A new study in the Journal of Consumer Psychology reveals a hidden tension in ethical consumerism: While consumers morally support companies that hire individuals experiencing homelessness, deep-seated “contagion concerns” often reduce their likelihood of buying the products. The research identifies "social proof" marketing — showing that others already use and like the product — as a key tool to neutralize this emotional bias and align buying behavior with moral support.

New research from Michigan State University finds that in the four years after the COVID-19 pandemic upended campus life, the majority of college students successfully bounced back. Students experienced rising life satisfaction and declining loneliness and, surprisingly, even a fonder remembrance of online classes from the early days of the pandemic.

Why do some groups get smarter together while others collapse into groupthink? New research from University of Pennsylvania theoretical biologist Joshua Plotkin and collaborators show that collective intelligence doesn’t emerge by rewarding the most accurate individuals but by rewarding those who improve the group’s prediction as a whole.

The Ocean Equity Index is a scorecard that anyone can use to assess the extent to which ocean projects and policies recognize relevant stakeholders, include them in decision-making and otherwise treat them fairly.

Interlocking directorates — the practice of the same director sitting on the boards of competing companies — have long been identified with backroom deals and corporate collusion. 

Starting in 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission staged renewed crackdowns, leading to at least 21 board resignations.

But new research from Texas McCombs suggests efforts to reduce collusion and protect consumers may come with unintended consequences: worse corporate governance through loss of industry experience.