Ivey Impact Podcast

Are DEI efforts in business losing ground? In this episode of Dialogue with the Dean, Julian Birkinshaw sits down with Zoe Kinias, Associate Professor of Organizational Behaviour and the John F. Wood Chair for Innovation in Business Education, to explore the evolving landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in organizations.

As some companies scale back on DEI initiatives, Zoe unpacks the pressing question: Can inclusion be more than a checkbox and instead serve as a catalyst for innovation and long-term success? Drawing from her research, she delves into the impact of stereotype threat on women’s career progression, the role of social support in fostering inclusive workplaces, and the key strategies leaders can adopt to create environments where everyone can thrive.

The conversation also tackles the broader cultural and political shifts influencing DEI in business, including whether terms like “DEI” and “woke” have become misunderstood or weaponized. With insights from groundbreaking studies and real-world examples, this episode offers a compelling look at the future of workplace inclusion and what leaders can do to drive meaningful change.

 In this episode: 

1:25: How conscious and unconscious stereotypes shape women's career paths
 10:05: The power of social support on the DEI landscape
 13:20: Why “innovation” is more than just a word at Ivey’s John F. Wood Centre 
 15:56: Are organizations scared of being too woke? 

To learn more about the research discussed in this episode, please visit: 

Adding Fuel to the Collective Fire: Stereotype Threat, Solidarity, and Support for Change: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/01461672231202630

Stereotype Threat and Women’s Work Satisfaction: The Importance of Role Models: https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2019-71044-001.html

Receiving Social Support Motivates Long-Term Prosocial Behavior: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10551-024-05743-7

Blockchain is often associated with Bitcoin, but its impact stretches far beyond digital currency. In this episode of Dialogue with the Dean, Julian Birkinshaw is joined by Hubert Pun, Professor of Management Science, J. Allyn Taylor & Arthur H. Mingay Chair, and an expert in blockchain applications, to uncover its potential for businesses worldwide. They explore how blockchain enhances trust and security, curbs counterfeiting of luxury goods, and has the ability to reshape healthcare records.

Despite Canada’s early leadership in blockchain innovation, Pun warns that the country is now at risk of falling behind. What should business leaders know about blockchain’s future, and how can Canada regain its competitive edge?

Whether you’re an enthusiast or just blockchain-curious, this episode offers a clear and insightful breakdown of one of the most transformative technologies of our time.

When shopping online, whether for cars, real estate, or collectibles, consumers rely on more than just photos. The words used to describe a product can shape perceptions, influence decisions, and even drive valuations. But which words matter most? And in what combination? 

In this episode of “Dialogue with the Dean,” Julian Birkinshaw speaks with Fredrik Ødegaard, Associate Professor of Management Science, about his first-of-its-kind research on the power of language in pricing and market dynamics – and how AI is helping us decode it.

In the study, “Giving Deep Attention to Consumer Preferences with Large Language Models,” Fredrik and Joshua Foster, Ivey Assistant Professor of Business, Economics and Public Policy, along with Aysajan Eziz, Assistant Professor of Management Science, and Brad Hackinen, Assistant Professor of Business, Economics and Public Policy, develop a novel application of generative AI to gain insight on how text descriptions – like those in online car auctions – drive consumer valuation, which in turn can be used for predicting market prices. Even more compelling, the study shows that specific words, and in specific combinations, can increase an item’s value, uncovering the hidden impact of language in digital marketplaces.

Julian and Fredrik also explore how AI can be used more creatively in business and education, moving beyond automation to unlock deeper insights.

Tune in to discover how words shape consumer behavior – and how AI is redefining the way we buy and sell.

Can leaders truly succeed without character? In this episode of Dialogue with the Dean, Julian Birkinshaw sits down with Dusya Vera, Professor of Strategy and Executive Director of the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership, to explore the role of leader character in business and beyond.

Drawing from her expertise, Dusya breaks down what character really means, why it’s essential for effective leadership, and how it can be developed. The conversation also tackles a pressing paradox: Why do some leaders without strong character still rise to power? From business boardrooms to political arenas, this discussion unpacks the risks of character gaps and the long-term consequences for organizations and society.

Whether you’re a business leader, aspiring executive, or simply intrigued by what makes great leaders, this episode offers a thought-provoking look at the critical link between character and success.

To learn more about the research discussed in this episode, please visit: 

Leader Character in Engineering Projects: A Case Study of Character Activation, Contagion, and Embeddedness: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10168287 

Character-enabled improvisation and the new normal: A paradox perspective: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13505076221118840 

What drives us to consume, and who shapes our choices – parents, peers, or culture? In this episode of Dialogue with the Dean, Julian Birkinshaw sits down with June Cotte, Kraft Professor of Marketing at Ivey, to unravel the surprising forces behind consumer behaviour.

Spotlighting key research from June’s distinguished career, this lively discussion uncovers surprising ways parents influence innovation adoption, reveals smart strategies for entrepreneurs seeking crowdfunding success, and unpacks the influence of online reviews. It also explores AI’s transformative role in academia and highlights the market trends shaping not just today, but the future.

Whether you’re a business leader or simply curious about what drives our decisions, this episode offers a compelling lens into the evolving world of consumer behaviour. 

Can success and sustainability truly coexist, or is it just wishful thinking? In this episode of Dialogue with the Dean, Julian Birkinshaw dives into this critical question with Tima Bansal, founder of Innovation North, Powered by Ivey and a trailblazer in business sustainability. Together, they explore how companies can break free from the pressures of quarterly gains to build lasting resilience and make a real societal impact. This engaging conversation covers the shifting landscape of sustainability, the pitfalls of short-term thinking, and how systems thinking can unlock new possibilities for business leaders striving to do well and do good. 

What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur today? In the inaugural episode of Dialogue with the Dean, Julian Birkinshaw and Eric Morse, Executive Director of Western’s Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship, Powered by Ivey, explore the age-old question: Are entrepreneurs born, or can they be made? Through a dynamic conversation, they explore how entrepreneurs think differently, the role failure plays in growth, Canada’s entrepreneurial landscape, and the best advice to offer those ready to take the leap into entrepreneurship.

Welcome to the Ivey Impact Podcast, where we will share the knowledge and innovative thinking of the Ivey Business School with leaders seeking relevant and actionable insights. Julian Birkinshaw, Dean of Ivey and host of our first season, sits down with Ivey's globally recognized faculty for open dialogue on the issues that matter most to today's leaders - covering everything from start ups and sustainability to AI integration, responsible leadership, and more. Short and impactful, every episode brings you exclusive insights and ideas that will ignite change.