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Faculty Research Briefs

The CEO’s political ideology influences resource allocation within an organization

Why do some multi-business corporations distribute resources evenly across units while others award resources variably? According to research by Abhinav Gupta, an assistant professor of strategic management at the University of Washington Foster School of Business, it may have to…

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December 5, 2018

Firms tend to imitate competitors led by charismatic—not narcissistic—CEOs

Corporate strategy is rife with imitation, a keeping-up-with-the-Joneses mentality, writ large. But new research from the University of Washington Foster School of Business suggests that high-level organizational imitation can have more to do with personality than it does with rationality.…

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August 7, 2018

Feelings of unfair treatment trigger the worst in narcissistic leaders

Narcissistic leaders are particularly prone to act in their own self-interest when they feel that they are being treated unfairly. And the repercussions of this enhanced egoism are damaging to employees and organizations. This according to a new study co-authored…

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January 31, 2018

Demonstrative passion is paramount to earning new venture investment via crowdfunding

When trying to raise startup capital via online crowdfunding sites such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo, entrepreneurs need to pitch with palpable passion. That’s the conclusion of a study by Suresh Kotha and Xiao-Ping Chen of the University of Washington Foster…

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November 30, 2017

Cultivating gratitude in the workplace can be good for the bottom line

In a memorable scene from the acclaimed television series “Mad Men,” ace advertising copywriter Peggy Olson confronts her boss, creative director Donald Draper, about his disregard of her essential contribution to a household cleaner commercial that won him and the…

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August 25, 2017

Meaningful work can be productive and satisfying—or it can lead to burnout

For most of human history, work has been viewed as a necessary drudgery. In recent decades, though, a notion first introduced during the Protestant Reformation has re-emerged: that it’s desirable to pursue work that is meaningful and filled with purpose.…

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June 7, 2017

New book examines what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur in China

The “American Dream” is a concept so deeply ingrained in our nation’s mythos that it scarcely needs definition. But is there an analog in China? Does the world’s largest—and fastest-growing—economy present a comparable path to a better life through industry…

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May 30, 2017

How and why (some) accelerators expedite startup success

Entrepreneurial accelerators play an increasing role in the launch of new businesses. But do they expedite the development and success of early stage startups? Do accelerators actually accelerate? The better ones do, indeed, according to new research by Benjamin Hallen,…

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December 8, 2016

Political ideology of corporate boards influences CEO compensation

Firms governed by politically conservative boards of directors pay their CEOs more money than do firms with more liberal-leaning boards. That’s the conclusion of a new study on the impact of political ideology in the boardroom by Abhinav Gupta, an…

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November 4, 2016

A company’s political ideology predicts its commitment to social responsibility

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that corporations are, essentially, people. They enjoy many of the same rights and responsibilities as individual Americans. But do profit-seeking enterprises also have discernible political ideologies? They do indeed, according to new research by…

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August 5, 2016

Quality sleep is essential to inspire—and to be inspired

Well-rested leaders are more capable of inspiring followers. And well-rested followers are more likely to be inspired by charismatic leaders. That’s the gist of a new study by Christopher M. Barnes, an associate professor of management at the University of Washington…

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July 26, 2016

Coercing employees to be “good soldiers” can trigger deviant behaviors

Convincing employees to go above and beyond the call of duty may be the epitome of personnel management. But pushing too hard to motivate “good soldiers” can backfire—both in and outside the workplace. According to new research from the University…

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May 16, 2016

Christmas cheer? The hidden toll of friendly customer service

“Service with a smile” has become an almost sacrosanct feature of the American consumer experience. It’s a fundamental expectation of customers at restaurants, in retail stores, and during all manner of service calls. But this longstanding imperative for ever-friendly service…

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December 14, 2015

The unburdening lightness of forgiving

We often think of forgiveness as a metaphorical unburdening, a “weight being lifted from our shoulders.” But forgiving also results in a literal unburdening, according to new research by Ryan Fehr, an assistant professor of management at the University of…

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October 9, 2015

Hunger drives unethical acts, but only in the quest for food

Ever been so hungry that you can’t think of anything but finding food? New research from the University of Washington Foster School of Business finds that the single-mindedness that results from a state of hunger makes people more likely to…

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July 28, 2015

When are you most vulnerable to unethical behavior? Check your chronotype

Even the most ethical people have their moments of weakness. When energy wanes, willpower is depleted, and the temptation to act unethically becomes more difficult to resist. According to new research by Christopher Barnes, these moments of ethical vulnerability are…

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June 26, 2015

Chen named fellow of Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Xiao-Ping Chen, a professor of management at the University of Washington Foster School of Business, has been named a fellow of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP), a division of the American Psychological Association. “This prestigious honor is…

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April 26, 2015

More faculty research on the blog