Shell Foundation and Marks & Spencer: Scalable Business Models for Fair Trade Supply Chains
A new report was launched today that tells the story of the Shell Foundation – Marks & Spencer Partnership and concludes that in order to bridge the gap between major retailers and developing world producers a new kind of business is required, called an ‘ethical agent’. The report is also featured in a two page […]
Under The Spotlight – Building a better understanding of global business-NGO partnerships
Jul 08 – This discussion paper considers the partnering landscape from a global perspective and explores the differing experiences of NGO partnerships and business.
Business and Poverty: Opening Markets to the Poor
FROM THE WORLD BANK INSTITUTE: How can the private sector help transform the lives of the poor? Can poor producers and consumers in turn transform business models and shape new opportunities for companies? These are two of the key questions addressed in the forthcoming issue of the World Bank’s flagship publication Development Outreach, which examines […]
Crossing the Atlantic: American vs European Approaches to the Role of Business
Having spent my career in the UK, I have been carried along with the current of change in how British businesses see their role in development, and how the UK aid agency, DFID, sees the role of business. From business’ perspective, the action has moved well beyond philanthropy. The focus now is on how businesses […]
Growth, The Private Sector And The Path To Ending Poverty
Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, set a fresh, bold direction for the UK’s aid agency, the Department for International Development, on Monday. In a speech at an event co-hosted by Business Action for Africa and the Overseas Development Institute, he pointed out that economic growth has accounted for 80% of poverty reduction […]
Shared Goals through Sport
Feb 08 – The business motivation behind, and characteristics of, effective private sector engagement in sport for development are delved into in this report.
Finding Volunteer Opportunities for Your Company: The Quick and Dirty Answers
Finding volunteer opportunities for your company can be tougher than expected. Here are some reasons why, and what you can do about it. Trends come and go. Skinny jeans, Emo and blogging are trendy. Webkinz, Facebook, and Crocs are trendy. Corporate Social Responsibility, however, is better than trendy. Right up there with eating organic and […]
Partnering to Strengthen Public Governance
Jan 08 – The report offers CEOs and Boards of Directors guidance on the development of an effective engagement strategy on relevant public governance challenges.
Business and Youth in the Arab World
May 07 – This sourcebook profiles 18 examples of business and partnership initiatives addressing youth development within the Arab world.
Business as a Partner in Overcoming Malnutrition
A Recipe for Success: how food companies can profit from consumer health
Feb 07 – This report makes recommendations as to how companies should address consumer health and obesity issues.
Regional employee engagement approaches to meet regional challenges: Africa (ENGAGE edition 2007)
Feb 07 – This edition aims to demonstrate how employee community engagement can be used as an effective tool for meeting corporate, NGO and international government goals.
CSR and beyond: Business and the development cycle
The impacts of globalization have produced strategic shifts in the landscapes facing both business and civil society. Both have come to play an increasing role in development and continue to adjust to changing roles and responsibilities. Yet corporate social responsibility initiatives are often limited in impact and many NGOs continue to be suspicious of business […]
Business as a Partner in Strengthening Public Health Systems in Developing Countries
Sep 06 – This publication is part of a series and makes recommendations for ways that companies can get directly engaged in specific initiatives on-the-ground.
Development, Peace and Human Rights in Colombia
Jul 06 – The report draws together the latest thinking from overseas combined with examples of pioneering efforts in Colombia, to show how companies can work in partnership with other stakeholders to create conditions for lasting prosperity.
Cybermonks and rural entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka
Business and the Millennium Development Goals
The private sector is now a vital partner in creating economic and social development. Business cannot operate in a cocoon from the problems that impact society as a whole. While sharing the burden of those problems, the private sector can be a large part of delivering solutions. Progress towards development targets, exemplified in the United […]
Best Intentions, Complex Realities
Mar 06 – Drawing on lessons from the 2004 Tsunami, this report examines how business resources can contribute to disaster recovery.
The Business of Health – The health of business
Mar 06 – The examples gathered in this publication illustrate the business case for corporate action on health.
The Role of Business in Society: An Agenda for Action
Oct 06 – The report explores why the role of business in society is on the agenda of the Chief Executives and Boards of leading international companies.