INFORMS Releases

CATONSVILLE, MD, September 7, 2021 – We often look at the average rating of products, but how influential are individual online reviews when it comes to helping consumers make purchase decisions? According to new research, not only are they influential, but understanding when they work best is key.

CATONSVILLE, MD, August 23, 2021 – Research studies show that Black patients can be subjected to wait times 30% longer than other patients at doctors’ offices and other healthcare facilities, leaving little doubt about the biased nature of healthcare scheduling systems. New research in the INFORMS journal Manufacturing & Service Operations Management has identified factors that contribute to this racial disparity and found ways to create parity among all patients.

CATONSVILLE, MD, August 18, 2021 – Believe it nor not, more and more lending companies are turning to human-robot interaction to help with investment advice. But how do people react and what’s the result of an investment decision when robots use algorithms to make suggestions? New research in the INFORMS journal Information Systems Research finds that investors who could benefit most from robo-advisors (RAs) aren’t using them. And those who are, change their minds too quickly to see a return.

CATONSVILLE, MD, August 13, 2021 – INFORMS, the largest association for the decision and data sciences, announced today that several senior staff members have been promoted to its newly established Executive Team.

CATONSVILLE, MD, August 12, 2021 – Every year the flu threatens the health of millions of people. Experts continue to recommend annual flu vaccination as the best line of defense, but despite these recommendations, flu vaccination rates haven’t broken 50% in more than a decade. New research in the INFORMS journal Management Science seeks to overcome this. The study finds that performance feedback at healthcare clinics can significantly increase vaccination rates. This has important public policy implications. Citing other research, the authors highlight that even just a 1% increase in U.S. adult flu vaccination rates could translate to some $400 million in societal benefits.