Rotman Executive Summary

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In a world overloaded with opinions, hot takes and half-truths, the Rotman Executive Summary offers something rare: trusted insight. The Rotman Executive Summary cuts through the clutter to bring you research-backed insights from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management — Canada’s leading business school. Each episode features Rotman faculty unpacking timely research and big ideas on the issues organizational leaders care about most: building compassionate and effective workplaces, navigating AI-driven changes, strategizing for chaos and more. These are ideas worth knowing — delivered in brief, engaging conversations you can listen to anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re a curious leader, a lifelong learner or someone who simply wants to understand what’s really driving change in business and society, this podcast delivers credible, research-backed intelligence in under 20 minutes.

  1. Trading blows What history teaches us about today’s trade uncertainty

    2D AGO

    Trading blows What history teaches us about today’s trade uncertainty

    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 [0:00] Meet Dimitry Anastakis - a University of Toronto professor and expert on Canadian business and economic history, who says Donald Trump’s views on tariffs were really cemented in the ‘80s, putting him at odds with the Republican Party at the time.  [1:03] Canada’s economy is enmeshed with that of the U.S., which doesn’t bode well for us as we face a new trade war.  [2:07] A quick recap of the 2025 trade war between Canada and the U.S. to date.  [3:43] Lessons from the past — we’ve been in this type of situation with the U.S. before.  [3:59] We’ve faced familiar trade disputes in the 1890s, 1920s to ‘30s and the ‘70s to 80s.  [5:57] Reagan-era trade disputes — The trade war of the ‘80s was different from the earlier spats – with the U.S. using it as a tool to convince Canada to join the North American Free Trade Agreement.  [7:10] Canada’s historical options in trade disputes — historically, trade wars are an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on their best path forward. And we usually face three choices.  [8:01] Why have we eschewed the “third option” of diversifying our trading partners and instead increasingly turned into partnerships with the U.S.? [9:01] And how has closer ties to the U.S. helped us through post-trade war recessions?  [10:18] Why this trade war is different. [10:38] How are tariffs actually supposed to work, and why is that incongruent with how Donald Trump is wielding them?  [11:22] What role do previous trade agreements play if a key player just decides to ignore them entirely?  [12:09] Canadians are feeling betrayed.  [12:37] And if these tariffs remain in place long term, it does not bode well for the Canadian economy.  [13:40] Resilience in the face of disruption — perhaps now is a time for us to reflect and move towards a new economic path, less dependent on the U.S. [15:29] “We do need to expect that there's going to be a rough ride. But most importantly, we need to rise to the challenge. We need entrepreneurs and governments and firms to start thinking about how Canadians can exploit the advantages that they have in a new kind of economy in the 21st century. Canadians should recognize that this provides an opportunity for us to start building on our strengths. And, you know, the great thing is that history shows us that the Canadian people have been pretty resilient in these situations.” Be sure to check out the Executive Summary back catalogue. We tackle everything from why it’s time to explore a four-day work week to where you can actually get the best innovation.

    17 min
  2. The trust factor: How trust can help companies through uncertainty

    SEP 9

    The trust factor: How trust can help companies through uncertainty

    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] Trust in institutions, businesses and CEOs is on the decline.  [0:33] Meet Bill McEvily, a professor at the University of Toronto, and an expert in trust-building [1:42] What is trust, exactly?  [2:46] What are the three dimensions to trust?  [4:02] What role does trust play in a workplace (and why is it handy for dealing with chaotic times)? [5:46] What breaks trust?  [6:15] What are examples of companies breaking your trust?  [7:39] What are the consequences when a company breaks people’s trust? [8:24] There is no magical formula for repairing trust once it’s been broken. But consistently delivering on your stated and unstated promises is a good start. [9:15] Communication is really important for trust-building. [11:21] How do you build trust when you aren’t directly connected to an individual? In comes Bill’s concept of “prismatic trust” [12:26] Organizations can learn from EZ Trade, which has systems in place specifically designed to help instill trust in people you’ve never met.  [13:14] So what signals are you, as an organization, sending about who, and what is trustworthy?  [14:18] “It's important for people to understand that there are mechanisms for ascertaining trust, even when we don't have the ability to know people personally, and that, I think, is necessarily our future is collaborating with people that are really distant from us and relying on people that are really distant from us. Human beings are ingenious in figuring out how to trust strangers. But therein lies the paradox of that you open yourself up to harm, I think of it as an innately human thing. So it's not just something that's important in terms of running a business or any kind of organization. It's just how human society functions.”

    16 min

  3. SEASON 4 TRAILER

    Season 4 Launches September 9!

    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 now: How can organizations rebuild trust when uncertainty is the only constant?What lessons from history can guide Canada’s economy today?Why more healthcare workers alone won’t fix our healthcare system — and what will.How to reignite creativity in your team, with evidence (not clichés).What can innovative companies learn from the #MeToo movement?What does the science say about persuasive writing?Perfect for curious leaders, lifelong learners and anyone who wants to understand what’s really driving change in business and society. Listen between meetings, on your commute or over coffee — follow now so you never miss an episode. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

    2 min

  4. APR 8

    Accounting for labour: What your employees can reveal about company success

    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 listening. Show notes [0:00] Are you listening to what your employees are and aren’t telling you about your company’s prospects? [0:29] Meet Nan Li, an assistant professor of accounting at the Rotman School of Management who studies human capital – that is employees – and its impact on company performance.  [1:46] Big changes are coming to the reporting standards world. Starting in 2027, companies in the U.S. will have to disclose how much of their expense line items (think R&D, administration, marketing) is spent on compensation.  [3:22] This news makes Nan and other researchers excited, since it’s a goldmine of insights.  [4:00] The changes are long overdue. While once a company’s output and profits were driven by things like machinery and widgets – so that was a primary focus on reports; as we shift into a knowledge economy, employees are becoming the biggest asset.  [5:11] What are peer firms, and why does it matter when it comes to talent pools?  [5:30] LinkedIn is changing how we define peer firms.  [7:13] Why is it important to know that, says, a car company isn’t just competing against other car manufacturers for talent? [8:29] Glassdoor reviews, specifically “employee business outlook,” is predictive of firm performance. A bad employee outlook will likely mean a bad earnings report down the line.  [9:46] So why aren’t company leaders and financial analysts paying attention to social media as a source of information?  [11:36] Certain types of labour costs are directly tied to future sales growth. More money into R&D translates into greater profit down the line, while fixed costs like administration can make it easy to grow in good times, but dampen growth in hard times, Nan’s research finds.  [13:34] Employees certainly pay attention to company earning calls, and adjust their own outlook on a company accordingly. So perhaps it’s time employers start doing the same.  [15:11] “All the information there is public. So as a manager or analyst, you can just sign on to Glassdoor, write your own review about your company. And there are some academics and also practitioners already noticed or recognize that we are kind of falling behind.” That’s because employees aren’t just workers; they’re insiders. They are on the ground seeing how your company is really performing. So maybe it’s time leaders start treating employees not just as assets, but as one of their most valuable sources of insight.

    17 min

  5. MAR 11

    When autonomy backfires: When 'control' creates more stress

    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 control will be empowering or stress-inducing. Show notes [0:00] Meet professor Jia Lin Xie, an expert in job design, stress and employee well being. She’s in the middle of research exploring attitudes towards return to office. [0:25] The pandemic gave employees control and autonomy over their work, and now many employees feel that control is being taken away by the RTO request. It turns out, once given, removing control can be detrimental. But should it always be given?  [1:26] We’re working in a “boundaryless” world, where technology enables us to be always connected. [1:56] Research shows boundarylessness can boost job satisfaction, but it also contributes to emotional exhaustion and stress. [3:35] Those who struggle with boundarylessness might blame their person-environment (P-E) fit.  [4:23] What happens when you have a “good” versus “bad” P-E fit? (Hint: it’s burnout!) [4:48] Job demands — whether physical, cognitive, or emotional — can make or break your workplace experience. [6:24] How does having control offset the risks of stressful job demands?  [8:35] Jia Lin questioned the widely held theory that control is always a buffer to job demand stress. [10:08] Control isn’t always a good thing; things that affect your control include your abilities to do a task… [11:41] …your attribution style… [11:59] … and even your cultural background can impact its effectiveness at buffering stress. Take the difference between American and Hong Kong bank tellers. [14:20] So if you’re struggling with control and autonomy, and think it’s causing you stress, you have to reflect on why that is. [16:11] So, how can you tell if having more control at work will help or hurt you? Jia Lin has some questions you can ask yourself. [18:26] The takeaway? Control isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s about self-awareness, personal preferences, and the right support system.

    20 min

  6. FEB 11

    Are we thinking about traffic congestion wrong

    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 worth the slowdown. Show notes [0:00] Not only does sitting in traffic suck, it has an economic impact, which cities and governments try to blunt through traffic mitigation strategies.  [1:38] Meet Victor Couture, an expert on urban issues such as housing, gentrification and transportation.  [3:04] In 2023, Victor and colleagues released a paper benchmarking the fastest and slowest cities in the world.  [4:20] What makes a city fast versus slow?  [6:41] Flint, Michigan, in the U.S. earns the distinction as the world’s fastest city, but it’s not a blueprint for other cities to model.  [7:22] When it comes to moving people around a city, what is the ultimate goal of a city, and why isn’t it speed?  [8:38] What is the transportation network? [9:07] What is accessibility in terms of transportation networks?  [10:46] When is speed via cars a good option?  [11:26] How does density affect productivity?  [11:40] Reducing congestion isn’t going to magically make a city more economically vibrant or affordable. [12:12] Toronto is a case study for the density versus traffic speed debate. Victor’s research shows that the city is, on average, getting slower despite traffic mitigation strategies.  [13:32] So what about that tunnel under highway 401?  [14:41] Should the city rip out newly installed bike lanes?  [15:44] So what is the purpose of a trip?  [16:19] “For 1,000s of years, cities have been about bringing people into closer proximity. They've been about facilitating the flows of goods, the flows of people, the flows of ideas and the purpose of urban policy makers should be to facilitate those flows and create infrastructure and create institutions that let people realize those benefits of cities, that let people meet easily. That's the goal of a transportation network.”

    18 min

  7. JAN 14

    Taming the machine: Why regulating AI feels impossible (but we have to try anyways)

    "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 notes: [0:00] In 2023, tech leaders and academics signed a letter agreeing to hold off on future AI development until government regulation caught up…spoiler alert: it didn’t.  [0:48] Five years ago, it would have been impossible to imagine where AI development was going to be today…what will we see in the next five years?  [1:36] Meet Dan Trefler, a professor of economics and policy at the Rotman School of Management.  [2:29] Regulating “Artificial Intelligence” is impossible.  [3:50] What’s the 2025 state of affairs when it comes to regulating uses of AI?  [4:29] Dan sees one region of the world regulating the tech use about as well as they can.  [7:12] What is the competition problem?  [7:48] What is the coordination problem?  [8:29] What happens when we have competition and coordination working together seamlessly?  [9:46] So why can’t AI regulations follow the same successful model as car regulations?  [10:19] What’s the interpretability problem?  [11:18] California’s failed attempt at regulating AI companies is the perfect microcosm of the challenges we face.  [12:45] Where is the last place governments should regulate?  [13:49] To get a handle on things now, Dan wants us to focus on (1) extreme risks;  [14:28] (2) learning from other successful regulatory bodies like the FDA; [14:49] and (3) exploring regulatory incentives that encourage positive uses of the technology. [15:33] And citizens can help wage the great AI regulatory battle with their own personal choices.  [16:03] “I'm asking people to be much more forward looking than we normally tend to be. I want them to start anticipating risks which don't exist yet, because when they do come, as we've seen with past changes in AI, they will come in such a flurry that we won't be able to shovel our way out of our own homes. So let's start thinking hard about regulating things on a precautionary principle, not because they've happened, but because they might happen.”

    17 min

  8. 12/10/2024

    Too hot to handle: How extreme heat damages businesses' bottom lines

    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 University of Toronto Mississauga, with a cross appointment to the Rotman School of Management. She studies the impact of climate change on organizations. [1:48] One of the biggest risks of heat is its impact on production.  [3:06] What does “heat exposure” even mean?  [3:32] Heat – specifically days over 30 degrees Celsius – might be costing businesses an average of $650,000 per quarter.  [3:54] And it affects indoor and outdoor industries alike, albeit in slightly different ways.  [4:49] It also has an impact on investors… [5:39] …and supplier relationships.  [7:39] How can businesses adapt? [8:40] Importantly, no one can really study what businesses are doing, since they aren’t sharing, nor are they required to share, their heat mitigation strategies. As a result, we don’t know what works, and what doesn’t.  [9:17] Nora studied the impact of heat on worker safety, and the results weren’t great.  [10:38] What’s driving heat-related injuries?  [11:39] But a simple, low-cost heat-mitigation strategy – training to identify signs of heat stroke – had a huge impact.  [12:35] So are businesses doing anything? Well…maybe?  [13:46] Nora is hopeful: “Overall, I think over the last couple of years, there has been an uptake in this type of data and analytical work at the firm level. So, I think firms will explore this more and more going forward.”

    15 min
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In a world overloaded with opinions, hot takes and half-truths, the Rotman Executive Summary offers something rare: trusted insight. The Rotman Executive Summary cuts through the clutter to bring you research-backed insights from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management — Canada’s leading business school. Each episode features Rotman faculty unpacking timely research and big ideas on the issues organizational leaders care about most: building compassionate and effective workplaces, navigating AI-driven changes, strategizing for chaos and more. These are ideas worth knowing — delivered in brief, engaging conversations you can listen to anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re a curious leader, a lifelong learner or someone who simply wants to understand what’s really driving change in business and society, this podcast delivers credible, research-backed intelligence in under 20 minutes.

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