The BizTalks Series has been a platform for insightful discussions between our researchers and a wider audience. This fall saw two engaging sessions that attracted diverse audiences, and explored critical themes in organizational dynamics and consumer behavior.
The session In November focused on “AI on Company Resilience and Ideological Disagreement at Work". Prof. David HAGMANN from the Department of Management presented his findings on navigating ideological disagreements, revealing that individuals perceive ideological opponents as more trustworthy when they communicate through self-revealing personal narratives rather than solely relying on data. This emphasizes the role of vulnerability in fostering collaboration among diverse viewpoints. Revisit Prof. Hagmann's talk here.
Prof. HAN Miaozhe from the Department of Information Systems, Business Statistics and Operations Management (ISOM) followed with a presentation on "Does AI Enhance Firm Resilience Towards Natural Disaster Shocks?" Her research highlighted that firms integrating AI into 2.4% of their workforce can effectively recover from operational shocks caused by natural disasters, providing valuable insights for managers on the importance of AI investments in uncertain environments.
The series featured another session in December, with a theme centered around “Impacts of Social Learning on Supply Chain and Crowding on Consumers”. Prof. SHIN Dongwook from the Department of ISOM explored information sharing between retail platforms and manufacturers, emphasizing that while sharing can enhance product quality, it may also lead to lower quality under certain contracts due to the influence of customer reviews. Check out his presentation here.
Also, Prof. Sophie FAN from the Department of Marketing examined consumer responsiveness to sales promotions in crowded environments, demonstrating that crowding diminishes the impact of promotions as consumers shift their focus inward, prioritizing personal feelings over external cues. Find out more about Prof. Fan's research here.