Dr. Ron Babin
Overview
Dr. Ron Babin is a Professor in the Ted Rogers School of IT Management. He joined Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) in 2006 after a 30-year professional career in IT and Management Consulting. Prior to joining TMU, Dr. Babin was a strategy partner at Accenture and at KPMG in Toronto.
His research is focused on digital transformation, social responsibility and global outsourcing of IT and business processes. He examines the social and environmental impacts of global IT outsourcing and has published several books, journal articles and conference papers on this topic. His research on this topic began with his doctoral studies and thesis at the University of Manchester.
Within the industry, he maintains his knowledge currency through teaching executive education on topics such as Digital Disruption, Cybersecurity Ethics and Outsourcing. Dr. Babin is an Adjunct Researcher with the International Data Corporation (IDC), IT Executive Program where he conducts research, advises IDC global clients, and writes about Vendor and Sourcing Management strategies. Dr. Babin also writes teaching cases that are published in conference proceedings and in academic publications such as the Journal of IT Teaching Cases and Harvard Business Review case studies.
At TMU Dr. Babin is an engaged community member. He is a past member of the TMU Senate and is past President of the TMU Faculty Association. At TMU he has coached students and coordinated many student case competitions, including the Symcor Case Competition, the JDC competition, the Queen’s University ICBC competition and the Simon Fraser University Case IT competition.
Social responsibility, CSR, outsourcing, IT strategy, and disruptive innovation.
Books |
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Socially Responsible Outsourcing, edited by Nicholson, Babin, Lacity, Palgrave MacMillan, 2016 |
The Outsourcing Professionals’ Guide to Corporate Responsibility, Hefley and Babin, Van Haren Publishing, 2013 |
Sustainable Global Outsourcing,Babin and Nicholson, Palgrave MacMillan, 2012 |
Book Chapters |
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“Impact Sourcing (Socially Responsible Outsourcing)”, Chapter 7 (pp. 118-129) in The Routledge Companion to Managing Digital Outsourcing, Beulen et al, Routledge, July 2020. |
“Understanding impact sourcing in the North American Aboriginal community”, in Socially Responsible Outsourcing, Palgrave MacMillan, 2016 |
“Corporate Social Responsibility in Global IT Outsourcing: A case study of inter-firm collaboration”, in Information Systems Outsourcing - Towards Sustainable Business Value, Springer 2014 |
“Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability in Outsourcing”, in Outsourcing Transactions, Ed. Ian Kyer and John Beardwood, Canada Law Book, January 2011 |
“Your ICT Career Guide”, in Introduction to Business Information Systems, Norrie et al, Wiley, 2010 |
Doctoral Thesis |
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“Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility in Global IT Outsourcing”, University of Manchester, November 30, 2011 |
Journal Articles |
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Babin, R. (2023), “LifeLabs – The ethics of responding to a ransomware attack”, Open Access Teaching Case Journal 1(2). https://doi.org/10.58067/7wmc-gv65 (external link) |
Babin, R., Smith, D., Shah, H., (2022). “Central Bank Digital Currency: Advising the Financial Services Industry”, Journal of Information Technology -Teaching Cases, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/20438869221116901 (external link) |
Babin R., Smith, D. (2022). “Open Banking and Regulation: Please Advise the Government”, Journal of Information Technology -Teaching Cases, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/20438869221082316 (external link) |
Babin, R., Nicholson, B., Young, M. (2020). “Indigena Solutions: Tensions in an IT Impact Sourcing Firm”, Journal of Global Information Management. Volume 28, (2). DOI: 10.4018/JGIM.2020040109 (external link, opens in new window) |
Babin, R., Nicholson, B., Young, M., (2019) “Indigena – Teaching Case study of IT Impact Sourcing”, Journal of Information Technology Teaching Cases, September 4, DOI: 10.1177/2043886919870547 (external link) . |
Babin, R., Grant, K. (2019). “How do CIOs become CEOs?” Journal of Global Information Management, Volume 27, (4), DOI: 10.4018/JGIM.2019100101 (external link) |
Babin R., Khan, M.S. and Stewart, K. (2017). “An IT Outsourcing IT Dilemma at Sick Kids Hospital”, Journal of Information Technology – Teaching Cases. DOI: 10.1057/s41266-017-0027-1 (external link) |
Babin, R. Bates, K., Sohal, S. (2017). “The Role of Trust in Outsourcing: More Important than the Contract?” Journal of Strategic Contracting and Negotiation, July 13, DOI: 10.1177/2055563617717080. |
Babin, R., Halilovic, B. (2017). “Cloud Computing e-Communication Services in the University Environment”, Information Systems Education Journal, 15(1): 55-67. |
Babin, R. Quayle, A., (2016). “ISO 37500 – Comparing outsourcing life-cycle models”, Strategic Outsourcing: an International Journal, 9(3): 271-286. |
Babin, R., Saunderson, S., (2016). “Governance of Outsourcing: Building a Better Relationship”, Journal of Information Systems Applied Research, 9(1):16-25. |
Nicholson, B., Babin R., Briggs S., (2015), “Exploring the effects of liminality on corporate social responsibility in inter-firm outsourcing relationships”, Journal of Information Technology. DOI 10.1057/jit.2015.24 (external link) |
Babin R. and Schuster C., (2012). “Building innovation into the outsourcing relationship: a case study”, Journal of Information Technology – Teaching Cases |
Babin, R., S. Briggs, et al. (2011). "Corporate Social Responsibility and Global IT Outsourcing." Communications of the ACM 54(9): 28-30. |
Babin, R. and B. Nicholson (2011). "How Green is My Outsourcer: Measuring Sustainability in Global IT Outsourcing." Strategic Outsourcing International Journal 4(1): 47-66. |
Babin, R., K. Grant, et al. (2010). "Identifying Influencers in High School Student ICT Career Choice." Information Systems Education Journal 8(26): 1-18. |
Babin, R. and Nicholson, B. (2009). "Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility in Global IT Outsourcing." MIS Quarterly Executive 8(4): 123-132. |
Grant, K. and R. Babin (2009). "Factors Impacting the Supply and Demand of IT Workers in Canada and the USA." Information Systems Education Journal 7(31): 1-15. |
Grant, K. and R. Babin (2009). "Offshoring And Immigration - The Impacts On IT Workers In Canada And The United States." Information Systems Education Journal 7(81): 1-12. |
Babin, R. (2008). "Assessing the Role of CSR in Outsourcing Decisions." Journal of Information Systems Applied Research 1(2). |
Refereed Conference Proceedings |
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Babin (2023). “How Can AI be Used to Enhance Case Simulations?”. EduLearn International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies, Virtual Presentation, Palma Spain, July 3-5. DOI: 10.21125/edulearn.2023.0277 (external link) |
Smith, D., Babin, R. (2023). “Women and Remote Work: Fearless or Fear?”, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) Conference, Case Division, Toronto, June 3. Awarded “Runner-up” for best case. |
Smith, D., Babin, R. (2023). “Diversifying the Fan Base of the Toronto Argonauts”, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) Conference, Case Division, Toronto, June 3. |
Babin, R., Smith, D., Shah, H., (2022). “Central Bank Digital Currency: Advising the Financial Services Industry”, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) Conference, Halifax, June 4. |
Babin, R., Smith, D., (2021). “Open Banking: Advising the Government on How to Proceed”, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) Conference, June 12. |
Babin R., Li, Yudi, (2021). “Digital Transformation of Grocery Retail: Loblaws”, Case in Development. Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) Conference, June 12. |
Babin, R., Nicholson, B., Young, M., (2019). “Indigena – Teaching Case study of IT Impact Sourcing”, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) Conference, May 24-27, St Catherines. |
Stewart, K., Babin, R. (2018). “Decision Making for Hospital IT Outsourcing”, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) Conference, May 27-29, Toronto. (accepted for presentation and publication in conference proceedings) |
Babin, R., D’Alfonso, A. (2017). “Examining the Impact of Cloud on IT Distribution Channels in Canada”, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) Conference, May 29-31, Montreal. |
Babin, R., Khan, M.S., Stewart, K., (2017). “Teaching Case – Outsourcing IT at Sick Kids Hospital”, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) Conference, May 29-31, Montreal. |
Babin, R., Halilovic, B. (2016). “Cloud Computing Services in the University Environment”, Proceedings of the EDSIG Conference on Information Systems and Computing Education (EDSIGCon Proceedings 2016), November 7-9, Las Vegas Nevada, USA. |
Babin, R., Nicholson, B., Young, M. (2016). Understanding Impact Sourcing in the North American Aboriginal Community, 2nd Annual Academic Workshop, International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP) Outsourcing World Summit, February 14-17, Orlando Florida, USA. |
Babin, R., and Myers, P., (2015). Social Responsibility Trends and Perceptions in Global IT Outsourcing, Conference on Information Systems Applied Research (CONISAR), 2015, November 1-4, Wilmington North Carolina, USA. |
Babin, R., and Saunderson, S., (2015). Governance of Outsourcing: Building a Better Relationship, Conference on Information Systems Applied Research (CONISAR), 2015, November 1-4, Wilmington North Carolina, USA. |
Babin, R., T. McLaren and C. Schuster (2013). Integrating Social Media into Customer Facing Processes at RBC Insurance. (Honourable Mention Award) 41st Annual Conference of theAdministrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC), June 9-11, Calgary, Canada. |
Nicholson, B. and R. Babin (2012). CSR in Global IT Outsourcing: A case study of inter-firm collaboration, PACIS Conference, July 11-15. HoChiMinh City, Vietnam. |
Babin, R. and Nicholson B. (2012). Corporate Social Responsibility in Global IT Outsourcing: A Case Study of Inter-firm Collaboration (GSW12-29), Global Sourcing Workshop, March 12-15, Courcheval France. |
Grant, K., and R Babin (2011). Leadership Development, How do CIOs become CEOs? World Business and Economics Research Conference, Auckland New Zealand, December 12-13. |
Nicholson, B. and R. Babin (2011). A Suitable Partner for Development? Philanthro-capitalism and Global IT Outsourcing. IFIP Working Group 9.4 - Partners for Development - ICT Actors and Action, May 22-25. Kathmandu, Nepal: 1-14. |
McLaren, T., Manatsa, P. and Babin, R. (2010). An Inductive Classification Scheme for Green Initiatives, Proceedings of the Sixteenth America’s Conference on Information Systems, Lima, Peru, August 12-15. |
Babin, R. and Nicholson, B. (2010), How Green is my Outsourcer? Towards a stages of growth model for environmental responsibility in Global IT Outsourcing. Fourth International Workshop, Global Sourcing 2010, Zermatt, Switzerland, March 22-25, |
Babin, R. and Nicholson, B. (2009) How Green is my Outsourcer? – Environmental Responsibility in Global IT Outsourcing. Thirtieth International Conference on Information Systems, December, Phoenix, AZ |
Babin, R. and Nicholson, B. (2009). Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility in Global IT Outsourcing, Third International Workshop, Global Sourcing 2010, Keystone Colorado, March 22-25 |
Babin R. and Grant, K., (2008). Identifying Influencers in High School Student ICT Career Choice. Information Systems In Education Conference (ISECON) Phoenix, AZ, Nov 7-8. |
Grant, K., and Babin R., (2006). Factors Impacting the Supply and Demand of IT Workers in Canada and the USA. Conference on IS Applied Research (CONISAR) Dallas, Texas, Nov 2-4 |
Reports |
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Babin, R. (2023). There Will Never Be Enough IT Skills: CIOs Must Innovate (Part 1 – North America, Part 2 - Global), IDC, #US51106723 August, and #US51195523 September. |
Babin, R. (2023). CIOs Continue to Deliver Value in Troubled Times, IDC, #US50715023, June |
Babin, R. (2023). What is Strategy for IT Sourcing and Procurement? IDC #US50518223, March |
Babin, R. (2023). Developing Third-Party IT Service Contracts, IDC #US50440623, January |
Babin, R. (2022). ESG for the CIO, IDC #US49582222, September |
Babin, R. (2022). The IT Labor Shortage – Post Pandemic Issue or Long-Term Problem?, IDC #US49093622, June |
Babin, R. (2022). Future IT: Agile Sourcing and Procurement, IDC, #US49034522, May |
Babin, R. (2021). CIO’s Guide to Enterprise Agility, IDC, #US48225321, October |
Rosen, M., Babin, R., Pucciarelli J., (2021). Critical External Drivers Shaping Global IT and Business Planning in 2022, IDC #US48047121, October |
Babin, R., Smith, B., (2021). Assessment of Current and Future State Advanced Cyber Security Technology in Canada, Ryerson University, April |
Babin, R. (2021). CIO’s Guide to Ethical Cybersecurity Decisions, IDC #47464121, February |
Rubel, T., Babin, R., (2021). Leveraging Agile to Improve Public Sector Technology Sourcing and Procurement, IDC # US47335321, February |
Babin, R. (2020). Outsourcing for the mid-market CIO, IDC Doc #US46833520, September. |
Babin, R., Raja, R. (2020). Post Covid-19: The New World of Sourcing, A Core Discussion Paper, Centre for Outsourcing Research and Education (CORE), May; published in International Comparative Legal Guide (ICLG) Outsourcing Laws and Regulations, July 16. (outsourcing-laws-and-regulations/2-post-covid-19-the-new-world-of-sourcing (external link) ) |
Babin, R. (2019). New Outsourcing Environment Requires a New Procurement Approach – Agile Procurement, IDC, Doc #US45450019, August |
Babin, R. (2019). Digital Disruption through Outsourcing, International Comparative Legal Guide – Outsourcing 2019, July |
Babin, R., Polikaitis, A. (2017). Rationalizing and Modernizing Outsourced Services: A Four-Step Process, IDC#US43316417, December |
Babin, R. (2017). Where, How, and Why Companies Measure Digital Transformation Service Providers’ Success, IDC#US43184617, November |
Love, J. & Babin, R. (2017). Canadian CIO Census 2017: CIO as Innovation and Transformation Leader, IT World Canada (ITWC), August. |
Babin, R., Eckler, J. (2017). Key Trends and Best Practices Affecting the Outsourcing Industry, International Comparative Legal Guide – Outsourcing 2017, August. |
Babin, R., Lacity, M. (2017). Will Offshore Outsourcing Return Home? Pulse Magazine, Issue 29 – May/June, pp. 38-40. |
Babin, R. (2017). Outsourcing Strategies for Digital Transformation, IDC#US42558517, May |
Lacity, M., Babin, R., Willcocks, L. (2017). Service Automation Trends; Now, Soon, Later. Pulse Magazine, Issue 28 – March/April, pp 40-44. |
Babin, R. (2017). Business Results–Driven Outsourcing: Measure KPIs, Not Cost Savings, IDC #US42389217, March. |
Babin, R. (2017). Managing a Portfolio of Global Offshore Outsourcing Contracts, IDC #US42371317, March. |
Babin R, Hughes, E. (2016). Robotic Process Automation: Ensuring Positive Payback, IDC #US41994816, December. |
D’Alfonso, A., Babin, R., Rouse, B. (2016). The Dynamics of the Canadian IT Market, Cloud Adoption Rates, and the Status of the Channel, Canadian Channel Chiefs Council, November 1. |
Babin, R. (2016) Leading in 3D – Practices for Supporting Integration Through Outsourcing, IDC #US41820216, October |
Babin, R., Vandelis-Muir, Z., and Van Dalen, G. (2016). ITAC Talent - A Coherent Talent and Skills Strategy, August 30. |
Babin, R., Hughes, E., (2015), Vendor Sourcing and Management: Are your data secure?, IDC #258778, October |
Babin, R., D’Souza, M., (2015), Relationship Management in the 3rd Platform Era, IDC #258558, October |
Babin, R., D’Souza, M., (2015), Transitioning to Steady State with 3rd Platform Suppliers, IDC #259222, October |
Babin, R., Kennedy, D., (2015), Creating a Back-sourcing Strategy, IDC #259061, October |
Babin, R., Young, M., (2015), Leveraging the Human Cloud, IDC #256555, June |
Babin, R., Hughes, E., (2015), Robotics Change the Sourcing Landscape, IDC # 256311, May |
Babin, R. (2015), ISO 37500: Setting Global Outsourcing Standards, IDC #254795, March 2015 |
Babin, R., D’Souza, M., (2015), Developing Key Performance Indicators for Contact Centers, IDC #254152, February |
Babin, R., Myers P., Murphy, M., (2015) Corporate Social Responsibility Directions for IT and Business Process Outsourcing at Hydro One Inc., February |
Babin, R. (2014), Socially Responsible Outsourcing, IDC #253095, December |
Babin, R., Lee, C. (2014), Roles and Responsibilities for Managing External Vendors, IDC #252216, October |
Babin, R., Lee, C. (2014), The Building Blocks of Relationship Management, IDC #251141, September |
Babin, R., Mukherjee, V., (2014), Anticipate and Avoid Risks in Cloud Sourcing, IDC #250665, September |
Mukherjee, V., Babin, R., (2014), Skills for Success in Vendor and Sourcing Management, IDC #25001, July |
Babin, R., Mukherjee, V., (2014), Effective Performance Management Strategies Drive Transformative Partnerships, IDC #249268, June |
Babin, R., Lee, C. (2014), Proactive Risk Management Builds Competitive Advantage, IDC #249279, June |
Babin, R., Edmison, J., Mouradov, I., Popescu, A., Sulatycki, J., (2014), Health Care Supply Chain Analytics: An analysis of Plexxus supply chain data regarding Hospital Performance, April 21 |
Babin, R.,(2014) Sourcing to the Cloud, IDC #247504, March |
Magee, F., Babin, R. (2013) Worldwide CIO Agenda 2014, Top 10 Predictions, IDC Doc #244647, December |
Babin, R., Sohal, S., (2013) IT Strategy and Governance: Developing Trust in the Outsourcing Relationship, IDC #243466, September |
Babin, R.,(2013) IT Strategy and Governance: Managing Your Outsource Provider, IDC #242923, September |
Babin, R.,(2012), The European Business Review, Sustainable Practices in Global Outsourcing, September , 86-91 |
Babin, R., Saunderson, S., Chan, I. , Lavitt, R. (2012) The 3-E’s of Effective Outsourcing Governance, CORE Research Paper |
Grant, K., Babin, R., Koop, C. (2010), CIO to CEO: Barriers and Success Factors, for CIO Association of Canada, April |
Hefley, B., Babin, R.,(2010), Corporate Social Responsibility in Outsourcing, An IAOP Research White Paper, February |
Other Conference Activities |
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Toronto Region Board of Trade (2017). Anticipating Digital Disruption: The Robots are Coming, November 16, Toronto |
Enterprise Transformation (ET) Canada Exchange (2017), How the Introduction of Process Automation, such as RPA, Cognitive Computing and AI, will affect people and organizations, November 1, Mont-Tremblant, Quebec. |
IACCM Americas Conference (2017), The Role of Trust in Outsourcing, October 11, Toronto. |
International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS) 2016, The Impact of Impact Sourcing, Panel Discussant, December 12, 2016, Dublin Ireland |
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2016), Anticipating Digital Disruption, TRSM Executive Education Program, November 24, 2016, Toronto. |
National Business Technology Management (BTM) Conference, Presentation: 3Cs of Student Engagement: Co-op, Cases and Capstone, June 12, 2015, Halifax. |
Ryerson Computing Conference (CCS) – Keynote Presentation: 3rd Platform Technologies, May 28, 2015, Toronto. |
Toronto Region Board of Trade, Trade Accelerator Program (TAP), Business Beyond Borders break-out sessions and report, May 12, 2015. |
Toronto Computer Law Group (TCLG) – Presentation on ISO 37500, Feb 11, 2015. |
International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP) Outsourcing World Summit 2015 – Keynote Presentation: CSR Trends, February 18, 2015, Phoenix Arizona. |
IAOP Outsourcing Academic Workshop – Chair, February 15, 2015, Phoenix Arizona. |
Centre for Outsourcing Research and Education (CORE) – Presentation: CSR in Outsourcing (an update), November 4th, 2014, Toronto. |
Sourcing Interest Group (SIG) – Presentation: CSR Trends in Outsourcing, June 9, 2014, Toronto. |
CORE Annual Conference – Presentation: CSR in Outsourcing, November 5th, 2013, Toronto. |
Health Achieve 2012 – Presentation: Supply Chain Management, November 6th, 2012, Toronto |
Undergraduate
Graduate
Course Code | Course Title |
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MB 8137 | Digital Currencies, MBA, Toronto Met University, 2022 |
MB 8121 | Disruptive Digital Transformation, MBA, Ryerson University, 2021, 2022 |
MB 8131 | Sourcing Digital Services, MBA, Ryerson University, 2021 |
MT 8216 | Global Technology Markets and Trends |
MT 8808 | Consulting Skills |
MT 8901 | Directed Readings in Supply Chain and IT Management |
MT 8217 | Regulation, Government and Socially Responsible Management |
Other
Other |
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IAOP - Certified Outsourcing Professional Master Class |
CORE - Governance and Relationship Management in Outsourcing
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University of San Francisco - Executive MBA Program, Global IT Trends |
CORE - Winning With Outsourcing Management (WOSM)
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York University, Schulich Executive Education - Strategic Enterprise Analysis and Consulting Skills |
York University, Schulich Executive Education - Business Leadership for IT Professionals |
Ryerson University - CIO Leadership |
York University, Schulich Executive Education - Eliciting User Requirements |
Year | Award |
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2023 | Teaching Innovation Award, Ted Rogers School of Management |
2023 | Outstanding Reviewer Award, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC), Case Division |
2017 | Invited Convocation Speaker, Ryerson University |
2015 | International Association of Outsourcing Professionals, Member of the Year |
2014 | Ryerson University, Yeates School of Graduate Studies Award |
2012 | Academic Fellow – International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI) |
2008 | Convocation Speaker, Ryerson School of ITM (selected by students) |
Research Funding |
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2022 May, Mitacs Accelerate Internship, $15,000 re Channel Partner Ecosystem with industry partner IDC Canada. |
2021, eCampus Ontario, Virtual Learning Strategy, $40,000 for development of teaching case simulation using Artificial Intelligence (AI) with industry partner Ametros Learning. |
2021, Mitacs Accelerate Internship, $15,000, re Business Analyst Impact on Business Agility and Data Analytics with industry partner IIBA. |
2016, Ontario Centre of Excellence (OCE) TIP Internship Grant, $20,000, Topic: Impact of Cloud Distribution Model on IT Channels in Canada |
2015, International Data Corporation and Ryerson MBA, $10,000, Topic: SaaS Software Sales and Distribution |
2015, MITACS Accelerate, $15,000, Topic: Patient Centric Health Care |
2015, MITACS Accelerate, $15,000, Principle Investigator, Topic: Evaluation Framework for Cloud Computing |
2015, International Data Corporation, $20,000 (USD), Principle Investigator, Topic: Vendor and Sourcing Management |
2014, Hydro One, $15,000, Principle Investigator, Topic: CSR in Outsourcing |
2014, Ontario Centres of Excellence, TIP Grant: $45,000, Topics: 1) Practical Uses of the Internet of Things; 2) Assessing the Impact of Offshore Outsourcing In Canada |
2014, International Data Corporation, $12,000 (USD), Principle Investigator, Topic: Vendor and Sourcing Management |
2013, Ontario Ministry of Finance, $64,000, Principal Investigator, Health Care Supply Chain Research at Plexxus |
2012, MITACS Accelerate, $15,000, Principal Investigator; Research Topic: IT Strategic Planning- techniques and tools |
2011, MITACS Accelerate, $15,000, Principal Investigator; Research Topic: Electronic Billing and Payment at Symcor |
2011, MITACS Accelerate, $15,000, Principal Investigator; Research Topic: Governance and Relationship Management in Outsourcing |
2010, MITACS Accelerate, $15,000, Co-investigator with Professor Ken Grant; Research Topic: CIO to CEO, Barriers and Success Factors |