Ivey’s PhD Program in Business Administration is a full-time research-based program designed to develop scholars and to place graduates at high-quality research universities around the world. Our PhD candidates are showcased at conferences around the world and regularly featured in top-tier academic and industry publications.
To help you get to know them, we’ve asked them about their academic and personal interests.
Get to know: Robert Park, PhD Candidate
Born and raised in the Metro Vancouver region, Robert Park did his BBA at Simon Fraser University before going to China for work. While overseas, Park completed his MBA at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and was inspired during his studies to pursue a PhD.
Q&A with Robert Park
What attracted you to Ivey’s program?
Ivey’s brand recognition started in the classroom. I became aware of the School because of all the Ivey-published cases that were used in various classes during my undergrad. I valued that Ivey was well-ranked for business research and I was very intrigued by my advisor, Yasser Rahrovani, an associate professor of Information Systems. His research on digital drift caught my attention. The London, Ontario location was also attractive. My wife and I thought it would be easier to raise our newborn daughter in a small Canadian city.
What is your research focus?
Right now, I am working to assist my advisor in figuring out aspects of digital drift. We are studying how technology platforms can be altered by users, despite the original intentions of corresponding platform stewards. I'm also interested in how non-technology cultures, and leaders, make incorrect technology decisions and why experts can get ignored.
Why is that area appealing to you? What big problems/issues need to be addressed?
During my undergrad, I had a debate with my engineering friend about the risks of creating internet products/services and the negative impacts user misuse has on society. He dismissed me. He said I should make something first and worry about consequences only if my internet product grew large enough to warrant worry.
I didn't create Facebook or Twitter. But, it is still unsettling to see that some of my original worries weren't far off. If we can better understand how some of these unintended consequences happen, we may be able to equip technology gurus to be more prudent about how they innovate and change the world.
Also, if we can figure out how to make non-tech cultures more tech-literate and skilled, we may be able to have a more productive economy and a more resilient workforce.
How do you see your research making an impact?
I feel that my research will have a positive impact on society as a whole. If we have technology platforms that operate as intended, we will have better societies. If we can have better technology cultures and more tech-inclined workers, we will see a more resilient economy. I believe automation can both destroy old jobs and create new opportunities.
How do you see research as an aid to business improvement?
Businesses are often too short-sighted and many don't have the resources to care about more than the next few years. There is not a high enough ROI to justify resources to investigate pure research questions. This is a gap that pure research institutions can and should fill.
What previous experience prepared you for this?
You need a high tolerance for stress and a strong work ethic. I was able to develop some of these qualities from running into disasters everywhere I worked. Whether it was 72-hour workweeks, preparing an Olympic venue for snow sports with zero snow falling, migrating a data centre following a nuclear and natural disaster, or running online learning during COVID-19, all these experiences helped me to deal with stressful situations. Yet, I still feel like pursuing my PhD is the toughest thing I've ever experienced. You need to maintain intellectual curiosity in the context of humility. You really understand why you're here.
Where did you grow up and what was it like there?
I grew up in Richmond and then Burnaby, British Columbia. It's wonderful there. Beautiful mountains in the summer, fantastic skiing in the winter, sailing on the ocean, camping in the forests, a great arts scene, and decades of NHL hockey disappointment. So much to do. So, when my friends and I hung out during our high school days and tried to figure out what to do, we all agreed to go home to play StarCraft online. We joke about our StarCraft games to this day.
Who have been your strongest influences in life?
The most salient influence in my life right now is my one-year-old daughter. She has so much joy and easily forgets the negative. She bounces back quickly from falls and stumbles, growing stronger each time. She gets enthralled when she sees something she's never seen before. I feel like I should follow her example and also focus on contributing to a future world in which she can effectively be the best version of herself, whatever that may be.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I can have casual conversations in four languages: English, Korean, Mandarin, and Japanese. Although my skills in some languages may be better than in others. I got into learning languages when I was in high school. I learned French and Hebrew too, but those two have deteriorated so much that I really don't remember how to say anything.
What is the most played song on your playlist as of now?
I don't listen to a lot of music these days, but I do love pop covers by YouTube artists every now and then; Alex Goot, J.Fla, kobasolo, Kurt Hugo Schneider, and many others.
What is your best podcast recommendation?
The All-In Podcast. I feel it's both balanced and insightful in its opinions and analysis covering macroeconomics, investing, business, technology, and geopolitics. In my opinion, it is the best podcast in the world today if you're interested in that kind of stuff. Its only negative is that it only presents views from the American perspective whereas a global perspective might be more interesting.
What book would you recommend to others? Why?
Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond has turned my worldview upside down in terms of how the world developed over time.
The Ender series by Orson Scott Card showed me really interesting examples of how easy it is to misunderstand people who are different from you.
Finally, the books of Job and Ecclesiastes from The Bible have heavily influenced me on the meaning of life and the struggles we face within ourselves.
What tips have you learned for staying connected in an online learning environment?
Try to get outside for at least regular walks. Being cooped up inside with minimal sunlight is horrible for your mind, let alone all the muscular atrophy that results!
