Research

Betting on basics: An investment banker goes public with what appeals to financiers

Named one of "America's 50 Most Powerful Women" by Fortune magazine, Cristina Morgan has represented her firm on more than 100 IPOs for such familiar names as Adobe, Google, Pixar and Netscape. Recently she was inducted into the W. P. Carey School's Alumni Hall of Fame.

Divided we stand: Why a Democratic Congress is good for business

Corporate America shouldn't fear the Democratic takeover of Congress, despite the party's anti-business reputation.

The gentle science of persuasion, part one: Liking

The ability to persuade others is critical to success, whether you are selling cars or a new corporate strategy. Psychology and marketing Professor Robert Cialdini has examined the component parts of influence, in the lab and on the street.

The shape of things to come in the U.S. economy

"Subpar," when applied to upcoming economic growth, is not an epithet businesses like to hear. It doesn't sit very well with consumers either.

Are investors really fooled by earnings manipulation?

Accrual accounting, which allows firms to adjust cash flow from operations, is intended to provide flexibility so that financial statements can be made more informative. Nevertheless, managers may instead use the flexibility to mislead stakeholders about the underlying strength of the company.

Is your company ready to blog?

A well-executed business blog is a 24-hour opportunity to interact with customers, impress Wall Street, spark business-to-business opportunities, track industry trends, spot brand deterioration and spook competitors, all maintained at a low-rent cyber address. Does your company have one?

Wanted: Internet logistics expertise

Online retailers seek logistics service providers offering high-quality supply chain management knowledge. But new research by supply chain management professor Elliot Rabinovich shows retailers need to look before they leap into a contract with a provider.

Merge right: Avoiding the clash of corporate cultures

As companies adopt a strategy of growth via brand acquisition it becomes increasingly important to understand the corporate cultures — the core values, ways and beliefs, business principles and traditions — of the new members of the family.

Darwinian manager vs. GEO leader: Winning tactics of the gifted boss

What kind of boss are you? Consultant and author Dale Dauten proposes a new model guaranteed to boost performance exponentially while moving the company dynamic beyond traditional hierarchies.

Customer service and the purpose-driven organization

Indifferent employees alienate shoppers, run off clients and botch deals with a shoulder-shrug. They don't care, and that message acts like static on a bad telephone connection, canceling out any lucrative communication. How to turn that attitude around?