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  • 2019
  • Working Paper
  • HBS Working Paper Series

Machine Learning Approaches to Facial and Text Analysis: Discovering CEO Oral Communication Styles

By: Prithwiraj Choudhury, Dan Wang, Natalie A. Carlson and Tarun Khanna
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:58
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Abstract

We demonstrate how a novel synthesis of three methods—(1) unsupervised topic modeling of text data to generate new measures of textual variance, (2) sentiment analysis of text data, and (3) supervised ML coding of facial images with a cutting-edge convolutional neural network algorithm—can shed light on questions related to CEO oral communication. With videos and corresponding transcripts of interviews with emerging market CEOs, we employ this synthesis of methods to discover five distinct communication styles that incorporate both verbal and nonverbal aspects of communication. Our data are comprised of interviews that represent unedited expressions and content, making them especially suitable as data sources for the measurement of an individual’s communication style. We then perform a proof-of-concept analysis, correlating CEO communication styles to M&A outcomes, highlighting the value of combining text and videographic data to define styles. We also discuss the benefits of using our methods versus current research methods.

Keywords

Spoken Communication; Business History; Analytics and Data Science; Finance; Performance

Citation

Choudhury, Prithwiraj, Dan Wang, Natalie A. Carlson, and Tarun Khanna. "Machine Learning Approaches to Facial and Text Analysis: Discovering CEO Oral Communication Styles." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 18-064, January 2018. (Revised May 2019.)
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About The Authors

Prithwiraj Choudhury

Technology and Operations Management
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Tarun Khanna

Strategy
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More from the Authors
  • Top Talent, Elite Colleges, and Migration: Evidence from the Indian Institutes of Technology By: Prithwiraj Choudhury, Ina Ganguli and Patrick Gaulé
  • Judging Foreign Startups By: Nataliya Langburd Wright, Rembrand Koning and Tarun Khanna
  • Newlab: Scaling an Innovation Engine By: Tarun Khanna and Felicia Belostecinic
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