What if we could hear directly from executives about the prevalence of accounting fraud? For the first time, we’re getting estimates straight from the source, and the results might surprise you.

In our latest podcast episode, Gies Professor Alex Vandenberg talks about a groundbreaking study that sheds light on how common earnings manipulation really is. This episode covers: 1) The 5 types of earnings manipulations executives might use, 2)  How the list experiment gives executives the opportunity to be honest without facing consequences, 3) The staggering findings that suggest earnings manipulation is far more common than we thought.

Have you ever thought that cheating must provide an advantage? A fascinating new study on the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal flips this idea on its head and challenges us to rethink assumptions about misconduct and performance.

Gies Professors Deepak Somaya and Joe Mahoney explain that despite a carefully planned system, the Astros’ cheating didn’t statistically improve their performance. It turns out, "There often are a lot of hidden costs or unintended consequences to strategic action."

This episode unpacks three major factors that undermined the Astros’ efforts and draws powerful lessons for businesses. From organizational identity conflict to disruption of routines, this study highlights why sometimes the shortcut isn’t worth it.

In this episode, Gies Professor Jack Goncalo shares his fascinating research on the link between creativity and indulgence. His study suggests that engaging in creative tasks can trigger a "treat-yourself" mentality, leading to indulgent behaviors such as overeating, drinking more alcohol, or skipping workouts.

Through a series of experiments, he reveals how creative thinking activates the brain's reward system, making people more likely to make unhealthy choices. The episode explores the psychological implications of creativity on decision-making and offers insights for individuals and leaders in creative fields.