Skip to content Skip to Programs Navigation

Research With Relevance

Research

Research is key to how we make good on our promise to prepare students and executives for tomorrow’s business world. Our professors examine critical issues influencing 21st century business – you benefit from their insights in the classroom and the boardroom. Contributing to the breadth and depth of our thought leadership are our Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise and Centers.

Smiling businessman balancing coffee cups

Coffee: Cup of ethics

Go ahead and have that extra cup of java– it might just help you act ethically at work. Caffeine could help sleep-deprived workers resist unethical influen...

Being too humble can hurt you

Professor Ovul Sezer's research shows that if you have good news, share it. It’s good for your relationships.

Weather patterns

When you check the weather forecast, you might not realize that sunny skies aren’t good for productivity – or that they promote risk taking by investors.
Products and trademarks for Black Lives Matter

#BlackLivesMatter brings trademark shortcomings into focus

The hashtag has become a potent rallying cry for racial justice online, but U.S. trademark law hasn’t caught up.

Healthcare Worker Administering Shot to Patient

Combining analytical horsepower with willpower to improve the world

PhD student RJ Niewoehner talks about his research, including how its findings might provide valuable knowledge related to COVID-19.
White Mouse Cable Forming A Shopping Cart Symbol On Blue Background

Big-box chains leave money on the table with in-store click-and-collect

Professor Katrijn Gielens’ research gives strategies for meeting shoppers’ needs and driving sales revenues.
Businessman consulting woman coworker

Seeking and finding fairness at work

Professor Elad Sherf explores obstacles to fairness and tactics you can use to overcome them.
Student Illustration Multitasking

Need a creativity boost?

Try multitasking. Research by Shimul Melwani and Chaitali “Tali” Kapadia (PhD ’17) shows it can boost your creativity.
Hovering hand places fifth gold star on blue background

Connecting customer satisfaction to financial results

How much is it worth to invest in customer satisfaction? What impact does it really have on your cost of selling?
Man Drawing on Whiteboard in Team Meeting

Catering to others is a trap

Professor Ovul Sezer says the way you approach high-stakes interactions is probably wrong.

Woman Standing By Whiteboard Leads Group Meeting

New boss? There might be a silver lining

A change in leaders can prompt teams to reconsider what they’re doing and let go of unproductive strategies.
Car Windshield With Sale Price

The price you pay

How pricing can dissuade negotiators and boost retail margins is the topic of a study by Pranav Jindal, a marketing professor at UNC Kenan-Flagler.
Solar Panels and lightbulb and money cost savings graphic

Profit surge

Net metering could boost profits for electrical utilities, UNC Kenan-Flagler researchers show.

CMO revival

Do chief marketing officers matter? You might not think so, based on what you’ve read in the business press. But you'd be wrong.

Black Friday: Behind the scenes

On Black Friday, there’s a lot more going on than great sales. Here’s what happens behind the scenes as retailers prepare for one of the busiest shopping ...