Delve: What Robotic Surgery Reveals About Organizational Change
At first the operating room appears to be missing its surgeon—in the surgeon’s place, a robot, surgical tools at the ready, towers over the patient. Surgical robotic technology is specialized in design and purpose, yet in practice it illuminates more universal insights into how the introduction of new technologies spurs changes to people’s embodied actions, causing both intended and unexpected impacts.
How far is too far for retail innovation?
Professor Saibal Ray, academic director of the Bensadoun School of Retail Management, is concerned that the ongoing rise in retail technologies like self-checkout kiosks and smartphone-based order facilities may backfire as some shoppers find these features inconvenient and frustrating.
Innovative Laval University program looks to McGill’s IMHL for inspiration
Inspired by McGill’s International Masters for Health Leadership (IMHL) program, Laval University’s Faculty of Medicine recently designed an internship for rising medical graduates to tackle challenges in pandemic management and rural medicine.
Plans for Canadian digital currency remain on hold
With digital currencies like Bitcoin gaining traction in the e-commerce space, banks are considering the challenge of integrating digital and paper currencies while protecting user privacy. Although the Bank of Canada has no immediate plans to implement a government-backed digital currency, Professor Katrin Tinn wouldn't rule out a shift to cryptocurrency in the future.
New trucker vaccine mandate adds to supply chain woes
As of January 15, truckers crossing from the U.S. to Canada must show proof of vaccination to enter the country. Canadian truckers are exempt from the federal mandate but must quarantine for 14 days upon their return. In a recent broadcast of “CBC News: The National,” Professor Saibal Ray, Academic Director of the Bensadoun School of Retail Management, says the mandate could result in significant supply shortages.
Desautels professor named top retail influencer in 2022
Congratulations to Professor Maxime Cohen for making Rethink Retail’s list of Top Retail Influencers of 2022 in the academia category. Recognized for his groundbreaking leadership as co-director of McGill’s Retail Innovation Lab, Professor Cohen is making a name for himself at the forefront of retail transformation.
Putting ESG front and center
Meeting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards continues to weigh heavily on the agenda for Canadian companies across industries. As Desautels strives to prepare students to meet evolving demands, Professor Sebastien Betermier highlights the importance of integrating ESG considerations into coursework--but not at the expense of fundamental concepts.
Desautels finishes strong at 2022 ICBC
Five BCom case teams made the finals at the 44th annual Inter-Collegiate Business Competition (ICBC) hosted virtually by Queen's University from January 13 to 16, 2022 with the Finance and Ethics teams each taking first place. Winning teams:Finance: Julia Jin and Lucy Chen, coached by Mo Chaudhury
Dr. Adrian Dancea Recognized for his Efforts in Co-creating the GCHM
Congratulations to Dr. Adrian Dancea, co-director of the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management on receiving some well-deserved praise from Dr. Beth Foster, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Ď㽶ĘÓƵ.
Delve: Can Wikipedia Fix Its Information Inequality Problem?
Wikipedia has revolutionized the way that knowledge is produced and dramatically increased access to information. A closer look at the 300,000 active editors who contribute to Wikipedia’s millions of articles shows that they play a powerful role in shaping the world-wide information ecosystem, generating positive feedback loops that leave other topics in the dust, under-researched and unread. Their impact on the most visited educational resource on the planet affects us all.
PIVOT Project Celebrates Heroes of Sustainable Business
In a new episode of “Canada’s Podcast,” Professor Dror Etzion describes the PIVOT Project’s ongoing efforts to shine a spotlight on Canadian SMEs that are leading the charge toward a sustainable, low-carbon economy.
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A call to share the vaccine with the world
According to Dr. Joanne Liu (IMHL'14), countries like Canada can accelerate the end of the pandemic by lending support to developing countries where vaccination rates are lower, and variants tend to originate. Liu feels “heartbroken” over missed opportunities to share vaccines with other countries but hasn’t been able to convince the Canadian government to change its approach.
Desautels alumnus makes list of most influential personalities
Congratulations to Ronald Ajavon (IMPM’15) for receiving one of Francopresse’s 2021 Canadian Francophone Influential Personalities Awards. As the Director General of the Council of Fransaskois Schools, Ajavon spearheads social and political efforts to raise up new French-speaking schools throughout Saskatchewan.
Solving the pandemic puzzle in 2022
In an interview with Radio Canada’s Maxime Coutié, Dr. Joanne Liu (MDCM'91, IMHL'14, DSc'16) outlines several potential challenges and solutions for another year of the COVID-19 pandemic. From Dr. Liu’s perspective, there will only be light at the end of the tunnel when wealthy countries like Canada share the vaccine with the rest of the world.
Making investing more transparent
In a new paper, Professor Maxime Cohen and his colleagues push for IPOs to adopt “triggered disclosures” instead of one-size-fits-all disclosures about their operations. Although currently voluntary, mandatory triggered disclosures would maintain company privacy while setting a precedent for greater transparency with investors.
