The Academy for Educational Development and Innovation (AEDI) at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) recently welcomed Professor Jeffrey Pfeffer, the Thomas D. Dee II Professor of Organisational Behaviour at Stanford Graduate School of Business and a globally renowned authority on organisational behaviour and leadership, to deliver a distinguished lecture at its Tai Po Campus. The event brought together faculty members, students, local scholars, and industry practitioners to explore issues surrounding gender and power, and to examine the prevalence and impact of gender biases in society.
A long-standing stereotype in society and the workplace suggests that women are less interested than men in learning power-building tactics. In his lecture, titled “Are Women Less Interested Than Men in Learning Power-Building Tactics? Testing the Accuracy and Consequences of a Gender Stereotype”, Professor Pfeffer examined the validity of this assumption through empirical evidence and interdisciplinary research. He analysed the factors underlying the stereotype and its far-reaching implications for society, organisational culture and individual career development, offering thought-provoking insights for the audience. Participants also engaged actively in a lively discussion, raising questions on gender-related issues and power dynamics.
In his welcoming remarks, Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, President of EdUHK and Director of AEDI, said, “EdUHK recognise that effective management is fundamental to driving educational innovation and sustainable development. As we strategically expand our postgraduate offerings in management-related disciplines, we remain committed to nurturing future leaders with strong values, adaptability, and the capacity to navigate the complexities of modern organisations, equipping them to seize opportunities and address the challenges of a rapidly changing world.”
Professor Pfeffer is widely regarded as one of the most influential scholars in contemporary management and organisational behaviour. His research spans organisational power and politics, human resource management, workplace well-being, and translating knowledge into action. He has authored or co-authored 16 books, including Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don’t, Leadership B.S.: Fixing Workplaces and Careers One Truth at a Time, and 7 Rules of Power. His scholarship has advanced the field of management while providing strategic insights for leading corporations and institutions worldwide.
Professor Pfeffer has received numerous international honours and awards. These include the Academy of Management’s Richard D. Irwin Scholarly Contributions to Management Award, recognising his lifetime contributions to management scholarship; induction into the Thinkers50 Hall of Fame, described by the Financial Times as the ‘Oscars of management thinking’; and recognition as one of the Most Influential HR Thinkers by HR Magazine. In October, EdUHK conferred upon Professor Pfeffer the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences, honoris causa, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education, management scholarship and public service.
