Author Archives: support

Recent Research from Tepper School Indicates Honesty-Humility as Crucial for Auditors in Ensuring Quality Monitoring

External auditors are crucial in maintaining the reliability of financial statements. However, significant accounting scandals in recent years have cast doubt on their efficacy, prompting inquiries into the reasons behind auditors’ occasional oversight of financial irregularities.

In a collaborative research effort between the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Denver, investigators focused on the impact of two personality characteristics — honesty, humility, and agreeableness — on an auditor’s propensity to identify and report financial misstatements.

The research uncovered that auditors who scored higher on honesty – humility were more likely to uphold professional integrity and disclose financial wrongdoings. In contrast, those with lower scores were less inclined to do so. On the other hand, agreeableness, typically linked to avoiding conflict and favouring social cohesion, did not consistently influence auditors’ reporting behaviours. This suggests that agreeableness may not be as essential in ensuring the quality of audits.

“Personality traits are significant in pinpointing individuals who are prepared to challenge clients and maintain rigorous financial reporting standards,” stated Taya Cohen, Professor of Organizational Behaviour and Business Ethics at the Tepper School of Business, who co-authored the research. “Our results suggest that selecting auditors based on their honesty-humility levels could improve monitoring quality and avert expensive errors of oversight.”

The research utilised the HEXACO model of personality, which defines six personality dimensions (honesty-humility, emotionality, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness). It comprised two studies, one involving around 200 certified public accountants. Within these studies, the trait of HEXACO honesty-humility, marked by a commitment to fairness and modesty, was consistently linked to superior monitoring quality.

“The auditor’s role in preventing financial misreporting is pivotal, and these findings are highly pertinent,” remarked Lily Morse, Assistant Professor of Management at the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business and the study’s lead researcher. Morse, who earned her PhD from the Tepper School of Business, further suggested, “Firms should look to employ auditors who exhibit strong honesty-humility traits and consider interventions that foster behaviours associated with this trait for auditors who might benefit from such development.”

While the study sheds valuable light on the subject, the authors advocate for additional research to validate their findings in various auditing settings and with different auditor fraud detection capabilities measures.

More information: Lily Morse et al, Predicting monitoring failures using the HEXACO framework: The effects of honesty-humility and agreeableness, Negotiation and Conflict Management Research. DOI: 10.34891/qvpz-9a66

Journal information: Negotiation and Conflict Management Research Provided by Carnegie Mellon University

The Impact of Self-Donations on Fundraising Success — Creators Who Invest in Their Own Campaigns See Improved Outcomes

Leave a Reply

Researchers from the City University of New York and the University of Texas at Austin have recently contributed to the Journal of Marketing with a study assessing self-donations’ impact on crowdfunding achievements. Titled “Self-Donations and Charitable Contributions in Online Crowdfunding: An Empirical Analysis,” and authored by Zhuping Liu, Qiang Gao, and Raghunath Singh Rao.

According to Giving USA, a record $557.16 billion was donated by Americans in 2023 to support various causes, including education, religion, human services, and public health. While traditional charities have long relied on celebrity endorsements, galas, public service announcements, and extensive advertising campaigns to raise funds, modern online crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe and DonorsChoose offer a more direct approach. These platforms connect projects directly with potential donors, thereby bypassing the need for costly marketing strategies.

The study reveals that campaign organizers who personally contribute to their crowdfunding initiatives significantly increase their chances of success. This act of self-donation not only serves as a strong endorsement of the project’s value but also accelerates the pace and volume of contributions from others, enhancing the overall probability of meeting funding targets. The increasing dependence of non-profit and educational initiatives on crowdfunding platforms underscores the effectiveness of self-donation in bolstering these efforts.

An extensive analysis of millions of donations made through DonorsChoose, a platform where educators seek financial support for classroom supplies and educational projects, was conducted. The findings indicate that when teachers visibly contribute to their projects, it effectively communicates the project’s worth and their commitment to it. Liu emphasizes that the success of self-donation hinges not just on the amount given but also on the timing and visibility of the contributions.

By investing their funds, educators can attract additional support, which is crucial, especially for projects at the initial stage or for new users on the platform without a well-established reputation. Gao notes that larger self-donations are particularly impactful, increasing the likelihood of achieving the fundraising goals. Moreover, projects with self-donations often follow up with impact letters to donors, providing further indirect evidence of a project’s quality and its correlation with self-donation.

There is a strong case for platforms to encourage visible self-donations to enhance the efficiency of matching donors with high-quality projects. This could be achieved by promoting self-donations on project landing pages or tailoring project recommendations based on donor preferences. Such strategies could significantly improve campaign success rates.

Promoting self-donation as a fundraising strategy could be transformative for school administrators and district leaders. Given the constraints of school budgets, empowering teachers with effective fundraising tools can substantially improve the educational quality of students. From the standpoint of platforms like DonorsChoose, facilitating and promoting self-donation can augment the efficacy of their services.

The concept of self-donation extends beyond the educational sector, applying to political campaigns and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Political candidates frequently use personal funds to demonstrate their commitment, while companies may donate some of their profits to boost their public image. In each scenario, self-contribution is a potent indicator of dedication and quality, influencing the actions of others.

Crowdfunding platforms might consider developing features that simplify the process for project organizers to make visible self-donations and highlight these contributions to potential donors. Furthermore, providing guidelines or best practices for strategically timing self-donations could maximize their impact.

For Chief Marketing Officers, self-donation visibility is critical to fundraising success. It is crucial to manage the risks associated with anonymous self-donations. The timing, frequency, and amount of self-donations should be strategically planned to maximize their fundraising impact. Ideally, an initial self-donation can significantly boost a project’s chances of success.

Rao concludes that by leveraging self-donation as a signalling mechanism, educators can enhance their likelihood of successfully funding their projects, thereby enriching students’ educational experiences. Crowdfunding platforms can improve service offerings by supporting and advocating for self-donation strategies.

The dynamics of self-donation could vary in more complex situations where funds go directly to fundraisers, potentially raising ethical concerns. Future research could expand this inquiry by exploring self-donation’s effects in diverse contexts.

More information: Zhuping Liu et al, Self-Donations and Charitable Contributions in Online Crowdfunding: An Empirical Analysis, Journal of Marketing. DOI: 10.1177/00222429241260687

Journal information: Journal of Marketing Provided by American Marketing Association

Concerns Over Masculinity Hinder Forgiveness Among Coworkers

Leave a Reply

Forgiveness paves the way for moving forward and establishing a groundwork for a more promising future. In professional environments, cultivating a culture of forgiveness can significantly enhance the health and efficacy of workgroups, mainly when co-workers’ misdemeanours are minor and collaboration is crucial. However, a study by Michael Haselhuhn, an associate professor of management at UC Riverside, reveals that traditional notions of masculinity can obstruct the capacity to forgive.

The research highlights that the more men value projecting a masculine image, the less inclined they are to forgive colleagues for offences such as failing to attend crucial meetings. This reluctance stems from the perception that forgiveness is a trait associated with femininity, as discovered by Haselhuhn and his collaborator, Margaret E. Ormiston of George Washington University.

Moreover, the study indicates that men who are hesitant to forgive are more likely to engage in vengeful actions or to avoid the offender altogether. Such behaviours contribute to a toxic and less productive workplace atmosphere, and these men also tend to regard forgiving men as less masculine.

Interestingly, the research identifies a straightforward intervention that could mitigate the unforgiving tendencies linked to masculinity concerns. Men who were particularly sensitive about their masculine identity showed a greater willingness to forgive once they had the opportunity to recount a few instances where they felt they truly embodied ‘real men’.

Haselhuhn and Ormiston’s investigation began with the understanding that men generally exhibit less forgiveness than women and that those who forgive often possess qualities like warmth, community orientation, and nurturing—traits typically considered feminine. “Therefore, we hypothesised that forgiveness might carry gender-specific connotations, potentially leading those who forgive to be perceived as more feminine and less masculine,” Haselhuhn explained.

The researchers based their study on activities involving over 800 participants. They assessed the participants’ masculinity levels by having them evaluate the stressfulness of various scenarios that might threaten their masculine identity, such as their partner earning more than they do, losing a sporting event, or being seen crying by their child.

Participants then engaged in simulations where a co-worker committed an offence, like missing a critical client meeting, leading to loss of business. They were questioned on their propensity to forgive. As anticipated, men anxious about their masculine image were less likely to ignore it.

Haselhuhn noted, “The more they worried about their masculine image, the more they desired to retaliate against the co-worker, and the more they preferred to avoid the individual altogether.”

However, when these men were allowed to articulate two instances where they felt particularly masculine, such as scoring in sports or surpassing competitors, their willingness to forgive increased. In a twist, when asked to recount ten such ‘manly’ moments, many struggled, became frustrated, and showed less forgiveness than those who described just two events.

The findings from the study “Fragility and Forgiveness: Masculinity Concerns Affect Men’s Willingness to Forgive,” published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, contribute to the ongoing research to improve interpersonal relations. “Forgiving not only boosts mental and physical health but also significantly enhances relationships with others as opposed to seeking vengeance or avoiding the person who wronged you,” added Haselhuhn. This underscores the multifaceted benefits of forgiveness in both personal and professional contexts.

More information: Michael Haselhuhn et al, Fragility and forgiveness: Masculinity concerns affect men’s willingness to forgive, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2024.104626

Journal information: Journal of Experimental Social Psychology Provided by University of California – Riverside

In Facebook Advertisements, Users Might Disapprove of ‘Likes’

Leave a Reply

Scrolling through your Facebook feed, you will likely encounter a barrage of advertisements, each vying for your attention and urging you to click on them. Like any other type of post on the platform, these advertisements permit users to express their reactions. It is expected to find that some of your friends have already interacted with these ads by ‘liking’ them.

Advertisers are keen on accumulating a significant number of such endorsements, particularly from individuals who are familiar to you, in the hope that this will increase the likelihood of you engaging with their content. However, intriguing new findings from Texas McCombs suggest that the effectiveness of this strategy can vary significantly depending on the nature of the advertisement and the relationship you have with the friend who has endorsed it.

The study, led by Ashish Agarwal, an associate professor of Information, Risk, and Operations Management (IROM), along with Andrew Whinston, a professor of IROM who also holds the Hugh Roy Cullen Centennial Chair in Business Administration and serves as the director of the Center for Research in Electronic Commerce at The University of Texas at Austin, has unveiled some nuanced insights into consumer behaviour on social media. Alongside Shun-Yang Lee from Northeastern University, the researchers concentrated on call-to-action (CTA) advertisements, which employ assertive language to prompt immediate action from users, such as purchasing or downloading a mobile app. This type of ad contrasts sharply with informational advertisements, which use more passive wording to invite users to ‘learn more’ about a topic or product.

While advertisers generally prefer CTA ads because they transition social media users directly into a buying mindset, previous studies have indicated that these ads can sometimes alienate users, particularly when they feel manipulated by the aggressive tone of the messaging. The researchers explored whether the accumulation of ‘likes’ could mitigate this aversion. Agarwal remarked on the dual nature of these assertive ads and the role social endorsements might play, questioning whether they would amplify or dampen user resistance.

To address these questions, the research team conducted a series of experiments. They initiated a field experiment by collaborating with a mobile app developer to place a CTA advertisement on Facebook, encouraging users to download an app. The ad was displayed over 710,000 times and garnered 799 ‘likes’ and 4,052 clicks. Additionally, a laboratory test assessed various combinations of advertisements and endorsements — comparing informational versus CTA ads and generic ‘likes’ versus ‘likes’ from friends — with each of the 982 participants listing five friends.

The results of these studies were telling. For informational ads, an increase in ‘likes’ correlated with a higher number of clicks, with the likelihood of clicking rising by 3% for every 100 generic likes and, even more significantly — 21% — for each ‘like’ from a friend. Conversely, the overall number of ‘likes’ for CTA ads did not considerably influence click rates.

However, ‘likes’ from friends did exert an influence, which varied depending on whether the user believed the friend had similar or dissimilar interests. ‘Likes’ from friends with similar interests increased the likelihood of a click by 180%, while those from friends with dissimilar interests reduced the odds by 66%. This discrepancy arose because users generally reacted negatively to the manipulative feel of CTA ads. However, when they perceived that alike had come from a friend with similar tastes, this endorsement lent greater credibility to the ad.

In a subsequent laboratory study, the team discovered that users were less antagonistic towards informational ads compared to CTAs. They found them less intrusive and thus more open to persuasion by ‘likes’.

These findings have important implications for advertisers and social media platforms that derive revenue from advertising. While displaying ‘likes’ might enhance engagement with informational ads, the same strategy could backfire with CTA ads. Agarwal suggests that both advertisers and social media platforms should consider making the presence of endorsements optional better to tailor their methods to the preferences of their audience, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of their advertising efforts.

More information: Ashish Agarwal et al, The Effect of Popularity Cues and Peer Endorsements on Assertive Social Media Ads, Information Systems Research. DOI: 10.1287/isre.2021.0606

Journal information: Information Systems Research Provided by University of Texas at Austin

Study: Mixed Reactions to Brands Featuring Interracial Couples in Advertisements

Leave a Reply

A recent study co-authored by a scholar from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who specialises in the intersection of authenticity and aesthetics in branding has revealed that featuring interracial couples in advertisements can enhance brand perception compared to ads with white couples. However, these advertisements yield less favourable outcomes than ads featuring Black, Hispanic, and Asian couples.

The study, conducted by Rosanna K. Smith, a professor of business administration at the Gies College of Business in Illinois and a John M. Jones Faculty Fellow, alongside Nicole Davis of the University of Kentucky and Julio Sevilla of the University of Georgia, was published in the Journal of Consumer Research. According to their findings, the key factor influencing this outcome is the perceived “warmth” of the couple, which can be either amplified or diminished by the racial composition of the couple featured in the advertisement.

Professor Smith explained that their research began from the observation that interracial couples are becoming increasingly prevalent in U.S. advertising, possibly even exceeding their actual representation within the U.S. population. This trend prompted the researchers to explore the exact impact of such representations on consumer behaviour. Their inquiry investigated whether advertisements featuring interracial couples instead of monoracial couples affected consumer perceptions and behaviours differently.

Historically, interracial marriages in the U.S. were only legalised in 1967 following the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Loving v. Virginia, which deemed anti-miscegenation laws unconstitutional. Since then, the percentage of interracial marriages has increased from 3% in 1967 to 19% in 2019. Despite the growing representation of interracial couples in marketing, this marketing strategy’s effectiveness remains uncertain.

The researchers conducted six laboratory-controlled studies with nearly 5,000 participants and a field experiment on Facebook to test consumer reactions to ads featuring interracial couples consisting of one white and one minority individual (Black, Hispanic, or Asian) versus those featuring either white couples or monoracial minority couples.

Their findings indicate that consumers perceive interracial couples in advertisements as warmer and more approachable than white couples, yet less so than monoracial minority couples. This suggests that interracial couples elicit mixed responses, positioning them somewhere between monoracial minority and dominant racial group couples in terms of consumer evaluations. The study posits that this intermediate level of perceived warmth could be attributed to the mixed social status of the couple’s racial groups, where nondominant groups are often viewed as warmer due to their lower social hierarchy status.

Moreover, the study discovered that consumer responses could vary significantly based on individual factors such as “social dominance orientation”, a psychological preference for maintaining the status quo of the current social hierarchy. The inclusion of other nondominant characteristics, like a gay couple, also influenced perceptions. For instance, the research highlighted that a gay white couple could elicit a level of warmth and favourable brand outcomes similar to those of a heterosexual, same-race minority couple, surpassing both heterosexual interracial and white couples in terms of positive consumer reactions.

This research offers a nuanced insight into how consumers perceive diverse advertising representations, demonstrating that responses to interracial couples are complex and multifaceted. Smith’s study provides valuable guidance for marketers, emphasising that while including interracial couples in advertising does not universally enhance brand outcomes, it does not detrimentally affect them. Instead, it prompts a varied response from consumers who are attentive to the specific nuances of diversity presented within marketing campaigns.

More information: Nicole Davis et al, Mixed Couples, Mixed Attitudes: How Interracial Couples in Marketing Appeals Influence Brand Outcomes, Journal of Consumer Research. DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucae047

Journal information: Journal of Consumer Research Provided by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau

The Climate Price Tag: $79 Billion in Hidden Costs from U.S. Materials Production

Leave a Reply

A recent study published in the journal Environmental Research Letters by IOP Publishing has unveiled a significant hidden cost in the U.S. materials production industry, amounting to an annual $79 billion due to climate-related factors. This expense arises from the greenhouse gas emissions generated during the production of commonplace materials and is not accounted for in their current market valuations. This oversight effectively subsidises industries reliant on carbon-intensive processes, masking the actual economic impact of their environmental footprint.

The study’s lead author, Dr. Elisabeth Van Roijen from the University of California, Davis, highlights a critical barrier to environmental progress: the high cost of low-emission alternatives, which discourages industries from voluntary adopting them. Dr Van Roijen argues that incorporating these ‘externalised’ costs could fundamentally alter the economic landscape, fostering innovation and the adoption of more sustainable production techniques.

This comprehensive research, spearheaded by a team at the University of California, Davis, meticulously assessed the production of nine essential materials: asphalt, plastics, brick, glass, cement, lime, gypsum, steel, and aluminium. The team analysed extensive data on production volumes, energy use, and emissions to calculate energy-related (such as those required for high-temperature processes) and process-related (from chemical reactions) carbon dioxide emissions for each material.

The findings reveal that in 2018 alone, these materials produced 427 million metric tons of CO2 emissions. When the climate costs associated with these emissions are considered, the study suggests substantial price adjustments would be necessary. For instance, cement prices would need to increase by 62%, lime by 61%, gypsum by 47%, steel by 22%, and plastics by 19%. Despite steel and plastics having a lower proportion of climate costs relative to their market value, they are each linked to over $20 billion in annual climate-related expenses due to their extensive production volumes.

The researchers quantified these climate costs by employing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Social Cost of Carbon—a metric estimating the economic damages per ton of CO2, including effects on human health, agriculture, and infrastructure.

The implications of integrating these climate costs into material pricing are profound. Such measures could catalyse innovation in low-carbon production technologies and enhance the viability of recycling and alternative materials. The report suggests that if industries such as aluminium and steel were to switch entirely to renewable energy sources, their climate-related costs could plummet by 95% and 79%, respectively.

However, the study also warns of potential unintended consequences, such as increased imports of cheaper, higher-emitting materials from abroad, if such pricing reforms were implemented solely within the U.S. This underscores the need for coordinated international policy efforts to effectively manage the climate impacts of material production.

The study calls for targeted policy interventions to address the unavoidable emissions from processes, enhance recycling rates, implement extended producer responsibility regulations, and promote alternative materials.

As the global demand for materials escalates, particularly in developing economies, the researchers advocate for more in-depth research into policy measures that could mitigate the global climate impacts of material production. This study highlights the hidden financial burdens imposed by current production practices and charts a course towards a more sustainable and economically transparent materials industry.

More information: Paikea Colligan et al, The unaccounted-for climate costs of materials, Environmental Research Letters. DOI: 10.1007/s00394-023-03123-x

Journal information: Environmental Research Letters Provided by IOP Publishing

Linking Trainee Development to Team Productivity in Paediatric Inpatient Units

Leave a Reply

Organisations are increasingly turning to dynamic teams, characterised by their transient nature and frequent changes in team composition over time. This approach enhances organisational agility, allowing flexible scheduling and strategically allocating expertise to address emerging and evolving challenges. However, this flexibility often comes with its challenges, as it can hinder on-the-job learning and reduce overall team efficiency, hinting at possible unseen costs to individuals, teams, and their clients or customers.

Anna Mayo, an assistant professor of organisational behaviour at Carnegie Mellon’s Heinz College, highlighted the prevalence of dynamic teams across various sectors, particularly in medical environments. She noted that, for example, in teaching hospitals, physician teams may consist of an attending physician and trainees for short periods—potentially just a shift, a day, or a week. Within these brief periods, teams interact with a changing roster of other healthcare professionals, such as nurses, to deliver patient care.

In a recent study spearheaded by Mayo and her colleagues, the research aimed to explore how dynamic teams could facilitate learning and enhance productivity within a hospital setting. The study was conducted between 2017 and 2018 at a significant academic children’s hospital and involved 91 physician teams in the general paediatric inpatient unit. Two hundred twenty-two physician trainees collaborated with 21 attending physicians in dynamic teams to provide patient care. The research demonstrated that short, targeted interventions at the start of the teams’ collaboration significantly improved coordination within the team and with external roles like nursing staff. This enhanced coordination correlated with higher levels of learning among medical trainees and was directly linked to increased productivity, notably reflected in reduced patient hospital stays.

The research, a collaborative effort between Carnegie Mellon University, Children’s National Hospital, and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, was published in Organization Science. It methodically assigned physician teams to start their week with one of two interventions. The first intervention focused on internal coordination of tasks and roles within the physician team, while the second concentrated on enhancing coordination with external contributors, such as nurses, pharmacists, and social workers. A control group received no initial intervention. The study’s findings revealed that interventions aimed at internal roles, teamwork, or external collaboration notably improved the corresponding coordination area.

The results showed a clear association between external coordination and team efficiency, evidenced by the rate of patient discharges in the mornings. Similarly, robust internal coordination was closely linked to substantial individual learning outcomes, which were highest when teams excelled in internal and external coordination. This learning significantly reduced patient stays, suggesting a potent synergy between learning and team productivity.

Teams that participated in the internally focused intervention were more likely to achieve high internal and external coordination levels, leading to the observed enhanced learning and productivity outcomes. Anita Williams Woolley, a professor of organisational behaviour at Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business and co-author of the study, emphasised the crucial causal impact of directed attention in dynamic teams. She pointed out that despite significant investment in new technologies to aid team coordination, the study underscores the effectiveness of straightforward, low-cost interventions rooted in basic human attention processes.

Mayo concluded that the findings counter the notion that trainee learning might detract from patient care. Instead, the study illustrates that educational and care objectives can be achieved concurrently and outlines an effective strategy to accomplish this synergy. This insight clarifies team productivity dynamics in high-stakes environments and provides a blueprint for leveraging human-focused interventions to enhance learning and operational efficiency in dynamic team settings.

More information: Anna Mayo et al, Coordination in Dynamic Teams: Investigating a Learning–Productivity Trade-Off, Organization Science. DOI: 10.1287/orsc.2022.16729

Journal information: Organization Science Provided by Carnegie Mellon University

Children’s Welfare: The Primary Motive Behind Advertising Grievances

Leave a Reply

Recent research findings show that the well-being of children is frequently mentioned as a crucial factor motivating individuals to lodge formal complaints about advertisements.

The study revealed that the portrayal of children and the potential harm they could suffer from being exposed to offensive advertisements constitute 46 per cent of the reasons for complaints submitted to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

The analysis examined thousands of consumer complaints associated with advertisements from the non-profit sector. It found that graphic representations—such as depictions of violence, sexual content, or disease—were also highly problematic, contributing to an additional 20 per cent of complaints.

Moreover, certain representations involving crime, weapons, and drugs were also identified as sources of offence. A research team from the University of Edinburgh analysed 9,055 complaints received over six years concerning advertisements from the not-for-profit, third, and public sectors, which include charities, government entities, and advocacy groups.

The study mainly focused on the non-commercial sector, where using shock tactics to garner attention or connect with audiences is more common and tends to provoke more complaints. Advertisements from this sector might also be perceived by consumers as more acceptable due to the perceived nobility of the organisations’ causes, as suggested by experts.

The complaints pertained to advertisements across various media, including television, print, and online platforms. Charities had the highest number of complaints, at 38 per cent, followed by government organisations, at 29 per cent. Campaigns by medical and children’s charities notably triggered numerous complaints based on offence or harm.

The dataset spanned from 2009 to 2015, including the regulatory responses manifested in the ASA’s adjudications. Researchers noted a higher prevalence of offence and harm-based complaints in the non-commercial sector, with 62 per cent of all complaints falling under this category, in contrast to the commercial sector, where complaints often centred around misleading content.

The portrayal of children emerged as the most frequent issue, garnering 4,157 complaints during the six years. Of the 9,055 complaints, only 138 (1.5 per cent) were fully upheld, and 629 (7 per cent) were partially upheld. This led researchers to question the potential biases of the advertising regulator and its effectiveness in safeguarding the public, particularly in the non-profit context where the rationale behind the messaging might be deemed justifiable.

The study advocates for advertisers to test their advertisements with both intended and unintended audiences, including relevant vulnerable groups and parents, and to carefully schedule and place their advertisements to target audiences to minimise the risk of offence and harm, especially to children.

It also calls for the advertising regulator to consider adapting its approach to managing the non-commercial sector, differing from its methods in commercial contexts. Dr Kristina Auxtova, from the University of Edinburgh Business School and the study’s lead researcher, emphasised the importance of understanding the broad range of sources of offence and harm in non-profit and public sector advertising. She highlighted the need for advertisers and regulators to grasp public perceptions of what is offensive or harmful and for regulators to be equipped to address and manage contemporary concerns effectively.

More information: Kristina Auxtova et al, Offensive and Harmful Advertising: A Content Analysis of Official Complaints, Journal of Nonprofit & Public Sector Marketing. DOI: 10.1080/10495142.2024.2345908

Journal information: Journal of Nonprofit & Public Sector Marketing Provided by University of Edinburgh

Permission to Pause: How Bond’s ‘Regressive Nostalgia’ Risks Freezing Its Brand’s Progress

Leave a Reply

The iconic James Bond film series, known globally for over seven decades, has become a focal point for a study highlighting the concept of ‘regressive nostalgia’ within consumer groups. This phenomenon illustrates how specific audiences cling to an idealised, historical portrayal of brands, resisting efforts to modernise in line with evolving societal values. The study, detailed by researchers at the University of Birmingham and ESCP Business School in London, points out that some dedicated ‘super-consumers’ prefer Bond’s more exclusive, traditional depiction, closely mirroring author Ian Fleming’s portrayal from the 1950s and 1960s. This version of Bond is often seen as an embodiment of an arrogant, misogynistic, and racially insensitive British imperial figure.

This inclination towards a racially and culturally homogenous past, combined with a celebration of ‘heroic masculinity’, is described in the study as harbouring exclusionary and even aggressive behaviours, posing a substantial threat to brands’ future. These findings were published in the International Journal of Research in Marketing, where the research team also introduced a toolkit designed to assist marketers in safeguarding their brand’s modern positioning against the adverse effects of such nostalgia, thus enabling a brand evolution that does not alienate their main consumer base.

Professor Finola Kerrigan from the University of Birmingham noted that the James Bond franchise is a prime example of how ‘regressive nostalgia’ can manifest within a fanbase. Although the franchise has adeptly adapted over time, a small yet disproportionately vocal segment of its followers remains firmly rooted in the past. This group champions Fleming’s original characterisation to justify their resistance to modern updates, including dismissals of recent films like ‘No Time to Die’ as ‘woke nonsense’.

Professor Chloe Preece of ESCP Business School, London, discusses how these super-consumers idealise Bond as a heroic, white male figure, providing a refuge for those unsettled by the current societal push towards inclusivity. The character’s portrayal as a ‘man of action’ allows these predominantly male fans to identify with what they perceive as Bond’s ‘heroic masculinity’, showcased through his interactions with the ‘Bond girls’.

While the study primarily examines the James Bond series, the researchers draw parallels with other brands that have seen their symbols co-opted by groups with anti-social agendas. Independent scholar Dr Daragh O’Reilly emphasises the double-edged sword of using nostalgia in branding. While it can deeply engage and connect with consumers, drawing them to a glorified past can also foster a sense of loss that intertwines a cherished history with a resented present. O’Reilly advocates for brand stewards to remain firm and not succumb to the nostalgia embraced by a minority of super-consumers, thereby preventing the brand from becoming exclusionary.

The study underscores marketers’ need to be vigilant of the potential pitfalls of regressive nostalgia. The researchers have developed a series of questions as part of their toolkit to help brand managers evaluate the threat posed by such nostalgia, ensuring that they can navigate their brand’s legacy without compromising its relevance and inclusivity in contemporary society.

More information: Chloe Preece et al, Theorizing regressive nostalgia: Understanding exclusionary consumers as a brand threat, International Journal of Research in Marketing. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijresmar.2024.09.006

Journal information: International Journal of Research in Marketing Provided by University of Birmingham

Launching a New Biomaterials Startup is More Challenging Than Expected

Leave a Reply

Entrepreneurship has permeated various sectors, including science, where engineers and scientists are increasingly translating their research into marketable products or services, leading to the inception of new startups. A prime area for such ventures is bioproduction, which utilises living cells and organisms to develop products. Biomaterials, especially crucial in the pharmaceutical and vaccine industries, also find applications in diverse sectors such as packaging, textiles, agriculture, and food production.

Spider silk, renowned for its exceptional strength and elasticity, has particularly captivated the biomanufacturing industry. The material’s potential for scaling production economically has piqued interest for applications ranging from medical sutures to textiles. However, a comprehensive study by diverse students, including Ghita Guessous from the University of California San Diego, reveals numerous challenges within the spider silk sector. Their collaborative research, undertaken remotely and facilitated by the nonprofit Nucleate, was published in the ACS Biomaterials and Engineering journal.

Their methodical approach combined academic literature, patents, market analysis, and expert insights to form a nuanced understanding of the spider silk industry. Ghita Guessous, who spearheaded the study and recently earned a PhD in physics, mentioned that the team’s thorough literature review and market data analysis provided a clear picture of the industry’s landscape, far removed from the prevalent hype.

During their research, the team analysed over 2,400 patents related to spider silk, uncovering a treasure trove of scientific data. They also engaged with various experts, including scientists, industry veterans, and venture capitalists, which enriched their understanding of the sector’s dynamics. The initial buzz around spider silk as a revolutionary biomaterial gave way to a more grounded view as they delved deeper, learning from the diverse experiences of those entrenched in the industry.

A significant challenge identified was the difficulty of scaling spider silk production due to spiders’ territorial and cannibalistic nature, which makes large-scale farming unfeasible. The researchers explored alternative production methods, such as heterologous expression, where genes responsible for silk production are introduced into other organisms like goats, alfalfa, silkworms, yeast, and bacteria. Despite the innovative approach, toxicity issues in host organisms continue to be a significant hurdle needing further research.

The study aimed to assess the feasibility of various host organisms for spider silk production, seeking an optimal balance between cost and quality. This mirrors approaches in the pharmaceutical industry, where unicellular organisms are increasingly used for production in controlled lab environments or bioreactors. Despite some discouraging findings, the researchers highlighted that uncovering these challenges was vital, outlining areas where academic research could significantly contribute to resolving prevailing issues in the industry.

Their final discussion focused on the potential markets for spider silk, noting the tough competition it faces in the fashion industry from cheaper materials like polyester. However, the potential for spider silk in high-performance materials, such as bulletproof vests and automotive components, is promising. The cosmetic industry also shows potential for incorporating spider silk to enhance product textures.

Reflecting on their comprehensive study, the team remains cautiously optimistic about the future of biomanufacturing in spider silk. While their initial excitement has tempered, the insights gained have equipped them with a realistic perspective on the challenges and opportunities in the field. Their research sheds light on the complexities of spider silk production and serves as a valuable model for future scientific inquiry and entrepreneurial ventures in this cutting-edge area.

More information: Ghita Guessous et al, Disentangling the Web: An Interdisciplinary Review on the Potential and Feasibility of Spider Silk Bioproduction, ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering. DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.4c00145

Journal information: ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering Provided by University of California – San Diego

Research at Penn Engineering Uncovers Significant Security Flaws in AI-Powered Robots

Leave a Reply

In technological advancement, industries such as healthcare, technology, and finance are experiencing rapid growth, presenting new opportunities and challenges. The School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Engineering) is committed to spearheading the development of cutting-edge solutions aimed at forging a brighter future. To this end, Penn Engineering has convened a gathering of eminent leaders from the realms of engineering, academia, industry, and policy at the Penn Washington Center in Washington, D.C. This assembly is part of a broader discourse focused on responsibly steering the course of future innovations.

As part of its initiative on Responsible Innovation, Penn Engineering’s research team has made a significant discovery regarding the security of AI-operated robots. These findings, supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and the Army Research Laboratory, reveal previously undetected vulnerabilities and weaknesses in AI-driven robots. The primary objective of this research is to enhance the security measures surrounding the deployment of large language models (LLMs) in robotic applications.

George Pappas, the UPS Foundation Professor of Transportation in Electrical and Systems Engineering (ESE), Computer and Information Science (CIS), and Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics (MEAM), expressed concerns about the current state of safety in the integration of large language models with physical systems. According to Professor Pappas, who also holds the position of Associate Dean for Research at Penn Engineering, caution is needed as these AI-controlled robots are susceptible to manipulations and hacks.

One of the noteworthy outcomes of this research is the development of RoboPAIR, an algorithm capable of achieving a 100% “jailbreak” rate within just a few days. This algorithm was successful in bypassing the safety mechanisms governing three distinct robotic systems: the Unitree Go2, a quadruped robot utilised in various settings; the Clearpath Robotics Jackal, a wheeled vehicle frequently used in academic research; and the Dolphin LLM, a self-driving simulator developed by NVIDIA. Notably, the AI governors for the first two systems are based on OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which demonstrated vulnerabilities to these jailbreaking attacks. Such breaches can lead to serious safety risks, such as manipulating a self-driving system to behave recklessly at pedestrian crossings.

Before releasing their findings to the public, the Penn Engineering team was responsible for informing the affected companies about the vulnerabilities in their systems. They are now collaborating with these companies to leverage their research to improve the testing and validation of AI safety protocols used by these manufacturers. Despite the challenges, the research team, including Hamed Hassani, Associate Professor in ESE and CIS at Penn Engineering and Statistics and Data Science at Wharton, acknowledges that eliminating LLMs from these systems may not be feasible. Professor Hassani emphasised the complexity of addressing such vulnerabilities, particularly in the context of chatbots.

Alexander Robey, a recent Ph.D. graduate from Penn Engineering and a current postdoctoral scholar at Carnegie Mellon University, highlighted the importance of identifying system vulnerabilities to enhance safety. He pointed out that this principle applies to cybersecurity and AI safety. Engaging in AI red teaming, a method that involves testing AI systems for potential threats and vulnerabilities, is crucial for protecting generative AI systems. Identifying these weaknesses allows for testing and training these systems to avoid possible threats.

The researchers argue that addressing these vulnerabilities requires a comprehensive reevaluation of the regulatory framework governing the integration of AI into physical systems rather than merely applying software patches. Vijay Kumar, the Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering and coauthor of the study stressed the importance of adopting a safety-first approach to foster responsible innovation. He affirmed that their research is instrumental in developing a verification and validation framework that ensures robotic systems only perform actions that align with social norms, thereby paving the way for the safe deployment of AI-enabled robots in real-world applications. This holistic approach underscores the need to confront intrinsic vulnerabilities to ensure that integrating AI into our daily lives is safe and beneficial.

More information: Alexander Robey et al, Jailbreaking LLM-Controlled Robots. DOI: 10.48550/arXiv.2410.13691

Workers Should Not Be Solely Responsible for Training in Remote Work Settings

Leave a Reply

As technology progresses and remote working becomes more mainstream, the demands for competence in the workplace are escalating rapidly. Simultaneously, work-related formal education increasingly takes place through online platforms. However, undergoing online courses while managing other work duties is far from straightforward, and informal learning online often faces similar challenges. The inadequacy in the pedagogical execution of online training, coupled with unrealistic expectations of participation and productivity, may result in the mere acquisition of completion certificates rather than genuine professional enhancement, with informal online learning usually marginalised by content-dense meetings and impersonal interactions.

These insights are from a study by Postdoctoral Researcher Soila Lemmetty from the University of Eastern Finland, which examines obstacles in remote learning and innovation within police and technology sector organisations. In police organisations, for instance, online education is often synonymous with multitasking, requiring employees to fit learning into their already packed schedules. The lack of pedagogical support means that online lectures might be attended amidst other tasks or completed during the quieter hours after long shifts, often described as a lecture-heavy transfer of information that is irrelevant or applicable to the employee’s work.

Lemmetty points out that mere participation in training does not guarantee a profound learning experience and may foster a performance-oriented perspective where competence development is superficially addressed through courses measured by certificates of participation. This can diminish the true essence of learning, pushing individuals towards a performance orientation that overshadows genuine educational processes.

In the technology sector, remote work is seen as challenging, innovative and communal learning. The shift towards online interaction increases ambiguity and reduces opportunities for observations and sensory experiences, weakening community social bonds and trust over time. Lemmetty notes that, while structured, content-heavy meetings are ordinary, they often overshadow spontaneous and informal interactions, vital for sparking new, innovative ideas.

The erosion of trust and weakening of social bonds due to remote work are significant concerns. A thriving community and mutual trust are essential for experts to engage in critical discussions, make mistakes, and learn from them, all of which are crucial for fostering innovation. Without these elements, the innovative process can be severely hampered, underscoring the importance of maintaining solid interpersonal connections even in remote settings.

Organisations should align training with their personnel’s competence needs to support learning better. This involves allocating time for reflection, experimentation, and discussions during training sessions and everyday work. Promoting diverse, multi-channel interactions and informal encounters, engaging educational methods, and sufficient time resources help develop innovation and competence, even in remote work settings.

Lemmetty also considers the increase in online learning and whether it signifies a regression to a behaviourist approach to education, where passive receipt of information is mistaken for learning. She advocates for a constructivist approach, emphasising active engagement, reflection, and social interaction as the hallmarks of effective adult learning.

Despite the challenges identified, Lemmetty sees the value in online learning and remote work but emphasises the need for careful pedagogical implementation. While focused on identifying challenges, her study also recognises the potential benefits of these modern educational and work arrangements, suggesting that with proper attention to their pedagogical aspects, they can significantly meet the evolving needs of the workforce.

More information: Soila Lemmetty, Real-Time and Long-Term Challenges of Remote Learning and Innovation: Cases from Police and Technology Organisations, Vocations and Learning. DOI: 10.1007/s12186-024-09354-1

Journal information: Vocations and Learning Provided by University of Eastern Finland