Happiness - Publications - Faculty & Research

05 Aug 2013
News

To Buy Happiness, Purchase an Experience

Article

From Wealth to Well-Being? Money Matters, but Less than People Think

By: Lara B. Aknin, Michael I. Norton and Elizabeth W. Dunn

While numerous studies have documented the modest (though reliable) link between household income and well-being, we examined the accuracy of laypeople's intuitions about this relationship by asking people from across the income spectrum to report their own... View Details

Keywords: Happiness; Work-Life Balance; Satisfaction; Income; Household

Citation

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12 Nov 2015
News

Can Consumers be Trusted with Their Own Health Care?

12 Nov 2015
Research & Ideas

Can Consumers be Trusted with Their Own Health Care?

Consumers today have more control than ever over the way they choose goods and services—from browsing freely at grocery stores to managing their own financial assets. Perhaps consumers should also have a greater sense of empowerment when it comes to their health care.... View Details

Keywords: by Dina Gerdeman; Health

10 Mar 2021
Blog Post

COVID Killed the Traditional Workplace

a new work world that will keep employees both happy and productive post-COVID? Several HBS faculty members shared advice to help leaders prepare for the “next normal." Julia Austin: Prioritize face time at the office Managers will have... View Details

Keywords: All Industries

Overview

Prof. Whillans is interested in understanding the associations between time, money, and happiness, broadly construed. For example, in one set of projects, Prof. Whillans studies how differences in time-use (e.g., chore and childcare burdens) and the willingness to... View Details

October 2008
Supplement

John and Andrea Rice: Entrepreneurship and Life

By: Howard H. Stevenson and Shirley M. Spence

Video of an interview conducted by Professor Howard Stevenson with John and Andrea Rice. It presents their views on their notions of career success, finding happiness in life, managing their competitiveness, their goals for the next ten years, and the pursuit of... View Details

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Success; Personal Development and Career; Opportunities; Happiness; Competitive Strategy

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September 2010 (Revised January 2012)
Case

Emergia: Driving Profitability on Help Desk Contracts

Emergia wants to keep its customer happy with its contact center service, but the margins on the help desk contract are dangerously low. Can Miguel Neira, the COO, increase margins while preserving the customer relationship? View Details

Keywords: Customer Relationship Management; Customer Satisfaction; Profit; Job Cuts and Outsourcing; Management Analysis, Tools, and Techniques; Service Operations; Performance Capacity; Performance Evaluation; Mathematical Methods; Service Industry

Citation

Educators

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Michael I. Norton is the Harold M. Brierley Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School. He holds a B.A. in Psychology and English from Williams College and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Princeton University. Prior to joining HBS, Professor... View Details

Keywords: advertising; consumer products; e-commerce industry; marketing industry; nonprofit industry

02 Jan 2012
Research & Ideas

Most Popular Articles of 2011

the trends of yesteryear, we ask that you also turn your thoughts to 2012. What do you think will be the top areas of concern for managers in the coming months? Please share your thoughts in the comments section, and have a happy new... View Details

Keywords: by Staff

25 May 2011
HBS Case

QuikTrip’s Investment in Retail Employees Pays Off

It's a much believed assumption in the retail world: If you're going to compete on the basis of low cost, then you can't afford to invest in your employees. Extensive training—who has the time to give? Regularly scheduled hours?—way too inflexible. Benefits?—forget it!... View Details

Keywords: by Julia Hanna; Retail

Ashley V. Whillans

Ashley Whillans is the Volpert Family Associate Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School, where she teaches the Motivation and Incentives course to MBA students. Professor Whillans earned her PhD in Social Psychology from the University of... View Details

1 PM – 2 PM EDT, 28 Sep 2022
Virtual Programming

From Strength to Strength: A Pre-Reunion Virtual Program with Arthur Brooks

How can you ensure happiness as you age? Join HBS professor Arthur Brooks for a special pre-reunion virtual program organized by reunion volunteers for all 2022 Fall Reunion classes. In this program, Brooks will share key points from his new book, including his roadmap... View Details

12 PM – 1 PM EST, 17 Nov 2015
Webinars: Career

Is Entrepreneurship Right For You?

Are you considering pursuing an entrepreneurial career? Professor Tim Butler will share his latest research on the markers that differentiate entrepreneurs from non-entrepreneurs. Using the CareerLeader assessment tool, Professor Butler will demonstrate how your... View Details