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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.

Old Well January 2025

In other news: January 2025

Award-winning research, class with Crunkleton and more insights and highlights from the UNC Kenan-Flagler community.
leniency head in sand marie mitchell

The limits of leniency

How leaders respond to employee misconduct matters.

Sustainable branding labels stock

Labeling for good

Professor Annie Williams’ research shows sustainability labels improves consumer awareness and fosters a positive influence on socially responsible fashion consumption.
The concept of biased views judged by appearances.

Through the looking glass

Professor Christopher Petsko examines why people stereotype each other and suggests potential approaches for avoiding bias caused by negative stereotypes
Women leaders collage

The true grit of female leaders

Professor Jan-Benedict Steenkamp’s new book explores the too-often overlooked determination and strength of history’s most inspiring women.

Eric Ghysels

The impact of quantum computing

Eric Ghysels said the new technology is a “paradigm shift” that will impact financial decision-making and internet security.
Gestresste Frau im Büro - Burnout, Überstunden, Personalmangel

Ashamed to take a break

UNC Kenan-Flagler researchers show that employees feeling bad that they took breaks can lead to unethical, costly behavior.
Ric Colacito

A slow burn

Ric Colacito’s research suggests that, in the worst-case scenario, rising temperatures could reduce U.S. economic growth by up to one-third over the next century.
Virtual assistant voice recognition service technology business concept. AI artificial intelligence robot help work support. Chatbot beautiful female face low poly program vector illustration

Making voice chatbots more effective by design

Professor Yuqian Xu shows making voice chatbots sound more human can harness automation to improve operational performance.
iPhone stock close up

Buyer and seller beware

Professor Fei Long examines the online retail marketplace’s incentive to manipulate the appeal of products for consumers.

From scams to stocks, how we make sense of the economy

What people feel about the economy can be quite different from what is actually happening, writes Professor Camelia Kuhnen.
Unhealthily diet with sweet sugary soft drinks concept

Cutting sugar without reducing sales

Research by Professor Kristopher Keller suggests a solution to the soda dilemma.
Incident management, root cause analysis or solving problem, identify risk or critical failure concept, businessman with magnifier monitor and investigate incident with exclamation attention sign.

You can be too careful

Researchers show what happens when leaders focus too much on preventing errors.
Celine Fei

Using big data to help small businesses

Celine Fei studies frictions that arise in financing entrepreneurship, such as drivers of racial disparity in small business lending.
Group of business people having business discussion in the office.

What’s race got to do with it?

Research shows that Black women negotiators receive more favorable offers and outcomes compared with white women and Black men.