Ivey Impact Podcast

Ivey Business School

The Ivey Impact Podcast is the flagship series of Ivey Business School, one of Canada’s top institutions for business education. Tailored for modern leaders, each brief yet impactful episode brings the expertise and innovative thinking of Ivey’s globally recognized faculty to the forefront. The dynamic discussions tackle today’s most critical issues, from start-ups and sustainability to AI-integration, responsible leadership, and more. Released monthly, Ivey Impact Podcast is the source for leaders seeking exclusive insights and actionable ideas that ignite change.

  1. Rethinking sustainable supply chains: Three myths businesses must consider

    May 27

    Rethinking sustainable supply chains: Three myths businesses must consider

    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 Regenerative Agriculture at Ivey, and Academic Director of Ivey's Building Sustainable Value Centre. Drawing on his latest research, Gualandris unpacks three widely held myths about sustainable supply chains and explains what it really takes to build supply chains that don't just reduce harm, but actively regenerate the social and ecological systems we all depend on.   The conversation explores the complexity behind well-intentioned business decisions, the hidden costs of chasing efficiency at all costs, and why the way businesses think about their resources may need to be fundamentally rethought. The episode also explores insights from his Collective Action Program, a ground-level research initiative working with farmers across Southwestern Ontario to build the kinds of coalitions that make systemic change possible.   This podcast is essential listening for business leaders, sustainability practitioners, and anyone who wants to move beyond good intentions and start making better decisions for people, planet, and profit.   In this episode: 0:00   Nesting business inside society and ecology 3:37   Exploring upcycling 13:10 Challenging the Toyota model and pushing efficiency to far 24:42 Searching for the customer for wasted resources 29:12 The Collective Action Program for Southwestern Ontario farmers

    36 min
  2. Who's in the boardroom? Examining politics, expertise, and good governance

    Apr 22

    Who's in the boardroom? Examining politics, expertise, and good governance

    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 Director of the Ivey Energy and Policy Management Centre, to explore the state of governance in Canada's public utilities. One of Canada's leading experts on energy policy and corporate governance, Holburn brings both rigorous research and real boardroom experience as a director of London Hydro.   The conversation digs into a striking and underexamined finding: roughly a quarter of directors on Ontario's electricity distribution boards are elected politicians such as municipal councillors and mayors, rather than independent industry experts. Holburn explores what this means in practice: how political and independent directors may bring different priorities to the table, what questions this raises about expertise and accountability, and examples where good governance has led to mega-project success.   This episode is essential listening for policymakers, business leaders, and anyone who cares about how public assets are managed, and by whom.   In this episode: 0:00 Essential ingredients for a board 7:18 How elected politicians approach board work 13:18 What does bad governance look like vs. good governance 19:46 Personal experience on the London Hydro Board 24:53 Students understanding role of government

    29 min
  3. Greenwashing, greenhushing, and the truth behind corporate environmental claims

    Apr 1

    Greenwashing, greenhushing, and the truth behind corporate environmental claims

    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 Sustainability at Ivey, to explore one of the most pressing and pervasive challenges in the sustainability space. A globally recognized expert on greenwashing, Montgomery has spent years examining how and why companies misrepresent their environmental performance, and what it costs us when they do.   The conversation also ventures into a newer and more subtle phenomenon: greenhushing. This is where companies choose to downplay or stay silent about their environmental actions altogether. Montgomery argues that silence is far from neutral, and that greenhushing carries its own risks for climate progress, public trust, and accountability.   This episode offers essential insights for business leaders, policymakers, and anyone who wants to separate genuine sustainability from spin.   In this episode: :00 Wren Montgomery’s research background 5:14 Defining corporate greenwashing and its evolution 10:38 Greenwashing 3.0 and the explosion of greenwashing 18:07 Examining the concept of greenhushing 24:33 Lying to your stakeholders is not a good way to do business

    27 min
  4. Is entrepreneurship really a level playing field?

    Mar 4

    Is entrepreneurship really a level playing field?

    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 insightful conversation about the gendered dynamics of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Drawing on three of Janice’s pivotal studies, they explore how leaders “do gender” to establish legitimacy, why well-intentioned role model campaigns can sometimes backfire, and what the rise and fall of the “girlboss” phenomenon reveals about media hype and shifting social expectations. Timely and sharply relevant, this episode challenges us to reconsider the narratives that shape who thrives in business – and what it will take to build a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable entrepreneurial future. In this episode:  1:20: A scholar without borders 2:22: What does it mean to “do” gender? 6:22: Do leadership standards privilege certain gendered traits? 11:18: When “Superwoman” becomes a trap 14:28: Who earns the label of “role model” for women? 16:57: The girlboss, defined 18:59: The double edge sword of hype 23:24: Changing the entrepreneurial tide To learn more about the research discussed in this episode, please visit:  Gender Gymnastics in CEO succession: Masculinities, Femininities and Legitimacy https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0170840619879184 Role models and women entrepreneurs: Entrepreneurial superwoman has her say.https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-66233-009  The rise and fall of the girlboss: Gender, social expectations and entrepreneurial hype https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S088390262500014X?via%3Dihub

    30 min
  5. What does disruption really demand of leaders?

    Feb 20

    What does disruption really demand of leaders?

    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 and thought-provoking discussion on how disruption must be understood and led in this moment. Together, they revisit the promise – and limitations – of disruptive innovation and reflect on Raynor’s collaboration with the late Clayton Christensen. The conversation then turns to two powerful forces reshaping business: greenhouse gas emissions and artificial intelligence. Raynor urges leaders to approach decarbonization not as a talking point but as a strategic reality, and to move beyond experimentation with AI toward focused, high-impact applications, particularly in medicine. Provocative and pragmatic, this episode challenges leaders to rethink strategy in an era where disruption isn’t theoretical – it’s already underway. In this episode: 1:15: The 25-Year Internship 2:10: From Christensen to ChatGPT  7:17: Net zero is dead. Long live net zero 9:25: The problem hidden in plain sight 14:32: A “credit” to the system 19:38: Hope isn’t a climate strategy 21:00: The Decarbonizer's Dilemma 23:08: When algorithms meet medicine 30:27: Why cases beat codes To learn more about the research discussed in this episode, please visit: Using Early Gait Data From a Smart-Enabled Total Knee Arthroplasty to Identify Patient Function and Activity at 90 Days Postoperative https://www.arthroplastyjournal.org/article/S0883-5403(26)00089-6/fulltext Scope 3 decarbonization through environmental attribute certificates https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17583004.2025.2486624 Net Zero Is Dead. Long Live Net Zero https://iveybusinessjournal.com/net-zero-is-dead-long-live-net-zero/  What Is Disruptive Innovation? https://hbr.org/2015/12/what-is-disruptive-innovation

    34 min
  6. Allyship, power, and feeling seen at work

    Feb 4

    Allyship, power, and feeling seen at work

    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 School, to explore what effective allyship actually looks like in practice. Drawing on her research, Bhattacharyya examines how women of colour experience allyship at work, why good intentions can still miss the mark, and how power dynamics shape whether support is meaningful or performative.   The conversation also explores the idea of invisibility in the workplace, including how being overlooked or unheard affects belonging, performance, and career progression, and what leaders and colleagues can do to create environments where people feel genuinely seen and supported.   Thoughtful and practical, this episode offers clear insights for leaders, managers, and teams seeking to move beyond rhetoric and build more inclusive workplaces.   In this episode: :00: Not all allies are created equal 12:38: Do you see me – exploring invisibility in the workplace 19:36: How can workplaces make informed decisions 25:16: Applying research to the classroom

    29 min
  7. What will it take to secure Canada’s economic future?

    Jan 21

    What will it take to secure Canada’s economic future?

    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 Director of the Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management, to explore what lies ahead for Canada in 2026.   Their conversation examines the outlook for Canada-U.S. trade relations, the implications of renewed tariffs, and how Canada can position itself more effectively in a fragmented global economy. They also discuss why productivity growth is so critical, where Canada continues to lag, and what governments and businesses can do to improve competitiveness and scale innovation.   Timely and grounded in policy and practice, this episode offers insight into the choices Canada faces and the actions needed to build a stronger economic foundation for the years ahead.   In this episode:   0:00: Setting the stage for 2026 4:51: State of affairs between Canada and the United States 14:58: Productivity stagnation and future solutions 26:42: Finding optimism

    29 min
  8. Are you prepared to lead in the modern world of work?

    12/03/2025

    Are you prepared to lead in the modern world of work?

    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, misreading performance, and overlooking standout talent hiding in plain sight. So where should leaders start? In this episode of Dialogue with the Dean, Julian Birkinshaw sits down with Rob Austin, Professor of Information Systems and Ivey’s Evolution of Work Chair, for a thought-provoking conversation about what leaders need to understand about modern work. Together, they explore why knowledge work resists measurement, how creative breakthroughs often stem from “productive accidents,” what AI can and can’t replace, and why neuroinclusion is emerging as a powerful catalyst for capability building. Insightful, candid, and deeply relevant for anyone navigating rapid technological and cultural change, this episode offers clear and compelling insights for building workplaces where people – and ideas – can truly thrive. In this episode:  1:20: Origins of a modern work visionary 2:07: What really is knowledge work? 3:22: Evaluating the work you can’t see 8:05: Human vs. AI: Who’s really doing the thinking? 12:05: Things that make you go hmmm 16:39: Finding the sweet spot between home and office 20:07: Redesigning work for every brain 27:52: The power of people who give a damn To learn more about the research discussed in this episode, please visit:  How Neuroinclusion Builds Organizational Capabilitieshttps://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/how-neuroinclusion-builds-organizational-capabilities/ Computers as Creative Collaborators for Businesses?https://cmr.berkeley.edu/2023/09/computers-as-creative-collaborators-for-businesses/  The advantages and challenges of neurodiversity employment in organizationshttps://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-management-and-organization/article/advantages-and-challenges-of-neurodiversity-employment-in-organizations/E00D823A30F04CA4EA502014329C1CE9  Accidental innovation: Supporting valuable unpredictability in the creative processhttps://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/10.1287/orsc.1110.0681 Performance-based incentives in knowledge work: are agency models relevant?https://www.inderscienceonline.com/doi/abs/10.1504/IJBPM.2000.66  Knowledge Workhttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/394911987_Knowledge_work

    30 min
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About

The Ivey Impact Podcast is the flagship series of Ivey Business School, one of Canada’s top institutions for business education. Tailored for modern leaders, each brief yet impactful episode brings the expertise and innovative thinking of Ivey’s globally recognized faculty to the forefront. The dynamic discussions tackle today’s most critical issues, from start-ups and sustainability to AI-integration, responsible leadership, and more. Released monthly, Ivey Impact Podcast is the source for leaders seeking exclusive insights and actionable ideas that ignite change.

Information

  • Creator
    Ivey Business School
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Ivey Business School at Western University
  • Show Website
    Ivey Impact Podcast

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