Econ 050

When the financial crisis hit in 2008, the instinct of thousands of business owners around the globe was to cling to their power even more tightly, cutting across sectors and cultures. But more egalitarian approaches to leadership that share responsibility and power are better for weathering an economic downturn. In their recently published paper, "Tightening the leash after a threat: A multi-level event study on leadership behavior following the financial crisis", professors Janka Stoker and Harry Garretsen examine how the heads of companies changed their leadership style in the immediate aftermath of the crisis. They are also co-authors of the book, "Taking the Hot Air Out of Leadership", which goes beyond the pithy quotes and digs deep into what leadership truly means, in good times and bad.

Housing for students in Groningen in particular has gotten a lot of attention in recent years, but issues at the very top of the property ladder are one of the biggest reasons why many people are struggling to find affordable housing even though the Dutch economy is booming. Faculty of Economics and Business professor Dirk Bezemer, who is also a columnist for the progressive Dutch publication De Groene Amsterdammer, has been writing for years about how the housing market and private mortgage debt are intertwined, and he warns that the Netherlands is more susceptible to the next global economic shock than basically anywhere else in Europe because of how much private debt is held by homebuyers.

Given the daily reports about how the effects of climate change are already happening across the planet, it might seem like getting people to buy greener or more sustainable versions of products would be a cinch. But the bottom line for most consumers is still making sure that the product they buy actually works. It's easier to persuade people to make more virtuous purchases when it comes to healthy foods, but the traditional, non-green versions of more indulgent buys like sports cars and chocolate bars are still more popular. And even if you do buy a vegetarian sausage instead of actual meat, does all that packaging around it cancel out any environmental benefits? Associate marketing professor Jenny van Doorn was kind enough to try and answer a lot of the questions I think many us find ourselves asking in the grocery store about how green our products are and what gets us to put them in our shopping basket.

Since a 3.6 magnitude earthquake in the Groningen town of Huizinge in 2012, the province has been reeling from more man-made quakes induced by natural gas extraction in the region. Is there an end in sight to the earthquakes? What happens after natural gas extraction ends in the north? Professor of regulation of energy markets Machiel Mulder and his colleagues at the Faculty of Economics and Business recently published a policy paper, "Gas production and earthquakes in Groningen: reflection on economic and social consequences", so in this episode of Econ 050, professor Mulder talks about how he was surprised by the government's decision to shut down gas extraction in Groningen altogether by 2030, the costs involved in stopping, and just how interwoven the Dutch government itself is in the industry.

Assistant professor and Rosalind Franklin Fellow Milena Nikolova has looked into how one partner unexpectedly losing his or her job can impact the happiness not only of the recently let go employee, but also their spouse's well-being. Although income is obviously important, it's not just about money. How can companies soften the blow for family members when carrying out lay offs - and should they?

Trying to divine what the United Kingdom will be like in a post-Brexit world is a daunting task, but Bart Los, a Professor of the Economics of Technological Progress and Structural Change, is working to do just that: crunching the numbers to figure out what the impact of Brexit is likely to be on jobs and the economy not only in Britain, but in neighbouring countries with extensive trading relationships, including the Netherlands. He and his research partners have analysed what industries and regions seem likeliest to take a hit after the UK leaves the EU, and to put it bluntly, it doesn't look pretty.

Diversity in the workplace is good for business. It brings fresh perspectives and creativity, and helps companies make sure they have the best talent working for them. However, being an international worker can come with disadvantages. Traci White sat down with postdoctoral researcher Burcu Subasi to hear how her research reveals that being in a minority at work can hold you back.

From your friendly facewash to your trusty toilet cleaner, companies love giving products personalities to encourage us to buy them. It's a phenomenon called anthropomorphism and it's rooted in human psychology. To hear about how it works, Traci White caught up with Jing Wan, an assistant professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Groningen who researches this very topic. Find out why brands want to be your buddy too!

US President Donald Trump came to power on a platform of challenging unfair trade deals and taking on China. But what does a trade war actually mean, and who wins when tempers flare and tariffs spike? To find out, Traci White sat down with Tristan Kohl, assistant professor and trade economist at the Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Groningen. He explained the evidence indicating the ultimate losers are consumers in the United States.