Center for Social Innovation

Research: Tech Clears the Air

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2010

Manufacturing growth doesn’t harm the environment—it helps

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Fun for a Change

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2010

Volkswagen plays with virtue

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Nonprofit Management

A Mandarin’s Lament

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2010

SMALL CHANGE: Why Business Won’t Save the World by Michael Edwards

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Money Makes People Happy, Especially If They're Paid By The Hour

Researchers find a stronger tie between money and happiness for people paid by the hour than by salary, because hourly workers are more regularly reminded of the value of their time, according to work co-authored by business school Professor Jeffrey Pfeffer.

Resource: News Article

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Whole Foods' John Mackey Is Out to Change American Business

John Mackey, the CEO of Whole Foods Market chain, has loftier goals than getting Americans to eat healthy foods, one of the missions of his grocery empire. He is out to change American business as well, putting it on the path to higher consciousness.

Resource: News Article

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Human Rights

For HP, Environmental Responsibility Is a Competitive Imperative

Hewlett-Packard is finding that taking responsibility for reducing the negative impacts on the environment of its entire supply chain is "proving right for the bottom line of our company and clients." An HP executive shared the company's progress at a conference on building environmentally sustainable and socially responsible supply chain networks.

Resource: News Article

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Human Rights

University and Overseas Labor Focus of Panel Discussion

Consumers can wield great influence over working conditions under which goods are manufactured, Professor Huggy Rao told a Stanford audience. “You’ve got to influence consumers so they’re willing to pay more,” he said.

Resource: News Article

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Economic Development

Nike Foundation Aims to Improve the Lives of 500 Million Girls

The Nike Foundation has zeroed in on a pressing need, says Maria Eitel, who heads the organization: The plight of 500 million girls in many of the world's most impoverished countries who are cut off from taking part in their nations' economies.

Resource: News Article

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment, Social Entrepreneurship

Good Business Karma

Patagonia Inc. founder and owner Yvon Chouinard offered his Stanford audience a slew of counterintuitive business practices that have helped make his apparel company a success.

Resource: News Article

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Healthcare, Social Entrepreneurship

Offshore Drug Development May be Necessary to Control Cost

In order to control rising costs of drug developments, pharmeceutical companies may have to begin looking overseas, where a strong emphasis on life science research is held. In addition, drug companies must begin to look to devote more of their R&D budgets to treating more common diseases. Victoria Hale, founder, CEO, and chairwoman of OneWorld Health, has created a nonprofit pharmaceutical company to address the needs of 90 percent of the world's people, many who do not receive treatment for preventable diseases because of the high costs of medicine.

Resource: News Article

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Making the B List

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Summer 2009

The B Corp seal of approval distinguishes truly responsible businesses from mere poseurs. —By Jenna Lawrence

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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What’s Next: The Pepsi Spirit—of Giving Back

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2009

Pepsi has enrolled more than 27,000 of its U.S. employees in the Wireless AMBER Alert Program.

Corporate Social Responsibility, Education

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Clicking for Smart CSR

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Winter 2009

National Instrument’s partnerships not only energize science education, but also boost the company’s brand and employee morale. —By Abby Rubin

Corporate Social Responsibility, Economic Development, Government

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Romanticizing the Poor

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Winter 2009

Market solutions to poverty, which include services and products targeting consumers at the “bottom of the pyramid,” portray poor people as creative entrepreneurs and discerning consumers. Yet this rosy view of poverty-stricken people is not only wrong, but also harmful. —By Aneel Karnani

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Confessions of a CSR Champion

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Winter 2009

It’s time to rethink the “C” in CSR. —By Allen L. White

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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When More Mission Equals More Money

The more a business focuses on it’s social mission, the more revenue it will generate.

Resource: Blog Post

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Nonprofit Management

Speaking of Nonprofit Retirees…

Nonprofits need to think seriously about helping their employees’ with post-work survival.

Resource: Blog Post

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Philanthropy, Responsible Investing

Selling Vs. Selling Out

The author warns that selling a company or organization should not mean selling out as social missions will prove to contribute to long term success.

Resource: Blog Post

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Why I Like Fair Trade… And What it Needs

Good Capital invests in socially responsible Adina.

Resource: Blog Post

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Government

Despite Joining Bailout, BB&T Says it Prefers Free Market

BB&T decides to help with the bailout of the financial market.

Resource: Blog Post

Video/Audio : All | Audio | Video

Topic:

Corporate Social Responsibility, Social Entrepreneurship

Conscious Business and Entrepreneurship

Social entrepreneurship requires conscious leadership, says Whole Foods CEO John Mackey in this University podcast. Delivering a talk sponsored by the Stanford Center for Social Innovation, Mackey issues a clarion call for nothing less than "conscious capitalism," arguing that business can indeed serve more than the almighty dollar. He discusses his own company's challenges in the social enterprise arena.

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Resource: Audio

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Nonprofit Management

Nonprofit Collaborations in Disaster Response

Nonprofit management faces one of its biggest challenges in the arena of disaster relief. In this audio interview, Neal Denton, senior VP of government relations and strategic partnerships at the American Red Cross discusses the value of his organization's relationship to the Partnership for Disaster Response. He discusses plans for strengthening this relationship and the role of the private sector in disaster response.

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Resource: Audio

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Boosting Profits through Social Responsibility

Companies can indeed make money while operating in socially responsible and environmentally friendly ways. It just takes what supply chain expert Hau Lee calls the Triple-A approach--having agility, adaptability, and alignment. Closing the Stanford 2008 Responsible Supply Chains Conference, Lee describes how small to mid-sized companies in China, India, and Israel boosted profits while shrinking waste and pollution and providing a fair workplace for employees.

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Resource: Audio

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Gap's Progress on Corporate Social Responsibility

The Gap monitors 2,000 garment factories in 50 countries and conducts about 4,000 inspections annually to make sure its suppliers are operating under ethical guidelines. Dan Henkle, the executive who oversees this inspection process, as well as the company's community investment and environmental affairs efforts, outlines The Gap's corporate responsibility programs in this audio lecture recorded at the 2008 Responsible Supply Chains Conference.

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Resource: Audio

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment, Social Entrepreneurship

Making Money While Going Green

Scientists predict that we have less than 10 years to sufficiently reduce carbon emissions to avert a total environmental disaster. Gary Hirshberg, Stonyfield Farm "CE-Yo", tells of his company's efforts over the past 25 years to reduce its environmental footprint while increasing profits. Hirshberg shares lessons from his book Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and Save the World, in this Stanford Center for Social Innovation audio lecture.

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Resource: Audio

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The HP Way and Bottom Line Results

Vyomesh Joshi, an executive vice president at Hewlett-Packard, talks about how HP is integrating social and environmental responsibility into its bottom line.

Resource: Video

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Greening the Supply Chain

How did Patagonia make the transition to using 100-percent organic cotton in its product line? Randy Harward discusses the challenges surrounding internal support, raw materials, and affordability as Patagonia greens its supply chain.

Resource: Video

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Environmental Conservation

Will Rogers, president of Trust for Public Land, discusses strategies for sustainable land use in a context where the boundaries that separate land conservation from public health, housing, economic development, transit, energy-use policies, and urban design are rapidly blurring. Amory Lovins, chairman and chief scientist, Rocky Mountain Institute, which fosters the efficient and restorative use of resources to make the world secure, just, profitable, and life-sustaining, discusses issues in his book, Winning the Oil Endgame: Innovation for Profit, Jobs, and Security.

Resource: Video

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Philanthropy, Responsible Investing

Community Foundations

Community foundations have become an increasingly common outlet for charitable giving in the United States. In this panel discussion, led by Julie Juergens, the director of the Center for Social Innovation, community foundation leaders discuss innovative models for foundations as well as challenges faced by this sector.

Resource: Video

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Corporate Environmental Footprint

Corporations are beginning to recognize environmental stewardship as an essential part of corporate social responsibility. This panel discussion explores some of the leading corporate initiatives toward environmental sustainability.

Resource: Video

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Nonprofit Management

Disaster Relief - How Can Business Help?

In their nonprofit management strategy, the American Red Cross recognizes businesses as key players in emergency preparedness and disaster relief efforts. In this audio interview, host Karl Matzke speaks with Joe Becker, the senior vice president of disaster services at the American Red Cross, who discusses how the national organization leverages the support of the business community to provide assistance beyond in-kind and financial resources, which is an approach applied by many in nonprofit management.

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Resource: Audio

Topic:

Corporate Social Responsibility, Social Entrepreneurship

Conscious Business and Entrepreneurship

Social entrepreneurship requires conscious leadership, says Whole Foods CEO John Mackey in this University podcast. Delivering a talk sponsored by the Stanford Center for Social Innovation, Mackey issues a clarion call for nothing less than "conscious capitalism," arguing that business can indeed serve more than the almighty dollar. He discusses his own company's challenges in the social enterprise arena.

You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.

Resource: Audio

Topic:

Corporate Social Responsibility, Nonprofit Management

Nonprofit Collaborations in Disaster Response

Nonprofit management faces one of its biggest challenges in the arena of disaster relief. In this audio interview, Neal Denton, senior VP of government relations and strategic partnerships at the American Red Cross discusses the value of his organization's relationship to the Partnership for Disaster Response. He discusses plans for strengthening this relationship and the role of the private sector in disaster response.

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Resource: Audio

Topic:

Boosting Profits through Social Responsibility

Companies can indeed make money while operating in socially responsible and environmentally friendly ways. It just takes what supply chain expert Hau Lee calls the Triple-A approach--having agility, adaptability, and alignment. Closing the Stanford 2008 Responsible Supply Chains Conference, Lee describes how small to mid-sized companies in China, India, and Israel boosted profits while shrinking waste and pollution and providing a fair workplace for employees.

You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.

Resource: Audio

Topic:

Gap's Progress on Corporate Social Responsibility

The Gap monitors 2,000 garment factories in 50 countries and conducts about 4,000 inspections annually to make sure its suppliers are operating under ethical guidelines. Dan Henkle, the executive who oversees this inspection process, as well as the company's community investment and environmental affairs efforts, outlines The Gap's corporate responsibility programs in this audio lecture recorded at the 2008 Responsible Supply Chains Conference.

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Resource: Audio

Case Studies : All | Academic Cases

No Results Found

Topics:

Corporate Social Responsibility, Human Rights

Anglo American (A)

A massive South African mining conglomerate was debating how to confront the ravages of HIV/AIDS on the workforce. It considered challenges associated with launching an antiretroviral program.

Resource: Academic Case

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Mobil in Aceh, Indonesia (A) & (B)

In 1998, the chief executive of Mobil in Indonesia considered how he should respond to allegations that Mobil had been complicit in human rights abuses. The cases reflect on the challenges of managing operations in a place like Aceh.

Resource: Academic Case

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment, Social Entrepreneurship

Pharmaceutical Switching

In an unprecedented move in 1998, Blue Cross of California filed a citizen petition to switch three drugs to over-the-counter status. When the FDA approved, the pharmaceutical companies faced the challenge of developing a strategy for dealing with the threat.

Resource: Academic Case

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Sheaffer International's BOOM Program

Jack Sheaffer had a unique wastewater treatment system that produced no organic sludge, no odor, and was cheaper than conventional systems. He wanted a business plan that would insulate him from marketplace shocks and found it with the BOOM program of build, own, operate, and maintain.

Resource: Academic Case

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International Paper's Wildlife and Recreation Program

International Paper has engaged in a plan to lease hunting and camping opportunities on its lands. It now must provide support for environmental management programs in the face of declining demand for hunting areas and increased demand for environmentally friendly forest products.

Resource: Academic Case

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Nike: Managing the Non-Market Environment

In the late 1990s, Nike had to deal with allegations that its subcontractors were running sweatshops that were marked by poor working conditions, worker abuse, and below-subsistence wages. Nike responds to the public scrutiny, and takes actions that have an impact on the company and the brand.

Resource: Academic Case

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McQueeney's Publishing

This case presents two fictional vignettes dealing with issues in labor law. In one, a company president must deal with a threat from her labor force to unionize; in the other, she must handle a situation in which one of her top salespeople is having an affair with a key customer.

Resource: Academic Case

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Obesity and McLawsuits

After successful litigation against tobacco companies, lawyers turned their attention to the fast-food industry and its possible connection to obesity. The case details McDonald’s response to the litigation.

Resource: Academic Case

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Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD Trials

Genzyme Tissue Repair had just received favorable phase I clinical trial results. Should the company go ahead with studies that would involve subjects in the placebo group having to undergo surgery but not receive the experimental transplants?

Resource: Academic Case

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Geron Corporation and the Role of Ethics Advice

In 1999, Geron Corporation was at the center of the debate about human embryo research. The case details the controversy surrounding Geron’s stem cell research and the role the Ethics Advisory Board played in shaping the company's response.

Resource: Academic Case

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Myriad and OncorMed and the Marketing of the First Genetic Test for Breast Cancer Susceptibility

Two companies are competing to develop a genetic test for breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility. They must grapple with concerns about the ethics involved.

Resource: Academic Case

Research Papers : All

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Strategic Activism and Nonmarket Strategy

This paper focuses on private politics, activist strategies, and nonmarket strategies of target organizations of NGO activism. A formal theory of an encounter between an activist organization and a target is presented to examine strategies for lessening the chance of being a target and for addressing an activist challenge once it has occurred.

Resource: Research Paper

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Economic Development, Education, Healthcare

The G8 Debt Relief Plan May Not Help

The 2005 G8 debt relief plan certainly sounds generous, but researchers caution it is unlikely to result in large benefits for struggling countries.

Resource: Research Paper

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MBA Graduates Want to Work for Caring and Ethical Employers

A survey of more than 800 MBAs from 11 leading North American and European schools found a substantial number were willing to forgo some financial benefits to work for an organization with a better reputation for corporate social responsibility and ethics.

Resource: Research Paper

Courses : All

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The Business World: Moral and Spiritual Inquiry through Literature: POLECON 349

This course uses novels and plays as a basis for examining the moral and spiritual aspects of business leadership and of the business environment. The literature covered illuminates the character of business people and the cultural contexts of values and beliefs in which commercial activities take place in a global economy.

Resource: MBA Course

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The Paths to Power: OB 377

Understanding the processes of power and influence in organizations is critical for leaders. This course aims to teach students how to to diagnose and analyze power and politics in organizational situations, show students how to exercise power effectively, and help students come to terms with the inherent dilemmas and choices involved in developing and exercising influence.

Resource: MBA Course

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Leadership Perspectives: OB 363

This course examines the concept of principled leadership and the various ways leaders try to institutionalize values within their organizations. Through assigned readings, interactive lectures with visiting executives, and weekly small group discussions, students learn how leaders implement their principles, and reflect on their own values and career aspirations.

Resource: MBA Course

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Ethical Issues in Biotech Industry: GSBGEN 522

This course focuses on the bioscience industry (biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, genomics, and vaccine). The emphasis is on the ethical and social challenges of running companies in these areas.

Resource: MBA Course

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Work and Family: GSBGEN 376

This course examines the strategies that highly educated women and men use to combine work and family. It also explores how managers can help others achieve balance in these two areas.

Resource: MBA Course

Innovators : All

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Government Programs, Nonprofits, Social Policy, Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment, Government

An interview with Jeremy Sokulsky (MBA '04)

Jeremy Sokulsky is working with government land managers, environmental regulators and private conservation investors to restore Lake Tahoe clarity.

Resource: Alumni

Topic :

Arts, Culture, and Religion, Corporate Social Responsibility, Economic Development, Education, Human Rights, Social Entrepreneurship

An interview with Dave DeForest-Stalls (EPNL '07)

Dave DeForest-Stalls wants to help kids stay out of gangs. He's providing mentorship and hip ways to keep youth on the straight and narrow.

Resource: CSI Affiliates

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Economic Development, Environment, Government, Nonprofit Management, Social Entrepreneurship

An interview with Court Gould (EPNL '06)

Court Gould is pushing for Pittsburgh to grow sustainably. He's working hard to inform decision makers about to accomplish that most effectively.

Resource: CSI Affiliates

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Arts, Culture, and Religion, Philanthropy & Responsible Investing, Corporate Social Responsibility, Economic Development, Education, Environment, Government, Healthcare, Nonprofit Management, Social Entrepreneurship

An interview with Ruth Bolan (EPNL '06)

Ruth Bolan is giving voice to indigenous peoples of the Pacific Island. She funds documentaries that bring their culture and challenges to millions of viewers.

Resource: CSI Affiliates

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Economic Development, Education, Human Rights, Nonprofit Management, Philanthropy, Responsible Investing, Social Entrepreneurship

An interview with Daniel Grossman

Daniel Grossman's Wild Planet creates toys that parents love as much as kids. His aim is to inspire learning and inventiveness.

Resource: Alumni

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Sustainability Opportunities in Global Supply Chains

When a company like Wal-Mart decides to work with suppliers to reduce their emissions, a positive ripple is created throughout the global economy. However, is there room for smaller innovators when it comes to greening the supply chain? In this audio interview, part of the Future of Green series from Stanford's Center for Social Innovation, Professor Gary Gereffi and EDF's Andrew Hutson talk about opportunities for sustainable supply chains in the age of globalization.

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Resource: Audio

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Who's with Me? False Consensus, Brokerage, and Ethical Decision Making in Organizations

Organization members overestimate the degree to which others share their views on ethical matters. That is, a high level of "betweenness centrality" increases an individual's estimates of agreement with others on ethical issues beyond what is warranted by any actual increase in agreement.

Resource: Research Paper

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Cause Marketing, Nonprofits, Philanthropy & Responsible Investing, Corporate Social Responsibility, Nonprofit Management

New Sustainable Business Models

Bringing along the consumer, Method and Zipcar have provided greener alternatives to our everyday lifestyles. By creating this catalyst for change, they moved their products and services ahead of industry leaders and scaled this impact with market success. In this Future of Green open call series from Stanford's Center for Social Innovation, founders Robin Chase of Zipcar and Adam Lowry of Method speak on building a company around a radical and sustainable business model.

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Resource: Audio

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The Science of Getting People to Do The Right Thing

For the movers and shakers of this world who could use some practical, cost-effective solutions for encouraging donations, volunteerism, social activism, and other responsible, caring, and pro-social behaviors, Frank Flynn reviews the latest findings. To receive Flynn's highlights, sign up for the quarterly prosocial highlight.

Resource: News Article

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