Business and Government Relations
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- 23 Apr 2020
- Research & Ideas
This Crisis Loan Program Preserved Jobs—and Made Money
Following the 2008 financial crisis, France offered a business loan program that helped firms, employees, and even the government, says Boris Vallee. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 07 Aug 2019
- Research & Ideas
Big Infrastructure May Not Always Produce Big Benefits
Government spending on bridges, roads, and other infrastructure pieces does not always ignite economic good times, say William Kerr and Ramana Nanda. The key question: Are financiers nearby? Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 04 Jun 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
Political Influence and Merger Antitrust Reviews
This paper uses a large sample of United States mergers between 1998 and 2010 to study how political connections help firms obtain favorable antitrust regulatory outcomes for mergers. Given that antitrust regulators are subject to congressional oversight, the authors predict and find evidence that outcomes systematically favor firms that are constituents of politicians serving on judiciary committees.
- 28 May 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
Labor Market Shocks and the Demand for Trade Protection: Evidence from Online Surveys
This paper provides evidence on the role played by different kinds of labor-market shocks in shaping individuals’ policy preferences. Specifically, it studies how people’s opinions about trade protectionism and compensatory financial transfers change when presented with six different types of shocks, all of which have the same effect on local labor markets.
- 13 May 2019
- Research & Ideas
The Unexpected Way Whistleblowers Reduce Government Fraud
Even unfounded allegations by whistleblowers can force government contractors to renegotiate their terms, say Jonas Heese and Gerardo Perez Cavazos. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 09 Jan 2019
- Research & Ideas
The UK Needs a Bold Strategy Around Competition to Survive Brexit
There is little doubt that the United Kingdom’s separation from Europe will reduce its competitiveness for the foreseeable future, argues Michael E. Porter. Here's what can be done about it. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 04 Apr 2018
- Research & Ideas
Smart Cities are Complicated and Costly: Here's How to Build Them
When governments take on a smart city project, it's often the private sector that's left to execute the vision—sometimes at the expense of good public policy. John Macomber proposes a roadmap that considers situation, solution, and sovereignty. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 29 Mar 2018
- Working Paper Summaries
Government Incentives and Financial Intermediaries: The Case of Chinese Sell-Side Analysts
This study is the first to examine analysts’ incentives vis-à-vis the government in a context where government has the ability and motives to influence capital market institutions. The paper highlights the role of government incentives in analysts’ behavior and output.
- 08 Nov 2017
- Research & Ideas
Handgun Waiting Periods Prevent Hundreds of Homicides Each Year
Waiting-period laws reduce gun-related homicides by 17 percent and gun-related suicides by up to 11 percent, according to a study by Deepak Malhotra, Michael Luca, and Christopher Poliquin. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 06 Nov 2017
- Research Event
Who is Responsible for the Future of Cities?
As technological innovations continue to transform urban growth, many believe the private sector should lead the future of cities—and that government regulators should follow its lead. But in a recent cross-disciplinary panel at Harvard, not everyone agreed. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 24 Oct 2017
- Research & Ideas
Tax Reform is on the Front Burner Again. Here’s Why You Should Care
As debate begins around the Republican tax reform proposal, Mihir Desai and Matt Weinzierl discuss the first significant tax legislation in 30 years. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 09 Oct 2017
- Research & Ideas
Fearing Fox News, Democratic-leaning Companies Delayed Negative Announcements
Jonas Heese and Vishal P. Baloria explore strategies used by companies to reduce the risk of potentially negative press, focusing on Fox News and the 2000 presidential election. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 25 Sep 2017
- Research & Ideas
Why Politics is Failing America, and What Business Can Do To Help
How could a country that epitomized the success of modern democracy have fallen into such a state of failure? Michael Porter and Katherine Gehl find a rigged American political system that limits competition and works against the public interest. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 25 Aug 2017
- Op-Ed
Op-Ed: After Charlottesville, Where Does a CEO's Responsibility Lie?
Donald Trump, the "business president," has recently had serious disagreements with some of the most powerful CEOs in the country. Gautam Mukunda discusses the responsibility of business leaders to themselves, their companies, and their country. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 18 Aug 2017
- Op-Ed
Op-Ed: Courageous Leader Triggers a Moral Revolt of CEOs Against Trump
CEOs are responsible to uphold their company’s mission and values, says Bill George. When these values are violated, even by the president of the United States, they are obliged to take a clear stand. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 17 Jul 2017
- Op-Ed
Op-Ed: As America Recedes from Global Leadership, Its CEOs are Stepping Up
CEOs and other business leaders are speaking loud and clear on global issues of monumental importance, says Bill George. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 26 Apr 2017
- Working Paper Summaries
Is the SEC Captured? Evidence from Comment-Letter Reviews
Evidence from analysis of comment-letter reviews suggests a nuanced relation between politically connected firms and oversight by the Securities and Exchange Commission. SEC capture, if it exists, may be less blatant or pronounced than previously thought.
- 26 Apr 2017
- Working Paper Summaries
Assessing the Quality of Quality Assessment: The Role of Scheduling
Accurate inspections enable companies to assess the quality, safety, and environmental practices of their business partners, and enable regulators to protect consumers, workers, and the environment. This study finds that inspectors are less stringent later in their workday and after visiting workplaces with fewer problems. Managers and regulators can improve inspection accuracy by mitigating these biases and their consequences.
- 03 Apr 2017
- What Do You Think?
How About Investing in Human Infrastructure?
As long as we’re talking about a trillion-dollar government-industry initiative on infrastructure, why not invest in humans as well as bridges? asks James Heskett. What do YOU think? Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
State and Local Government Employment in the COVID-19 Crisis
The COVID-19 crisis has had large impacts on local economies and government budgets. Balanced budget requirements, not mis-management, have generated a fiscal crisis and forced state and local governments to reduce service provision precisely when it is in greatest demand.