Language - Publications - Faculty & Research

12 Jun 2012
First Look

First Look: June 12

investor relations. A study is conducted of the language used by executives in conference calls discussing earnings with investors and financial analysts. A correlation was found between the use of language... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

31 Aug 2015
Research & Ideas

How Ben Franklin’s ‘Way to Wealth’ Introduced American Capitalism to the World

Franklin's ''The Way To Wealth.'' (Nottingham: Printed by C. Sutton, Bridlesmith-Gate, [ca.1800?]) Kress Library of Business and Economics, Baker Library Historical Collections, Harvard Business School. Until now, it was believed that an estimated 145 editions in... View Details

Keywords: by Julia Hanna

30 May 2024
Research & Ideas

Racial Bias Might Be Infecting Patient Portals. Can AI Help?

experiment with generative artificial intelligence (AI)—ramifications of its use on practice are just starting to be examined. The research sheds light on the biases that digital platforms, whether a simple messaging solution or a sophisticated large View Details

Keywords: by Ben Rand; Health

22 Nov 2022
Research & Ideas

When Agreeing to Disagree Is a Good Beginning

certain types of words and phrases stood out. In particular, people responded to negation (“no”) and reasoning language ( “the reason is ” or “because”) negatively, while viewing acknowledgment (which Minson described as “using some of... View Details

Keywords: by Clea Simon, Harvard Gazette

30 May 2023
Research & Ideas

Can AI Predict Whether Shoppers Would Pick Crest or Colgate?

but large language models like generative pre-trained transformers (GPTs) may allow companies to rely on AI to uncover consumers’ tastes, according to new research from Harvard Business School and Microsoft. Ayelet Israeli, an associate... View Details

Keywords: by Kristen Senz

12 Jun 2014
Working Paper Summaries

The Triumph of the Humble Chief Risk Officer

Keywords: by Anette Mikes

13 Mar 2023
Op-Ed

How Leaders Should Leave

chain, in which case that manager will likely be happy to consider language that you might propose regarding your contributions. Avoid a statement that you are leaving to pursue other interests or spend more time with family; these are... View Details

Keywords: by John Quelch

01 Oct 2001
Research & Ideas

How To Make Restructuring Work for Your Company

8 The Devil Is In The Details The decisions that managers have to make as part of implementing a restructuring plan are often critical to whether the restructuring succeeds or fails. In the language of economics, implementation is the... View Details

Keywords: by Stuart C. Gilson

13 May 2013
Research & Ideas

How to Spot a Liar

Want to know if someone's lying to you? Telltale signs may include running of the mouth, an excessive use of third-person pronouns, and an increase in profanity. These are among the findings of a recent study that delves into the language... View Details

Keywords: by Carmen Nobel

28 Sep 2020
Research & Ideas

How Leaders Can Navigate Politicized Conversations and Inspire Collaboration

to structure a series of studies to figure out first what politically correct and incorrect language is, and then how it affects people’s perspectives of speakers in conversation. The results were shared in the study, Tell It Like It Is:... View Details

Keywords: by Kristen Senz

28 Jan 2008
Research & Ideas

Billions of Entrepreneurs in China and India

traveled across China. I began to learn Mandarin, and the process of learning the language itself has been extremely revealing. For this book I went pretty deep into China as into India. It's been a terrific journey of discovery. View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace

16 Mar 2023
Research & Ideas

Why Business Travel Still Matters in a Zoom World

languages and possess unique cultural norms around meeting styles would benefit from in-person meetings, whereas people who speak the same language and operate meetings similarly won’t realize the same... View Details

Keywords: by Kara Baskin; Air Transportation

28 Sep 2011
Research & Ideas

The Profit Power of Corporate Culture

themselves to local needs and cultures. If good managers are to be moved around the world as part of a "one company" strategy, they have to be hired with that in mind and provided with training in language and customers, time to... View Details

Keywords: by Sean Silverthorne

09 Apr 2007
Research & Ideas

Industry Self-Regulation: What’s Working (and What’s Not)?

technological language between suppliers and customers. These standards are primarily business-to-business programs that can be certified by independent agents, similar to how external financial auditors certify a company's financial... View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace

05 Apr 2004
Research & Ideas

Six Ways to Build Trust in Negotiations

of their trustworthiness at the bargaining table. 1. Speak their language Some years ago, an airline that was seeking to go high-tech with its ticketing process invited a number of consulting firms to bid on the project. At the kickoff... View Details

Keywords: by Deepak Malhotra

07 Aug 2013
Working Paper Summaries

Debating the Responsibility of Capitalism in Historical and Global Perspective

Keywords: by Geoffrey G. Jones

11 Mar 2019
Research & Ideas

Branding Sells Cereal, Handbags, and Vacations. Can It Sell a Country?

years, South Korea increased aid and volunteer work abroad, hosted the G-20 Summit, promoted Korean language education, and even advanced the image of its national sport, Taekwondo. While the investment was significant, South Korea... View Details

Keywords: by Danielle Kost; Tourism

03 Mar 2003
Research & Ideas

Top Ten Legal Mistakes Made by Entrepreneurs

much to the attorney. "While the language of the law can be intimidating, the concepts are usually quite straightforward," she says. "Lawyers tend to be risk averse, and if you delegate to them you will usually stay out of... View Details

Keywords: by Staff

11 Apr 2022
Research & Ideas

A World of Difference: What Keeps Companies from Becoming More Inclusive

it’s just a virtuous cycle. We’ve never seen an organization that didn’t attract more and more diversity when people there behaved inclusively. Gino: I agree, and there is research that backs you up. This article originally appeared in the HBS Alumni Bulletin.... View Details

Keywords: by Jen McFarland Flint

30 Jun 2014
Lessons from the Classroom

The Role of Emotions in Effective Negotiations

"emotional intelligence" may take the form of changing body language or tone of voice to influence the way the other person responds—or taking a break during a difficult point in negotiations in order to turn down the heat when... View Details

Keywords: by Michael Blanding; Entertainment & Recreation; Sports

Publications