Research

Academic Research in Action: Non-Cash Rewards in a Period of High Inflation

by Allan Schweyer • May 2, 2022

Non-Cash Rewards in a Period of High Inflation: Scope Sensitivity and General Evaluability Theory Firms should review and optimize their incentives and rewards programs to address the unique workforce challenges they face in 2022. Inflation in t... Read more

IRF Pulse Survey: The Impact of COVID-19 on Incentive Travel in 2022 (Infographic)

by Incentive Research Foundation • April 18, 2022

Incentive travel is a go! The majority of respondents to IRF’s survey are planning incentive travel programs in 2022, but flexibility is key. As disruptions from COVID variants continue, health & safety protocols and considerations are... Read more

Academic Research in Action: Loss Aversion and Incentive Design

by Allan Schweyer • April 11, 2022

Of the few dozen business books critiqued in Academic Research in Action thus far in 2022, The Voltage Effect by University of Chicago economist John A. List counts among the most insightful. List comes from the hard-nosed “Chicago School,&r... Read more

Academic Research in Action: Signaling Theory and the Role of Incentives and Rewards in Attracting Talent

by Allan Schweyer • March 9, 2022

March 2022 The Covid-19 pandemic initially drove mass layoffs, vaulting the US unemployment rate to almost 15% at its peak in April 2020, the highest in more than 70 years.[1] In Covid’s continuing wake, however, the jobless rate has droppe... Read more

IRF Webinar: The IRF 2022 Trends

by Incentive Federation • March 7, 2022

As we enter 2022, companies are navigating workforce challenges including continued uncertainty, more employees working remotely, and “The Great Resignation.” Given the importance of recruitment, retention, and engagement, incentive pr... Read more

IRF Webinar: Industry Outlook for 2022: Merchandise, Gift Cards and Event Gifting

by Incentive Research Foundation • February 7, 2022

The Incentive Research Foundation’s Industry Outlook for 2022: Merchandise, Gift Cards and Event Gifting reports an optimistic outlook for 2022 tempered by the lingering effects of Covid, cancellations, and uncertainty in 2021. For the first... Read more

Academic Research in Action: Social Reinforcement and Peer Recognition Networks

by Allan Schweyer • February 3, 2022

February 2022 After two years of pandemic-driven disruption, many of us have become amateur students of epidemiology. The manner in which contagions diffuse – or do not – should concern leaders across every industry, but not just to c... Read more

The IRF 2022 Trends Report

by Incentive Research Foundation • January 26, 2022

As we enter 2022, Covid-19 and uncertainty continue to impact every aspect of incentives. Adaptation, flexibility, and communication will continue to be key as companies weigh their options about bringing employees together, whether it’s ope... Read more

Academic Research in Action: Mental Accounting Theory and the Efficacy of Non-Cash Rewards

by Allan Schweyer • January 6, 2022

January 2022 In 1999, behavioral economist Richard Thaler published his groundbreaking mental accounting theory. In it, Thaler describes how people tend to code and organize their money and expenses, in effect, putting different value on the same... Read more

IRF Webinar: The Psychology of Points

by Incentive Research Foundation • January 3, 2022

During this IRF webinar, Allan Schweyer, IRF’s Chief Academic Advisor, and Adam Presslee, Professor of Managerial Accounting, University of Waterloo, presented highlights and insights from the IRF’s new study, The Psychology of Points,... Read more