Business Insights: November 2025

Funding Impactful Research

Dean Beth Walker

I'm pleased to share that three doctoral students from North American business programs have been named winners of our Business for a Better World Dissertation Proposal Competition, each receiving $6,000 in research support. This initiative reflects our commitment to nurturing the next generation of scholars whose work advances business as a force for positive societal impact. 

In addition to funding, the winners presented their proposals and engaged with our faculty at the Business for a Better World Research Symposium Oct. 3, an opportunity to strengthen connections among emerging and established researchers dedicated to shaping a more sustainable and equitable future through business scholarship.

How Firms Can Steer Social Media Conversations

Journal of Marketing Research |  Kelly Hewett, PhD

Analyzing one million tweets from four major U.S. banks, researchers find how listening–based response strategies affect customer sentiment in social media.

Results reveal approaches that enhance subsequent sentiment, contingent on prior tone, offering guidance for adaptive firm engagement.

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Customer Data Privacy Stewardship

Journal of Marketing | Kelly Martin, PhD

This research introduces customer data privacy stewardship as a strategic approach firms can take to positively and proactively manage privacy that extends beyond risk mitigation.

Across three multimethod studies, stewardship enhances performance at firm, brand and customer levels, contingent on perceived motives, brand affinity, data risk and industry protections, advancing privacy research and practice.

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The Effect of Relative Performance Evaluations on Employee Judgments of and Behavioral Responses to Managerial Monitoring

The Accounting Review | Joe Burke, PhD

Prior research finds that managerial monitoring sparks employee resentment. However, this study shows that competition between employees alleviates this concern – combined with relative performance evaluations, employees perceive monitoring to be fair. These insights refine theory on performance systems and managerial monitoring.

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Mediation Testing with Polynomial Regression: A Critical Review of Extant Approaches and a Researcher’s Toolkit for the Future

Journal of Applied Psychology | Sherry Fu, PhD

This paper reviews three approaches to mediation testing in polynomial regression: ad hoc, block variable and disaggregated. Using simulations and a reanalysis, researchers show the disaggregated approach’s advantages and introduces an R Shiny app for transparent, replicable research.

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