3-Dec-2025 Forward guidance supercharges monetary policy transmission Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center A groundbreaking study from New Zealand demonstrates that central bank "forward guidance" significantly strengthens the transmission of monetary policy. Analyzing New Zealand's banking data, the research finds that providing clear communication about the future path of interest rates enhances the pass-through from the official policy rate to bank deposit and lending rates. The results show improved long-term pass-through, especially for time deposits and fixed mortgages, alongside a slight acceleration in short-term adjustments. These findings offer critical evidence for central banks worldwide on the power of communication as a policy tool. Journal China Finance Review International
3-Dec-2025 To engage video viewers, make more personal recommendations University of Texas at Austin Using 2019 data from NetEase, the researchers devised a new approach to learning users’ preferences for short-form videos, with the goal of improving recommendations. Testing it against existing algorithms, they found the new approach could substantially boost viewing time. Journal Management Science
2-Dec-2025 Navigating the storm: Climate policy uncertainty drives companies to improve ESG performance Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center A new large-scale study reveals that uncertainty in climate policy (CPU) is a significant driver for improving corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. Analysing data from 4,490 Chinese listed companies (2011-2022), researchers found a strong positive correlation between CPU and ESG scores. The primary motivation is risk mitigation: companies facing higher systemic risk use enhanced ESG performance as a strategic shield. The effect is most pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises, heavy-polluting industries, and highly competitive markets. The findings provide crucial insights for businesses strengthening sustainability strategies and for policymakers aiming to foster resilient, low-carbon economic growth. Journal China Finance Review International
1-Dec-2025 Social media marketing falls flat as a signal of quality, new research finds Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences New research published in the INFORMS journal Information Systems Research finds that social media marketing (SMM) does little to help high-quality firms stand apart from competitors. Instead, it often pushes companies of all quality levels toward similar spending and pricing strategies, blurring the very signals firms hope will differentiate them in digital marketplaces. Journal Information Systems Research
26-Nov-2025 How can SMEs drive a greener and more inclusive Europe? Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) The study uses data from 12,000 European companies to show that, as well as large companies, medium and small businesses can also act as agents of change Journal Journal of Cleaner Production
24-Nov-2025 The size and composition of our circle of friends and family influence how we perceive our own body Universidad Carlos III de Madrid A scientific study led by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) and partly funded by the European Research Council (ERC) has determined that the size and composition of our social support networks directly influence how we perceive our body image. The findings could help us in treating conditions such as body dysmorphic disorder, anorexia, and other eating disorders.
24-Nov-2025 Islamophobia driven by nativism, not religion Johannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz Islamophobia in Western Europe is driven far more by anti-immigrant nativism and authoritarian attitudes than by religious belief. A study by Professor Kai Arzheimer of the JGU Department of Political Science, published in Research & Politics, reveals a strong connection between anti-Muslim prejudice and nativism. It also points to a robust link between Islamophobia and right-wing authoritarian attitudes. By contrast, individual Christian religiosity shows virtually no connection to either of these tendencies – challenging the common assumption that religious belief fuels Islamophobia in Western Europe. Journal Research & Politics
24-Nov-2025 The size and composition of our circle of friends and family influence how we perceive our own body Universidad Carlos III de Madrid A scientific study led by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) and partly funded by the European Research Council (ERC) has determined that the size and composition of our social support networks directly influence how we perceive our body image. The findings could help us in treating conditions such as body dysmorphic disorder, anorexia, and other eating disorders. Journal iScience Funder ERC grant agreement
21-Nov-2025 Consumers consider: Coincidence or divine intervention? University of Texas at Austin Consumer reactions often shape how companies fare in a crisis, Gershoff says. “When firms commit some kind of transgression, it’s often the case that consumers want to react and punish the firm in some way.” But when transgression is followed by loss, it can change a consumer’s moral equation, he adds. “They might say, ‘Because the punishment has already occurred, I don’t need to apply further punishment.’” Journal Journal of Consumer Behaviour
