2015 Funded Research

We Is for Selfish: The Language of Reciprocity Styles

Our aim in this research is to identify the natural language markers of leaders’ orientations toward taking, giving, and matching. Theoretically, this investigation will advance our understanding of how important values, motivations, and relationship orientations are expressed verbally.

Methodologically, our research will provide a new approach to assessing reciprocity styles that is not subject to many of the biases of self-reports and supervisor and peer ratings. Practically, the project may enable leaders reduce their false positive rates in hiring decisions, and help employees gauge the traits of new colleagues, clients, and potential collaborators by examining the language they use in conversations and email exchanges.

Research by Adam Grant, Ph.D. Wharton’s Class of 1965 Professor of Management and author of Give and Take and Originals

Personal Projects and Retirement

Retirement presents an interesting puzzle for scholars of motivation and meaning, as individuals who leave the workforce have the opportunity to pursue a wide range of meaningful activities, but many still report having low satisfaction and a lack of purpose during this phase of their life. The purpose of this study is to understand the experience of retirees, and how they find meaning and satisfaction in retirement. We seek to understand the  projects that retirees pursue, the types of projects that cultivate meaning and satisfaction in retirement, and how these projects relate to their prior work experience.

Research by Samir Nurmohamed, PhD., Assistant Professor of Management 

Tradition, Modernity, and Leadership

Monarchies are more prevalent today as a form of government than 30 years ago. They combine traditional and modern features, and if they protect political freedoms they tend to also protect property rights. In this research, Professor Mauro Guillen examines if the ways in which monarchies protect property rights are conducive to faster economic growth. Professor Guillen also examines the lessons of traditional and charismatic rule for contemporary businesses.