The Why Podcast

The Why Podcast: Why does the office still matter?

In this episode of The Why, host Katie Pisa welcomes Bukky Akinsanmi Oyedeji, Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School, to unpack why physical work environments still hold power in a hybrid world. Drawing on her research ‘Physical Work Environments: An Integrative Review and Agenda for Future Research’, Bukky explores how office design affects not only employee health and productivity but also a firm’s ability to attract talent, retain resources, and signal legitimacy. From standing desks and soundproof booths to the open-plan layouts, this episode investigates the workplace as more than just a container for people – it is a canvas for strategy, culture, and performance. If you’ve ever wondered whether the office is still worth the rent, this one’s for you. For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni, visit Think at London Business School. Sign up to receive a curated selection of articles, podcasts and films direct to your inbox twice a month. Follow us on social media: X LinkedIn Facebook

The Why Podcast: Highlights from season two

In this special wrap-up episode of The Why Podcast, we revisit the most powerful insights from a season that explored identity, equity, power and culture through the lens of cutting-edge research. From Gillian Ku’s exploration of ‘social uncertainty’ and the courage it takes to be authentic at work, to Olenka Kacperczyk’s deep dive into the gender gap in entrepreneurship, the season revealed how invisible barriers shape real-world outcomes. Henri Servaes shared insights on how the #MeToo movement reshaped boardrooms while Randall Peterson unpacked the roots of team conflict, offering a framework for building trust and navigating tension. Their research reflected on the human stories behind the data, reminding us why it is imperative to remain curious. If you’ve ever wondered how research can illuminate the lived experience, or how we can come to better understand behaviour, leadership and change, start by asking: “Why?” For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni, visit Think at London Business School. Sign up to receive a curated selection of articles, podcasts and films direct to your inbox twice a month. Follow us on social media: X LinkedIn Facebook

The Why Podcast: Why do teams fall apart – and what can we do about it?

In this episode of The Why Podcast, host Katie Pisa speaks with Professor Randall S Peterson, Professor of Organisational Behaviour at London Business School, about one of the most costly, time-consuming, and universal workplace issues: team conflict. Based on his research about conflict 4 Common Types of Team Conflict—and How to Resolve Them, Randall outlines a practical framework for diagnosing and managing interpersonal tensions that derail productivity and damage trust. Most of us avoid conflict, but that can be costly. Studies show managers spend 20% of their time handling tension with teams—yet few have a plan for dealing with it. Listen as Randall unpacks the four most common conflict patterns—solo dissenters, dyadic conflicts, warring factions, and all-out team meltdowns—revealing why each arises, what leaders typically get wrong, and how to tailor conflict-resolution strategies for long-term performance and psychological safety. If you’ve ever walked into a meeting and sensed an invisible storm brewing, or just want to understand more about inevitable conflict that is a part of the working world, this episode is for you. For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni, visit  ⁠⁠Think at London Business School⁠⁠  Sign up ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ to receive a curated selection of articles, podcasts and films direct to your inbox twice a month.  Follow us on social media:  ⁠⁠X⁠⁠  ⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠  ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠  

The Why Podcast: Why does corporate culture matter to investors?

In this episode of The Why Podcast, host Katie Pisa sits down with Henri Servaes, Professor of Finance at London Business School and Richard Brealey Professor of Corporate Governance, to explore how corporate culture—particularly around gender equality and inclusion—is reshaping investment decisions and boardroom dynamics. Drawing on his recent research, Sexism, Culture, and Firm Value: Evidence from the Harvey Weinstein Scandal and the #MeToo Movement, Henri unpacks how the #MeToo movement and the Harvey Weinstein scandal triggered revelations of toxic workplace culture that started a re-evaluation of what “good governance” really means. The conversation delves into why firms with more inclusive leadership structures saw meaningful gains in investor interest—and how sexism, far from being just a moral issue, now carries material consequences for valuation and reputation. From institutional investors shifting portfolios to companies in “boys’ club” industries scrambling to improve diversity, this episode examines the measurable market response to cultural failings—and what that means for the future of leadership, governance, and trust in capital markets. If you’ve ever wondered whether values influence valuation, this one’s for you. For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni, visit  ⁠Think at London Business School⁠  Sign up ⁠here⁠ to receive a curated selection of articles, podcasts and films direct to your inbox twice a month.  Follow us on social media:  ⁠X⁠  ⁠Linkedin⁠  ⁠Facebook⁠  

The Why Podcast: Why is there a gender gap in entrepreneurship?

In the latest episode of The Why podcast, host Katie Pisa met with Professor Olenka Kacperczyk, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School, to discuss her research on the gender gap in entrepreneurship. The two discuss this important question: Where are all the missing female entrepreneurs? Olenka sheds light on her research findings, the reasons are behind this gap and what businesses, leaders and societies can do to help narrow the gap. While women make up half the population, among all the VC-backed ventures in her target research of the US, only 10% were founded by women. Female entrepreneurs only make up 20% of all ventures, and everything from administrative barriers and discriminatory wording in interviews for funding, holds women back. Olenka’s interest in the topic was partly based on her own family who became entrepreneurs in the post-Communist period in Poland. Watching them venture into business inspired her research and interest in the topic of inequality in entrepreneurship. Listen to this fascinating conversation to learn more about why this massive gender gap in entrepreneurship still exists. Read the full research here.For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni, visit Think at London Business School Sign up here to receive a curated selection of articles, podcasts and films direct to your inbox twice a month. Follow us on social media: X Linkedin Facebook