The cognitive burden of information asymmetry in organizational settings.
Ray Ou ’28, a psychological science and economics double major, has received a $10,000 Picker ISI Scholar award for the project “The Hidden Costs of Strategic Secrecy.” Working under the dual mentorship of Professor Takao Kato from the Department of Economics and external mentor Professor Michael Slepian from Columbia Business School, Ray will investigate the cognitive burden of information asymmetry in organizational settings.
Specifically, this research will utilize the secrecy-as-intention framework to examine how secrecy-related mind wandering impacts work efficiency and relationship quality, and how the perceived worthiness of information asymmetry may serve as a moderator. The ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between rational economic theory and psychological reality to generate insights that promote healthier, more efficient work environments