In a groundbreaking recognition of the transformative power of behavioral science, Professor Dilip Soman of the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management has been named a finalist for the prestigious Impact Award from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). This nomination honors his leadership of the Behaviourally Informed Organizations (BI-Org) partnership, a pioneering research initiative that integrates behavioral insights into organizational processes across public and private sectors globally. This accolade underscores the vital role of behavioral economics in shaping policies and operational frameworks that directly affect societal welfare.
Professor Soman’s work navigates the intricate interface between human behavior and organizational dynamics, revealing how subtle psychological tendencies can be harnessed to optimize interactions between governments, businesses, and citizens. The BI-Org partnership, funded through a SSHRC Partnership Grant, serves as a unique collaborative network including 24 researchers, 21 partner organizations, and operations spanning 45 countries. This vast consortium synergizes expertise from governmental bodies, such as Canadian federal ministries and the UK’s Behavioural Insights Team, to major financial institutions and consulting firms, enabling a rich exchange of ideas and methodologies.
Central to BI-Org’s mission is the embedding of behavioral insights into organizational culture and decision-making procedures to enhance efficiency and stakeholder engagement. This approach moves beyond traditional economic models by incorporating cognitive biases, decision heuristics, and motivational drivers into program design. The application of such behavioral frameworks has led to significant policy shifts and operational reforms that leverage human psychology for better service delivery and social outcomes.
One of the hallmark achievements of the partnership is its work with the Mexican pension system, where behavioral interventions were implemented in two large-scale randomized controlled trials to increase voluntary pension contributions. The nuanced redesign of communication, default options, and feedback mechanisms resulted in a measurable rise in participation rates. This intervention exemplifies how carefully calibrated behavioral nudges can promote financial security and reduce poverty among the elderly, illustrating a scalable model for welfare enhancement in emerging economies.
Similarly, the partnership’s collaboration with the Government of Ontario on the organ donation system highlights the practical implications of behavioral economics in health policy. By identifying and removing procedural frictions—such as complex consent forms and organizational inefficiencies—the redesigned system saw a remarkable 143% increase in consent rates. This leap in donor participation not only improves health outcomes for recipients but also serves as a testament to the power of behavioral design in public health initiatives.
The scholarly output accompanying these practical advancements is extensive and multifaceted, comprising five edited volumes, over 40 peer-reviewed journal articles, numerous white papers, and more than 30 presentations in diverse multimedia formats including webinars and videocasts. Such comprehensive dissemination ensures that the insights generated are accessible not only to academics but to policymakers, practitioners, and the broader public, thereby fostering widespread adoption of behaviorally informed strategies.
Professor Soman’s academic stature as Canada Research Chair in Behavioural Science and Economics and founding director of the Behavioural Economics in Action Research Centre (BEAR) at Rotman underpins the theoretical rigor behind the partnership’s endeavors. His authorship of seminal texts—ranging from “Managing Customer Value” to the forthcoming “What Works, What Doesn’t (and When)”—reflects his commitment to bridging research and real-world impact through evidence-based analysis of behavioral interventions.
This recognition from SSHRC also highlights the growing acceptance of behavioral science as an indispensable lens for addressing complex social challenges. Traditional economic paradigms often assume rational actors; however, the incorporation of psychological realism yields more predictable and effective policy prescriptions by accounting for actual decision-making patterns including biases, heuristics, and social influences. The BI-Org’s interdisciplinary approach embodies this paradigm shift, applying robust experimental and observational methods to validate interventions across diverse contexts.
Moreover, the partnership’s engagement with both governmental and industry actors demonstrates the scalability and adaptability of behavioral principles. Collaborations with entities like the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and multinational consultancies underscore how these insights can be harnessed for consumer protection, financial inclusion, and organizational excellence globally. The convergence of academia, industry, and public policy fosters innovation ecosystems that prioritize human-centric design for economic and social benefit.
At its core, the BI-Org project exemplifies how behavioral economics transcends theoretical boundaries to become a pragmatic tool for societal progress. By refining organizational processes and enhancing stakeholder experiences, these interventions produce measurable improvements in financial security, health outcomes, and service uptake. The resulting evidence base enriches both academic discourse and practical governance, making it a model for future research partnerships aiming to integrate science into policy and business.
The work of Professor Soman and his team also foregrounds the ethical dimensions of behaviorally informed interventions. Ensuring transparency, accountability, and respect for autonomy remains paramount as organizations endeavor to guide behavior without coercion. The partnership’s methodology incorporates rigorous evaluation and stakeholder consultation to uphold these principles, setting standards for responsible application of behavioral insights.
As the field moves forward, the collaboration led by Rotman continues to pioneer new frontiers in understanding how cognitive and social factors influence organizational performance and citizen engagement. Future research will likely delve deeper into digital nudging, AI-driven personalization, and the interplay between culture and behavior, propelled by the foundational work recognized by the SSHRC Impact Award.
In summary, Professor Dilip Soman’s leadership of the Behaviourally Informed Organizations partnership marks a milestone in the institutionalization of behavioral economics within policy and management. Through global partnerships and empirical rigor, the project demonstrates the immense potential of behavioral science to reshape institutions for enhanced effectiveness and equity. The SSHRC nomination attests to the societal relevance and scholarly excellence of this endeavor, signaling a promising horizon for research that directly improves lives worldwide.
Subject of Research: Behavioral economics applications in organizational and policy contexts, welfare improvement through behavioral interventions.
Article Title: Research Project on Behaviourally Informed Organizations Led by Rotman School Professor Named Finalist for SSHRC Impact Award
News Publication Date: September 5, 2025
Web References:
- https://www.rotman.uronto.ca/the-rotman-experience/our-community/people/soman-dilip/
- https://www.biorgpartnership.com/
- http://www.rotman.utoronto.ca/insightshub
- http://www.rotman.utoronto.ca
References:
- Soman, D. (2022). Managing Customer Value.
- Soman, D. (2015). The Last Mile.
- Co-editor, The Behaviorally Informed Organization (2021).
- Co-editor, Behavioral Science in the Wild (2022).
- Co-editor, Cash Transfers for Inclusive Societies (2023).
- Co-editor, What Works, What Doesn’t (and When) (2024).
Image Credits: Rotman School of Management
Keywords: Behavioral economics, Economics research, Social sciences
