Defeating Dengue: Dr. R. Edward Freeman on Stakeholder Problem Solving

In this episode of Business Talk, we sit down with Dr. R. Edward Freeman of the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, a pioneer of stakeholder theory, to delve into his award-winning book Defeating Dengue: A Multistakeholder Approach to Problem Solving, co-authored with Andrew Sell. Drawing on a remarkable public health project in Indonesia, Dr. Freeman unpacks how a breakthrough Wolbachia mosquito technology, a courageous venture-philanthropy effort by the Tahia family, and deep community engagement came together to tackle dengue at scale. From randomized control trials and cultural-ethical challenges to 12,400 local volunteers and creative trust-building strategies like murals, hotlines, and “Wally the Wolbachia” bike visits, the conversation shows how stakeholder thinking can turn complex, seemingly intractable problems into collaborative solutions. This podcast is brought to you by Global Management Consultancy. Disclaimer: 1. The background music incorporated in this video is the intellectual property of its respective developer and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Notwithstanding that it is a free-to-use version, Business Talk, Global Management Consultancy, and Deepak Bhatt do not own, and expressly do not claim, any rights, title, or interest in or to this music. 2. Dr. R. Edward Freeman shared key insights from his book, “Defeating Dengue: A Multistakeholder Approach to Problem Solving”, in an engaging episode of the Business Talk podcast. The uploaded video contains copyrighted content, so changing any graphics, music, or on-screen appearance of the author or host is not allowed.