Frontiers

Hi there,

Here's a short message to introduce the next phase of the Frontiers podcast.

Now publishing 2x per week, Monday and Thursday, with interviews with business school professors and outstanding business leaders.

Tell your friends!

Thanks for listening.

Ian

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi there,

Here's a short message ahead of my summer break.

Back in September with a bigger and better podcast.

Thanks for listening.

Ian

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We like to think of our global energy system as a well-oiled machine, transitioning smoothly from fossil fuels to renewable sources. But, as we learn in this episode, the situation is much more difficult.

Michael Bradshaw is a Professor of Global Energy at Warwick Business School. Professor Bradshaw's research on the geopolitical economy of global energy has examined the role of foreign investment in Russia's oil and gas industry, global energy dilemmas and the interrelationship between energy security, climate change and economic globalisation.

Music credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How subtle factors like familiarity, cognitive ease, and self-serving biases can sway our choices without us realising it. Learn how to bring these to the surface to help you make better decisions.

Özgün Atasoy is an Associate Professor of Marketing at Warwick Business School. Professor Atasoy is an expert on consumer decision-making, particularly in consumer-technology interactions, consumer choice, and financial decisions.

Music credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn how to influence others regardless of your position, gender or background.

Connson Chou Locke is a Professor in Management at the London School of Economics (LSE) where she teaches Leadership, Organisational Behaviour, and Negotiation and Decision Making.

Music credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We like to think we’re making decisions, but we are not. We’re often just rationalising pre-existing biases. The decision is already made.

Vincent Mak is Professor of Marketing and Decision Sciences and a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Cambridge Judge Business School.

Music credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah Hall is Professor of Geography and Fellow of St John’s College at the University of Cambridge. Professor Hall is a public economic geographer whose work focuses on the uneven impacts of profound economic change, including Brexit, the changing economic position of China internationally, and the rise of finance-led capitalism.

Summary

Professor Hall discusses the uneven impacts of profound economic changes such as the 2007-2008 financial crisis, Brexit, and the rise of China. She explains how economic change affects different regions differently based on their economic history, labour market, and regulatory regime. She also highlights the regenerative capacities of cities like London, which have the ability to respond to crises by innovating in new markets. The conversation explores the changing economic order due to China's growth and its impact on global finance. Additionally, the discussion touches on the pressing economic issues of regional inequality in the UK and the changing relationship between the US and China.

Takeaways

• Economic change affects different regions differently based on their economic history, labour market, and regulatory regime.
• Cities like London have regenerative capacities that allow them to respond to crises by innovating in new markets.
• China's growth is reshaping the global economic order, particularly in the realm of finance.
• Regional inequality is a pressing economic issue in the UK, with lower productivity in large cities outside of London.
• The changing relationship between the US and China has significant implications for global trade and geopolitics.

Key Moments

02:25 The Role of an Economic Geographer

08:04 The Impact of Economic Change on Geographies

15:12 Research on the 2007-2008 Financial Crisis

45:10 Pressing Economic Issues in the UK and Globally

Music credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alixandra Barasch is an Associate Professor of Marketing at the University of Colorado. Having earned her Ph.D. in Marketing from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, she was previously an Assistant Professor at New York University and a Visiting Associate Professor at INSEAD. Alix studies how new technologies are fundamentally reshaping consumer behaviour and well-being.

Summary

Professor Barasch discusses why humans engage in social media and the psychological motives behind sharing information online. She explores self-focused motives, such as impression management and emotion regulation, and other-focused motives, such as sharing useful content and finding common ground. The research suggests that authenticity and empathy are crucial in how others perceive pro-social behaviour online.

Takeaways

• People share information on social media for both self-focused and other-focused motives.
• Self-focused motives include impression management and emotion regulation, while other-focused motives involve sharing useful content and finding common ground.
• Sharing good deeds on social media can be perceived as authentic pro-social behaviour if it conveys empathy and emotions.
• The order and context of sharing information on social media can influence how others perceive the motives behind the behaviour.
• Authenticity and empathy are key factors in shaping the perception of pro-social behaviour online. Impression management plays a significant role in our online presence, and there are trade-offs between authenticity and polish.
• Photo sharing can enhance enjoyment and immersion in positive experiences, but the goal and context of the photos matter.
• Phone addiction is a real concern, especially in terms of social interactions and well-being.

Key Moments

01:47 Exploring the Psychological Motives Behind Social Media Engagement

05:15 Understanding the Reasons for Sharing Information Online

10:27 Exploring the Motivations for Doing Good Deeds

29:12 Impression Management in the Online Space

39:45 The Effects of Photo Taking

47:19 Addressing Phone Addiction

51:22 Considering Others in Technology Use

55:15 Nuances and Trade-Offs of Technology

Music credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefano Puntoni is the Sebastian S. Kresge Professor of Marketing at the Wharton School. Prior to joining Penn, Professor Puntoni was a professor of marketing and head of department at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, in the Netherlands. He holds a PhD in marketing from London Business School and a degree in Statistics and Economics from the University of Padova in his native Italy.

Summary

In this conversation, Professor Stefano Puntoni discusses the potential of generative AI. The conversation covers topics such as the foundational technology behind generative AI, prompt engineering strategies, and the organisational adoption of generative AI. Professor Puntoni addresses the ethics of using AI tools, emphasizing the importance of responsible use. He predicts that the marketing industry will undergo significant changes in the next five years, with automation playing a larger role in tactical execution while human judgment remains crucial in strategic decision-making. The conversation explores the impact of generative AI on career development and the importance of complementing AI rather than trying to substitute it. The discussion also highlights the skills that machines lack, such as causal reasoning, critical thinking, and moral judgment. The conversation then shifts to the organizational adoption of AI, with advice on how senior management can approach AI implementation.

Takeaways

• Generative AI has the potential to automate certain aspects of the business but does not diminish the role of human creativity.
• The marketing industry will undergo significant changes in the next five years, with automation playing a larger role in tactical execution.
• Human judgment and strategic decision-making will remain crucial.
• The ethics of using AI tools should be carefully considered and responsible use is important.
• New job opportunities will emerge in the field of generative AI, such as large language model optimisation. Generative AI is likely to have a significant impact on career development.
• Rather than trying to substitute AI, it is important to complement it by developing skills that machines lack.
• Skills such as causal reasoning, critical thinking, and moral judgment are valuable in the AI era.
• Organisations should approach AI implementation with intellectual humility, curiosity, and flexibility.

Key Moments

07:21 The Future Potential of Generative AI

26:18 New Job Opportunities in Generative AI

33:31 Complementing AI: Developing Skills Machines Lack

Music credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. James B. Rieley is an advisor to CEOs and senior leadership teams in both Europe and America. Dr. Rieley, who has an earned doctorate degree in Organisational Effectiveness, additionally has a B.S. in Business Administration, and was the president of a successful plastics manufacturing company for over 20 years. After selling his company in 1987, he began to work with organisations in the area of decision-making and realising personal and collective organisational potential.

Summary

Dr. Rieley discusses the attributes of effective leaders and the importance of creating an environment where individuals and organisations can realise their potential. He emphasises the shift from efficiency to effectiveness and the need for leaders to focus on thinking, influencing, achieving, and leading. Dr. Rieley also highlights the value of systems thinking in understanding the cause and effect relationships within organisations. Additionally, he advises influencing others and driving cultural change within an organisation. In this conversation, Dr. James Rieley discusses the importance of understanding mental models and how they impact decision-making and behavior. He explains that mental models are the key to making fundamental changes in a cultural environment and that they have a greater impact than strategy or market share. He emphasises the need for leaders to embrace change and think long-term, as well as the importance of understanding the future of work and being flexible in organisational structures.

Takeaways

• Leadership is about creating an environment for individuals and organisations to realise their potential.
• Effective leaders focus on thinking, influencing, achieving, and leading.
• Systems thinking helps understand cause and effect relationships within organisations.
• Asking questions is a powerful way to influence others.
• Cultural change requires addressing policies, procedures, and mental models. Understanding mental models is crucial for making fundamental changes in a cultural environment.
• Mental models have a greater impact on decision-making and behaviour than strategy or market share.
• Unpacking and analysing mental models can be done by identifying variables and their connections through cause and effect relationships.
• Leaders need to embrace change and think long-term, considering the future of work and being flexible in organisational structures.

Key Moments

05:18 Creating an Environment for Potential

33:36 Influencing Through Questions

44:37 Long-Term Thinking and Better Decisions

53:57 The Future of Work and Adaptability

Music credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.