Although organizational hierarchies are often viewed from the assumption that people seek upward mobility and compete with one another, new research indicates there is more action going on between peers than might be imagined. Highly-competitive organizational cultures do exist, but even within those, "lateral deference" takes place. Management Professor John Sumanth of SMU Cox and co-authors reveal a new twist on communications in the workplace, where protecting and saving one's status is more prevalent than jockeying for position.

Dan Howard discusses how marketers are using statistical modeling to better segment the marketplace.

When advertising on the Internet don't be too pushy, according to findings from new research. We all understand that search engines drive website traffic on the Internet and that many firms pay for top listings and search engine optimization. But very little meaningful research exists on the subject. Marketing Professor Jacquelyn Thomas of SMU Cox and co-author help fill the significant void regarding the relative effectiveness of search engine versus offline marketing communications.

Business schools still teach traditional cases, but students are introducing timelier conversations. By Menachem Wecker

Lei says Dublin Bottle Works has gone overnight from a mature business back to a start-up venture. "It's certainly a blunder," he said. "It's very hard to see how it can play out in their favor, over the long-term, given the economics of the industry."