- 29 Jan 2019
- First Look
New Research and Ideas, January 29, 2019
Is a Medicare program reducing hospital readmissions? ... Product recalls hamstring company innovation ... Barriers to business-related sustainability.
- 19 Jun 2018
- Research Event
Has Environmental Sustainability Lost its Relevance?
Companies have thought for decades about business-focused solutions to fix the deteriorating environment. But judging by continually rising waters and temperatures, we may need a rethink about what sustainability means, suggest participants at a recent conference at Harvard Business School. A report by co-organizer Geoffrey Jones. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 31 Oct 2017
- First Look
New Research and Ideas, October 31, 2017
Mutual funds and unicorns ... Harvard’s investigation into a soccer scandal ... Business sustainability from a historical perspective.
- 22 Aug 2017
- Working Paper Summaries
Investors as Stewards of the Commons?
This paper lays out a framework suggesting that index investors and adequately funded asset owners are a potential mechanism to build and sustain pre-competitive collaborations for addressing environmental and social issues. With long time horizons and significant common ownership of companies within the same industry or supply chain, investors could serve as vehicles for the establishment and/or stability of collaborations between companies.
- 09 Aug 2016
- Working Paper Summaries
Shareholder Activism on Sustainability Issues
be financially beneficial and associated with subsequent increases in environmental and social performance, too. Managers need to identify significant sustainability issues, based on their industry, wisely because errors could be value-destroying as the authors show declines in financial value for the rest of the sample (58 percent).
- 21 Nov 2015
- HBS Case
HBS Cases: Stella McCartney Combines High Fashion with Environmental Values
Fashion designer Stella McCartney is the subject of a recent case study by Anat Keinan showing that luxury and sustainability need not be mutually exclusive. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 02 Sep 2014
- First Look
First Look: September 2
The real cause of GM's decline ... The evolving role of chief sustainability officer ... Dell: The arguments for and against going private. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 20 Sep 2013
- Working Paper Summaries
Historical Origins of Environmental Sustainability in the German Chemical Industry, 1950s-1980s
generation of corporate leaders also perceived that more reactive strategies were needed to fulfill societal expectations. They were savvy enough to understand that investing in environmental sustainability could provide an opportunity to create value for the firm, and that self-identifying as Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 16 Jul 2013
- First Look
First Look: July 16
Banks for poverty prevention ... Are fearsome bosses effective bosses? ... How businesses can help with urban development. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 22 Apr 2013
- Research & Ideas
Earth Day: Recent Research on Sustainability
Earth Day helps us reflect on environmental issues that both sustain and threaten our planet. Harvard Business School researchers have approached these issues pragmatically, conducting numerous studies aimed at helping business leaders to understand how business affects the environment, and vice versa. Here is a sample of that work. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 26 Mar 2013
- First Look
First Look: March 26
Changing the game even if corporate profits suffer ... Catching up with the West ... What to do about income inequality. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 26 Dec 2012
- Working Paper Summaries
Reinforcing Regulatory Regimes: How States, Civil Society, and Codes of Conduct Promote Adherence to Global Labor Standards
Multinational corporations are under increasing pressure to manage their global supply chains in ways that are environmentally sustainable and socially responsible. Many companies have responded to this pressure by asking their suppliers to adhere to codes of conduct governing labor conditions and Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 02 Oct 2012
- First Look
First Look: October 2
Sustainable business practice starts at the top ... The rewards of doing the right thing ... Economic development versus environmental damage. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 24 Apr 2012
- First Look
First Look: April 24
Delayering debunked ... Eco-cities evaluated ... Corporation corrupted. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 06 Jan 2012
- Op-Ed
Where Green Corporate Ratings Fail
Many companies receiving high marks in environmental sustainability are hurting the planet in other ways, write professor Michael Toffel and executive Auden Schendler. Here's where green rankings fall short. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 14 Nov 2011
- Working Paper Summaries
The Impact of Corporate Sustainability on Organizational Process and Performance
short term are unlikely to succeed by embedding sustainability in their organization's strategy. Overall, the authors argue that High Sustainability company policies reflect the underlying culture of the organization, where environmental and social performance, in addition to financial performance, are Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 21 Oct 2011
- Working Paper Summaries
Market Interest in Nonfinancial Information
market participants across asset classes and firm types. At the aggregate market level, interest in environmental and governance information is greater than interest in social information. Equity investors exhibit a higher interest in nonfinancial information compared to fixed income investors. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 07 Oct 2011
- Working Paper Summaries
What Environmental Ratings Miss
Environmental ratings of companies are based on "green" management efforts and the environmental performance of their operations. In this paper, Michael Toffel and Auden Schendler argue that these ratings neglect companies' actions that seek to influence environmental policy, which can have a much Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 12 Sep 2011
- Research & Ideas
The Untold Story of ‘Green’ Entrepreneurs
looks at entrepreneurs in the fields of organic food, sustainable agriculture, natural cosmetics, the built environment, ecotourism, and waste recycling. The history of green entrepreneurship is largely untold, ignored by both business and environmental historians. Many still think that there were few environmental concerns or green businesses until the last decade. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
Understanding and Overcoming Roadblocks to Environmental Sustainability. Past Roads and Future Prospects
At a summer 2018 Harvard Business School conference, historians, scholars, and business professionals debated barriers and opportunities for business and environmental sustainability. Although ideas of a future path differed, many participants said sustainability objectives based on voluntary firm action have become diffuse, making progress difficult.