Sophistication - Publications - Faculty & Research

04 Jan 2012
First Look

First Look: January 4

expectations can be formed, which correspond to two different types of users-sophisticated and unsophisticated. Only sophisticated users adjust their expectations in response to platforms' price changes. We study the effect of the... View Details

Keywords: Carmen Nobel

04 Aug 2003
What Do You Think?

Are We Facing an Attitude Shortage?

the job. Others have employed support systems, aided by significant progress in the development of more sophisticated technology, either to substitute for management judgement or to constrain managers' behaviors. Still others haven't... View Details

Keywords: by James Heskett

13 May 2019
Research & Ideas

The Unexpected Way Whistleblowers Reduce Government Fraud

opportunity to work to overcome the whistleblower’s allegations. Government agencies only reduce total contract dollar volume if the allegations are ultimately deemed to have merit. “I think it’s a surprisingly sophisticated interplay... View Details

Keywords: by Kristen Senz; Service; Construction

22 Mar 2016
First Look

March 22, 2016

restrict one's future opportunity set as evidence for sophisticated time-inconsistency. We propose an additional mechanism that may contribute to the demand for commitment technology: the desire to signal to others. We present a field... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

01 Sep 2015
First Look

First Look -- September 1, 2015

the scholarship emanating from this research stream has grown substantially in quantity, quality, and breadth. Likewise, firms across the world have increasingly implemented broad and sophisticated non-market strategies. Within strategy... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

31 Oct 2017
First Look

New Research and Ideas, October 31, 2017

heterogeneity in consumer sophistication could explain the prevalence and persistence of misconduct at such firms. Misconduct is concentrated at firms with retail customers and in counties with low education, elderly populations, and high... View Details

Keywords: by Sean Silverthorne

27 May 2009
First Look

First Look: May 27, 2009

Finally, the long-run risks model implies extremely low yields and negative-term premia on inflation-indexed bonds. Download the paper from SSRN ($5): http://papers.nber.org/papers/W14788 Measuring the Financial Sophistication of... View Details

Keywords: Martha Lagace

11 Jan 2000
Research & Ideas

Calling All Managers: How to Build a Better Call Center

reacting to the company's own organizational difficulties. Frei, Evenson and Harker point out that institutions generally suffer from a lack of overall customer focus when the design of their front-line tool—the voice response unit - is too View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace; Service; Financial Services

16 Jul 2024
Research & Ideas

Weighing Digital Tradeoffs in Private Equity

valuable source of differentiated value creation by PE funds,” says Srinivasan. “Smaller and mid-sized businesses have limited expertise to pursue a digital transformation strategy. On the other hand, their size and sophistication give PE... View Details

Keywords: by Michael Blanding; Financial Services

06 Dec 2010
Sharpening Your Skills

Sharpening Your Skills: Doing Business in Emerging Markets

area, where strategy is set, core product and process technology are maintained, and a critical mass of sophisticated production and service activities reside. Seeing economic and social issues as separate agendas is not only wrong but... View Details

19 Mar 2008
Research & Ideas

Finding Success in the Middle of the Market

its customers well, their assets will grow to the point that they'll need more sophisticated services and advice. To control midfield, companies like Charles Schwab must stay consistent in their positioning but also respond to the... View Details

Keywords: by John Quelch; Auto; Retail

13 Apr 2015
Research & Ideas

3 Ways Firms Can Profit From Environmental Investments

In the course of her work, Rebecca Henderson meets business executives who don't address the threat of climate change because they don't believe that it exists. Her recommendation: They should consider investments in environmental sustainability anyway, assuming that... View Details

Keywords: by Carmen Nobel; Energy; Utilities

25 Mar 2014
Research & Ideas

China’s Economic System has Difficult Road Overcoming its Political System

very sophisticated economy with some of the most educated and most successful business people in the world," Kirby continues. "But they will only be leaders if the Chinese government steps back." He is the T. M. Chang Professor of China... View Details

Keywords: by Michael Blanding

15 Nov 2012
Research & Ideas

Funding the Design of Livable Cities

reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sophisticated design and engineering that cuts energy use by maximizing natural light and reducing the need for heating and air conditioning services is far more effective. Building designs that... View Details

Keywords: by Lisa Chase; Construction; Real Estate; Energy; Utilities

19 Dec 2017
First Look

New Research and Ideas, December 19, 2017

is likely to have a meaningful effect on health care spending patterns. In addition, precision medicines can change the expected profitability of therapies both by allowing more sophisticated pricing systems and potentially decreasing the... View Details

Keywords: Carmen Nobel

23 Apr 2014
HBS Case

Are Electronic Cigarettes a Public Good or Health Hazard?

of smokers who would have taken up tobacco if e-cigarettes didn't exist, as well as the number of smokers who would have quit cold turkey without the availability of electronic products. "To really determine the public health impact of e-cigarettes requires a lot... View Details

Keywords: by Michael Blanding; Food & Beverage; Advertising

28 Jun 2004
Research & Ideas

Microfinance: A Way Out for the Poor

business, needs financing" so a vendor, for example, can pay for inventory. Radical Youth, Then Wall Street Chu's own background makes him uniquely situated to bridge the worlds of abject poverty and sophisticated finance. A... View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace

12 Oct 1999
Research & Ideas

Porter’s Perspective: Competing in the Global Economy

each distinct product area, where strategy is set, core product and process technology are maintained, and a critical mass of sophisticated production and service activities reside. A clear locational core, combined with selective... View Details

Keywords: Re: Michael E. Porter

20 Dec 2016
Research & Ideas

The 10 Most Popular 'Cold Call' Podcasts

the consumer. Professor Forest Reinhardt explains how a big, sophisticated company used small details, from trucking routes to the color of refrigerators, to put its commitment to the environment to work on its behalf. Wal-Mart:... View Details

Keywords: Re: Multiple Faculty

16 May 2016
HBS Case

Food Safety Economics: The Cost of a Sick Customer

evolving, requiring more expertise than many food companies can muster. The sensitive nature of testing and upgrades in the tests required also mean companies need to make an investment in sophisticated equipment, which involves high... View Details

Keywords: by Dina Gerdeman; Food & Beverage

Publications