- 22 Feb 2011
- Research & Ideas
The Most Important Management Trends of the (Still Young) Twenty-First Century
HBS Dean Nitin Nohria and faculty look backward and forward at the most important business trends of the young twenty-first century. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 06 Jul 2010
- Research & Ideas
Renewable Energy: Winds at Our Back?
It certainly stirred up controversy in 2001 when an entrepreneur proposed erecting 130 wind turbines off the coast of Massachusetts' Cape Cod. After nine years of struggle over regulatory, environmental, safety, and social issues, the plan appears closer to becoming a reality. HBS professor Richard Vietor reflects on wind energy and innovations in the renewable energy industry. Key concepts include: The Cape Wind project has sparked controversy in the eastern United States related to regulatory, political, environmental, and social concerns. Wind power is important for the near term, but in the longer term solar and nuclear power may gain ground. The United States is rapidly falling behind other developed countries in its approach to renewable energy sources. Nevertheless, President Obama's stimulus package provides significant incentives and subsidies for green energy projects. More than 30 states have renewable production standards that require utilities to purchase or develop from 15 percent to 30 percent of their power from renewables over the next 10 to 15 years. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 28 Apr 2010
- Research & Ideas
Earth Day Reflections
On the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, April 22, Harvard Business School professors Robert G. Eccles, Rebecca Henderson, and Richard H.K. Vietor shared their views on the sustainability-related challenges and opportunities facing today's business leaders. Key concepts include: Given the importance of sustainability, companies have an ethical obligation to practice integrated reporting, and investors have a similar obligation to demand it. Corporations face four barriers in making more efficient use of natural resources or deciding to invest in sustainable technologies. At some point, more and more people and nations will have to conclude that improving the environment and protecting against climate change will require some sacrifices from all of us. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 10 Jul 2009
- Research Event
Business Summit: The Coming World Oil Crisis
Without enormous changes the world faces an imminent oil crisis—and there are no silver bullet solutions. People must wake up to the sobering ramifications of peak oil, which may be the defining issue of this century. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 19 Mar 2007
- Research & Ideas
Handicapping the Best Countries for Business
India? South Africa? Russia? Which are the best countries for a firm to invest in? In a new book, Professor Richard Vietor looks at the economic, political, and structural strengths and weaknesses of ten countries and tells readers how to analyze the development of these areas in the future. Read our Q&A and book excerpt. Key concepts include: Governments create the overall environment for successful competition in the global economy. Bad government can only lead to less competitive businesses. To be competitive, countries need to offer businesses sound fiscal and monetary policies, secure property rights, high savings and investment, an absence of corruption, and exports that are competitive in enough areas to eventually balance imports. Business people must understand where markets and countries are headed by analyzing the present and then extending current performance trends forward three to five years. Although each has issues, Singapore, China, and India are currently the best bets for FDI and, pending political stability, so is Russia. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 10 Oct 2005
- Research & Ideas
Corporate Responsibility and the Environment: What is the Right Thing To Do?
Does it make legal, ethical, or economic sense for companies to participate in environmental corporate social responsibility programs? A new book from HBS professor Richard Vietor and colleagues Bruce Hay and Robert N. Stavins attempts to separate fact from fiction on the debate. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 07 Jun 2004
- Research & Ideas
The Competition of Countries
To be successful in a global world, countries need to build on comparative advantages, says HBS professor Richard H. K. Vietor. But exploiting natural resources isn't the only answer. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 10 Jul 2000
- Research & Ideas
Oil Price Fallout: What Happens Next?
Oil producers are in shock, and consumers are shockingly happy. Richard Vietor discusses the geopolitical changes around dropping oil prices—and how long this all might last. Open for comment; 0 Comments.