernel that allows for flexible yet precise estimation of routines. These Gaussian processes are nested in inhomogeneous Poisson processes of usage, allowing the authors to estimate customers’ routines and decompose their usage into routine and nonroutine parts. They show the value of detecting routines for customer relationship management in the context of ridesharing, where they find that routines are associated with higher future usage and activity rates, and more resilience to service failures. Moreover, the authors show how these outcomes vary by the types of routines customers have, and by whether trips are part of the customer's routine, suggesting a role for routines in segmentation and targeting.
The Token-Effort Effect: Trivial Redemption Effort Increases Price Promotion Effectiveness
This research documents how introducing redemption tasks requiring a token (i.e., trivial) amount of effort—for instance, by asking the consumer to enter a promo code or solve a CAPTCHA to receive a discount—increases price promotion effectiveness compared with equivalent straight discounts (i.e., applied automatically). Eight studies (including two field experiments) and three additional Web Appendix studies provide robust evidence for the beneficial effect of token-effort requirements on redemption rates. This effect occurs because the easy-to-attain redemption task induces a high perceived return on effort. Thus, this effect only occurs when the redemption task requires token-type effort but not when it is effortful. This research offers costless and easy-to-implement managerial recommendations for boosting the promotional effectiveness of price promotions.
Business-to-Business Projects, Task Configuration, and Innovation
Many new products and processes originate from projects. In two studies, the authors consider how a project's organizational design, as captured by its particular task configuration, impacts its ability to promote product and process innovation. Study 1 involves an analysis of panel data spanning 2001 through 2015 and involving 429 business-to-business projects in the construction industry. The authors test hypotheses regarding the role of project size, subcontractor diversity, and task configuration on product and process innovation. Their empirical tests show a pattern of nuanced effects on the two innovation types. A project's task configuration, as reflected in the general contractor's participation in project tasks, plays a coordination role that helps unlock a positive effect of project size on product innovation. At the same time, such participation impedes process innovation due to subcontractor concerns about information leakage. Study 2 bolsters the first study through a survey of 230 subcontractors in the U.S. construction industry to show how leakage concerns arise, their outcomes, and how they are mitigated. The authors also bolster their central study through (1) interviews with professional construction managers and (2) survey evidence across five industries. They draw on their findings to develop implications for innovation management, business-to-business marketing, and marketing organization.
Rewarding Money or Time? The Sunk Cost Effects of Customized Rewards in Loyalty Programs
This research investigates an overlooked aspect of firm loyalty programs: rewards for consumer temporal efforts (RTEs), which pertain to consumer time spent on firm activities, as opposed to rewards for consumer monetary efforts (RMEs), which pertain to consumer money spent on firm products. Across six main studies, the authors find robust evidence that consumers devalue time compared with money—they underestimate the sunk costs of time and consider RTE easily earned. Therefore, when select consumers receive customized RTE (vs. RME) without prior notice, they will perceive lower effort-related costs associated with the reward, making them less likely to redeem it. If they choose to redeem it, they tend to purchase more novelty products because they will categorize RTE under the mental account of windfall gains. They are also more inclined to repurchase after redemption due to an elevated sense of gratitude. However, when consumers are reminded of the opportunity costs of their prior temporal efforts, they become just as likely to redeem the reward as those rewarded with RME, owing to the heightened sunk time effect. These findings present a novel customer-engaging strategy for firm loyalty programs, namely rewarding consumer time (RTE) in an unconventional manner.
Bunch of jerks: How brands can benefit by reappropriating insults
Abstract Brands are increasingly finding themselves on the receiving end of negative labels from a variety of sources. While sometimes warranted, many of these negative labels feel like unwarranted or uncivil insults. Brands generally respond to such undeserved degradation by ignoring the insult, denying the insult, or perhaps apologizing to the insulter. This research explores another potential strategy: reappropriating the insult. We reveal that reappropriation—an intentional act of verbatim self‐labeling with an externally imposed negative label—can garner unexpected benefits for brands, including greater advertisement click‐through rate, interest, and more positive attitudes. The advantage of reappropriation is driven by perceptions of the brand's confidence and humor and is specific to situations in which the reappropriated insult is perceived to be unjustified and ultimately benign in nature. This work contributes to our understanding of how brands can recover from negative events and how reappropriation operates uniquely in an unexplored marketplace context. We also provide a novel recovery tactic for brand managers facing certain types of hostility.
From kurtas to crop tops: A theory of postliminal self‐transformation
Abstract This research theorizes postliminal self‐transformation , the process by which consumers adapt to new status positions following major life transitions. Prior consumer research emphasizes liminality—the “betwixt and between” ambiguous phase— but overlooks what happens after liminality as individuals attempt to fit in. Drawing on qualitative data regarding young Indian women migrants to metropolitan corporate contexts, we reveal that transformation does not end with liminality but unfolds through a reflexive and effortful postliminal process. Women strategically use consumption—particularly of clothing and accessories—to bridge self‐discrepancies, mitigate exclusion, and gradually internalize their new professional identities. This stagewise progression moves from observation and mimicry to embodied transformation and identity mastery, often under constraints of patriarchy, class, and gender expectations. Contrasting with traditional (Western) models of adulthood that emphasize settling down, the women's postliminal adaptation is emancipatory and nonlinear, updating scripts for marking adulthood. By theorizing this postliminal adaptation, we challenge assumptions of instantaneous reincorporation, extending understanding of identity work. Our framework advances consumer psychology by showing how consumption facilitates ongoing self‐reconstruction in dynamic and inequitable social hierarchies.
Refining and expanding applications of Moral Foundations Theory in consumer psychology
Abstract We set forth an agenda for Moral Foundations Theory (MFT) research in consumer psychology, focusing in particular on four pathways: (1) factoring in multiple identities, including moral identities, to account for contextual elevation or suppression of moral foundations in predicting which decisions consumers moralize and when ; (2) broadening the methodological usage of MFT to include more targeted causal research as well as expanding the utility of correlational research; (3) increasing discriminant validity between MFT and other constructs by studying moral foundations as individually manipulable and focusing on their incremental predictive validity over and above demographics and related constructs; and (4) recognizing that researcher biases regarding morality can leak into the publication process, necessitating clear distinctions between prescriptive versus descriptive research. These pathways facilitate more precise and stronger predictive validity for applying MFT in consumer psychology, yielding greater theoretical and practical utility across researcher perspectives.
Ethnic <scp>identity‐based</scp> motivation: A model emergent from US Hispanic consumers
Abstract A great deal of research has investigated how various aspects of ethnic identity influence consumer behavior, yet this literature is fragmented. The objective of this article was to present an integrative theoretical model of how individuals are motivated to think and act in a manner consistent with their salient ethnic identities. The model emerges from a review of social science and consumer research about US Hispanics, but researchers could apply it in its general form and/or adapt it to other populations. Our model extends Oyserman's ( Journal of Consumer Psychology , 19 , 250) identity‐based motivation (IBM) model by differentiating between two types of antecedents of ethnic identity salience: longitudinal cultural processes and situational activation by contextual cues, each with different implications for the availability and accessibility of ethnic cultural knowledge. We provide new insights by introducing three ethnic identity motives that are unique to ethnic (nonmajority) cultural groups: belonging, distinctiveness, and defense. These three motives are in constant tension with one another and guide longitudinal processes like acculturation, and ultimately influence consumers' procedural readiness and action readiness. Our integrative framework organizes and offers insights into the current body of Hispanic consumer research, and highlights gaps in the literature that present opportunities for future research.
Through rose‐tinted glasses: How inducing and resolving curiosity makes consumers less skeptical and improves their product evaluations
Abstract Research indicates that in general, curiosity leads to more intense processing of an advertisement, which might result in a more skeptical response toward a persuasive message. However, we propose the opposite and argue that a process of evoking curiosity toward a stimulus in the first step (with the creation of an information gap) and resolving it in the second step creates a positive affective experience. Upon receiving curiosity‐resolving information after becoming curious, consumers are less skeptical toward the advertised product, which leads to a more favorable attitude and a higher purchase intention. Based on four studies, we demonstrate curiosity's skepticism‐reducing effect, its downstream consequences, and the underlying mechanism of positive affect. We show that this curiosity‐stimulating way of information disclosure caused the effect instead of the information itself, which remained constant. The effects occur for integral curiosity, directed at the focal product, and for incidental curiosity, elicited by an unrelated stimulus. These results contribute to understanding consumer responses to curiosity‐evoking advertisements, which are widespread, and provide implications for consumer psychologists, practitioners, and policy makers.
The mobile giving gap: The negative impact of smartphones on donation behavior
Abstract While charities typically use the same messaging when appealing to consumers on their smartphones and PCs, this approach may backfire. Across three studies, we find consumers are less likely to donate on their smartphones (vs. PCs), a phenomenon we call the mobile giving gap . In study 1, we demonstrate that consumers are less willing to donate real money to a charitable organization. In study 2, we provide process support and demonstrate that the focal effect is mediated by other‐focus. Finally, a field experiment using Google display ads (study 3) replicates the focal effect and demonstrates that the negative impact of smartphones is attenuated when the appeal explicitly focuses on others (vs. the self). This study not only provides additional process support, but also suggests an easily implementable strategy that charities can use to close the mobile giving gap . Taken together, our findings offer theoretical insights related to the mobile mindset and its impact on consumer behavior and highlight that charities should tailor their donation appeals based on device type.
Development of reasoning performance in Raven’s matrices is grounded in the development of effective strategy use.
Performance in reasoning tasks such as Raven's matrices experiences a dramatic increase over cognitive development, but the mechanisms responsible for this increase are unknown. Many cognitive processes are involved in a matrix task and could potentially change with age; strategy use appears to be a good candidate, as it typically improves over development and has a large impact on reasoning performance in adults. The present study tested the role of effective strategy use in Raven's standard progressive matrices in groups of 6-, 8-, 10-, 12-, 14-, 16-, and 18-year-olds (total N = 474). Strategy use was assessed with behavioral measures of gaze patterns in Raven's matrices. We also measured working memory capacity (WMC), a good predictor of strategy use in adults, using a battery of complex spans. The results showed that the effective strategy of constructive matching substantially increased with age, along with performance. Strategy use mediated over half the effect of age on reasoning performance. Older participants were also better at adapting strategy use to difficulty of the problems. Effective strategy use was beneficial to the same extent for participants of all ages. Age-related improvements in strategy use occurred in tandem with improvements in WMC, but did not appear to be primarily driven by them. Overall, our results indicate that strategy use is a critical underpinning of reasoning performance in children as well as in adults, and that theories of cognitive development of reasoning have to consider the central role of strategy use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
The Self-Promotion Boost: Positive consequences for observers of high-rank self-promoters.
This research examines how self-promotion conducted by relatively higher ranked individuals affects observers' affect and motivation. We developed and tested the idea of a Self-Promotion Boost-superior self-promoters inspire lower ranked observers by sharing achievement-related information that reflects opportunities to succeed in relevant domains, eliciting high-activation positive affect and greater motivation. Results from nine experimental studies (total N = 2,599) revealed that (1) interactions involving self-promotion by superiors (vs. peers or subordinates) lead observers to report greater experiences of high-activation positive affect (e.g., hope, inspiration), whereas peers and subordinates (vs. superiors) generate greater high-activation negative affect. (2) The positive effects of superiors' self-promotion go above and beyond effects elicited by superiors in interactions devoid of self-promotion. (3) Observers' inferences of self-promoters' earned success mediate the relationships between self-promoter rank and observer high-activation positive and negative affect. (4) High-activation positive affect elicited by superiors in turn leads to greater observer-reported motivation. Finally, (5) we found support for our theory that these effects are strengthened when observers view the self-promoting superiors as role models: Superiors elicit high-activation positive affect when they (a) are admired and respected by observers, (b) communicate what observers deem to be achievable successes, and (c) share accomplishments relevant to observers' own domain of success. Our findings illustrate the positive effects self-promotion can have on observers of this behavior, and how this behavior can consequently bolster observer motivation. We discuss implications for the literature on self-promotion, social comparison, and social motivation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Retraction of “Here one time, gone the next: Fluctuations in support received and provided predict changes in relationship satisfaction across the transition to parenthood,” by Eller et al. (2022).
Reports the notice of retraction of "Here one time, gone the next: Fluctuations in support received and provided predict changes in relationship satisfaction across the transition to parenthood" by Jami Eller, Yuthika U. Girme, Brian P. Don, W. Steven Rholes, Kristin D. Mickelson and Jeffry A. Simpson (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2023[May], Vol 124[5], 971-1000; see record 2023-15847-001). The first author, Jami Eller, was unable to be reached. In the process of replicating analyses, these authors found that while the descriptive statistics for both studies reported in this paper replicated, overtime dyadic analyses testing focal hypotheses were not statistically significant at p < .05. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2023-15847-001.) Extant research has demonstrated that higher mean (average) levels of social support often produce robust relational benefits. However, partners may not maintain the same level of support across time, resulting in potential fluctuations (i.e., within-person variations across time) in support. Despite the theorizing and initial research on fluctuations in relationship-relevant thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, little is known about (a) who is most likely to fluctuate in support and (b) the degree to which fluctuations, in combination with and beyond mean levels, impact relationships across time. The current preregistered research examined two dyadic longitudinal samples of first-time parents undergoing the transition to parenthood, a chronically stressful time that often entails the provision and receipt of support involving one's partner. Across both studies, we found that individuals who reported greater mental health problems, more situational stress, and more destructive dispositional attributes tended to report lower mean levels and higher fluctuations in provided and received support at subsequent assessments. Moreover, we found that greater fluctuations in perceptions and observations of support predicted decreases in relationship satisfaction over time, above and beyond the effect of mean levels. Implications for theory and studying nonlinear effects in relationships are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).
Low Perinatal Androgens Predict Recalled Childhood Gender Nonconformity in Men
The contributions of gonadal hormones to the development of human behavioral sex differences are subjects of intense scientific and social interest. Isolated gonadotropin-releasing-hormone deficiency (IGD) is a rare endocrine disorder that can reveal a possible role of early gonadal hormones. IGD is characterized by low or absent gonadal hormone production after the first trimester of gestation, but external genitalia and hence gender of rearing are concordant with chromosomal and gonadal sex. We investigated recalled childhood gender nonconformity in men (n = 65) and women (n = 32) with IGD and typically developing men (n = 463) and women (n = 1,207). Men with IGD showed elevated childhood gender nonconformity, particularly if they also reported undescended testes at birth, a marker of low perinatal androgens. Women with IGD did not differ from typically developing women. These results indicate that early androgen exposure after the first trimester contributes to male-typical gender-role behaviors in childhood.
White by Another Name? Can Anti-Christian Bias Claims Serve as a Racial Dog Whistle?
Four preregistered experiments ( N = 4,307) explored whether anti-Christian bias claims can discreetly signal White allyship among Christian American adults. In Experiments 1 and 2, reading about anti-Christian bias led White, but not Black, Christians to perceive more anti-White bias. Experiments 3 and 4 demonstrate the connection between Christian and White can be leveraged by politicians in the form of a racial dog whistle. In Experiment 3, White Christians perceived a politician concerned about anti-Christian bias as caring more about anti-White bias and more willing to fight for White people (relative to a control). This politician was also perceived as less offensive than a politician concerned about anti-White bias. In Experiment 4, Black Christians perceived a politician concerned about anti-Christian bias as less offensive than one concerned about anti-White bias yet still unlikely to fight for Black people. Results suggest “anti-Christian bias” can provide a relatively palatable way to signal allegiance to White people.
Children Sustain Cooperation in a Threshold Public-Goods Game Even When Seeing Others’ Outcomes
Many societal challenges are threshold dilemmas requiring people to cooperate to reach a threshold before group benefits can be reaped. Yet receiving feedback about others' outcomes relative to one's own (relative feedback) can undermine cooperation by focusing group members' attention on outperforming each other. We investigated the impact of relative feedback compared to individual feedback (only seeing one's own outcome) on cooperation in children from Germany and India (6- to 10-year-olds, N = 240). Using a threshold public-goods game with real water as a resource, we show that, although feedback had an effect, most groups sustained cooperation at high levels in both feedback conditions until the end of the game. Analyses of children's communication (14,374 codable utterances) revealed more references to social comparisons and more verbal efforts to coordinate in the relative-feedback condition. Thresholds can mitigate the most adverse effects of social comparisons by focusing attention on a common goal.
Personalized Prediction of Behaviors and Experiences: An Idiographic Person–Situation Test
A longstanding goal of psychology is to predict the things that people do and feel, but tools to accurately predict future behaviors and experiences remain elusive. In the present study, we used intensive longitudinal data (N = 104 college-age adults at a midwestern university; total assessments = 5,971) and three machine-learning approaches to investigate the degree to which three future behaviors and experiences-loneliness, procrastination, and studying-could be predicted from past psychological (i.e., personality and affective states), situational (i.e., objective situations and psychological situation cues), and time (i.e., trends, diurnal cycles, time of day, and day of the week) phenomena from an idiographic, person-specific perspective. Rather than pitting persons against situations, such an approach allows psychological phenomena, situations, and time to jointly predict future behaviors and experiences. We found (a) a striking degree of prediction accuracy across participants, (b) that a majority of participants' future behaviors are predicted by both person and situation features, and (c) that the most important features vary greatly across people.
Intervening After Trauma: Child–Parent Psychotherapy Treatment Is Associated With Lower Pediatric Epigenetic Age Acceleration
Early-life adversity increases the risk of health problems. Interventions supporting protective and responsive caregiving offer a promising approach to attenuating adversity-induced changes in stress-sensitive biomarkers. This study tested whether participation in an evidence-based dyadic psychosocial intervention, child-parent psychotherapy (CPP), was related to lower epigenetic age acceleration, a trauma-sensitive biomarker of accelerated biological aging that is associated with later health impairment, in a sample of children with trauma histories. Within this quasi-experimental, repeated-measures study, we examined epigenetic age acceleration at baseline and postintervention in a low-income sample of children receiving CPP treatment (n = 45; age range = 2-6 years; 76% Latino) compared with a weighted, propensity-matched community-comparison sample (n = 110; age range = 3-6 years; 40% Latino). Baseline epigenetic age acceleration was equivalent across groups. However, posttreatment, epigenetic age acceleration in the treatment group was lower than in the matched community sample. Findings highlight the potential for a dyadic psychosocial intervention to ameliorate accelerated biological aging in trauma-exposed children.
Using Traditional Text Analysis and Large Language Models in Service Failure and Recovery
Service failure and recovery (SFR) typically involves one or more people (or machines) talking or writing to each other in a goal-directed conversation. While SFR represents a prime context to understand how language reflects and shapes the service experience, this subfield has only begun to apply text analysis methods and language theories to this context. This tutorial offers a methodological guide for traditional text analysis methods and large language models and suggests some future research paths in SFR. We also provide user-friendly workflow repositories, in Python and KNIME Analytics, that researchers with (and without) coding experience can use. In doing so, we hope to encourage the next wave of text analysis in SFR research.
The Negative Effect of Name: Mentions of Frontline Service Employee Name Reduce Online Review Persuasiveness
Some retailers encourage consumers to mention the names of frontline service employees when writing online reviews. As a result, although most consumers do not pay attention to frontline service employees’ names during consumption, they often see them in online reviews. The effect of this asymmetry on review persuasiveness is still unknown. This research examines the impact of mentioning frontline service employee names in online reviews on readers’ likelihood of being persuaded by them. The results of one secondary data analysis and four online experiments from China demonstrate that readers are less persuaded by positive online reviews mentioning (vs. not mentioning) frontline service employee names, and perceived deception mediates this negative effect. In addition, the level of required service expertise, occurrence frequency, and review valence moderate this negative effect. For services that require a high level of expertise, when the occurrence frequency of positive reviews mentioning frontline service employee names is low, and when the reviews are negative, the aforementioned negative effect diminishes. Our study offers a new direction for name research and identifies a new factor that influences online review persuasiveness. Our findings provide valuable managerial insights into online review management strategies in the Chinese context.
Customer Experience: Conceptualization, Measurement, and Application in Omnichannel Environments
Managing customer experiences has become a key strategic priority for service research and management. Yet researchers and managers lack a customer experience (CX) measure that applies to the different experience partners, touchpoints, and journey stages in the omnichannel environments of today’s service industries. Without such a common measure, empirical research on CX remains fragmented, and service companies continue to struggle to improve customer interactions in customer journeys. To address this shortcoming, this article proposes an omnichannel-capable measurement of CX that applies to different customer interactions in the omnichannel environment. With seven studies, the authors develop and validate a six-dimensional, 18-item CX scale. The proposed CX scale overcomes the fragmentation of existing scales in service research and provides a valid measure that can be used consistently for various customer interactions in omnichannel environments. This article details how the proposed CX scale can monitor and compare CX for different interactions in customer journeys (i.e., pain-point analysis), as well as improve CX features and their marketing outcomes (i.e., CX profiling). By overcoming the existing fragmentation in available scales and providing a common omnichannel CX measure, this CX scale establishes an empirical foundation for developing CX knowledge and advancing related service research.
Exposure to Structured Service Environments as a Proactive Strategy for Handling Service Failures
This research investigates how structured service environments can mitigate negative customer responses to service failures. We propose a proactive strategy that aims to preemptively manage customer expectations. Drawing on the meaning maintenance model, we theorize and find that heightened perceptions of predictability inherent in structured environments reduce customers’ need to make sense of discrepancies between actual and expected outcomes. In turn, customers are less likely to blame the firm and more likely to repurchase from it. Our research includes a field experiment and three online and lab experiments across various contexts. We identify key boundary conditions: structured environments are less effective when failures appear predictable due to recurring causes (stability attribution) or when the firm could have prevented them (controllability attribution). Furthermore, if the firm is merely associated with the failure but not directly involved, the mitigating effect of structured environments does also not occur. These insights offer managers a novel proactive strategy to buffer customer responses to service failures.
Evaluating the Impact of Telemedicine Services on Community Health: A County-Level Analysis
Telemedicine services leverage information and communication technologies toward innovating and enabling the delivery of healthcare. We propose and empirically analyze a framework for understanding the impact of telemedicine services on health outcomes at scale across communities in the United States. Our analysis of county-level panel data reveals that increased availability of telemedicine services improves community health that is central to the well-being of a community. We evaluate the benefits of telemedicine services in aggregate—that is, overall health outcomes—and along specific dimensions of reductions in premature death rate, low birthweight rate, preventable hospital stays, smoking rate, and the need for diabetes monitoring. In addition, we find that greater availability of telemedicine services is associated with decreased COVID-19-related mortality. Heterogeneity analyses further show that lower socioeconomic status reduces the effectiveness of telemedicine services while superior digital infrastructure and greater innovation capacity enhance its effectiveness. Demographics by way of higher proportions of Black and female community members enhance the effectiveness of telemedicine services, whereas a higher proportion of older adults reduces its effectiveness. Taken together, the proposed framework and the findings underscore the potential of telemedicine services to improve community health while recognizing the moderating effects of contextual factors. This study makes a significant contribution toward advancing the literature on seamless coordination of digital service innovations to drive community-wide health benefits.
An Inconvenient Truth: Understanding Service Inconvenience in Digital Platforms
In today’s busy world, convenience is on the rise. On-demand services (e.g., food delivery services) promise swift solutions to our daily needs. However, limited research explores how service inconveniences (e.g., order cancelations and delays) impact consumer satisfaction, and which factors exacerbate such impact. This study addresses this gap by leveraging text analytics on a dataset of 222,371 user-generated reviews in food delivery platforms. Building on the Model of Service Convenience and Attribution Theory, we hypothesize that when consumers experience an inconvenience, it is not only what happened that matters to them, but also why they think it happened (causal attributions). Given that these two models have not been jointly tested, it is unclear how attributions moderate the effect of different service inconveniences on satisfaction. We present a scalable approach to measure service inconvenience attributions, allowing us to identify not only critical inconveniences but also a new construct: remote support inconvenience. Our results show that when stability or responsibility attributions are present, the effect of inconveniences on satisfaction can be over four or eleven times stronger (−426% and −1,140% from baseline, respectively). These insights contribute to the theoretical understanding of service inconveniences and offer actionable guidance for platforms to improve their services.
Air pollution is a growing threat to economies and societies. Despite the common knowledge that air pollution impairs emotions and cognition and, hence, behavioral outcomes, the impact of air pollution on consumer spending remains an open question. Analyzing air quality readings and individual-level credit card transactions in South Korea, this article shows that consumers spend more money when air quality is poorer. This correlation is more prominent in hedonic categories, such as entertainment or leisure activities, where the nature of consumption is characterized by greater emotional benefits. The authors consider potential explanations, and the leading hypothesis is that consumers treat spending as a mood-regulating resource. The results survive an array of robustness checks and are supported in a controlled experiment, reinforcing a causal inference behind the main findings. The authors provide implications for stakeholders to develop a sustainable marketing program that not only pursues managerial interests but also concerns consumer well-being in the face of environmental change.
Digital platforms facilitate exchanges between platform actors, such as trading between buyers and sellers. However, providers of digital platforms also compete with other actors, referred to as third parties, on their own platforms. In such settings, self-preferencing can occur if the platform treats its own offerings better than comparable third-party offerings—a practice often deemed inappropriate. However, detecting self-preferencing is challenging. This article addresses this challenge conceptually and empirically by putting forward a conceptual framework that defines self-preferencing and conceptualizes two self-preferencing tests. It implements this framework empirically in two studies across three international Amazon marketplaces using a novel metric to measure a product's nonpersonalized visibility. The aggregate findings provide little evidence for self-preferencing in both studies. However, the more disaggregated findings at a country and product category level vary from weak self-preferencing to strong self-depreferencing. As implementing self-preferencing tests requires researchers to choose between several empirical alternatives and assumptions, the approach proposed herein includes extensive sensitivity, specification curve, and heterogeneity analyses whose results support the robustness of the findings.
A Theory of Product-Form Strategy: When to Market Know-How, Components, or Systems?
Commercializing technological innovations is a strategic goal in entrepreneurial ventures and established firms. A fundamental decision that remains understudied in this context is the form in which the innovation is to be commercialized. The authors term this decision the firm's “product-form strategy” for the innovation. In Study 1, they employ a theories-in-use approach and, using in-depth interviews and field observations with technology entrepreneurs and angel investors, develop a theory of product-form strategy—to market the innovation as know-how, a component, or a system—and identify the primary drivers of this choice. The theory is tested using a multimethod, multicontext approach. In Study 2, the authors use proprietary investment proposals generated by entrepreneurial ventures when they seek support from angel investors. In Study 3, they test the theory using video transcriptions of technology proposals from the television show Shark Tank. In Study 4, the authors assess the internal validity of the theory with active angel investors as subjects. They find consistent support for their theory and conclude with implications for theory and managerial practice.
Does Bad Medical News Reduce Preferences for Generic Drugs?
Policy makers and insurers promote the use of generic drugs because they can deliver large savings without sacrificing quality. But these efforts meet resistance from the public, who perceive generic drugs as inferior substitutes for brand name counterparts. Building on literature showing that negative emotions reduce risk-taking, the authors hypothesize that receiving bad medical news (i.e., negative information about one’s health) prompts patients to favor brand name over generic drugs as means to safeguard their health. The evidence exploits low-density lipoprotein cholesterol test results, where a discontinuity from clinical guidelines enables the authors to estimate the causal effect of bad medical news. Using data covering patients’ prescription drug choices across drug classes, the authors find that patients receiving bad medical news become 8% more likely to choose the brand name alternative. The findings are reinforced by a secondary analysis incorporating the similar context of hemoglobin A1c (blood sugar) testing. The authors also find that bad medical news reduces preferences for generics most strongly among drugs of direct clinical relevance for each test, but the effect also manifests among non–clinically relevant drugs.
EXPRESS: Reward-program promotions: How brands can capitalize on retailers’ temporary reward programs
In a reward-program promotion (RPP), brand manufacturers offer additional stamps or collectibles when their product is bought, which enables consumers to accelerate toward their collection goal in a retailer-led reward program. Such retailer-manufacturer collaboration has become especially popular in the context of temporary reward programs where consumers have limited time to complete their collection. By examining over 800 RPPs across a broad set of categories in 26 reward programs at six Dutch grocery retailers, we provide a first comprehensive analysis of RPPs, which we contrast to regular price promotions. Our results show a clear positive effect of RPPs on brand sales, comparable in size to that of a 21% price discount, and point to program lock-in as likely mechanism of why RPPs work. RPPs work better in programs with a high requirement to complete a collection, in a later stage of the program, and when other brands in the same category participate with RPPs as well. They are less effective, however, when combined with regular price promotions, indicating negative synergies between the two. Importantly, the drivers of RPP effectiveness are largely similar for category and brand sales, highlighting RPPs’ potential for retailer-manufacturer collaboration.
What Holds Attention? Linguistic Drivers of Engagement
From advertisers and marketers to salespeople and leaders, everyone wants to hold attention. They want to make ads, pitches, presentations, and content that captivates audiences and keeps them engaged. But not all content has that effect. What makes some content more engaging? A multimethod investigation combines controlled experiments with natural language processing of 600,000 reading sessions from over 35,000 pieces of content to examine what types of language hold attention and why. Results demonstrate that linguistic features associated with processing ease (e.g., concrete or familiar words) and emotion both play an important role. Rather than simply being driven by valence, though, the effects of emotional language are driven by the degree to which different discrete emotions evoke arousal and uncertainty. Consistent with this idea, anxious, exciting, and hopeful language holds attention while sad language discourages it. Experimental evidence underscores emotional language's causal impact and demonstrates the mediating role of uncertainty and arousal. The findings shed light on what holds attention; illustrate how content creators can generate more impactful content; and, as shown in a stylized simulation, have important societal implications for content recommendation algorithms.