Why are so many companies still struggling to achieve meaningful workforce diversity, and what does newly released data reveal about

In this episode of The Why Podcast, Rachel Flam uncovers what firm‑level evidence shows about representation, transparency and the forces shaping workplace equity today. The conversation highlights why disclosure matters and what happens when companies choose to remain silent.

Three key themes emerge from the discussion:

The episode also explores how firm‑level culture, internal processes and leadership practices can drive much of the variation in diversity across companies – far more than industry or geography alone can explain. As disclosure trends shift and public expectations rise, the conversation

Assistant Professor of Accounting at London Business School,

Discover more about Rachel and her research: ⁠https://www.london.edu/faculty-and-research/faculty-profiles/r/rachel-flam

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Professor Isabel Fernandez-Mateo examines how generative AI is reshaping the hiring process and why organisations need to approach these changes thoughtfully. With automation increasing the number of applications employers receive, rejection rates are higher and influencing who continues to participate in the talent pipeline. 

Three key themes emerge from the conversation: 

Technology is reshaping hiring from the ground up, altering how roles are defined, who sees them and who chooses to apply. These shifts raise pressing questions about fairness, transparency and hidden bias across each stage of recruitment. 

Automation promises efficiency but can also reinforce old assumptions, making applications appear increasingly similar and potentially limiting opportunities if organisations do not actively monitor how AI is used. 

Human insight remains essential, helping hiring managers understand context, recognise potential and ensure that recruitment decisions support diversity, organisational culture and long-term talent needs. 

Bias can be unintentionally perpetuated when AI draws on historic hiring data, such as how homogenised applications make true differentiation harder and why increased rejection rates may undermine diversity over time.  

In times of uncertainty, Isabel outlines the areas where hiring managers must stay cautious: maintaining transparency, questioning automated outputs and ensuring technology enhances – rather than restricts – who enters and progresses through the hiring funnel.  

Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Dr Isabel Fernandez-Mateo holds the Adecco Chair at London Business School. Discover more about Isabel and her research: https://www.london.edu/faculty-and-research/faculty-profiles/f/fernandezmateo-i 

For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://www.london.edu/think⁠⁠⁠.  

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Is AI just a tool for efficiency – or a partner in better decision-making? Sir Andrew Likierman argues it’s time for a rethink. In this sharp and timely conversation, he explains why judgement – the ability to combine knowledge, experience and human qualities – is more critical than ever in an AI-driven world. 

Rather than seeing humans and machines as rivals, Likierman calls for nuance: recognising what AI does brilliantly, where it falls short, and why context, trust and empathy remain uniquely human. He explores the six elements of good judgement, the risks of over-reliance on algorithms, and how leaders can sharpen their own decision-making in uncertain times. 

If you want clarity on how to thrive in the age of AI, Andrew Likierman provides insight on using technology without losing the human edge. Judgement isn’t optional – it’s essential. 

Sir Andrew Likierman is Professor of Management Practice and former Dean at London Business School. Discover more about Andrew and his research: https://www.london.edu/faculty-and-research/faculty-profiles/l/likierman-a

Read the article: https://www.london.edu/think/human-judgement-essential-in-ai

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Lynda Gratton, Professor of Management Practice at London Business School, explores a seismic shift in the world of work with host Katie Pisa in this episode of The Why. Together, they discuss the rise of the freelance professional and why they might want your work but not your job.

In this episode of The Why, host Katie Pisa welcomes Bukky

Drawing on her research ‘Physical Work Environments: An

From standing desks and soundproof booths to the open-plan

If you’ve ever wondered whether the office is still worth the rent, this one’s for you.

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In this special wrap-up episode of The Why Podcast, we revisit the most powerful insights from a season that explored identity, equity, power and culture through the lens of cutting-edge research.

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In this episode of The Why Podcast, host Katie Pisa speaks with Professor Randall S Peterson, Professor of Organisational Behaviour at London Business School, about one of the most costly, time-consuming, and universal workplace issues: team conflict.

Based on his research about conflict 4 Common Types of Team Conflict—and How to Resolve Them, Randall outlines a practical framework for diagnosing and managing interpersonal tensions that derail productivity and damage trust.

Most of us avoid conflict, but that can be costly. Studies show managers spend 20% of their time handling tension with teams—yet few have a plan for dealing with it.

Listen as Randall unpacks the four most common conflict patterns—solo dissenters, dyadic conflicts, warring factions, and all-out team

If you’ve ever walked into a meeting and sensed an

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In this episode of The Why Podcast, host Katie Pisa sits down with Henri Servaes, Professor of Finance at London Business School and Richard Brealey Professor of Corporate Governance, to explore how corporate culture—particularly around gender equality and inclusion—is reshaping investment decisions and boardroom dynamics.

From institutional investors shifting portfolios to companies in “boys’ club” industries scrambling to improve diversity, this episode examines the measurable market response to cultural failings—and what that means for the future of leadership, governance, and trust in capital markets.

If you’ve ever wondered whether values influence valuation, this one’s for you.

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In the latest episode of The Why podcast, host Katie Pisa met with Professor Olenka Kacperczyk, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School, to discuss her research on the gender gap in entrepreneurship. The two discuss this important question: Where are all the missing female entrepreneurs?

Olenka sheds light on her research findings, the reasons are behind this gap and what businesses, leaders and societies can do to help narrow the gap. While women make up half the population, among all the VC-backed ventures in her target research of the US, only 10% were founded by women.

Female entrepreneurs only make up 20% of all ventures, and everything from administrative barriers and discriminatory wording in interviews for funding, holds women back.

Olenka’s interest in the topic was partly based on her own family who became entrepreneurs in the post-Communist period in Poland. Watching them venture into business inspired her research and interest in the topic of inequality in entrepreneurship.

Listen to this fascinating conversation to learn more about why this massive gender gap in entrepreneurship still exists.

Read the full research here.

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In the latest episode of The Why Podcast, Katie Pisa met with Gillian Ku, Professor of Organisational Behaviour, and Chair of the Organisational Behaviour Faculty at London Business School to discuss her recently published paper on how Black employees can feel more comfortable expressing their racial identity at work and how social uncertainty is a key factor that discourages Black employees from expressing their social identity. 

Gillian, along with her colleagues, have found that being able to be authentic at work can be hugely beneficial. Gillian shares her evidence-based insights of why being able to express one’s identity at work promotes healthy work relationships and improved job performance among many other benefits.  

Gillian also shares the benefits of perspective-taking in the workplace, and what we can all do to develop social skills to help navigate the world and our workplaces better. 

Read the full paper here: https://lbsresearch.london.edu/id/eprint/3952/

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