If/Then

If/Then: Why Research Matters

Jul 25, 2024

Jesper B. Sørensen, Senior Associate Dean at Stanford Graduate School of Business, discusses the pivotal role of research in navigating complex business challenges. He explains how researchers balance abstract theories with real-world applications, emphasizing the difficulty in implementing fundamental insights. Sørensen also highlights the shift towards social responsibility in business education, the transformative impact of data in understanding immigration and innovation, and the often-overlooked power dynamics within organizations.

16:51

Episode guests

Jesper B. Sørensen

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Quick takeaways

Research bridges the gap between theoretical insights and practical applications, aiding managers in overcoming real-world challenges.

The focus on societal impact in business education emphasizes the importance of addressing complex issues like income disparities and climate change.

Deep dives

The Importance of Research in Society

Research plays a crucial role in enhancing human understanding and societal progress. It involves systematic inquiry to answer questions and discover knowledge over time, contributing to the evolution of society. In a business school context, research not only aims to enhance theoretical insights but also focuses on applying these insights to real-world problems faced by managers and leaders. The interplay between theory and practice highlights the challenge and excitement of addressing genuine organizational issues while striving to change lives and improve organizations.

Intro

3min

Rethinking Business Responsibility

4min

The Transformative Power of Data in Applied Economics

3min

Empowering Change: Power Dynamics and Research in Organizations

5min

The Joy of Research and Invitation for Future Engagement

2min

To wrap up the first season of If/Then: Business, Leadership, Society, we invited Senior Associate Dean Jesper B. Sørensen into the studio to talk about the importance of research at Stanford Graduate School of Business. He shares insights on what motivates faculty to study what they do and how it impacts practitioners across industries.

“One of the challenges of being a great researcher is that you need to move away again from this kind of day-to-day reality.… I think a gift that a lot of our faculty have is to be able to both live in that very abstract kind of world and then make it relatable to somebody who’s not living in that world,” Sørensen says.

“Sometimes putting fundamental insights into practice is really hard. One of the hallmarks of research is trying to isolate particular mechanisms through various kinds of control. Scientists live in the world where it’s a vacuum, and so we just watch the leaf fall and we can then time it and then tell you what the answer is,” Sørensen says. “And managers live in a world where the wind is blowing and there’s all these kinds of forces getting in the way.”

In his conversation with podcast host Kevin Cool, Sørensen also shares his thoughts on three episodes from If/Then’s first season.

If/Then is a podcast from Stanford Graduate School of Business that examines research findings that can help us navigate the complex issues we face in business, leadership, and society. Each episode features an interview with a Stanford GSB faculty member.

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If/Then

If/Then: Why Research Matters

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Importance of Research in Society

The Business, Government, and Society Initiative

Research, Policy Changes, and Market Fairness

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts