Business lab scheduled to open in Fall 2015

Posted: February 19, 2015 11:40 a.m.

(L to R) Dr. Sandeep Mishra, Devon Anderson, Dr. Adrian Pitariu, Dr. Lisa Watson. Missing: Ara Steininger, Dr. Haithem Zourrig Photo: U of R Photography

The Faculty of Business has been awarded a $417,781 grant from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation John Evans Leaders Fund (CFI-JELF) to build a state-of-the-art human research lab. The 1,100 square foot research lab will be equipped to run complex experiments, advanced computer simulations, focus groups, in depth interviews, and physiological tests. Flexible space design will allow researchers to simulate retail and casino environments.  The latest in mobile eye tracking equipment will allow researchers to take their work into the real world.

The lab’s official name will be the Laboratory for Behavioural Business Research (LaBBR). Its purpose will primarily be to study counterproductive and antisocial behaviour in business settings to enhance business productivity, inform public policy, and improve quality of life.

The lab will be used to study ways to reduce risky consumer behaviours such as problem gambling; improve workplace team dynamics; reduce dishonest behaviour towards business such as shoplifting; reverse irrational consumer choices that have negative personal impacts like massive consumer debt and obesity and; increase sustainable consumption choices to better serve the public good.

“The LaBBR Lab will foster an interdisciplinary and cooperative environment for conducting research,” said Dr. Lisa Watson, a professor in the Faculty of Business Administration. “Researchers from a range of disciplines will be encouraged to work together to consider how the lives of workers and consumers can be improved.”

The application was prepared by Dr. Watson with assistance from, Ara Steininger and Devon Anderson on behalf of Principal Investigator Dr. Sandeep Mishra and Co-Investigators Drs. Adrian Pitariu and Haithem Zourrig.  

The Government of Saskatchewan and Faculty of Business Administration also contributed funds to the project. The LaBBR Lab is currently scheduled to open in Fall 2015 and supports the University’s Strategic Priority of Research Impact - http://www.uregina.ca/strategic-plan/.