Finance
How Bankruptcy Spreads
Economists have long observed the effects of financial contagion, but new research by Efraim Benmelech uses airline industry data to identify a “collateral channel” through which financial woes actually spread. More →
International Business
Public-Private Interface
“Equity Tunneling” Affects Market Outcomes
Vladimir Atanasov, Bernard S. Black, Conrad Ciccotello and Stanley Gyoshev
Bernard Black turns to Bulgaria for evidence that laws limiting “equity tunneling” can improve a firm’s valuation. More →
Management & Leadership
Is There a Female Leadership Style?
David A. Matsa and Amalia R. Miller
As more women make it into leadership positions, what sorts of leaders will they be? David Matsa shows in his research that women have a style that is distinct from men’s. More →
Markets & Customers
Buying Behaviors of Emerging Middle Classes
Alon Eizenberg and Alberto Salvo
Middle-class consumers in developing nations traditionally have many of the same tastes as those in other countries—they buy Coke or Pepsi, for example. But research by Alberto Salvo shows newly middle-class customers do not have the same brand affinities. More →
Markets & Customers
Shipping’s Bottom Line
Jennifer Brown, Tanjim Hossain and John Morgan
Shipping changes are a big part of selling goods online. But what amount to charge is difficult to discern, and when in the selling process to disclose those charges is even trickier. Research by Jennifer Brown gives merchants guidance on when to disclose and how much to charge for shipping. More →
Public-Private Interface
Hangover after the Tax Holiday
The United States passed a law in 2004 allowing American companies a one-time tax break to repatriate income earned overseas. The argument was that companies would be more inclined to invest money in the United States rather than abroad. Thomas Brennan investigated and the results suggest otherwise. More →
Architectures of Collaboration
Navigating Culture in Negotiations
Brian C. Gunia, Jeanne M. Brett, Amit Nandkeolyar and Dishan Kamdar
Differences between Eastern and Western cultures abound, even at the negotiating table. Research by Jeanne Brett shows American negotiators favor an upfront exchange of information, while their Indian counterparts prefer first trading offers. But only one approach produces higher-value deals. More →
Architectures of Collaboration
Cultures of Trust
Luigi Guiso, Paola Sapienza and Luigi Zingales
Trust makes the business world go round, and where trust is lacking, business opportunities may be as well. Paola Sapienza explores how distrust between cultures—such as between the British and the French—can affect economic opportunities. More →
Management & Leadership
Dimensions of Diffusion
Shazad Ansari, Peer C. Fiss and Edward J. Zajac
Business practices like Six Sigma or Total Quality Management have spread throughout the corporate world, but no two companies will adopt them in the same way. Ed Zajac lays out a framework for understanding how such practices can vary as they diffuse. More →
Managerial Economics & Strategy
Concrete Collusion
The Brazilian cement industry has boomed in recent years, and demand is set to rise further as preparations for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics gain momentum. Yet despite growing markets, sales of cement seldom seem to cross state boundaries. Alberto Salvo dug into this curiosity and uncovered collusion amongst industry players. More →