Move Fast and Break Things? The Contingent Nature of Product Acceleration in Nascent Markets

(with Hyeonsuh Lee and Ryan Coles)

Strategy Science, 2023 [Link to Full Text]

Abstract: Acceleration allows firms to lock in early success upon entering a nascent market, but whether it enables firms to sustain competitive advantage after the entry is unclear. Using a granular data set on the U.S. LED lightbulb market 2010–2017, we apply an abductive approach to examine the relationship between postentry product acceleration and market acceptance. We find that, although acceleration is slightly more beneficial for firms that have accumulated greater pioneering experience, incumbents with more recognizable brands are able to achieve even greater market acceptance by slowing down their product iterations. Meanwhile, deceleration seems to be a better strategy among firms striving to build legitimacy via regulatory engagement, whereas acceleration could be more beneficial for firms competing in subproduct markets with greater technological uncertainties. We contribute to the nascent market literature by showing that the extent to which firms gain market acceptance through postentry product acceleration hinges on their abilities to assess, learn from, and shape both market and nonmarket stakeholders. 

Homophily, Setbacks, and the Dissolution of Heterogeneous Ties: Evidence from Professional Tennis

(with Shinan Wang and Letian Zhang)

Sociological Science, 2023 [Link to Full Text]

Abstract: Why do people engage with similar others despite ample opportunities to interact with dissimilar others? We argue that adversity or setbacks may have a stronger deteriorative effect on ties made up of dissimilar individuals, prompting people to give up on such ties more easily, which, over the long run, results in people forming ties with similar others. We examine this argument in the context of Association of Tennis Professionals tournaments, using data on 9,669 unique doubles pairs involving 1,812 unique players from 99 countries from 2000 to 2020. We find that doubles pairs with players from different countries are more likely to dissolve after a setback, especially if those countries lack social trust and connections with one another; this reality further contributes to the individual player’s increased tendency to collaborate with same-country players in the next tournament. Our study has direct implications for interventions for diversity and inclusion.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Talent Acquisition
(with Letian Zhang)
R&R at Strategic Management Journal

Consequences of Collaborative Managers on Inequality
(with Letian Zhang)
R&R at Strategic Management Journal

Bank-Mediated Sustainable Lending and Corporate Innovation
(with Bingkun Zhang, Shipeng Yan, and Lisha Liu)
Under Review

Gender-based Evaluations and Corporate Sustainability Professionals
(with Halil Sabanci, Elizabeth McClean, and Shiying Wang)
Preparing for Submission

Corporate Ideological Signaling in Talent Acquisition
(with Haram Seo and Simeng Wang)
Manuscript in Preparation

The Other Revolving Door: Human Capital Flow between NGOs and Firms
(with Reuben Hurst and Simeng Wang)
Manuscript in Preparation

How Firms Evaluate Job Candidates with Prior NGO Experience
(with Marianna Oseguera and Reuben Hurst)
Data Analysis in Progress

Inter-organizational Hiring and the Diffusion of Corporate Misconducts
(with Evelyn Y. Zhang)
Data Analysis in Progress