19.08.2024PDW on Spatial Approaches

Our PDW at AOM2024 Academy of Management in Chicago on "Spatial approaches to address grand challenges" was great. We delved into how spatial approaches can play a pivotal role in addressing some of the most pressing global issues of our time—like climate change, inequality, and the refugee crisis.

What emerged?
Spatial frameworks in are not just about "where" things happen, but "how" space influences organizational dynamics and responses to these grand challenges. From examining how physical environments shape refugee camp coordination to understanding the impact of space on workplace inclusion, our discussions highlighted the importance of space in driving meaningful change.

A huge thank you to our outstanding panelists: Scott Taylor, Kim Elsbach, David Seidl, Linda Putnam, Gemma Irving, and Andreas Diedrich who allowed us to compare and contrast traditional and new spatial approaches.

Thanks to our facilitators: Stephanie Giamporcaro, Dr Jeannie H., Laura Dupin, Thomas Davis, Anniina Rantakari, Corinna Frey-Heger, and Andreas Diedrich who managed the conversation in four different roundtables on climate and catastrophes, inequality and exclusion, the migrant and refugee crisis, and decent work.

A special thanks to the AOM Organization & Management Theory Division (OMT) for sponsoring this workshop.

What's next?
Katie Stephenson, Tania Räcker and I will continue the conversation on how research can harness these insights through upcoming events and special issue calls.
(The final photo marks the start of this ongoing conversation!)

Stay tuned!