In description
2024 marks 20 years since the birth of social media. Since then, it has become a major communication force in the lives of teenagers - a 2024 Pew survey claims that 93% of American youth use it, for example. Unsurprisingly, research on its impact has followed suit. But just how reliable are the conclusions in this new field of studies? In April 2024, HEC Professors Tina Lowrey and L.J. Shrum co-authored a research paper with their former doctoral student Elena Fumagalli (H18), showing conflicting findings on the negative and positive effects of social media on youth. They warn against major policies and lawsuits founded on inconclusive studies and contradictory scientific research. Professors Lowrey and Shrum share with Breakthroughs their study to try to make sense of a subject matter inflaming public debate. Extracts.
By Tina M. Lowrey , L. J. Shrum
Lobbying can be a powerful tool for social change, but paradoxically, it is also what is holding us back from making progress, be it on climate or social justice. It’s time for a new kind of lobbying, argues Alberto Alemanno, Professor of EU Law at HEC Paris. He describes a new movement of nonprofits, philanthropies and progressive companies that are reclaiming lobbying as a legitimate form of political innovation, capable of redistributing power across society.
By Alberto Alemanno
How important are individual “star” performers compared to their teams in driving scientific innovation? A recent study by Denisa Mindruta, Janet Bercovitz, Vlad Mares, and Maryann Feldman shows that while “star researchers” contribute significantly, the collaborative synergy between stars and their teams is crucial for success. In management, this research addresses the fundamental question of how to optimize team composition to maximize performance, underscoring the balance between individual brilliance and collective effort. Three main key findings: Star scientists enhance collaboration performance through direct contributions and resource attraction. Diversity in team composition, both in expertise and seniority, fosters innovation. Research shows that collaborative efforts usually surpass individual contributions in scientific discovery.
By Denisa Mindruta
When it comes to the renewable energy transition, all actors in the supply chain have different stakes, incentives and barriers. HEC Paris Professor Sam Aflaki aims to help organizations contribute to this renewable energy transition in the fields of supply chain management, sustainability and energy efficiency. In this interview, he discusses his ongoing research, exploring the dynamics of stakeholders' incentives, technological advancements, and the challenges shaping sustainable practices in today's world.
By Sam Aflaki
If companies anticipate that the government might impose caps on carbon emissions, they will likely invest in green technologies. This, in turn, drives down the cost of achieving reductions for all. That’s according to HEC Paris finance professors Augustin Landier and Bruno Biais. In “Emission Caps and Investment in Green Technologies,” the co-authors also show that if these firms don’t think carbon restrictions are coming, they won’t invest, and the government eventually will find it too costly to the economy to impose caps. In other words, companies’ expectations about future government action play a crucial role in reducing the carbon emissions driving rapid climate change. So, ask the researchers, how can a balance be found? 4 key findings: Anticipating future regulations spurs green technology investments, lowering emission reduction costs; Early investments in green technologies create a self-fulfilling prophecy, facilitating feasible emissions caps; Private and public actions synergize for desired outcomes through a complementary equilibrium; One large investor can have a significant influence.
By Bruno Biais , Augustin Landier
Millions of consumers, employees and investors are seeking to align their purchases, jobs and investments with their values. They want transparency and clear understanding of the brands they consume, work for, and invest in to be able to verify how they are contributing to sustainable development. Amid such a growing, unparalleled scrutiny, companies are increasingly held responsible for their business behavior, notably their environmental and social footprints. Yet there is one impact that is rarely discussed, as it remains hidden to the public eye. This is the ‘political footprint’ companies leave behind through the exercise of corporate political activities, be it lobbying or political contributions, and which often contradicts companies’ public statements.
Despite environmental, social, and governance (ESG) funds gaining popularity, their impact on reducing negative externalities, such as greenhouse gas emissions, may be limited if not approached strategically. In our study, entitled “ESG Investing: How to Optimize Impact,” forthcoming in the Review of Financial Studies, we show that investment capital could actually influence the behavior of more highly polluting companies to drive positive change for the planet.
By Stefano Lovo , Augustin Landier
Over the past decades, HEC Paris Professor Bertrand Quélin has investigated public-private partnerships and sustainable cities. These partnerships and initiatives are essential to integrating social, economic, and environmental objectives while ensuring equitable access to resources and services.
By Bertrand Quélin
In Europe, nearly 80% of diaper packaging depicting a sleeping baby show unsafe sleeping positions – that’s the shocking finding from Professor Anne Laure Sellier of HEC Paris and her colleagues from across Europe.
By Anne Laure Sellier
Individual states and intergovernmental organizations increasingly use financial sanctions to punish or influence the behavior of targeted entities. However, a recent study by Matthias Efing of HEC Paris, Stefan Goldbach of Deutsche Bundesbank, Germany, and Volker Nitsch of CESifo and Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany, shows that even universally adopted sanctions can distort bank capital flows and competition if they are not uniformly enforced.
By Matthias Efing