ɬ�﷬ News - Desautels Faculty of Management

Nearly half of most recent MBA cohort are Quebec residents - but the program retains its international outlook

webfull — Fri, 02 May 2025 16:33:10 +0000

Desautels has one of the country’s top MBA programs, and its students come from all over the world. But nearly half of this year’s cohort are Quebec residents. “This allows us to offer an experience tailored to the Quebec market, all while keeping the program’s international perspective,” says Prof. Demetrios Vakratsas, the program’s academic director.

Published: 2 May 2025

Cohort-based hiring can improve Gen Z employee retention

webfull — Fri, 02 May 2025 16:30:51 +0000

Starting a new job can be nerve-wracking, but having someone to lean on can help make it a little easier. Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z employees leave their job within the first year, but a recent US study found that when new hires join an organization as a group, employee retention is better. While Gen Z is unlikely to stay in their jobs as long as previous generations, this could be a strategy to hang around longer than they currently do. “It's a good way for them to bond with each other, and with the organizations,” says Prof.

Published: 2 May 2025

When applying Gen AI to operations, start small

webfull — Fri, 02 May 2025 16:29:02 +0000

Generative AI has generated a whole lot of buzz--but not as many use cases. Many businesses don’t yet know how to use the technology to make their operations more efficient. Associate Professor of Strategy and Organization Karl Moore recommends starting small. “Betin with specific, well-defined use-cases where data is readily available to map the current state of the process and the future state of technology,” he writes in Forbes.com.

Published: 2 May 2025

Tariff uncertainty interferes with business investment

webfull — Fri, 02 May 2025 16:26:03 +0000

Ever since Donald Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariff announcement, stock markets have been volatile. The tariffs impact thousands of companies, and with the exact scale and scope of tariffs changing almost daily, the extent to which they will be affected is uncertain. “It makes it difficult for companies to investments,” Prof. Sebastien Betermier told TVA Nouvelles. “And as long as they don’t know what will happen over the long term, it will remain difficult.”

Published: 2 May 2025

Provost honours 31 ɬ�﷬ professors for exceptional research achievements

webfull — Thu, 01 May 2025 16:23:55 +0000

ɬ�﷬ announces 2025 cohort of Distinguished James ɬ�﷬ Professors, James ɬ�﷬ Professors and William Dawson Scholars

Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Christopher Manfredi has named 31 ɬ�﷬ professors as Distinguished James ɬ�﷬ Professors, James ɬ�﷬ Professors or William Dawson Scholars. The internal awards recognize exceptional research achievements.

Published: 1 May 2025

SAQ stops selling dozens of Quebec-made gins

webfull — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 17:48:30 +0000

Gin is a classic British spirit, but dozens of Quebec distillers have taken to making it their own, embracing James Bond’s favourite drink. The SAQ, however, is not doing Quebec’s gin distillers many favours. Even though the provincial alcohol sales monopoly has sometimes promoted local producers, it removed more than 50 Quebec-made gin products from their stores to make shelf space. It stunts the growth of the province’s home-grown spirits industry, which saw sales rise by 75% between 2019 and 2022.

Published: 16 April 2025

Tech products international supply chains make them especially vulnerable to tariffs

webfull — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 17:47:56 +0000

When U.S. president Donald Trump announced a sweeping tariff policy in April 2020, stock markets plunged. Certain sectors were more affected than others, with large technology firms like Apple and NVIDIA among the biggest losers. “Sectors like tech that rely on international supply chains are going to be more heavily affected by tariffs,” Professor Sebastien Betermier told CBC News.

Published: 16 April 2025

US trade policy changes present challenges and opportunities

webfull — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 17:47:03 +0000

Among the many changes to U.S. trade policy announced during the early days of the second Trump administration was the intention to eliminate the de minimis exemption on shipments to the United States. This exemption allows shipments valued at less than $800 to cross the border duty-free, presenting challenges for businesses that rely on smaller shipments. However, the real focus of this change isn't on small retailers but rather on large Chinese e-commerce companies, such as Shein, that sell products at ultra-low prices.

Published: 16 April 2025

Corporate casual dining chains struggle to attract customers who prize authenticity

webfull — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 17:45:55 +0000

Casual dining chains such as Applebee’s and TGI Friday’s were once ubiquitous in the United States. However, the middle-class restaurant is fading fast. TGI Friday’s has filed for bankruptcy, while Applebee’s has shuttered dozens of locations. Rising costs have contributed to the struggles of these chains, but their generic branding fails to resonate in an era where authenticity matters. Millennials, in particular, demand authenticity, according to Associate Professor Daphne Demetry. “I can’t think of anything more inauthentic than TGI Fridays,” Demetry says.

Published: 16 April 2025

MMR students explore retail innovation in Dubai

webfull — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 16:38:58 +0000

In March 2025, students in the Master of Management in Retailing (MMR) program at ɬ�﷬ Desautels, took part in a week-long study trip to Dubai, to explore one of the world’s most dynamic retail hubs.

The itinerary included meetings with industry leaders from Dubai Economy and Tourism, Huda Beauty, Apparel Group, Kitopi, DAMAC, Carrefour, and Majid Al Futtaim Group. Students gained firsthand insights into retail innovation, digital strategy, localization, and customer experience.

Published: 16 April 2025