Best of 2021
Kellogg faculty published a wide variety of insightful research and analysis in 2021. Here's a look at some of this past year's top stories.
Marketing
“Stay Healthy” or “Keep Safe”: Which Social-Distancing Messages Are the Most Persuasive?
The answer depends on whether people are thinking about protecting themselves or their community.
Jane Jiaqian Wang and Angela Y. Lee
January 4, 2021
Careers
Now’s the Time to Negotiate for the Job—or Salary or Flexibility—You Want
Tips from an expert negotiator on how to ask without fear.
Victoria Medvec
August 19, 2021
Social Impact
Big-Time College Athletes Don’t Get Paid. Here’s How This Amplifies Racial Inequities.
A new study finds that much of the revenue from football and basketball, which have a high proportion of Black athletes, gets funneled to predominantly white teams.
Craig Garthwaite, Jordan Keener, Matthew J. Notowidigdo and Nicole Ozminkowski
February 4, 2021
Careers
Take 5: How to Become an Expert in Something New
Turns out, there’s a “special sauce” that can help you get there. But expertise can also come with a curse.
Jan A. Van Mieghem, Brian Uzzi, Luis Rayo, Lu Liu, Jillian Chown, Dashun Wang, Matthew D. Rocklage, Derek D. Rucker, Loran Nordgren and Steven Franconeri
October 25, 2021
Organizations
Companies Are Adding More Women to Their Boards. What’s Driving the Change?
“When your largest shareholders create a ruckus, you listen.”
Todd A. Gormley, Vishal K. Gupta, David A. Matsa, Sandra Mortal and Lukai Yang
May 3, 2021
Leadership
Executive Presence Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All. Here’s How to Develop Yours.
A professor and executive coach unpacks this seemingly elusive trait.
Brooke Vuckovic
February 27, 2021
Finance & Accounting
Does Positive ESG News Help a Company’s Stock Price?
A comprehensive new study finds that investors reward some—but not all—efforts.
George Serafeim and Aaron Yoon
August 2, 2021
Operations
Looking to Further Digitize Your Operations? This Tool Can Help.
There’s no single solution or easy answer. But you can use this framework to audit your efforts and figure out your next move.
Jan A. Van Mieghem and Robert Boute
June 18, 2021
Policy
Trust Usually Helps Communities Thrive. During a Pandemic, Not So Much.
Places with high levels of trust are worse at social distancing.
Georgy Egorov, Ruben Enikolopov and Maria Petrova
August 12, 2021
Innovation
Keep Brainstorming—Your Best Ideas Are Still to Come
The common (and mistaken) belief that we generate our best ideas early can actually squash creativity.
Brian Lucas and Loran Nordgren
April 1, 2021
Leadership
3 Skills New Managers Need to Succeed
To start, recognize that entire teams—and not just individuals—require clear feedback.
Stephen Dale King
November 1, 2021
Marketing
TV Advertising Is Usually Not Worth It
Companies spend vast sums on commercials, but it’s been difficult to gauge their effectiveness. A new study offers a more reliable method—and some bad news for many brands.
Bradley Shapiro, Günter Hitsch and Anna Tuchman
March 1, 2021
Organizations
5 Ways to Improve Diversity Training, According to a New Study
All too often, these programs are ineffective and short-lived. But they don’t have to be.
Evelyn R. Carter, Ivuoma Ngozi Onyeador and Neil A. Lewis
January 4, 2021
Strategy
How to Design Contests That Motivate Employees
From innovation challenges to sales competitions, contests offer a powerful way to incentivize teams and individuals.
Jeffrey Ely, George Georgiadis, Sina Khorasani and Luis Rayo
June 1, 2021
Finance & Accounting
Understanding the Rapidly Evolving World of Sustainable Finance
It’s no longer a niche investment strategy—and it has the potential to deliver strong returns.
Ravi Jagannathan, David Chen, Brian Bruce and Lloyd Kurtz
February 17, 2021
