Articles 41 to 55 of 130
The European Union's Struggle with Identity
In May of 2004, ten new countries entered the ranks of the European Union (EU). During the recent Burke Nicholson Interdisciplinary Forum hosted by Emory University’s Office of International Affairs, a panel of professors discussed the effect of the EU’s expansion in a session titled “National Identities, Europe and the Regions.” While member countries struggle with the balance between regional and national identity, some observers believe that the debate may actually strengthen the union over time.
A New Balance in Europe—Perspectives on the Future
With the addition of ten member nations on May 1, 2004, the new-look European Union (EU) now includes 25 countries and is poised to be a major power. Stretching from Ireland in the west to Latvia in the east, the EU’s expanded border raises many social, political and economic challenges. Just weeks before the new member nations joined the ranks, a trio of Emory University professors discussed the effects of the biggest expansion in the EU’s 47-year history at Emory University’s recent Burke Nicholson Interdisciplinary Forum.
A Compelling Case for Globalization
In the fierce debate on globalization, Jagdish Bhagwati, a highly regarded authority on international trade, stands out as a voice of reason. His latest book, In Defense of Globalization, argues persuasively for the world-wide embrace of free trade, suggesting that globalization is transforming the world’s economic and social order for the better. While respectful of some critics who disagree with him, he contends that others are secretive, divided in their goals and prone to exaggerate figures of worker exploitation or environmental abuse.
Do Governments Favor Foreign Firms over Domestic Ones?
The long-held belief that governments favor their own country’s firms over outsiders may not hold up in today’s global business environment. Indeed, governments may actually favor foreign companies, particularly over politically weak domestic firms, according to preliminary research presented by Yasheng Huang, professor of international management at MIT’s Sloan School of Management, during a Wharton conference on Management Strategy and the Business Environment. In general, he said, the foreign privilege phenomenon seems to be more pronounced in Latin America and Eastern and Central Europe, although it exists in East Asia as well.
High Gas Prices Hurt More Now
Does oil still matter in the era of the service economy? Definitely, say professors at Emory University and its Goizueta Business School – especially in the gasoline-dependent U.S. While high oil prices aren’t good for anyone, Emory scholars say that the U.S. is uniquely vulnerable to oil price shocks, much more so than in the 1970s, when oil price spikes helped derail the U.S. economy for the better part of the decade.
How The Carter Center Partners to Produce High Impact Programs
As companies continue to look for new ways to engage with customers, many find that their philanthropic efforts, while valuable in their own right, have the added advantage of improving the company’s image, and perhaps the bottom line as well. The Coca-Cola Company, Merck, and Reebok participated recently in “Corporate Philanthropy,” part of the “Conversations at The Carter Center” annual discussion series. Representatives from each of the companies, and Dr. John Hardman, The Carter Center’s Executive Director, discussed the role of corporate philanthropy in today’s global business environment.
Brazil’s Efforts to Convert Environmental Responsibility into Competitive Advantage
Idealism is not the only factor that motivates companies to adopt environmental responsibility programs. Cost reductions as well as enhancement of a company’s image to consumers and society are other important incentives. This is certainly true in Brazil, where companies are becoming more and more active using environmental programs as a way to gain competitive advantage. By the end of this year, for example, companies will have spent approximately $500 million on pollution control equipment alone.
The Impact of India’s Boom
In recent months, a steady stream of major companies has announced their intention to move software and call center operations offshore. While the growth in offshore business service imports is beginning to cause a stir in the U.S., it’s leading to dramatic changes in the Indian economy and society. Professors at Emory University and its Goizueta Business School explore the evolving Indian landscape and the challenges ahead.
Ireland: The Little Island That Could
Many of the Irish that once fled Ireland because of diminishing opportunity and political instability are returning to Ireland to enjoy the prosperity of their country’s supercharged economy. This phenomenon is a result of Ireland’s dramatic change over the last 15 years due to forward thinking initiatives and a growing peace among its people. But with prosperity comes new challenges. During a recent visit by Albert Reynolds, the former Prime Minister of Ireland, faculty and students at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School discussed the economic and social ramifications of the tremendous growth engine known as the Celtic Tiger.
Exploring the Impact of Economic Change in China
China is in the process of establishing an entirely new economic and social landscape. In 2002 China attracted $52.7 billion in foreign direct investment, surpassing the U.S. as the world’s top investment destination. While few deny that China’s recent growth is impressive, some question its sustainability. Professors at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School and alumni explore the economic and social ramifications of growth in China.
Trade Policy: A New Economic Order?
Under heavy pressure from exporting countries and the World Trade Organization, President Bush recently decided to end his three-year-old tariffs on foreign steel. At the same time, his administration has announced a new set of tariffs against Chinese textile and television set imports. While the conventional wisdom has seen these events as purely political decisions, some trade experts at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School and School of Law say the two incidents actually may be part of a deeper struggle to come to terms with an emerging new global economic order.
VillageReach Measures Its Success in Smiles
One of the toughest challenges confronting organizations that seek to deliver vaccines and other medications to remote, poverty-ridden parts of the world is how to get them there while they are still effective. Blaise Judja-Sato, a Seattle-based executive, saw that as an opportunity to apply supply-chain logistics to address this need. The result is VillageReach, a non-profit group he founded in 2002 with encouragement from several African organizations.
Affirmative Action Comes of Age
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled again this June that publicly funded universities may consider the racial and ethnic background of prospective students as a factor in making their admissions decisions. And while the ruling surprised some court-watchers, most agree that the decision provides a clearer path for both schools and businesses. Experts from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School and School of Law discuss the implications.
"We need a new generation to reshape the world"
While World Bank president James D. Wolfensohn faces attacks from both the right and the left, he is driven by hopes of ameliorating poverty in the developing world. In a recent speech at the University of Pennsylvania, he explained why projects aimed at improving health and education have a greater impact on reducing poverty than the World Bank's former approach of lending money for dams and bridges.
Strengthening International Ethics Guidelines Through Teamwork
Most companies face ethical challenges all the time. For those doing business globally, the likelihood only increases. With help from The Emory University-affiliated Carter Center, a group of businesses are taking a proactive approach and addressing issues of ethics head on.
