Ivey Impact Podcast

Digital transformation often begins with optimism. A new technology promises exciting possibilities, a compelling business case wins support, and expectations for change run high. Yet time and again, organizations encounter the same challenge: the technology arrives, but the transformation doesn't. So where does technology transformation go wrong? In this episode of Dialogue with the Dean , record...

Sustainability is rising to the top of boardroom and policy agendas around the world. But are the supply chains businesses rely on actually compatible with a sustainable future, or are we simply hoping they will be?   In this episode of Dialogue with the Dean , Julian Birkinshaw is joined by Jury Gualandris, Associate Professor of Operations Management and Sustainability and Abell Hodgson Chair in...

Canada's government-owned corporations control assets worth billions of dollars and deliver essential services, from electricity to water, to millions of Canadians. But who is actually overseeing them? And are the right people in the room?   In this episode of Dialogue with the Dean, Julian Birkinshaw is joined by Guy Holburn, Professor of Business, Economics and Public Policy at Ivey and former D...

From sustainable packaging to net-zero pledges, environmental branding is everywhere. But how much of it is real? And how much falls under what experts call greenwashing, or claims that mislead us into thinking companies are more environmentally responsible than they really are?   In this episode of Dialogue with the Dean , Julian Birkinshaw is joined by Wren Montgomery, Associate Professor of Sus...

We often describe entrepreneurship as the great equalizer – a space where anyone, regardless of background, can succeed if they have a great idea. But is it really that simple?  In this episode of Dialogue with the Dean , Julian Birkinshaw sits down with Janice Byrne , Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship and the Corus Entertainment Chair in Women in Management at Ivey, for a candid and insight...

Disruption and innovation dominate today’s business conversations. But when the stakes include climate change and artificial intelligence, what do these ideas truly demand of leaders? In this episode of Dialogue with the Dean , Julian Birkinshaw sits down with Michael Raynor , MBA ’94 – Ivey Associate Professor, bestselling author, and respected authority on strategy and innovation – for a candid...

Conversations about equity and inclusion are increasingly common in today’s workplaces. But allyship is often misunderstood and treated as a label rather than a set of ongoing actions shaped by power, identity, and accountability.   In this episode of Dialogue with the Dean, Julian Birkinshaw is joined by Barnini Bhattacharyya, Assistant Professor of Organizational Behaviour at Ivey Business Schoo...

As Canada enters a pivotal year, economic uncertainty is rising. Trade tensions with the United States, the upcoming review of CUSMA, and persistent productivity challenges are forcing difficult questions about Canada’s economic future.   In this episode of Dialogue with the Dean , Julian Birkinshaw is joined by Romel Mostafa , Ivey Assistant Professor of Business, Economics and Public Policy and...

We talk a lot about the “future of work,” but few leaders are prepared for just how radically work is changing beneath their feet. Today, creativity and critical thinking drive results – yet they remain the hardest kinds of work to see, measure, or manage. That’s why modern leaders must rethink traditional management models. Stick with outdated approaches, and you risk slowing innovation, misreadi...

Technological disruption has become the defining challenge for modern business. And perhaps no one understands this better than legacy firms. Too often, they’re cast as casualties of change, bound by old strategies and outdated thinking. But what if that narrative is wrong? What if established companies aren’t victims of disruption at all? In this thought-provoking episode of Dialogue with the Dea...

We like to think workplace harassment is a problem of the past – but the numbers tell a different story. In Canada, nearly half of women and almost a third of men report experiencing harassment or assault at work. Despite major investments in training, it’s clear that too few programs drive real engagement or meaningful cultural change. So where are we falling short, and what will it take to move...

From railways to highways and power grids, Canada has a proud history of building big things. Yet in the last decade, progress has slowed substantially, with major projects bogged down in red tape, stakeholder conflicts, and political hesitation.   Now, with the recent passage of Bill C-5, the One Canadian Economy Act , the country is once again talking about pipelines, ports, mines, and clean ene...

For centuries, business thrived by taking from the earth. But that profit has come at a cost: a biodiversity crisis threatening our future. In response, a new financial model is emerging – one where returns come not from depletion, but from restoration. To explore what this transformation means for business and society, Julian Birkinshaw is joined on Dialogue with the Dean by Diane-Laure Arjaliès,...

From financial fraud to environmental violations, stories of corporate misconduct are hitting the headlines with unsettling frequency. More troubling still, those are just the cases we see. Behind the scenes, countless smaller lapses unfold quietly, reshaping workplaces in ways that often go unnoticed. So how do we move beyond the headlines and build ethical business cultures that last?  In the se...

The Ivey Impact Podcast is back this September with Season 2 of Dialogue with the Dean! Join Ivey Business School Dean Julian Birkinshaw as he welcomes a new lineup of the School’s top thought leaders into the hot seat for conversations on the research and insights reshaping business and society.

Volatile markets, political upheaval, and economic uncertainty have left even seasoned investors wondering how to respond. But is there really such a thing as a “perfect” investment strategy?   In this episode of Dialogue with the Dean, Julian Birkinshaw speaks with Steve Foerster, finance professor at Ivey and author of two acclaimed books that blend behavioral finance, history, and practical wis...

How can post-secondary institutions prepare students – and society – for a future defined by rapid technological shifts, geopolitical uncertainty, and unprecedented global connectivity? In this special episode of “Dialogue with the Dean,” Julian Birkinshaw, Dean of Ivey Business School at Western University, sits down with Alan Shepard, Western’s eleventh President & Vice-Chancellor, to explor...

Planning for the future of clean energy involves balancing affordability, reliability, and sustainability - but can the global energy sector achieve ambitious climate change targets while keeping the lights on? In this episode of Dialogue with the Dean , Julian Birkinshaw speaks with Brandon Schaufele, Associate Professor of Business, Economics and Public Policy, Director of the Ivey Energy Manage...

Range-anxiety about electric vehicles is especially felt amongst North American consumers. Two key initiatives have the power to dispel Canadians’ hesitancy in going electric: accessible public charging and worthwhile policy incentives.  Julian Birkinshaw sparks discussion with Gal Raz, Associate Professor of Operations Management and Sustainability, and a Fellow at the Lawrence National Centre fo...

Nicknames are everywhere—from “Beemer” and “Tarzhay” in the branding world, to quirky workplace monikers passed around the office. But while they often signal familiarity and fun, new research reveals a more complicated story.   In this episode of Dialogue with the Dean , Julian Birkinshaw speaks with Zhe Zhang, assistant professor of marketing at Ivey, whose latest research examines the double-ed...

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...

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...

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 Manageme...

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 effectiv...

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 inn...