Ann Arbor – The world is full of information, but the technical tools used to collect and process all data from personal and professional life can lead to more confusion, disinformation and distorted perceptions.
It encapsulates the latest research by Jerry Davis, professor of management and organization at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. He focuses on many ways businesses can function as social and economic vehicles.
His recent research highlights the moral and ethical challenges of 21st century corporations and how they should adapt to meet the needs and expectations of clients and stakeholders in a ever-changing global landscape.
Davis shares highlights and insights on the latest episodes of Business & Society Podcast, a co-produced by Ross School of Business and Michigan News.
Scientific Publishing and Generation AI
Open-Access Publishing ideally makes research free and publicly accessible. However, they create a business model that allows the journal to publish an infinite amount of work while charging the author.
Currently, generative AI is so readily available that articles are easy to write, edit and publish, making it difficult to assess the quality of a particular study.
Davis emphasizes that the goal of science is not to publish PDFs. The key to science is to engage in conversation so that science can continuously improve. He argues that this is not something that will be handed over to the machine.
“If a few people and a bot can write 288 publishable papers, we’ll just be surrounded by a sea of publications,” Davis said.
Distortions and inaccuracies in company annual reports
Companies continue to disclose information in 10k laid out under the Stock Exchange Act of 1934. At the time of creation, these submissions focused primarily on tangible assets. Today, most companies’ values are usually intangible.
The company’s annual report continues to measure aspects of companies that are less relevant when looking at the economy today. However, people rely on these reports when trying to understand modern economies, drawing distorted pictures of reality.
“We’re stuck with the kind of information that makes sense during the Great Repression,” he said. “We created a set of requirements for companies in the 30s and early 40s, and as a result, we are still alive.”
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Business & Society is co-produced by JT Godfrey of Ross School of Business and Jeff Karowub of Michigan News. The audio engineer is Jonah Brockman, and the compilation is provided by Mads Henke. Listen to all the episodes of the podcast.
