Is Black Friday Still a Thing?
Sunderesh Heragu from Oklahoma State University and the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) discusses if Black Friday is coming early this year.
The INFORMS Analytics+ Conference showcased how companies are turning advanced analytics and AI into measurable operational results
Fake Hermès Birkin bags and other counterfeit luxury goods are popular not only with people on a budget, but also with those with deeper pockets, a new study suggests.
Researchers from the National University of Singapore analyzed millions of counterfeit purchases by American consumers from more than 24,000 U.S. zip codes on a major cross-border, e-commerce platform. They found that both lower- and higher-income individuals are “significantly more likely” to buy fake luxury items than middle-income consumers, according to a press release by INFORMS on Monday.
'Ghost ships' are vessels that disappear from public tracking systems, their location manipulated or their digital record misleading. An estimated 65% of outbound tankers crossing the Strait of Hormuz operate in dark mode, reducing visibility and increasing supply chain uncertainty. Misinformation in vessel tracking can cause manufacturing delays, compliance risks and financial losses. Layered verification processes, combining AIS data with other sources and escalation triggers for handling uncertain shipments, can help mitigate risk.
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Sunderesh Heragu from Oklahoma State University and the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) discusses if Black Friday is coming early this year.
Question-and-answer messaging can significantly increase curiosity, drive topic-specific information seeking and in some cases promote healthier behaviors. Framing information as a question, rather than a direct statement, can meaningfully increase engagement across diverse populations and communication channels.
A new study finds that telling consumers their returned items will be “kept out of landfills” significantly increases participation in take-back programs; telling them they may be resold? Not so much.
A new AI model predicts which short-form videos triggering suicidal thoughts in vulnerable viewers pose higher risk before they reach large audiences, which can improve user safety.
Travelers systematically give restaurants higher online ratings than locals do, revealing a “tourist bias” that could distort how diners and platforms interpret online reviews.

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