Stefan Dimitriadis
University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management
“Stefan combines an excellent track record in his research which has had practical real-world impact with an outstanding presence in the outclass both in his teaching of the Corporation 360° course (with excellent student reviews) and work as the first-ever course coordinator for the Rotman Commerce strategy course. This involved amalgamating the syllabi of five diverse and experienced instructors into a common curriculum, as well as managing consistency and quality across 18 sections of the course throughout the year. This was a huge job, especially for a new junior assistant professor, and he did it superbly.” Becky Reuber, Professor of Strategic Management
Stefan Dimitriadis, 37, is an Assistant Professor of Strategic Management at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto.
Using randomized control trials, Dimitriadis’ research explores how business strategy and management practices affect firms and entrepreneurs in resource constrained environments, especially sub-Saharan Africa. In a recent study, he developed and tested a social skills intervention that led to significant performance improvements for entrepreneurs. His work has been published in leading journals such as Strategic Management Journal, Management Science, and Organization Science.
Dimitriadis is also a dedicated educator, teaching courses on strategic management, organizations, and corporate strategy. He has been recognized with several teaching awards at Rotman and actively contributes to the academic community through editorial board memberships at journals like Organization Science and Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal.
BACKGROUND
At current institution since what year? 2019
Education: B.A. Economics, McGill University; M.Phil. Economics, Oxford University; M.A. Sociology, Harvard University; Ph.D. Organizational Behavior, Harvard University
List of Undergraduate courses you teach: Strategic Management, The 360o Corporation
TELL US ABOUT LIFE AS A BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR
I knew I wanted to be a business school professor when …
I began working as a research associate for my mentor, Professor Julie Battilana, at Harvard Business School and saw her teach. I was so impressed by the passion she brought to the classroom and her ability to inspire students.
What are you currently researching and what is the most significant discovery you’ve made from it?
My research explores ways of using management to empower entrepreneurs in contexts of poverty. I use randomized control trials to understand which managerial interventions help entrepreneurs’ businesses grow and succeed, despite the challenging environment they operate in. In the past, my research has highlighted the value of peer relationships and how they can be a critical source of support, especially during times of crisis. In my current research, I’m exploring how entrepreneurs can manage tensions that arise from working with family members. In contexts of poverty, families are often deeply involved in entrepreneurs’ businesses, but this can be challenging when the norms of the family are not the same as the norms of the business. In a recent study I explored how a set of managerial practices called “participative management” can help entrepreneurs manage their family’s involvement in their businesses. By structuring their involvement, entrepreneurs are able to communicate better with their families, thereby improving the performance of their business and creating more wealth for their families.
If I weren’t a business school professor, I’d be …
A fiction writer.
What do you think makes you stand out as a professor?
I hope that my empathy for students makes me stand out. I think that effective teaching requires meeting students where they’re at and being an undergraduate can be challenging. It’s an important time in many student’s lives as they take on more responsibilities, manage competing demands, and prepare for the post-university labor market. There can be a lot of uncertainty and stress. My hope is that my courses are a space where students can feel heard and understood, which in turn creates an environment in which they can immerse themselves in learning about critical issues in business.
One word that describes my first time teaching: Nervous.
Here’s what I wish someone would’ve told me about being a business school professor: I wish someone had told me how fun it would be, I would have tried to join a business school sooner!
Professor I most admire and why: The professor I most admire is Professor Julie Battilana. She was the chair of my dissertation committee at Harvard Business School and has been my mentor. I admire her because she is a very generous and inclusive scholar. She showed me that helping others, whether students or research participants, was an important part of being a good researcher and teacher. I have always been impressed by her ability to be there for her students and I hope to emulate that.
TEACHING BUSINESS SCHOOL STUDENTS
What do you enjoy most about teaching business students? I love teaching business students because they bring a very pragmatic lens and are motivated to have an impact on the world. When we analyze cases in class, business students are attentive to the practical implications and how those can be carried into the real world to effect change.
What is most challenging? The most challenging aspect about teaching business students is probably that, at least in business strategy, there are often no clean answers to business dilemmas. This can be challenging because we all crave succinct answers or concise solutions, but these rarely exist. I think this can sometimes be disappointing to students, but I also think it can be helpful to learn to accept some degree of uncertainty and ambiguity.
In one word, describe your favorite type of student: Conscientious.
In one word, describe your least favorite type of student: Checked-out.
When it comes to grading, I think students would describe me as … generous, I hope.
LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
What are your hobbies? Chess; reading books on politics, history, and science; going for walks with my wife and our dog Ernie
How will you spend your summer? Doing research!
Favorite place(s) to vacation: Crete, Greece & Cape Cod, MA
Favorite book(s): Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky; Report to Greco by Nikos Kazantzakis; Consider the Lobster by David Foster Wallace.
What is currently your favorite movie and/or show and what is it about the film or program that you enjoy so much? I love the Lord of the Rings trilogy directed by Peter Jackson. While I also loved the books, the movies are amazing in their ability to evoke so much of the drama of the books and can transport you to a different world.
What is your favorite type of music or artist(s) and why? My favorite band is probably “The Band.” I love a lot of aspects of classic rock, but The Band is my favorite. Their use of musical traditions from the American south, their ability to play a wide range of different styles and play with a wide range of other artists was amazing.
THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS
If I had my way, the business school of the future would have much more of this … research and teaching about the social responsibilities of businesses. While a lot of what we teach in business schools focuses on fulfilling business’ responsibilities towards their shareholders, I wish there was more emphasis on balancing those responsibilities with responsibilities towards employees, communities, and the natural environment. It is difficult for businesses to pursue both financial and social obligations, which is why we need business schools to lead the way and show businesses how it can be done.
In my opinion, companies and organizations today need to do a better job at … prioritizing non-financial goals. Businesses today have an unprecedent amount of power, both in terms of their political influence and their economic potential. This means they bear a larger responsibility to protect society and the natural environment. As we face a growing number of global challenges, the need for businesses to take on this new level of responsibility grows.
I’m grateful for … my students. Teaching has been a privilege and I am grateful to all of my students who take my courses, attend my lectures, and participate in our discussions. My students push me to pursue my research, develop my teaching skills, and bring the best version of myself to class.
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