This episode explores the teaching challenges and rewards of Executive Doctorate or DBA (Doctorate of Business Administration) programmes. Executive Doctorate / DBA students may be pursuing a move to academia - in which case the task for their professors is to make them better teachers by adding a research component to their practitioner expertise. Alternatively they may be seeking the research component to supplement and deepen their existing expertise, in which case the teacher's role is to help develop already good managers and executives into better ones.

We explore the power of fostering a community of practice within DBA programs, the importance of using a cohort model for the teaching phase, and the challenges of matching professors with students in terms of their experience and expertise during the dissertation or project phase. This calls for different skills from the teachers and a willingness from both learners and teachers to share strengths and reveal weaknesses - all in the pursuit of learning, developing and tackling real world problems.

Our guests have years of experience supporting expert practitioners in organisations to challenge their thinking and approaches through evidence based management practices. They share their experiences and teaching methods, including advice for the next steps that could take teachers or learners to the next stage.

Host:

Karen Plum

Guests:

• Denise Rousseau, H J Heinz University Professor, Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania, USA
• Lars Mathiassen - GRA Eminent Scholar, Regents Professor, Computer Information Systems, Center for Digital Innovation, J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University
• Jo-Louise Huq - Assistant Professor (Teaching), University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine | Community Health Sciences, Haskayne School of Business |Entrepreneurship and Innovation Haskayne University Calgary
• Doug Gilbert - College of Management and Human Potential, Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Mentions:

• Center for Evidence-Based Management
• CEBMa Teachers Network
• Executive DBA Council (EDBAC)
• EDBAC Engaged Management Review
• Engaged Management Scholarship Conference - Henley-on-Thames 5-7 September 2024

Teaching evidence-based management to executive students (those who are already experienced managers within organisations) requires a different approach to the teaching of students at undergraduate level.

With executive students, we are presented with people who have seen it all, done it all, and have certainly got the scars on their backs to prove it. These people carry the weight of organizational experience and preconceived notions from management trends they've tried, with varying degrees of success. So armed with examples and a rich understanding of IO psychology, it's the educator's job to help students rise above the noise of past practices, and engage these pragmatic learners in an ultimately liberating approach to evidence-based decision-making.

The guests share their experiences and approaches when teaching executive students - blending academic rigor with the nitty-gritty of the business world. They also talk about how they personally judge the success of their teaching methods and share some advice to those thinking of taking the plunge with executive students, including a warm invitation to contact the Center for Evidence-Based Management!


Host:
Karen Plum

Guests:

• Eric Barends, Managing Director of the Center for Evidence-Based Management
• Preston Davis, Assistant Professor of Management, Coles College, Kennesaw State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
• Dr Gary Latham, Professor of Organizational Psychology, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, Canada
• Neil Walshe, Associate Professor of Organizational Psychology, School of Management, University of San Francisco, California , USA

Mentions:

Center for Evidence-Based Management

CEBMa Teachers Network

CEBMa’s Online Course Modules

Dr Gary Latham's book: Becoming the Evidence-Based Manager - Making the Science of Management Work for You

Organizational Dynamics Journal - edited by Dr Gary Latham

In this introduction to the podcast, step into the groundbreaking realm of Evidence-Based Management (EBM) with us as we chart its evolution from the influential Evidence-Based Medicine movement. Eric Berends, Denise Rousseau, Rob Briner and Jeffrey Pfeffer dissect the persistent gap between knowledge and application that hampers both healthcare and corporate landscapes. This episode promises an enlightening journey through the complex process of making data-driven decisions in management, highlighting the untapped potential of research in guiding business practices and the critical role of educators in narrowing this divide.

Unlock the secrets to enhancing decision-making in the corporate world through the lens of reflective learning and the power of diverse experiences. Professor Denise Rousseau's experiment with change management students reveals profound insights into the educational process and the importance of a holistic problem-solving approach. We confront the puzzling resistance to adopting EBM in academia, probing into who holds the reins of responsibility for elevating managerial decision-making. This exploration is not only thought-provoking but a call to action for educators and institutions to arm future leaders with the evidence-based toolkit necessary for navigating the ever-changing business terrain.

Navigating the academic sphere presents its unique challenges and opportunities in disseminating EBM principles. Hear from our guests as they advocate for a skillful blend of technical mastery and a curious, respectful mindset among graduates aiming to employ evidence-based approaches in their careers. Discover the tactical strategies educators can implement to weave EBM into curricula, starting small and dreaming big, while also contemplating the intrinsic merit of scientific evidence in organizational contexts. As Rob Briner urges educators to ponder their contribution to this field, we invite you to join us in a conversation that's not just about imparting knowledge but transforming the very fabric of management education.

Host:
Karen Plum

Guests:

• Denise Rousseau, H J Heinz University Professor, Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania, USA
• Rob Briner, Professor of Organisational Psychology, Queen Mary University of London
• Eric Barends, Managing Director of the Center for Evidence-Based Management
• Jeffrey Pfeffer, Thomas D. Dee II Professor of Organizational Behavior at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business

Mentions:
Center for Evidence-Based Management

CEBMa Teachers Network

CEBMa’s Online Course Modules