July 2010
9 posts
Where’s the Leadership in CSR?
Where should we look for role models in CSR?
By Rahul Mitra
One of the projects I’m currently working on examines the role of leadership in corporate social responsibility. The first thing that struck me while going through all the available CSR material was how little it had to say on leadership, compared to (say) stakeholders, the “business case” or even global/local adaptations. Oh, we throw...
Progressive Garment Factory, or Charity?
What’s the difference between a progressive factory and a charity?
By Chris MacDonald
Here’s the story, by Steven Greenhouse, for the NYT: A Factory Defies Stereotypes, but Can It Thrive?
…Ms. Castillo had long dreamed of a bigger, sturdier house, but three months ago something happened that finally made it possible: she landed a job at one of the world’s most unusual garment factories....
Soccer, Sting, and the Lion King
What do soccer and Corporate Social Responsibility have in common?
By Mal Warwick
Got your attention with that headline? It’s all true.
Shortly after the July 4th holiday this year, and before the final games of the World Cup taking place half a world away from its home in California, the One World Futbol Project launched with a big splash in the media – and it’s no wonder!
The company’s product...
Will Green MBAs save the planet?
As more and more business schools offer Green MBAs and more and more students sign up, the real question is whether this is enough to make business sustainable?
By Elaine Cohen
We’ve all been there. Fresh out of university, starry-eyed, idealistic and eager to make our unique impact in our chosen company, only to realize, after a few short years, that, by and large, the system ...
Regulations I’d Love to See
Is regulation actually good for business?
By Jeffrey Hollender
It’s corporate community gospel that government regulations are bad for business. Regardless of their targets, the idea of governments thinking they know better runs counter to bedrock laissez faire beliefs in the sanctified libertarian principles of free markets in a free enterprise system.
There’s just one problem with that...
Should shareholder proposals serve as an early...
By Sanford Lewis
The socially responsible investment community views the shareholder resolution process as a vehicle for allowing investors to raise and debate issues that may eventually impinge on the corporate bottom line. However, a recent meeting with the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission indicated that such a view is not necessarily shared by the SEC staff.
First, some legal...
The candy bar at the bottom of the pyramid
Should Big Food be delivered to the Amazon?
By Marc Gunther
Last week, Nestle, the world’s largest food company, launched a barge called Nestlé Até Você a Bordo – or Nestlé Takes You Onboard – on an 18-day voyage up the Amazon River in Brazil. This so-called floating supermarket will bring more than 300 well-known Nestlé brands, including Ninho (packaged milk), Maggi (soups and ...
What I learned at the Engage CSR 2010 conference
Was a virtual conference an effective conference?
By Joe Sibilia
The most exciting thing I learned at PR Newswire’s Engage CSR 2010 conference was that technology continues to facilitate innovation and connection. The flexibility of the technology, the information disseminated and the ability to connect was like walking into Second Life, Facebook, Trade Shows and web sites devoted to...
Spotlighting the Shadow Economy
Can you walk the fine line of bribery?
By John Elkington
Years ago, I visited the Managing Director of a leading electronic goods company in Tokyo. I was with a Japanese colleague, who suggested that we buy chocolates on the way as a small gift for our host. Imagine my discomfort, then, when this top businessman—with due ceremony—gave me a mini-camera. Sensitive to cultural differences, I...
