Ivey is proud to welcome six faculty members and one full-time appointment to campus! To help you get to know our new faculty, we asked each of them a list of questions about their academic – and personal – interests.
Get to know:
Janice Byrne, Assistant Professor, Entrepreneurship
Janice is originally from Dublin, Ireland, and comes to Ivey from IESEG School of Management in Paris, France, where she was an associate professor of Human Resource Management and Organizational Behaviour. Her research focuses on gender and entrepreneurship/family business. From 2014 to 2018, she was academic director of Led By HER, an entrepreneurship education and training program for women who have experienced domestic and sexual violence.
- What is the most important thing business executives can learn from your research?
My research lends deep insights into the insidious ways in which gender permeates and patterns entrepreneurship and family businesses. We have to look beyond comparing men and women entrepreneurs, or men and women family business members. Gender extends beyond sex differences – jobs, expectations, business cultures, and processes (such as CEO succession) can all be gendered. Daily patterns are set in place that disadvantage people, that we are not always aware of.
My research on succession in family business looks at how key family business actors’ daily practices and interactions are all patterned by gender. We do "gender" in order to align with others (as well as our own) expectations. Whether we "do gender" well (or not) has repercussions for who is considered as a legitimate successor. Gender norms shape the alliances and networks one forms in family business, as well as the access to opportunities for potential successors. Gender norms also pattern expectations about dedication and involvement in the family business – sons who are "involved fathers" and who spend time on family obligations or who adopt a collaborative managerial approach may not be considered "man enough" for the successor role.
- Where did you grow up and what was it like there?
I grew up in Dublin, Ireland. Irish people are warm, resilient, and forward looking. The country has radically changed in the last thirty years, but I believe we have kept these qualities.
- Who have been your strongest influences in life?
My immediate family – parents, sister, husband – and I have a small circle of really close friends. But also the odd standout teacher or professor along the way, who with the right word or lesson, accidentally or intentionally, impacted my trajectory.
- What led you to your career?
A passion for learning, helping, and communicating with others.
- What do you like to do when you’re not working?
I enjoy running, hiking, and biking. I am also an avid reader. I like spending time with friends or family, lengthy discussions with good food and wine.
- What might someone be surprised to know about you?
In the 90s, I was a big ABBA fan and wore blue and white tie-dye flares.
- What is the most played song on your playlist as of now?
Everything now by Arcade Fire.
I also recently watched the Freddy Mercury film and it has me once more in awe of Queen and the sheer beauty of Under Pressure.
- What book would you recommend to others? Why?
We should all be feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Because we should all be feminists.
