The danger of making assumptions about digital equality based on binary digital inclusion data.

Professor Chris Forde (Leeds University Business School) speaks to Dr Becky Faith and Kevin Hernandez (Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex) about their research on digital inequalities. They discuss the problematic assumption that most people now have access, and the right skills, to use the internet and why we need better data to understand the nature of digital exclusion. 

This is part of a special series of podcasts in conjunction with the Digit Data Observatory, part of the Digital Futures at Work Research Centre.  

Read the Data Commentary. https://digit-research.org/data_commentaries/measuring-digital-exclusion/

Visit the Digit Data Observatory. https://digit-research.org/data-observatory/do-overview/

The Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (Digit) is jointly led by the Universities of Sussex and Leeds Business Schools with partners from Aberdeen, Cambridge, Manchester and Monash Universities. It is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). 
This podcast episode was recorded remotely in June 2022. If you would like to get in touch regarding this podcast, please contact  research.lubs@leeds.ac.uk. A transcript of this episode is available.   
 
About the speakers: 

Chris Forde is Professor of Employment Studies and Co-Director of the Centre of Employment Relations Innovation and Change at the University of Leeds, and co-ordinator of the Q Step Programme at the University of Leeds, funded by the Nuffield Foundation and the ESRC. He is also Deputy Director of Digit and co-lead of the Digit Data Observatory. His principal research interest is in temporary agency working, but he also conducts research into migration. 

Becky Faith is a Research Fellow and Co-Leader of Digit Research Track 4 ‘Reconnecting the disconnected: new channels of voice and representation’. Her professional experience and research interests encompass gender and technology, mobile communication studies, human computer interaction and technology for social change. 

Kevin Hernandez is a Research Officer at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) and a Researcher working on Digit Research Theme 4 ‘Reconnecting the disconnected: new channels of voice and representation’. His research interests include digital inequalities, sustainable development, and political economy of automation.

The danger of making assumptions about digital equality

Dr Ziko Konwar is joined by Dr Christopher Hassall and Professor Ulf Andersson to discuss the intricate linkages between biodiversity and business strategies, with an emphasis on operations of multinational enterprises. As part of the conversation, they explore questions such as how can businesses co-create value when it comes to preserving biological resources and mitigating the pace of biodiversity loss. And what are some of the major challenges for multinational companies integrating nature-based solutions into their business models? 

This episode was recorded on 3rd October 2024. If you would like to get in touch regarding this episode, please contact research.lubs@leeds.ac.uk. A transcript of this episode is available. 

About the speakers: 

Dr Ziko Konwar is an Assistant Professor of International Business at Leeds University Business School, and is the Director of Internationalization for the International Business Department. His research interests are in global strategy of multinational enterprises, with an emphasis on cross-national institutional and systemic challenges. He is the Leeds University Business School Research Lead for the 24-26 Cheney Fellowship project (see below), University of Leeds.   

Dr Christopher Hassall is an Associate Professor of Animal Biology in the School of Biology at the University of Leeds. He co-directs the Leverhulme Extinction Studies Doctoral Training Programme and co-leads the Aeroecology Research Group, which focuses on using radar for biodiversity monitoring. His research interests span fundamental ecology and biodiversity conservation, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary solutions to biodiversity challenges. 

Professor Ulf Andersson is a Professor of Business Studies in Mälardalen University, Sweden. Ulf is a research leader and expert on subsidiary management strategy of multinational enterprises, and is a Fellow of the Academy of International Business and European International Business Academy. Ulf is the first Cheney Fellow to be hosted at Leeds University Business School, University of Leeds. 

About the project:

The Cheney fellowship project will utilize inter-disciplinary research expertise to address the role of global strategy of multinational enterprises (MNEs) in biodiversity loss (e.g. species/habitat extinction and MNE global innovation). The research team comprises Professor Ulf Andersson (incoming Cheney Fellow), Dr Ziko Konwar, Professor Yingqi (Annie) Wei and Professor Frank McDonald (Leeds University Business School), Dr Christopher Hassall (Faculty of Biological Sciences,) and Professor George Holmes (School of Earth and Environment). Over the past ten years, the Cheney Fellowship programme has established fruitful and high-impact research partnerships in areas such as water security, molecular biology, medicine and materials science. This programme has been made possible through a $4 million gift from Bacteriology and Biochemistry graduate Peter Cheney and his wife Susan.   

All quiet on the biodiversity strategy front: multinational enterprises, value creation and sustainable ecosystems

Digital transformation is a game changer for businesses and economies. But SMEs, which play a major economic role, lag behind larger firms in developing digital capabilities. In this episode, Drs Alex Kevill, Mariana Estrada-Robles (Leeds University Business School) and Selen Kars-Unluoglu (University of the West of England), discuss how digital transformation is not solely a technical challenge, and how companies need to focus on people and relationships to effectively integrate technology into their organisations. 

This episode was recorded on 21st November 2024. If you would like to get in touch regarding this episode, please contact research.lubs@leeds.ac.uk. A transcript of this episode is available. 

Visit the project webpage for further information.  

The research discussed in this episode is funded by the BA Leverhulme Small Research Grants scheme. 

About the speakers:  

Dr Alex Kevill is a lecturer in enterprise at Leeds University Business School. He has a keen interest in capability development in entrepreneurial firms, and how knowledge developed from entrepreneurial learning interventions influences entrepreneurial cognition and behaviours.   

Dr Mariana Estrada-Robles is also a lecturer in enterprise at Leeds University Business School. She is a researcher in the field of entrepreneurship and family business. She is also interested in examining particular challenges faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and highlighting their importance in countries like the UK, Mexico and the global context.  

Dr Selen Kars-Unluoglu is an associate professor in organisation studies at the University of the West of England. Her research focuses on understanding the ways organisations and entrepreneurs develop and deploy their intangible resources, such as knowledge, capabilities, and networks to generate growth and achieve learning.

Digital transformation in SMEs: Why relationships matter as much as technology

Cars have become a staple of modern society, but they can create all sorts of problems. Vehicles have a costly effect on the environment, and research shows that cars are only in motion for 4% of the day – but what are the alternatives? How can we make public transport more reliable? What would a future where we don’t need to own a car look like?

Host Rich Williams is joined by Greg Marsden, Professor of Transport Governance, Dr Ian Philips, Senior Research Fellow exploring sustainable and equitable transport, and Jillian Anable, Professor of Transport and Energy at the Institute of Transport Studies. 


How can we build a future where we don't need to own a car?

More and more of us are adopting a meat-free diet, it’s estimated that 16% of the UK population are vegan, vegetarian or pescatarian. Those of us participating in ‘Veganuary’ this year may already be familiar with meat-alternatives such as Beyond Meat or Quorn, but we may not know what these products are actually made of. Why are alternative proteins so important? What needs to be done to ensure these products are healthy, tasty and affordable? How can we meet our future protein needs sustainably?

Host Rich Williams is joined by three members of the National Alternative Proteins Innovation Centre (NAPIC): Professor Anwesha Sarkar, Director of Research and Innovation for the School of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Leeds; Professor Louise Dye, Co-Director of the University of Sheffield’s Institute for Sustainable Food and Professor Derek Stewart, Director of the Advanced Plant Growth Centre at The James Hutton Institute.

How can we meet our future protein needs sustainably?

An estimated 4.4 million adults in the UK now use dating apps like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble in their search for the perfect partner, with these platforms generating a staggering £150 million in annual revenue. While many people do find the love of their life online, concerns are mounting over reports that some services perpetuate racism, are losing users, and can even promote gambling through their paid subscription models. So, how can we build a healthy relationship with dating apps?

“One thing people need to realise is that they’re stepping into an environment designed to benefit the company—always. It’s like walking into a casino: the house always wins.” – Dr Luke Brunning
Host Rich Williams is joined by three guests from the University of Leeds who are searching for the answers: 

- Dr Luke Brunning, Lecturer in Applied and Inter-Disciplinary Ethics at the IDEA Centre, with research interests in the philosophy of romantic life, ethics and philosophy of emotion 
- Dr Natasha McKeever, Lecturer in Applied Ethics at the IDEA Centre, researching the philosophy of love and sex
- Dr Alessandro Birgalia, Associate Professor of Marketing at Leeds University Business School who researches consumer behaviour and psychology, branding and more.


How can we have a healthy relationship with dating apps?

David Loseby, Visiting Professor of Research Impact at Leeds University Business School, interviews Frank Lee, Chief Executive Officer at the Institute for Collaborative Working, asking what makes a great partner, and how value can be created through collaboration. 

Both David and Frank spoke at the “Ideas in Practice: Supply Chain Summit 2024”, which was co-hosted by Leeds University Business School and the Institute for Collaborative Working. The event, held in November 2024, explored how managing complex supply chains is increasingly vital to all organisations. 

Additional note: In the episode, David and Frank mention ISO 44000 and ISO 44001. These are standards created by the International Organization for Standardization, that provide frameworks for successful collaborative business relationship management. 

This episode was recorded on 3rd February 2025. If you would like to get in touch regarding this episode, please contact research.lubs@leeds.ac.uk. A transcript of this episode is available. (https://business.leeds.ac.uk/downloads/download/354/podcast-transcript---collaboration-done-right)

About the speakers: 

David Loseby is Professor of Research Impact in Supply Chain Management at Leeds University Business School. He is a modern day “pracademic” that has spent over three decades in procurement and supply chain roles internationally across a diverse set of sectors from pharmaceuticals, banking, retail, manufacturing, and public sector (NHS and Westminster City Council) and more recently as the Group CPO for Rolls Royce. He is also a visiting scholar at the University of East Anglia involved in Executive MBA and MSc programmes, as well as his own active research portfolio in Behavioural Science.  

Frank Lee is the Chief Executive Officer at the Institute for Collaborative Working (ICW), a role he has held since early 2023. He joined ICW after more than 30 years with the British Standards Institution (BSI), where he held various leadership roles. Frank has been instrumental in establishing a new vision and purpose for ICW, transforming it into a modern, agile, and outward-focused institution. 

Collaborative working

In this episode, Drs Bianca Orsi, Peter Hughes and Juliane Scheffel talk about their project “WISE - Women into Studying Economics” - a research project that is tackling the gender imbalance in economics. They discuss why so few women choose to study economics, the stereotypes that discourage them, and the impact a lack of diversity in the field has on policy and society. Through school visits and conversations with students, the team is uncovering key barriers and working to change perceptions.  
 
Visit the project webpage. https://business.leeds.ac.uk/faculty/dir-record/research-projects/2060/women-into-studying-economics-wise

This episode was recorded on 26th February 2025. If you would like to get in touch regarding this episode, please contact research.lubs@leeds.ac.uk. A transcript of this episode is available. https://business.leeds.ac.uk/downloads/download/355/podcast-transcript---addressing-the-gender-gap-in-economics

About the speakers: 

Dr Bianca Orsi is a lecturer in economics at Leeds University Business School. Her main research interests are on monetary policy, monetary policy transmission mechanism, inflation, capital controls, interest rate, exchange rate, currency internationalization and currency hierarchy, financial integration.  
https://business.leeds.ac.uk/departments-economics/staff/556/dr-bianca-orsi 
 
Dr Peter Hughes is also a lecturer in economics at Leeds University Business School. His areas of expertise are: monetary economics, behavioural economics, institutional economics, money, history of economic thought, and economic methodology. 
https://business.leeds.ac.uk/departments-economics/staff/127/dr-peter-t-hughes 
 
Dr Juliane Scheffel is an associate professor in economics at the Business School. Her research interests are in: labour economics, development economics, migration, education, and elderly care. 
https://business.leeds.ac.uk/departments-economics/staff/141/dr-juliane-scheffel  

Addressing the gender gap in economics

In this episode, Addi Manolopoulou speaks to Dr Costas Lambrinoudakis and Elliot (Zhengfa) Zhang about their recent paper – The Impact of Social Media Influencers on the Financial Market Performance of Firms. They discuss high-profile cases, including Rihanna and Kylie Jenner, and examine whether other social media stars have the power to influence stock prices.  

This episode was recorded on 25th March 2025. If you would like to get in touch regarding this episode, please contact research.lubs@leeds.ac.uk. A transcript of this episode is available.  

Read the journal article: "The impact of social media influencers on the financial market performance of firms", European Financial Management. Kevin Keasey, Costas Lambrinoudakis, Danilo V. Mascia, Zhengfa Zhang. 

About the speakers: 

Addi Manolopoulou is the Departmental Manager for the Accounting and Finance Department at Leeds University Business School. She is committed to translating complex research into real-world impact.   

Costas Lambrinoudakis is Assistant Professor of Finance at Leeds University Business School. His research interests lie in corporate finance, financial markets, social networks, and big data. 

Zhengfa (Elliot) Zhang is a postgraduate researcher in the Centre for Advanced Studies in Finance. His main research areas are financial markets, textual analysis, LLMs, behavioural finance, and empirical asset pricing.

How social media influencers can affect the stock market

Drs Lauren Machon and Helen Hughes talk about the behaviour lab at Leeds University Business School, and how it can help organisations solve real-world challenges. In this episode, they discuss how the Behaviour Lab can be used by companies to test consumer reactions, optimise workplace design, and refine communication strategies using eye-tracking, virtual reality, and other state-of-the-art tools.  

This episode was recorded on 31st March 2025. If you would like to get in touch regarding this episode, please contact LUBSBehaviourLab@leeds.ac.uk A transcript of this episode is available.  

Visit the Behaviour Lab webpage (https://business.leeds.ac.uk/about-us/doc/behaviour-lab) for equipment details and further information. 

About the speakers: Dr Lauren Machon is the Behaviour Lab Manager. Her research interests lie in innovation adoption and technology acceptance. Dr Helen Hughes is the Behaviour Lab Director and is an Associate Professor at Leeds University Business School. Her research focuses on the social dynamics of workplace relationships, as well as graduate employability and early career transitions to the workplace.

Unlocking behavioural insights: how businesses can benefit from the Behaviour Lab

Professor Nick Williams speaks to Dr Lee Wainwright about Lee’s research on how restorative entrepreneurship can empower marginalised individuals to reclaim social and economic standing. They discuss ableist workplace norms, the parallels between societal treatment of disabled individuals and other marginalised groups, and recommendations for creating a more inclusive workplace. 

This episode was recorded on 5th March 2025. If you would like to get in touch regarding this episode, please contact research.lubs@leeds.ac.uk. A transcript of this episode is available.

Read the book: The Routledge Companion to Disability and Work, Edited by Oana Branzei, Anica Zeyen. Lee Wainwright’s chapter: Disability and Restoration Work. 

About the speakers: Nick Williams is Professor of Entrepreneurship at Leeds University Business School. His research mainly focuses on entrepreneurship in challenging contexts, and he has particular interests in the role of entrepreneurial activity in crises. Lee Wainwright is a Lecturer in Entrepreneurship Studies at Leeds University Business School. His research focuses on how entrepreneurship can act as a process to take people out of restrictive or oppressive contexts. 

Challenging ableism in the workplace through restorative entrepreneurship

Leeds University Business School’s Research and Innovation podcast brings you insights from our expert researchers. From the future of work, to disruptive technologies; green behaviours to emerging markets, we’ll be covering a wide-range of topical issues and novel ideas. 

Listen to the podcast to find out more about our research and how it’s inspiring business managers, informing policymakers and influencing society.

If you have any comments regarding any of these episodes, please contact research.lubs@leeds.ac.uk.

The danger of making assumptions about digital equality

Leeds University Business School

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