Top faculty award goes to business professor

by Dianne George

Pinder

Had it not been for a bully who was also his boss, Dr. Craig Pinder might have gone into politics rather than becoming a leading scholar in the field of organizational behaviour—and being honoured as a UVic Distinguished Professor.

The five-year award is bestowed on a faculty member who has achieved distinction in teaching and scholarly research and has made substantial contributions to the university and the wider community. Each recipient receives a salary stipend and annual research allowance.

“I first thought I would try to become prime minister of Canada,” says Pinder in discussing his 30-year career as a researcher and educator. “But two events were central to changing my mind.

“First, I grew up with a background of respect for work. My parents were blue collar—they always worked, and worked hard, often at more than one job—and they involved me and my sister in discussions about how much money was needed to make the household run.

The second event took place while Pinder was an undergraduate at UBC and was working a part-time job in a local grocery store.

“My boss used to torment me—he would badger me, and poke me in the arm while I trimmed vegetables. It was constant, relentless; it was harassment. I went home night after night with a lump in my throat, full of rage and frustration and decided that there was something really elemental about work and working relationships. I took a course in industrial psychology so that I could study this phenomenon and that was what changed my direction.”

Pinder went on to earn an MA from the University of Minnesota and a PhD from Cornell University with a specialization in organizational behaviour.

“Craig is the true all-rounder, and his contributions are felt in virtually every area of the university,” says Jamie Cassels, vice-president academic. “His colleagues and students know him as a rigorous scholar and a terrific and dedicated teacher. We’re all the beneficiaries of Craig’s tremendous commitment and compassion.”

“It’s a privilege to work with Craig,” says Ali Dastmalchian, professor and dean of business. “He has advanced the practice of management considerably, particularly through his work on developing qualifications for the designation of certified human resources professional.”

Over his career, Pinder’s research has focused in three areas: on the practice of companies moving people; as a sometimes philosopher of science calling for more facts and fewer analogies when describing organizations; and for improving our understanding of what motivates people to work.

Pinder’s teaching philosophy is rooted in his knowledge of motivation theory. He creates a class environment that challenges students’ belief systems while creating a culture of respect for differences of opinion.

This August, Pinder will be returning to the classroom in the faculty of business after two years away on medical and study leaves. He says he’s deeply honoured at becoming a Distinguished Professor. “Although I came to UVic only six years ago, I feel very much at home here, not only in business but across campus. This is a tremendous institution and I am very proud to serve it. This award is the highlight of my career.”

Distinguished professors are nominated by their faculty and the final selection is made by the vice president academic. No more than three per cent of UVic regular faculty members can hold Distinguished Professorships at any time, and the positions are distributed among all faculties at the university.