Banking on Development – Standard Chartered's impact in Ghana
Since the financial crisis of 2008, many stakeholders have asked whether banks really serve the public interest. When we recall that the central function of banks in modern economies is to mobilize national and, increasingly, international savings, and to allocate those funds to their most productive use within the economy, it seems that many financial […]
Banking on Development – Standard Chartered’s impact in Ghana
Since the financial crisis of 2008, many stakeholders have asked whether banks really serve the public interest. When we recall that the central function of banks in modern economies is to mobilize national and, increasingly, international savings, and to allocate those funds to their most productive use within the economy, it seems that many financial […]
VC4Africa launches first African Venture Capital platform – Crunch your business idea!
Today VC4Africa starts the first African online venture capital matchmaking platform. Many investors are looking for businesses to get involved with but have difficulties in finding promise. At the same time many businesses seek knowledge, capital and practical support. Without matchmaking their promise is never realized, hindering economic growth. The VC4Africa community currently consists of […]
MicroWHAT?? From Microfinance to Microinsurance.
As a social business dedicated to improving access to insurance among economically disadvantaged communities in the US and across the globe, Avana wants to raise awareness about the importance of microinsurance in development and poverty reduction. Our first several blog entries will be dedicated to answering some of your most commonly asked questions about the […]
Aureos committed to ensuring its investments contribute to the Millennium Development Goals
PRESS RELEASE, AUREOS Private sector institutions investing in areas suffering from high poverty and poor healthcare must step up their efforts to advance the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals, says Aureos Capital Ltd, the private equity fund management company specialising in investing in small and medium-sized businesses in emerging markets. The UN launched the Millennium […]
Stakeholder Governance: An Analysis of BITC Corporate Responsibility Index Data on Stakeholder Engagement and Governance
Some critics of Corporate Responsibility falsely claim that it represents surrendering the running of business to Greenpeace and other NGOs. That is nonsense. Engaging stakeholders is not an abdication of management responsibility. It is how effective and successful modern management thrives. Good management involves reconciling customers, employees’, suppliers’, owners’ and society’s wants and needs with […]
Using Internal Marketing to Engage Employees in Corporate Responsibility
Corporate responsibility (CR) – also known as Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Sustainability, Corporate Citizenship or Responsible Business – is gaining currency around the globe. The concept involves creating innovative and proactive solutions to societal and environmental challenges, as well as collaborating with both internal and external stakeholders to improve CR performance. While we could say […]
Responsible and Accountable Garments Sector (RAGS) Challenge Fund – First Call for Project Concepts
The Responsible and Accountable Garments Sector (RAGS) Challenge Fund is now operational and is formally calling for Project Concepts. Visit the website for more information. The deadline for applications 26 April 2010. Funded by UKaid for the UK Department for International Development (DFID), RAGS has been set up to drive better working conditions for women […]
The Governance of Corporate Responsibility: A Doughty Centre ‘How to’ Guide
At the Doughty Centre for Corporate Responsibility we seek to work with companies to understand the challenges they face in embedding a commitment to Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability. Over the next few years, we will be producing accessible and rigorous action-research on corporate responsibility (CR) to assist companies in improving their environmental, social and financial […]
The Business of Jobs: Developing Enterprise and Employability Through Collaboration
Dec 09 – IBLF’s working paper draws from 22 case studies across the world that highlight the opportunity for business to take a lead role in creating jobs and increasing the wealth of communities.
'The Business of Jobs' – IBLF's Forum on Employability and Enterprise
‘The Business of Jobs’ – IBLF’s Forum on Employability and Enterprise from Business Fights Poverty on Vimeo. On 3rd November 2009, IBLF hosted its first global forum on the theme of Jobs, Employability and Enterprise Development in London. The event saw 40 CEOs, managers and directors from top-level businesses and NGOs discuss and debate on […]
‘The Business of Jobs’ – IBLF’s Forum on Employability and Enterprise
‘The Business of Jobs’ – IBLF’s Forum on Employability and Enterprise from Business Fights Poverty on Vimeo. On 3rd November 2009, IBLF hosted its first global forum on the theme of Jobs, Employability and Enterprise Development in London. The event saw 40 CEOs, managers and directors from top-level businesses and NGOs discuss and debate on […]
Harnessing the power of business for development impact: towards the fourth generation
By Simon Maxwell, Senior Research Associate, Overseas Development Institute, and Chair of the 2009 Event Series, “Harnessing the Power of Business for Development Impact”. Here Simon shares his reflections on the Series. The Series was organised by the ODI, the UK Department for International Development, and Business Action for Africa. The final event in the […]
A "Good for Development" Company Mark: A Good Idea?
The Overseas Development Institute has proposed a new “Good for Development” (GfD) Mark that recognises companies that are delivering development gains through their core business: creating jobs, bringing investment capital, training workers, using local suppliers and fostering small and medium enterprises. The idea is summarised here, and elaborated here (including the indicators upon which the […]
A “Good for Development” Company Mark: A Good Idea?
The Overseas Development Institute has proposed a new “Good for Development” (GfD) Mark that recognises companies that are delivering development gains through their core business: creating jobs, bringing investment capital, training workers, using local suppliers and fostering small and medium enterprises. The idea is summarised here, and elaborated here (including the indicators upon which the […]
The Who and Why of Finding your Head of Corporate Responsibility
Odgers believes in ethical business. We aim to be ethical in all our business dealings; to be a good employer; and to be a business partner for the long term. In recent years we have seen many clients specifying that they are looking for candidates who understand broader societal issues and how these impact on […]
Corporate Responsibility and the Recession: Learning from Responsible Businesses
The idea for this paper emerged after we received several phone calls from journalists asking what we thought the recession would mean for corporate responsibility and sustainability. Sir Stuart Rose – the executive chairman of Marks and Spencer gave his view in his 2008 Cranfield Lecture when he said: “Climate change won’t slow down just […]
Corporate Responsibility and the Media
I’m delighted that David Grayson invited me to write the foreword to this excellent and timely paper on the media and corporate responsibility. There is very often a conspiracy of silence within the media on their own ethics. This debate is particularly relevant, given the Guardian’s current public investigation of ethics at the News of […]
Corporate Responsibility Champions Network: A ‘How to’ Guide
At the Doughty Centre for Corporate Responsibility we seek to work with companies to understand the challenges they face in embedding a commitment to Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability. Over the next few years, we are committed to producing accessible and rigorous action-research on corporate responsibility(CR). One aspect of this is the role that individuals at […]
Business and philanthropy: The blurring of boundaries
The latest publication from the World Bank Institute’s Business and Development Discussion Papers discusses the overlaps on business and philanthropy. Michael Jarvis and Jeremy Goldberg provide a briefing allows readers to get quickly caught up to speed on developments and consider the implications for both the business and development communities. “Recent years have witnessed a […]