Category: Applied and Practice

New and unproven? Fake it and you are more likely to make it. More than five decades ago, celebrated sociologist Arthur Stinchcombe coined the term “liability of newness” to depict the Read more

Seed stage entrepreneurs must grapple with how they will scale their businesses. While this process includes many steps, discovering the proper product/market fit for the business is critical early Read more

Arguably, no CEO anywhere doesn’t occasionally wish that he or she didn’t have to deal with a board of directors. You’re the CEO! The visionary leader! This is your baby, and you and your Read more

The United States’ system of K-12 public education is an important cornerstone of American society. Public schools play a critical role in advancing our widely valued principles of community and Read more

Most businesses say that they put the customer first. Yet customers today are more ready than ever to bolt. The changing fortunes of even venerable chains such as Macy's and Sears shows that no Read more

A successful entrepreneur and his family wanted to donate a new building to a state university. What happened next illustrated the maxim that “no good deed goes unpunished.” Because the building Read more

Leap Transit was founded on the belief that highly paid techies would pay $6 one way to commute to work in San Francisco. The founders touted that by providing their luxury buses on routes that were Read more

Innovation is a kind of Holy Grail in the world today. Companies strive for it, consumers often reward it, and policy-makers say we need more of it. But many people still find themselves asking, Read more

For most new business owners, growth is a sign that the business is successful. But depending on that business's financial structures and its commitment to shareholders, growth can complicate things. Read more

This paper is based on a research process used by social anthropologists while investigating a new cultural phenomenon. It involves walking the streets, peeking around corners, observing practices, Read more