Search results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 91
  • Publication
    The Prevalence of Implicit and Explicit Bias in Financial Companies in India
    (2018-01-01) Shah, Ashley; Strohminger, Nina; Shah, Sachika
    The nature of implicit bias is such that it is more difficult to eradicate. Therefore, it is also difficult to test for implicit bias as it is not something that can be found through direct surveys. This study determines whether companies in India display implicit biases in their hiring practices through indirect methods of soliciting data. By submitting resumes with names that correlate with certain genders of religions, the normal hiring process was observed. Due to the smaller sample size, significant results were not found to corroborate implicit bias. The paper also addresses current legislation in India regarding discrimination and promotion of minority groups. However explicit bias was found due to Indian laws that fail to prohibit private companies from discriminating based on gender. Through analysis of the causes of implicit bias, this paper also offers solutions for companies to minimize the effects of implicit bias on the individual and institution level.
  • Publication
    Evaluating the Impact of Land Tenure Reform in Present-Day South Africa
    (2018-09-17) Katcher, Noah
    Since the end of apartheid in South Africa, land tenure reform has been discussed ceaselessly as a critical action to restore lasting inequities from the nation’s segregated history. In recent months, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has introduced a proposal for a constitutional amendment supporting expropriation without compensation, stirring controversy and revolt throughout the country and across the globe. As questions continue to rise regarding the value of land reform and best practices for implementation, this paper identifies the relevant stakeholders in the debate over land reform and details the potential impacts of a redistributive mandate. Broadly speaking, this paper identifies four primary opportunities for impact from effective land reform: economic, social, political and environmental. Through critical analysis, this paper finds that land reform provides exceptional opportunity for post-apartheid South Africa, though the present-day proposal of Ramaphosa may need revision to ensure long-term efficacy.
  • Publication
    The Viability of a Loaning-Based Delivery Model to Tackle Healthcare’s Last-Mile Challenge in South Africa
    (2019-01-01) Saxena, Aris; Li, Yiwen
    Healthcare access in developing countries is a severe problem due to insufficient healthcare providers and non-existent supply chain infrastructure. This problem is particularly evident in South Africa due to the disparity between urban and rural regions along with an overcrowded public healthcare system. The result is that patients in rural regions who live many kilometers away from their nearest healthcare facility are unable to access essential medicines. This paper seeks to investigate the medical last-mile challenge in South Africa as well as test the viability of a potential solution. Mobility is a platform that seeks to mobilize the large population of unemployed youth in South Africa to complete deliveries of chronic medicines from pharmacies to individual households. It seeks to do this through the facilitation of loans that are repaid gradually through service-based contracts. By speaking with numerous stakeholders within the South African medical supply chain including pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, government officials along with potential partners, we sought out to determine the potential for Mobility to revolutionize healthcare access in South Africa. Stakeholder analysis proved the validity of Mobility as a concept and clarified the specific value propositions for pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, the government as well as patients. In addition, key next steps were identified in order to implement Mobility in South Africa.
  • Publication
    The Recent Development of Social Entrepreneurship in China
    (2017-01-01) Ferreira de Souza, Elen Bianca
    The topic examined is the recent development of social entrepreneurship in China, focused on the community of social entrepreneurs and the business environment. The main methodology of data collection was qualitative interviews with entrepreneurs, educators and representatives of organizations and foundations. In addition, a literature review was conducted to provide background information and a macro perspective to the question. To complement the qualitative data, field observations of a few social enterprises were also conducted. Based on the collective information, it can be observed that the interviewees’ perspectives varied widely regarding the extent to whether there is a receptive environment and supportive community that promote the rise of social enterprises. There were common themes across the diverse experiences, revealing that social entrepreneurship in China enjoys of the Chinese economy's development and potential, yet faces a legislative challenge, historical distrust and distinct sub-communities of social entrepreneurs.
  • Publication
    Sustainable Development in Lithuania: An Emerging Market Case Study
    (2021-10-15) Vlessing, Zachary M
    In June 2021, a group of researchers from ESG analytics firm Impact Cubed published research that analyzed country level progress in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals form the international standard on 21st century development, advancing economic, social, environmental, and democratic values. Utilizing a pathway analysis to track a country's trajectory in achieving the goals, this groundbreaking study found that Lithuania has the strongest pathway towards Sustainable Development in the world. To understand both what has driven this progress and what can be done to further capitalize on their success, field research was conducted in Lithuania with first-hand accounts from Lithuanian leaders. Representatives from government ministries, impact-oriented businesses, non-governmental organizations, and national publications all contributed to these findings. DRIVERS OF PROGRESS 8 key drivers are identified as contributing to Lithuania’s position as a leader in SDG progress. These insights can be broken down into 3 main categories: Geographical Position, Political Situation, and Progressive Business Ecosystem Geographical Position Resource Rich - Lithuanian large forests and fresh water sources provide climate benefits and minimize the risk of over exploitation Nordic Influence - Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark are bringing influence and investment that are shaping Lithuanian practices in their image Energy Independence from Russia - New connection to European power grids have made Lithuanian energy more sustainable and affordable Political Situation European Union Support-Green New Deal and Sustainability Reporting from the EU is rapidly affecting how politicians and businesses view the climate crisis Domestic Political Support - Policies targeting various SDGs such as plastic waste, alcoholism, and forest coverage have proved to be effective in developing a more progressive society Progressive Business Ecosystem Emergence of Corporate Sustainability-Increased consumer demand for impact-oriented products is shifting companies towards maximizing social impact as well as profit Growing Entrepreneurial Hub - Favorable business regulation is causing foreign nationals to return home and attracting top talent to develop new ideas Rise of Impact Financing-Success of Green Bonds is raising significant capital for green energy and infrastructure RECOMMENDATIONS To capitalize on the promising progress achieved to date, 3 primary recommendations emerge: Move Sustainable Development to the Prime Minister’s Office - Current ownership of the SDGs within the Ministry of Environment is unable to tackle the full scope of the SDGs, which run across ministries Revitalize the SDG Expert Network - Engagement from the Expert Network is crucial to build partnerships and encourage lawmakers to pursue policies that achieve the SDGs Develop Institute of Sustainable Finance - Creation of an Institute would make Lithuania a regional leader in facilitating investment into projects related to sustainability and social development
  • Publication
    Policies for the Deployment of Renewable Energies: An Overview
    (2018-01-01) Sarti, Bernardo
    This paper seeks to explore a comprehensive set of policy tools to promote the deployment of renewable energy capacity. Previous papers have mainly considered one or a handful of policy tools at a time, hence the literature lacks a clear taxonomy of available options to policymakers and the latest findings regarding their effectiveness. The main method of research has been secondary, in other words, literature review, with which I have designed a framework for the different available policies. Based on the findings of numerous studies, I recommend feed-in tariffs as the most effective policy tool in promoting renewable capacity additions at manageable costs. I also highlight the importance of combining investment based, operating support and consumer facing policies in a multi-faceted approach to renewable promotion.
  • Publication
    Gender Diversity In Boardrooms: Trends And Assumptions Along The Path To The Boardroom
    (2017-01-01) Valentini, Karl
    With the increased attention given to corporate governance, there has been more of a focus on the lack of gender diversity in boardrooms. Within the context of corporate governance, this project studies the impacts of gender diversity initiatives for boardrooms. The thesis focuses on the path that women take to the boardroom and on how gender diversity initiatives affect the dimensions of that path. Gender diversity initiatives in both Norway and in the United Kingdom are studied, but the analysis narrows down and focuses on the Norwegian experience and the impacts of the Norwegian board quota. By analysing interviews with a broad range of participants in Norway, the thesis gives a qualitative view to the dimensions of the path to the boardroom through four themes: the role of formal mechanisms in the recruitment process, the assumptions related to the ideal board member, the emergence of new elite networks, and the transition from executive to board careers. These themes contribute to the literature on board recruitment and boardroom diversity. Finally, they serve as reference points for examining the current research on gender diversity in boardrooms and for starting new research.
  • Publication
    Quality of CSR Reporting in China: A Comparative Analysis Between State- and Privately-Owned Real Estate Companies
    (2017-01-01) Qiu, Jennifer
    Due to domestic demands, the Chinese government has increased its policy emphasis on sustainable development, prompting both state-owned and privately-owned enterprises to engage in corporate social responsibility. Enterprises dedicate a lot of efforts compiling CSR reports as a reflection of their CSR efforts or as a mere marketing tool. This study aims to evaluate the quality of CSR efforts using the framework outlined by the GRI Reporting Principles for Defining Quality, namely “Accuracy”, “Comparability”, “Balance”, “Reliability”. Emphasis across different categories of the GRI index was also studied. This study finds that there is a lack of a mature and centralized CSR reporting system across enterprises, and under comparison, state-owned enterprises publish reports with higher overall quality possibly due to more direct incentives and pressures from administration.
  • Publication
    The Rise of Renewable Energy in the MENA Region: An Investigation into the Policies Governing Energy Resources
    (2019-09-15) Abdelrahim, Farah
    This paper explores the various policies and legislative frameworks regarding renewable energy in place throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with a specific focus on two representative countries: Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Through compiling information from past literature covering renewable energy policies in general, the history of hydrocarbons in the Middle East, and the steadily growing presence of renewables in the area, and combining that information with primary research through meetings and interviews with individuals throughout the different stages of the renewable energy market, this paper arrives at recommendations regarding the future of renewable energy production and policies in the MENA region. Overall, the recommendations this paper presents based on its findings determine that MENA governments must begin by eliminating pre-existing fuel subsidies and reducing their international energy-related financial burdens to allow the private sector to fully penetrate the market. In general, the governments must take steps towards achieving higher efficiency in the renewable energy market, be it through the legislative framework, infrastructure, or financial framework to achieve the lowest Levelized Cost of Energy possible and to grow into a possible energy hub in the future.
  • Publication
    Fintech Disruption in Brazil: a Study on the Impact of Open Banking and Instant Payments in the Brazilian Financial Landscape
    (2020-11-22) Vicente, Julia
    In this paper, the goal is to understand the implications of two upcoming policy and technology changes in the Brazilian financial landscape: the launch of PIX, an Instant Payments platform, and Open Banking. This paper seeks to understand the political and economic scenario that led to the development and establishment of these two initiatives by the Central Bank in Brazil, as well as its consequences to stakeholders in the public and private financial ecosystem. For that, it explores early implementation in other countries that inspired the Brazilian authorities, as well as qualitative interviews with forty-three professionals in several different industries. We conclude that these two initiatives have the potential to change the course of financial inclusion in Brazil in the next decade, but it will heavily rely on the action of private players to innovate and create more accessible offers.