Confronting the Pandemic with Research: Bentley University’s Contribution

Facilitated by Nada Nasr

Facilitated by Tatiana Manolova

Facilitated by Fred Ledley

Facilitated by: Andrew C. Corbett (MBA '97), PhD | Professor
The Paul T. Babson Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies, Babson College, Wellesley, MA
Chair, Entrepreneurship Division
Faculty Director, Butler Institute for Free Enterprise through Entrepreneurship

Description of the Workshop: The workshop will be focused on how to generate publishable research ideas and how to structure academic papers in a manner that will appeal to Editors and improve a scholar's chances of publication. The themes of the conference will be illustrated with a case study that features a current project impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic. This session will be most appealing to doctoral students and early career PhDs.

Author(s)
Haya Ajjan, Elon University
Safa'a AbuJarour, University of Potsdam, Germany
Jane Fedorowicz, Bentley University
Dawn Owens, University of Texas at Dallas

The world faces an unprecedented catastrophe in the COVID-19 pandemic. Working From Home (WFH) during COVID-19 diminishes the boundaries between work and home life. WFH can create obstacles for those suddenly forced to accommodate working and living in the same place. The purpose of this study is to investigate home-office conditions by studying employees who were forced to WFH during the COVID-19 crisis. We focus on how gender and family responsibilities shape worker reaction to WFH. Data was collected via an online survey administered at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study examines differences in control over time, technology usefulness, WFH attitude, and WFH conflict based on gender and whether the worker has dependent children living at home, and notes significant interactions between gender and parental status. Our goal is to suggest best practices on how we can prepare for a next-generation (online) home- office era in consideration of these personal characteristics.

Author(s)
Onur Altindag, Bentley University
Bilge Erten, Northeastern University
Pinar Keskin, Wellesley College

Using a strict, age-specific lockdown order for adults aged 65 and older in Turkey, we examine the mental health consequences of an extended period of tight mobility restrictions on senior adults. Adopting a regression discontinuity design, we find that the curfew-induced decline in mobility substantially worsened mental health outcomes, including somatic and nonsomatic symptoms of mental distress (ranging from 0.2 to 0.3 standard deviations). Exploring potential channels, we document a large increase in social and physical isolation, with no evidence of robust changes in labor market outcomes or intrahousehold conflict for this subpopulation.

Author(s)

Ja-Nae Duane^a, Danielle Blanch-Hartigan^b, Justin J. Sanders^c,d, Emma Caponigro^e, Erryca Robicheaux^f, Benjamin Bernard^f, Maxim Podolski^f and Jonathan Ericson^f

^a Department of Information and Process Management, Bentley University, Waltham, MA
^b Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, Bentley University, Waltham, MA
^c Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
^d Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
^e University of North Carolina Gillings School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC
^f Department of Information Design & Corporate Communication, Bentley University, Waltham, MA

Covid-19 has expedited predicted steps towards the expansion of telehealth usage and has illustrated the hidden potential for virtual visits. Clinicians now find themselves hosting telehealth visits in a plethora of environmental settings (e.g., home offices). While years of user-centered design (UCD) research have recognized features of in-person clinical environments that can improve patient satisfaction and the overall quality of care, clinicians currently have very little clear guidance on improving outcomes for patients through the construction of telehealth environments. Insights from user-centered design and recent research from social psychology have uncovered environmental factors that can significantly impact human interactions, including interactions during telehealth visits. This study aims to garner an understanding of the impressions and overall experience of telehealth visits. We are especially interested in the patient's first impressions of their telehealth experience.

Author(s)
Weiwei Zhang^a , Fei Gao^b , Julien Gross^a , L. J. Shrum^c and Harlene Hayne^a
a Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
^b Department of Marketing, Bentley University, Waltham, MA, USA
^c Department of Marketing, HEC Paris, Jouy en Josas, France

Link to full paper
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09658211.2020.1857774

In the absence of an effective vaccine or treatment, the current best defence against COVID-19 is social distancing -- staying at home as much as possible, keeping distance from others, and avoiding large gatherings. Although social distancing improves physical health in terms of helping to reduce viral transmission, its psychological consequences are less clear, particularly its effects on memory. In this research, we investigated the effect of social distancing duration on negative moods and memory. The relation between social distancing duration and both negative mood and memory errors followed the same U-shaped function: negative moods and memory errors initially decreased as social distancing duration increased, and then at approximately 30 days, they began to increase. Subsequent analyses indicated that memory errors were mediated by lonely mood in particular. Thus, short-term social distancing might benefit psychological well-being and memory performance, but extended social distancing has a negative impact on mood and memory.

Author(s)

Lan Xia, Bentley University
Shelle Santana, Bentley University
Feng Wang, Bentley University

This research investigates the motivational effect of nostalgia that is induced by aversive and threatening situations (e.g., COVID-19) on new product purchase intentions. We show that heightened nostalgia induced by COVID-19 boosts purchase intentions for new products. We then replicate this finding when nostalgia is induced through other internal and external stimuli. Taken together, these results demonstrate a novel effect of nostalgia in consumption contexts.

Author(s)

Dhaval M. Dave, Bentley University and National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)
Andrew Friedson, University of Colorado -- Denver
Drew McNichols, Center for Health Economics & Policy Studies, San Diego State University
Samuel Safford, Center for Health Economics & Policy Studies, San Diego State University
Kyu Matsuzawa, Center for Health Economics & Policy Studies, San Diego State University
Joseph Sabia, Center for Health Economics & Policy Studies, San Diego State University

Shelter-in-place orders (SIPOs) are among the most restrictive and most popular non-pharmaceutical interventions adopted by state and local governments to curb the spread of COVID-19. This project assesses their effectiveness. It identifies when and where they are most effective, if the impacts of SIPOs are symmetric across enactment and lifting of the orders, and how policies and risk-averting behavior may interact to exacerbate or moderate community spread resulting from large gatherings.

Author(s)

Brandon Smit, Bentley University
Effie Stavrulaki, Bentley University

Undergraduate students (N=34) participated in a 4-week mindfulness curriculum embedded within a college course. The intervention was evaluated against a control group of students (N=35) taking a different course. Notably, the intervention coincided with the start of a state-wide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the additional external stress, there was a significant main effect and a significant interaction between the intervention and time for state mindfulness, with the treatment group experiencing increased state mindfulness over time. There was also a significant main effect on coronavirus worry. For perceived stress, there was significant interaction between the intervention and time, with the treatment group experiencing decreased stress over time, while the control group experienced increased stress. For sleep problems, we found a significant interaction between the intervention and time with the intervention group experiencing declines in sleep problems over time. Finally, we found that the treatment group was more likely to experience optimal amounts of sleep over time, while the intervention group was less likely.

Author(s)

Tony Kiszewski, Bentley University

Stochastic automata methods were applied to create an individual-based simulation of SARS-CoV-2 transmission through a naïve population of the original dominant variant before significant vaccination of the population. Age-structured transmission, hospitalization and mortality rates were applied to a representative microcosm of the population of Massachusetts. Validation of predictions was derived via comparison with CDC and machine learning estimates of actual versus reported COVID-19 cases and deaths.

Author(s)

Swati Mukerjee, Bentley University
Clifton Chow, Bentley University
Mingfei Li, Bentley University

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues unabated, the U.S. with only 4% of the world's population, is yet bearing a disproportionate share of infections. To understand this puzzle, we investigate how mitigation strategies and compliance can work together (or in opposition) to reduce (or increase) the spread of COVID-19 infection. We create state-specific indices (the Bentley Stringency Index) tailored to U.S.  conditions, to measure the degree of strictness of public mitigation measures. A modified time-varying SEIRD model, incorporating this Stringency Index as well as a Compliance Indicator to reduce the transmission, is then estimated with daily data for a sample of 6 U.S. states. These are New York, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, and Arizona. We provide a simple visual policy tool to evaluate the various combinations of mitigation policies and compliance to reduce the basic reproduction number to less than one; the acknowledged threshold in the epidemiological literature to control the pandemic. States successful in combating the pandemic were able to achieve a suitable combination. Understanding of this relationship by the public and policy makers is key to controlling the pandemic. This tool has the potential to be used in a real-time, dynamic fashion for flexible policy options. Our methodology can be applied to other epidemiological models as well and can also be used in other countries. With this first step in attempting to quantify the factors that go into the "black box" of we hope that our work will stimulate further research in the dual role of mitigation policies and compliance.

As a companion to our paper (which is under revision with PLOS One, a scientific peer-reviewed journal), we are building an interactive web portal with daily data on infection, recoveries and deaths for all 50 states plus Washington, DC.   

Author(s)

Mingfei Li^a,b, Ndindam Ndiwane^a, Michelle B. Orner^a, Natalia Palacios^c,e, Dan Berlowitz^c, Lewis E. Kazis^a,d, Ying Wang^b, and Weiming Xia^e,f
a Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Bedford VA Healthcare System, Bedford, MA  
^b Department of Mathematical Sciences, Bentley University, Waltham, MA
^c Department of Public Health, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA  
^d Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA  
^e Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center, Bedford VA Healthcare System, Bedford, MA
^f Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA

ACEI and ARB are frequently used anti-hypertension medications. They affect the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system that involves the viral receptor protein, angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Studies that have reported the effects of ACEI and ARB on the occurrence and severity of COVID-19 are inconclusive for different patient populations with co-morbidities and different demographic backgrounds. We aim to determine whether the use of ACEI and ARB associate with occurrence and severity of COVID-19 among hypertension Veterans. Using data from The Department of Veterans Affairs, we found that use of ACEI significantly decreased the odds of a positive COVID-19 test among patients with hypertension (OR 0.917 (logistic regression) (CI 0.887, 0.948) and 0.926 (PSW) (CI 0.894, 0.958)). Use of ACEI but not ARB also significantly increased the odds of using mechanical ventilators (OR 1.265 (logistic regression) (CI 1.010, 1.584) and 1.210 (PSW) (CI 1.053, 1.39)) among all COVID-19 inpatients compared to outpatients.

Author(s)

Jonathan Ericson, Bentley University
William Albert, Bentley University
Ja-Nae Duane, Bentley University

An online survey (N=787) examined responses to three chart types (bar graphs, treemaps, line graphs) commonly used for communicating public health data. Participants viewed charts with titles that were either congruent (COVID-19 data and title) or incongruent (COVID-19 data, Influenza title) with the underlying data. Two trial blocks were designed to investigate the impact of chart type, chart title, metric (cases, deaths), and political attitudes on participants' perceptual and subjective judgements of the data. Perceptual judgements were similar for bar graphs and treemaps (all ps > .05), while subjective judgements revealed an interaction between chart type (p < .001) and political party (p < .05). Perceptual judgements of line graphs revealed line slope overestimation (p < .001), while subjective judgements revealed a crossover interaction between disease and political party (p < .001). Results suggest that political attitudes may influence perceptual and subjective judgements of public health data concerning COVID-19 and Influenza.

Author(s)

Clarissa Sawyer, Bentley University
Danielle Hartigan, Bentley University
Tom Bigda-Peyton, Catholic Health Services of Long Island

Research suggests that positive empathy, the ability to notice and reflect on positive aspects of interpersonal interactions, may prevent clinician burnout. Little is known, however, about whether training in positive empathy can improve physician well-being and reduce burnout. About 100+ attendings and medical residents attended a researcher-led workshop on how to identify and learn from positive interactions. After the workshop, 60 medical residents agreed to participate in a three-month ecological momentary assessment study by responding to a text message once a week. Control group participants were asked to reflect on a specific interaction they had with a patient or colleague in the past few days. Treatment group participants were asked to reflect on a specific positive interaction, and reminded that focusing on positive aspects of interactions may be important for well-being. Results suggest that the positive empathy intervention improved wellbeing in the treatment group. 

Author(s)

Elizabeth Albright, Ph.D., Duke University
Natalie Banacos, M.S., Colorado School of Public Health
Tom Birkland, Ph.D., North Carolina State University
Deserai Crow, Ph.D., University of Colorado Denver
Rob A. DeLeo, Ph.D., Bentley University
Katherine L. Dikinson, Ph.D., Colorado School of Public Health
Danielle  Blanch-Hartigan, Ph.D., M.P.H., Bentley University
Elizabeth Koebele, Ph.D., University of Nevada Reno
Lindsay Neuberger, Ph.D., University of Central Florida
Jennifer D. Roberts, Ph.D., University of Maryland
Liz Shanahan, Ph.D., Montana State University
Kristin Taylor, Ph.D., Wayne State University
Courtney Welton - Mitchell, Ph.D., Colorado School of Public Health

We will present development and progress on an NSF-funded survey research by the Risk and Social Policy Working Group, an interdisciplinary group of scholars in public policy, political science, public health, communication, and psychology. The nationally representative three-wave panel survey integrates theories of individual risk perceptions and behavioral responses, theories of attention shifts and policy change, and explicit considerations of structural racism to investigate the various and intertwined drivers of COVID-19 vaccine uptake intentions. The research addresses the following research questions: 1. How are COVID-19 vaccine uptake intentions influenced by an individual's worldview, risk perceptions, and trust in institutions? 2. How are COVID-19 vaccine uptake intentions influenced by exogenous events in political and information environments? And 3. How do the above relationships vary across socio-demographic groups, particularly in the context of structural racism? This work builds on the group's recently completed NSF-funded, 4-wave panel survey in 6 states assessing risk perception, heath communication, and policy in the earlier stages of the pandemic. 

Author(s)

Marco Marabelli^a, Emmanuelle Vaast^b and Jingyao Lydia Li^a

^a Information and Process Management Department, Bentley University, Waltham, United States;
^b Information Systems, Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

Link to full paper
https://doi.org/10.1080/0960085X.2020.1863752

In this commentary, we consider the ambivalent role of ubiquitous computing during the COVID pandemic and we point to the risk that some negative, IT-related practices associated with the pandemic will endure after it. We call these lasting e!ects the digital scars of COVID-19. The same IT that has positive impacts for some people might have negative impacts for others -- often vulnerable populations, minorities and socio-economically disadvantaged groups. Some issues stem from the longstanding digital divide that characterizes modern societies. Yet, the pandemic is exacerbating these inequalities. We are worried that some debatable uses of technology will persist after the pandemic is over. We therefore point to the prominent role of the IS community in enabling positive aspects of IT use during and after the pandemic, while mitigating negative aspects, especially in the long run. Our sociotechnical background enables us to see these dynamics in a processual and holistic way. To shed light on these issues, we analyze three key technologies widely used to deal with COVID (social software, AI/ML and robotics) and identify critical topics and associated research questions where IS scholarship should focus its attention to generate novel theorizing and impactful practical insights.

Author(s)

Ekaterina Galkina Cleary, Bentley University
Matthew J. Jackson, Bentley University
Zoë Folchman-Wagner, Bentley University
Fred D. Ledley, Bentley University

The NIH contributed $6.5B of research funds to understand the molecular biology and chemical structure behind remdesivir even before COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. This talk will focus on government funding and health policy implications of making the first FDA-approved therapy for COVID-19 accessible and affordable for patients with a severe form of the disease.

Author(s)

Matthew J. Jackson, Bentley University
Tony Kiszewski, Bentley University
Ekaterina Galkina-Cleary, Bentley University
Fred Ledley, Bentley University

This work examines published research and NIH funding for vaccine technologies being employed in candidate COVID-19 vaccines in the context of evidence that technological maturity significantly influences the efficiency of new product development. We show that candidate vaccines for COVID-19 are based on a diverse set of established and emerging technologies, and identify $17.2 billion in NIH funding for published research on these technologies prior to 2020. Research and NIH funding on vaccines against pandemic threats has been inconsistent. "Warp speed" development of COVID-19 vaccines has been enabled by sustained research and funding related to vaccine technologies over the past twenty years. Continued funding for vaccines against recognized threats is essential to prepare for future pandemics.

Author(s)

Samir Dayal, Bentley University

I researched and wrote about the Indian Government's Risk Communications response to the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on its new contact-tracing app called "Aarogya Setu," as well as its even newer mobile vaccination management mobile app called Co-Win. This research continues and extends my ongoing research on India's big-data biometric information gathering initiative on the nation's 1.3 billion people, with the ostensible goal of providing identity verification. The Modi government's response, I suggest, depends in some measure on invoking a crisis clause--a state of exception that presumes to justify any and all measures the government may wish to implement. The risk of risk communications, under the state of emergency, is that the state may be extended indefinitely, militating against democratic values. I propose some measures that can be taken on behalf of citizens to guarantee on the one hand effective contact tracing, ensuring everyone's health and safety while also managing risk communications to ensure data security and protection from the tendency of the state to turn into a surveillance state.

Author(s)

Lan Xia, Bentley University

Political identity, as an important element of personal identity, influences people's perceptions, attitudes, and judgments. I examined how political identity influenced people's fairness perceptions with a series of events and policies as the pandemic evolve, including guidelines prioritizing the ventilators, Gilead drug price, vaccine distribution, and general price increases in the marketplace. Results revealed differences in fairness perceptions between liberals and conservatives driven by different moral values.