Rotman Executive Summary

Are we being manipulated by the words we hear — and the ones we use? In this episode, marketing and psychology professor Sam Maglio unpacks the hidden signals embedded in everyday language, from why abbreviations can make you seem insincere to how tense and voice subtly shape what we believe. Listen in and how small shifts in wording influence perception, persuasion and even behaviour — and how to...

Why do markets dip after the clocks change? Why do investors become more risk averse in the fall? And what does this mean for your portfolio? We like to think we’re rational investors. We’re not. On the latest episode, professor Lisa Kramer explores how hidden behavioural biases influence our portfolios — and even shift global markets.    Show notes Show notes [0:00] Humans tend to overestimate ou...

#MeToo forced Hollywood to reckon with its past — but did it actually change the future of filmmaking?  Looking at years of behind-the-scenes and on-screen data, associate professor Hong Luo explores how the wide-spread social movement did — and did not — change movie-making; how stigma, coordination and market-wide shocks influence organizational behaviour; and why large-scale movements can creat...

Where do great ideas come from...really? And how can you stifle brilliant thoughts before they have a chance to flourish? Associate professor George Newman joins the Executive Summary to share what the research actually tells us about how to foster —  and kill — a creative buzz, and how to spark more innovation at both work and home in the year ahead.    Show notes [0:00] What comes to mind when y...

In theory, auditing should be unbiased and independent. In reality, biases abound. Auditors are human, and companies — even auditing firms— have agendas that shape how they approach audits. These blind spots can have real consequences for investors and the economy. Associate professor Minlei Ye joins Executive Summary to reveal where these hidden biases come from, how they influence decision-makin...

Canada faces an acute shortage of doctors and medical equipment. But simply hiring more people or buying more machines won’t fix our healthcare backlog. In this episode of The Executive Summary , professor Opher Baron explains how — from an operations management perspective — we got into this mess, and why smarter planning and better use of data are just as essential as addressing our shortages if...

For decades, Canada’s economic fortunes have been tied to its southern neighbour — but what happens when that relationship falters? As a new wave of tariffs rattles global markets, professor Dimitry Anastakis joins The Executive Summary to trace Canada’s long history of trade wars with the U.S., the hard lessons they’ve taught us, and why this time, the old playbook may no longer work. Show Notes...

Trust in institutions and leaders is on the decline. That's bad news for organizations navigating difficult times. How can companies build trust, and can you repair it once it's been broken? Professor Bill McEvily joins the season premiere of the Executive Summary podcast to explores those questions and more. Show notes: [0:00] Declining trust in institutions, businesses, and CEOs – Why public tru...

Season 4 launches September 9 — don’t miss it. In today’s noisy world, finding clear, credible insight isn’t easy. That’s where the Rotman Executive Summary comes in. In less than 20 minutes, we bring you sharp, research-backed ideas from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management — Canada’s leading business school. This season, we’re tackling the questions leaders are asking right no...

What can your employees' LinkedIn and Glassdoor activity tell you about a company's prospects?  More than you might think. From competition for top talent to out-of-sync business prospects, these platforms offer valuable insights — but are leaders paying attention? Assistant professor Nan Li joins Executive Summary to unpack what employees are really signaling and why companies must start listenin...

The push to return to the office has sparked backlash — employees felt trusted to work remotely, so why take that control away? But what role does control play in mitigating or causing stress? And when is autonomy a bad thing? Professor Jia Lin Xie joined the Executive Summary to unpack how job demands, individual traits and culture shape our experience at work, and how to determine if complete co...

We’ve been thinking about traffic all wrong. Sitting in congestion costs local economies billions in lost productivity, and governments invest heavily in easing the gridlock. But what if we’re solving the wrong problem? Associate Professor Victor Couture joins The Executive Summary to challenge conventional wisdom on city transportation networks — and explain why accessibility and density might be...

"If AI didn’t offer such massive opportunities... we’d likely regulate it out of existence." On the latest episode of the Executive Summary, professor Dan Trefler explores the double-edged sword of artificial intelligence: Are the risks worth the rewards? Is bureaucratic red tape the solution — or just another hurdle? And how can the average citizen help fight the "great regulatory" battle?  Show...

Extreme heat is reshaping daily life, but what does it mean for companies? Assistant Professor Nora Pankratz joined the Executive Summary to unpack the financial toll of rising temperatures on organizations, and what — if anything— companies can do about it.  Show notes [0:00] The world is getting warmer, and it’s costing businesses. [0:37] Meet Nora Pankratz, an assistant professor at the Univers...

In just four years, it feels like our workplaces have changed irrevocably. New technologies like AI threaten old jobs; shifting demographics bring new interpersonal challenges on teams; and our work location — be it home, the traditional office or a hybrid of the two — has become a flashpoint between leaders and employees. So what's the antidote? Professor Julie McCarthy joined the podcast to talk...

Intellectual property may not be glamorous, but it’s essential to future business success. Professor Alberto Galasso explains how the right IP strategy can drive growth — or hold your business back— on the latest Rotman Executive Summary. Show notes:  [0:00] There are a lot of factors that go into whether a company is innovative or not, so  much so that Professor Alberto Galasso wrote a book on th...

As companies wrestle with the return-to-office debate, it’s crucial to ask: How much does location really matter for innovation? Surprisingly, where you work can significantly shape how—and how much—you innovate. Assistant Professor Ruben Gaetani dives into the research, revealing why dragging everyone back to their cubicles could stifle the very creativity you’re trying to spark. Show notes [0:00...

From issues of bodily autonomy to climate change to social equality, the world is increasingly polarized, and even companies can't escape hot-button topics. While once, organizations could keep their positions on divisive issues to themselves, consumers are demanding they take sides. But should they? And how can brands weigh in without alienating the people who disagree with their stance? Assistan...

We often reach adulthood without ever being taught how to process our emotions. But an unprocessed emotion never goes away; it simply festers and grows.  Associate professor Maja Djikic joined the Executive Summary podcast to talk about how to identify if we're bad at processing our feelings, how we can get better at it, and what role organizations have in helping their leaders and teams understan...

A recent study from BMO found that Canadians believed they would need more than $1.7 million to comfortably retire. Yet many individuals nearing retirement have less than $100,000 saved. Why is thinking about saving - even when you have the means - such a daunting prospect? Assistant professor Avni Shah joined the Executive Summary to explain the behavioural barriers to retirement savings, and sho...

Phony stars and false testimonials are rampant online. But is this really a problem, how did we get here, and what responsibility to e-commerce platforms have in addressing the problem? Assistant professor Shreyas Sekar explores what the future of reviews looks like, and why platforms like Amazon should probably take the issue of fake reviews more seriously.  Show notes:  [0:00] When you see thous...

Research tells us we're probably not as good at gift giving as we'd like to think. Assistant professor Cindy Chan joined the Rotman Executive Summary podcast to explore the science behind better gift exchanges, how we approach the process asymmetrically, and how presents can actually change - and improve - our relationships. This is an episode you'll definitely want to unwrap ahead of the holidays...

Even as they wrap their heads around AI, business leaders and organizations should be devoting some R&D resources to quantum computing. Though it's still a nascent technology, Professor Francesco Bova joined the Executive Summary to explore the huge potential economic benefits of the new form of computing, and explains why every business should be getting themselves "quantum ready" today. Show not...

Professor Walid Hejazi joins the Executive Summary to explain the macro-economic trends keeping the economy chugging along and kept us out of a recession (so far), and why they might be detrimental to our economic health. Show notes:  [0:00] In 2022 and 2023, talk of recession was everywhere. [0:20] Historically, when central banks raise rates to fight high inflation, recession follows – though th...

Four days of work, 100 per cent of the pay — that might sound like a fantastic idea for employees. But there's a lot of benefit to a reduced work-week for employers as well, says professor John Trougakos. He joins the Executive Summary to talk about why a four day work week is  better for employees, what it means for organizations, and how companies can actually make a shorter week work.  Show not...