Professor Bertrand Guillotin | What Happens When Companies Take a Stand Against Unethical Practices?

Professor Bertrand Guillotin | What Happens When Companies Take a Stand Against Unethical Practices?

Corporate responsibility is increasingly crucial for businesses, but it comes with challenges. Using Hershey as an example, Professor Bertrand Guillotin of the Fox School of Business at Temple University explores the chocolate industry’s struggle with child labor in West Africa. Despite commitments to eradicate this issue, progress has been slow. He examines the changing governance landscape, evolving consumer expectations, and the impact of ethical concerns on business operations.

Professor Bertrand Guillotin | CEOs Face a Tough Challenge in Navigating the ‘Culture Wars’

Professor Bertrand Guillotin | CEOs Face a Tough Challenge in Navigating the ‘Culture Wars’

What is the impact of the ‘culture wars’ on American businesses? Professor Bertrand Guillotin at the Fox School of Business at Temple University explores this phenomenon using the case of Chick-fil-A, a fast-food giant caught in the crossfire of social issues. From its conservative Christian roots to recent attempts at inclusivity, he explores how CEO Andrew Cathy has so far navigated this complex landscape. Examining strategies other companies use to manage their stance in today’s polarized climate, he highlights the challenges of balancing corporate values with social values.

Professor Kenneth Scheve – Professor David Stasavage | Why US Tax Policy Hasn’t Responded to Rising Inequality

Professor Kenneth Scheve – Professor David Stasavage | Why US Tax Policy Hasn’t Responded to Rising Inequality

Whether policymaking can develop solutions for the inevitable problems that capitalism creates has long been a concern of political economists. One of these issues is rising inequality across the USA and other countries. Inequality is a significant risk for political stability, so it is vital to understand how democratic societies respond to it. Progressive taxation policies, which tax the rich at higher rates, can help to equalize incomes and wealth. Despite this, over the last four decades while inequality has increased, successive US governments have introduced falling tax rates for top earners. Why is this?

Dr. Andrea Christou – Professor Chad Damro | Trade Policy in the EU: Market Focus or Geopolitical Tool?

Dr. Andrea Christou – Professor Chad Damro | Trade Policy in the EU: Market Focus or Geopolitical Tool?

The role of EU trade policy is evolving in today’s complex global landscape. Dr. Andrea Christou and Professor Chad Damro at the University of Edinburgh have studied how the EU balances traditional market-oriented goals with emerging geopolitical pressures. Their analysis explores how different EU bodies frame trade policy, highlighting the contrast between the EU’s broader geopolitical strategy and its trade department’s narrower approach.

Dr Patrick Wagner – Professor Damian Raess | Globalisation: A Race to the Bottom or an Opportunity to Improve Labour Standards?

Dr Patrick Wagner – Professor Damian Raess | Globalisation: A Race to the Bottom or an Opportunity to Improve Labour Standards?

Brazil, Russia, India and China, often known as the BRICs, have seen explosive growth in the past two decades and have asserted themselves as drivers of globalisation. Many scholars have researched the effects of this growth and development, and how these factors have affected domestic labour conditions. But are they asking the right questions? For instance, if developing countries invest in developed economies, will this lead to improved working conditions in the investing developing nation? Dr Patrick Wagner of the University of Konstanz, Germany, and Professor Damian Raess of the Catholic University of Lille, France, have conducted a study investigating whether Brazilian direct investment in Europe leads to improved working conditions back in Brazil.

Professor Xiaobei Li | How HR Management Can Help Businesses Weather a Changing World

Professor Xiaobei Li | How HR Management Can Help Businesses Weather a Changing World

Businesses today exist in a changing world, which brings both opportunities for growth and increasingly complex challenges. To survive and thrive, organisations need a robust understanding of HR management. In their research, Professor Xiaobei Li and her colleagues at various universities, including University of New South Wales, Arizona State University and Peking University, recently explored how organisations can motivate their staff to ensure high-quality performance.