HEC Research Shows: Celebrating One Year of Insights to Shape How We Think and Work
In September 2024, we launched the HEC Research Shows newsletter on LinkedIn to provide timely, research-based answers for professionals worldwide, addressing personal, business, and societal challenges. As we return from summer break and set new goals for the year ahead, here are the key takeaways from our first 23 issues.
Since its launch, HEC Research Shows has delivered research-based insights to a growing international community of professionals. Every two weeks, the newsletter highlights one key finding from HEC Paris faculty, offering fresh perspectives on today’s most pressing challenges.
In its first year, the newsletter has surpassed 100,000 subscribers (103,333 as of today), confirming the appetite for rigorous yet accessible insights. With 23 issues published, it has covered themes ranging from AI and leadership to sustainability, diversity, and well-being.
Together, these insights reflect HEC Paris’ mission: to produce knowledge with impact, accessible beyond academia, and relevant to leaders and decision-makers worldwide.
23 Insights from One Year of Research
Here are the key takeaways from our first year — and the faculty behind them:
1. Technology Won’t Take Your Job, But It Will Change It - Antonin Bergeaud
AI reshapes tasks, not entire jobs. Only 5% of jobs are automatable, but 20% of tasks may shift—especially for managers.
2. Habits Are Built Gradually—and Differently - Anastasia Buyalskaya
There’s no “magic number” for habit formation. It can take weeks or months depending on the behavior and context.
3. Purpose Drives Performance When It's Shared Authentically – Rodolphe Durand
Purpose boosts outcomes only when consistently communicated and perceived as genuine across all levels.
4. Career Strategy: Specialize or Generalize? – Roxana Barbulescu
Specialization accelerates advancement in stable sectors, while generalists show greater adaptability in fast-changing industries.
5. Business Leaders Can – and Should – Shape Democracy – Georg Wernicke
CEO activism can strengthen democracy when rooted in civic values, not corporate self-interest.
6. Awe Is a Game-Changer for Well-Being and Marketing – Craig Anderson
Awe promotes mental health and pro-social behavior — but its emotional tone varies across cultures.
7. Finance’s New Dilemma: Big Data Gains, Long-Term Losses – Thierry Foucault
Alternative data enhances short-term financial forecasts but weakens long-term strategic insight.
8. Innovation Comes from Collaboration—Not Stars – Denisa Mindruta
Focusing too heavily on star performers can backfire. Trust, shared goals, and complementary skills drive collaborations.
9. Disgust Sells—Sometimes Too Well – L.J. Shrum
Shock-based ads trigger action but walk a fine line between impact and repulsion.
10. Crowdsourced Moderation Has Promise, But Needs Accountability – David Restrepo Amariles
Community Notes on X show potential, but reliability depends on transparency and diversity of contributors.
11. AI and Human Judgment Work Best Together – Julien Grand-Clément
Combining algorithms with expert intuition improves decision-making — from ERs to boardrooms.
12. AI Can Be a Force for Democracy With the Right Safeguards – Yann Algan
AI can reduce misinformation and promote inclusion, but its impact depends on how it is designed and applied.
13. Women Aspire to Lead—But Face Structural Barriers – Ekaterina Netchaeva
Stereotypes and environments — not ambition — explain the gender gap in leadership.
14. Conflict Isn’t Always Toxic – Brad Harris
Constructive conflict can fuel innovation and trust — if managed skillfully.
15. Green Finance Is Key to a Just Energy Transition – Igor Shishlov
Financial tools can drive decarbonization, but equity and access must be ensured.
16. Lobbying Can Drive Sustainability Transitions – Alberto Alemanno
Transparent lobbying can accelerate climate action and responsible business shifts.
17. Cutting Carbon Doesn’t Mean Cutting Progress – François Gemenne
Beyond a certain point, more carbon emissions no longer lead to greater human development.
18. The Problem Isn’t Work—It’s the Workplace – Yann Algan
Young professionals aren’t anti-work; they want purpose, flexibility, and well-being.
19. Confidence Isn’t Always a Strength – Mohammed Abdellaoui
Overconfidence distorts judgment and undermines performance, especially in high-stakes contexts.
20. Openness and Secrecy Can Coexist – Sihem Ben Mahmoud-Jouini
Companies can innovate while protecting their edge — if they balance transparency with discretion.
21. The Diversity Illusion: What Companies Are Missing – Olivier Sibony
Superficial diversity metrics don’t guarantee inclusion or innovation. Real change requires structural shifts.
22. ESG Metrics Are Still a Work in Progress – Matthias Efing
Linking executive pay to ESG goals can backfire if metrics lack clarity and consistency.
23. Digital Transformation Starts With Mindset – Shirish C. Srivastava
Tools are only as good as the culture they’re embedded in. Mindset drives real transformation.
Pushing the Boundaries of Knowledge
This one-year milestone confirms the appetite for rigorous, accessible insights that inform business, policy, and society. Across 23 issues and as many topics, we have conveyed a core conviction: leadership today requires science-based knowledge to build solutions.
With more than 100,000 subscribers, HEC Research Shows demonstrates the reach and impact of HEC Paris faculty who push the boundaries of knowledge for the common good.
Stay tuned, subscribe, and engage in the conversation: new issues will continue to deliver fresh insights every two weeks — always with our signature mix of originality and slightly offbeat visuals.