http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/ Knowledge@Wharton is an online resource that offers the latest business insights, information, and research from a variety of sources. Content includes analysis of current business trends, interviews with industry leaders and faculty, articles based on the most recent business research, book reviews, conference and seminar reports, and links to other websites. en-us Copyright (c) 2012 The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/faculty/barankay.jpg http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/faculty/ 125 45 Wharton Faculty Research Human Resources http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2851&source=rss With millions of people looking for employment, the workplace these days is an increasingly unhealthy environment for those who still have, and are trying to keep, their jobs. One key reason -- a stagnant economy that reduces the leverage employees have when they attempt to negotiate improved working conditions, move up in their organization or find better jobs outside the company. What can employees do to make their workplaces less toxic? Wed, 28 Sep 2011 13:16:47 EST Human Resources http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2800&source=rss Until recently, most discussions of perks focused on what high-tech companies in Silicon Valley were offering their employees, from free gourmet meals and yoga classes to massage therapy and auto detailing. But these days, many companies are simultaneously trying to shake off the recession, keep costs low, retain valued employees and recruit talented new ones. Perks, if designed well, can help achieve these goals.  Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:58:47 EST Human Resources http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2567&source=rss What inspires an employee to work harder? More money, more often than not. But what about being benchmarked against peers, asks Wharton management professor Iwan Barankay in a new study titled, "Rankings and Social Tournaments: Evidence from a Field Experiment." With the help of a "crowd-sourcing" website, Barankay set out to discover not only whether workers are interested in how they rank against their peers, but also what happens to their performance if they find out how they placed. His conclusion may leave companies thinking twice about the best way to appraise staff performance. Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:14:34 EST Law and Public Policy http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2485&source=rss Arizona's controversial new immigration law reflects a sharp political response to long-simmering conflict over immigration policy in a nation that takes pride in its history as a society built with the help of people from many lands. Wharton faculty say the timing of the legislation is in part a reaction to stress brought on by the economic downturn, even as declining demand for labor has slowed immigration into the United States. They and others debate the economic effects of the legislation on employers, employees and future immigration policy. Wed, 12 May 2010 15:14:35 EST