160 Countries Later: A Journey in Customer Experience and Sustainability

How AI is rewriting the rules of consumer psychology – what role for reason and feelings?

What if the biggest shift in marketing is more than targeting efficiency, but a quieter change in how people decide, trust, and connect?    In this HKUST MBA Superconnector podcast, Prof. Stephen Shih, Associate Dean of MBA Programs, sits down with Prof. Jiewen Hong, Head of the Department of Marketing at HKUST Business School, for a conversation that goes beyond the obvious. Together, they explore the subtle forces shaping consumer behavior today, revealing how emotions, perceptions and context can quietly guide the choices people make.  Drawing on both academic rigor and real-world experience across Beijing, the US, and Hong Kong, Prof. Hong offers thoughtful perspectives on questions that matter to marketers and business leaders alike. When do people rely on reason, and when do they follow instinct? How do these patterns shape what effective marketing looks like in a world that is becoming more personal, more digital, and more unpredictable?  She also reflects on the role of artificial intelligence, suggesting that the next shift is not just technological, but deeply human, raising important questions about trust, autonomy and the experience of choice.  Tune in for ideas that feel timely, practical, and surprisingly human. In an AI-driven era, the strongest advantage may still lie in human judgement and curiosity.  Click the links: About Prof. Jiewen Hong [https://mark.hkust.edu.hk/faculty-and-staff/directory/86] Explore Her Research Insights [https://bm.hkust.edu.hk/faculty/hong-jiewen]

The Hidden Cost of Platforms, Prof. Meng's Bold Solution

Ever met someone whose electric energy pulls you right in? 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐙𝐡𝐚𝐨𝐥𝐢 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐠 delivers just that, a restless explorer bridging academia, tech giants like Tencent and JD, and consulting, always chasing fresh challenges. In this HKUST MBA podcast, Associate Dean Prof. Stephen Shih uncovers her journey: from Tencent to leading HKUST's Center for Technology and Business Ecosystems. Her vivid examples, from TikTok creators to Uber drivers, ask us to think differently. Curiosity fueled her path, including co-authoring the pioneering “Internet Plus” reports that shaped China's digital economy. They dive into her award-winning Harvard Business Review China article challenging platform giants amid rising AI risks. Explore her "co-benefit ecosystems" blueprint that turns tech dominance into shared wins. Tune in for her straight-shooting advice on the dangers of big tech—and how tech can be a force for good.

Building the Future with AI: Leadership, Strategy & Lifelong Learning

Leaders today can no longer bank on a “safe” linear career; AI, shorter business lifecycles and global competition are rewriting the rules.In this podcast, 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐃𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐧𝐠 , 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐚, 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐓𝐑 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐇𝐊𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐁𝐀 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 , shares how his own journey shifted from a planned corporate path into six startups and the frontlines of AI. He explains why AI is a general-purpose technology that touches every industry, why the real bottleneck is human culture rather than tech, and why risk appetite and lifelong learning now matter more than perfect planning.Through his three MBA courses on AI innovation, digital transformation, and the “10X Entrepreneur,” he helps professionals see how East and West are evolving differently, question old assumptions, and turn AI tools and AI agents into powerful allies that boost their results instead of threats to their jobs.Hear how East-West innovation paths are diverging—and why HKUST MBA equips you to lead in the era of AI.

Bain’s Keith Bevans on the Future of Consulting in the Age of AI

In this episode of the HKUST MBA podcast, Prof. Stephen Shih, Associate Dean of the HKUST MBA, sits down with Keith Bevans—Partner and Executive Vice President, Global Head of Consultant Recruiting and Talent Acquisition Center of Excellence at Bain & Company—for a candid conversation that examines what’s changing—and what’s staying the same—in the world of consulting. Keith, a Bain veteran with over two decades of experience, shares his journey from engineering graduate to strategic leader at one of the world’s top consulting firms. The conversation dives into the most pressing big picture questions facing the industry today: Will AI replace consultants? How is Bain helping clients rethink strategy and operations in the age of AI? What kind of talent is Bain looking for in a tech-driven world? 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐁𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐁𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 Keith also answers questions on the MBA recruiting process at Bain and introduces 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐁𝐚𝐢𝐧, Bain’s pre-MBA education program for incoming first-year MBA students. Organized by Bain’s recruiting team, the program runs throughout the summer before MBA programs begin. It’s a unique opportunity to engage with Bain’s people, culture, and work before stepping into the MBA journey. We encourage incoming HKUST MBA students curious about consulting to check out this program and get a head start on learning about different careers. Whether you're exploring a career in consulting or curious about how AI is reshaping the industry, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

160 Countries Later: A Journey in Customer Experience and Sustainability

What do the most dissatisfied customers and the booming sustainability job market have in common? In this episode of the HKUST MBA Superconnector podcast, Associate Dean of MBA Programs Prof. Stephen Shih sits down with Prof. Fred Mutto—an engineer-turned-global executive and double HKUST alumnus—to explore how customer experience and sustainability are reshaping business leadership. From leading operations across 160 countries to teaching two of our most sought-after MBA courses, Fred shares thought-provoking insights into what truly drives impact in today’s competitive landscape. Why are companies racing to hire sustainability leads? What’s the simplest way to motivate your team to care about customer experience? And how do small touchpoints create lasting brand impressions? Tune in to hear how Fred blends global experience with classroom energy—and why the future of business may depend on how well you listen, act, and lead. Stay curious. Think differently.