Research could guide business and political decisions as well as charity work
A business may build a better reputation as a good corporate citizen by donating $100,000 to ten charities, as opposed to $1 million to one charity, suggested University of Missouri anthropologist Shane Macfarlan. Contrary to earlier assumptions in theoretical biology, Macfarlan’s research found that helping a greater number of people builds a positive reputation more than helping a few people many times. The results of this research can offer guidance to businesses and politicians on how to improve their public images.
“Good reputations are good business. For example, buyers tend to purchase from merchants with numerous positive ratings on internet-based commerce websites, such as Amazon and eBay,” said Shane Macfarlan, post-doctoral anthropology researcher in MU’s College of Arts and Science. “Beyond the realm of commerce, the power of a positive reputation may have influenced the evolution of language and cooperation in our species. In our study, we found that an individual’s reputation improves more after helping a greater number of people compared to performing a greater number of helpful acts for fewer people.”
For example, a politician hoping for reelection may wish to back legislation that benefits many people, as opposed to giving tremendous help to a smaller group, noted Macfarlan. Political scientists recently contacted Macfarlan about applying his findings to public figures and their attempts to build positive reputations.
In his research, Macfarlan studied the work habits and reputations of men in a remote village on the Caribbean island of Dominica. The isolation of the village reduced outside influences on reputation and allowed the study to focus solely on the effects of specific behaviors on social standing.
On the island of Dominica, the men were all involved in the production of bay oil, a tree leaf extract used to make cosmetics by companies such as Burt’s Bees. Bay oil production is labor intensive, so village men require assistance from each other. Macfarlan identified why some men attracted both many volunteer helpers and the respect of their peers, while other men had few helpers and little regard in the community.
“Helping numerous other men led to individuals achieving higher regard among their peers,” Macfarlan said. “However, other men, who helped a smaller number of people, would end up with a worse reputation, although both men performed a similar total number of helping acts. Moreover, men with the best reputations received a greater amount of assistance from a greater number of people when they needed it most, whether it was in agricultural production or assistance after disasters, such as hurricanes.”
The Latest Bing News on:
Helping Many People Boosts Social Standing
- 4 easy ways for introverts to show confidence: They'll help you reach a ‘pinnacle level of success,' says workplace experton May 6, 2024 at 4:45 am
People who avoid feeling awkward at work may be holding themselves back, says author and workplace expert Henna Pryor. Here’s why, and what to do instead.
- 16 Of The Best Social Media Marketing Courses in 2024on May 1, 2024 at 5:00 pm
With so many free courses to choose ... Basics Free Canva Design basics to help elevate your social media marketing. Internet Marketing for Smart People Free Copyblogger Learn how to craft ...
- What Is Social Listening And How To Get Startedon May 1, 2024 at 5:00 pm
many organizations are lacking when it comes to another key strength of social media: social listening. Social listening is a strategic approach that can help your brand tap into the incredible ...
- How Leaders Can Help Employees Boost Their Confidence And Impacton April 26, 2024 at 10:02 am
These 7 damaging power and confidence gaps are remarkably common among professionals of all walks, education levels, industries, and roles. Here's how to address them.
- Can The Social Security Bridge Strategy Help Me Increase My Retirement Income?on April 18, 2024 at 4:25 am
A financial advisor can help you make a plan for ... unknown strategy and found that many workers would use it if given the opportunity. The Social Security ‘Bridge’ Strategy Definition ...
- Fermented foods help boost gut healthon April 17, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Many people around the world make and eat fermented foods ... Taste is highly variable and something you experience through the layers of your social experience. What may be nauseating in one context ...
- Small-Business Owners Share Their Best Tips to Boost Revenueon April 17, 2024 at 4:09 pm
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does ...
- The Challenges of Social Anxiety in Crowded Spaceson December 18, 2023 at 2:34 pm
Here are a few useful tips to help manage ... That Make People Go Aww. Social anxiety can be a daunting challenge for many individuals, especially when it comes to navigating crowded spaces. Whether ...
- Social Comparison Theoryon January 6, 2021 at 10:38 am
How can comparison help you? Created with Sketch. Social ... friends. Many people fall into the trap of positional bias, comparing "up" more often than "down" relative to their own standing.
- 5 Reasons Social Connections Can Enhance Your Employee Wellness Programon January 31, 2018 at 7:49 am
As humans, we crave contact and connection with other people. Unfortunately, for many employees ... Employers who support social connections in the workplace and help employees form strong ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Helping Many People Boosts Social Standing
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Helping Many People Boosts Social Standing” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Boosting corporate online reputation
- Opinion: ChatGPT can boost productivity but can cost a business its reputationon May 6, 2024 at 2:48 am
Use precise geolocation data and actively scan device characteristics for identification. This is done to store and access information on a device and to provide personalised ads and content, ad and ...
- How to Boost Your Reputation and Careeron May 1, 2024 at 5:00 pm
We recommend that at the beginning of a business meeting ... Conversation is not the same as communication. Having a reputation as a conversationist is a good career strategy.
- Pharma’s corporate reputation begins to slide following COVID surgeon April 29, 2024 at 5:00 pm
After experiencing a brief boost during the COVID-19 pandemic, the pharma industry’s reputation has begun to drop again in the public’s eye, according to a recent report. Pharma’s corporate reputation ...
- How Community Engagement and Awards Enhance Reputationon April 29, 2024 at 10:09 am
This trend toward more conscientious consumption has elevated the impact of community engagement as a brand-building tool which, when done authentically, allows companies to boost the customer ...
- How Small Business Owners Can Boost Their Online Presenceon April 27, 2024 at 12:32 am
If 2022 taught us anything about small businesses, it is that nothing is certain. Business models were disrupted, customer habits changed, and many firms embraced new technologies and digital ...
- 14 Ways the Internet Can Help You Boost Your Businesson May 13, 2023 at 2:47 am
Best Ways to Boost Your Business Using the Internet When ... and optimize campaigns for maximum success. 10. Online Reviews and Reputation Management Online reviews and reputation management ...
- Manage Your Business, Your Reputation, and Boost Saleson August 12, 2022 at 10:05 am
GatherUp (Traject, www.gatherup.com) cloud-based reputation management software is a customer experience and online review engine that offers ... enables a service business’s field staff (e.g.
- Online Reputation Managementon August 17, 2020 at 9:22 pm
Maintaining a good reputation is key for any business today. With so many people's lives and shopping happening online, what is said about a company on the internet can greatly influence its success.
- 9 Online Reputation Management Services Entrepreneurs Can Achieve By Themselveson July 19, 2016 at 2:35 am
And these days it’s your online reputation that matters ... but in some cases it can boost your ranking, especially if you’re a local business. Users often include a town or state as part ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Boosting corporate online reputation
[google_news title=”” keyword=”boosting corporate online reputation” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]