Center for Social Innovation

Research: Making the News

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Summer 2011

The media introduce social movements to the masses, but how do social movements make it into the media?

Socially Responsible Business, Environment

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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New Knight Management Center at the Stanford Graduate School of Business to Achieve Highest Level of Environmental Sustainability

The Stanford Graduate School of Business opens the Knight Management Center, a new facility of eight buildings around three quads designed to support an innovative MBA curriculum. The center is expected to achieve the highest LEED Platinum® rating for environmental sustainability from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Resource: News Article

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment, Social Entrepreneurship

Picking Green Tech’s Winners and Losers

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2011

Unless clean tech follows well-established rules of innovation and commercialization, the industry’s promise to provide sustainable sources of energy will fail.

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Environment, Government

Tom Steyer: The jolly green banker

Banker and philanthropist Tom Steyer says the idea of business doing everything perfectly without government involvement is "ridiculous." That's why he's fighting to convince politicians and CEOs that going green isn't a sacrifice, it's an opportunity.

Resource: News Article

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Environment, Government

Removing Barriers for Clean Tech Energy Entrepreneurs Raises Issues

Streamlining balky government permit processes or convoluted global supply chains are just some of the challenges in the "Valley of Death" faced by fledgling clean energy firms, government officials were told during a Stanford forum.

Resource: News Article

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment, Government, Leadership

McNutt Describes How Cowboys, Engineers, and Scientists Plugged the BP Oil Leak

When oil began gushing into the Gulf of Mexico last year, scientists, engineers, and operations workers all had different ideas about what to do. The biggest lesson may have been getting these different groups to work together, Marcia McNutt of the USGS told a Stanford Graduate School of Business audience.

Resource: News Article

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Global Issues, Economic Development, Environment

Input sought from food researchers hungry for campus collaborations

Faculty and students from all parts of the Stanford University campus, including Professor Sarah Soule from the business school, will gather Nov. 3 for the University's first Food Summit to discuss ways to develop broad-based answers to the world's food problems.

Resource: News Article

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Electric Cars, Clean Coal Should Go Together

The United States will see a slow move toward electric car adoption in the next 5-to-10 years while China will see only a small market for cars but big opportunities to manufacture and export batteries. A Stanford MBA student class study doubts either nation will move quickly to adopt clean coal technology.

Resource: News Article

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What Do Your Jeans and Your Car Have in Common?

What Do Your Jeans and Your Car Have in Common?
Did you know that making a pair of Levi 501 jeans, from cotton seed to finished garment, uses 54 showers' worth of water and produces the same amount of greenhouse gas as driving your car 78 miles? Neither did Levi Strauss & Co. - until they conducted an environmental impact assessment on their goods speakers told the fourth annual Socially and Environmentally Responsible Supply Chains Conference.

Resource: News Article

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Environment, Healthcare

"Take Better Care of the World," Challenges Ted Turner

Ted Turner, who 30 years ago heralded the Information Age by founding CNN, has turned his focus to developing ways to stop global warming, encourage energy conservation, and stem population growth. He challenged MBA students to find solutions because "We've got to take better care of the planet."

Resource: News Article

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Environment, Philanthropy, Responsible Investing, Social Entrepreneurship

Nau and Again

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Winter 2009

Find out how Nau, an ultra-cool outdoor clothing start-up from Portland, Ore., tried on too much, too fast. —By Suzie Boss

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Clean Sweep

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Winter 2009

E + Co connects the dots between energy, poverty, and the environment. —By Suzie Boss

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Research: The End of the World Is Nigh (Maybe)

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Winter 2009

Research finds human extinction looms near if consumption levels do not decrease.

What’s Next: Jolly Old Eco-land

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Environment, Government

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Winter 2009

Britain tries building carbon-neutral housing to address its housing shortage.

Arts, Culture, and Religion, Environment

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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What’s Next: Treks, Plugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Winter 2009

Rockers go green.

Economic Development, Environment, Social Entrepreneurship

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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MicroEnergy Credits Corporation: Catalyzing Clean Energy for the BoP

Using existing microfinance institutions and recent developments in the carbon credit markets on the supply side to facilitate the adoption of clean energy for the very poor.

Resource: Blog Post

Video/Audio : All | Audio | Video

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Environmental Sustainabililty and Water Supply

Is there a world water crisis? Yes, says water expert Peter Gleick in this audio lecture at the annual Conradin von Gugelberg memorial lecture on the environment at Stanford Graduate School of Business. To the list of environmental sustainability matters plaguing our planet, we can add the fact that we don't have enough fresh, clean water to do what we need to do, he asserts, which results in disease and death in many areas of the world. Gleick outlines the nature of the crisis and offers some answers.

Resource: Audio

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Economic Development, Environment, Social Entrepreneurship

Providing Environmental Sustainability Solutions

The unique advantages of zinc air fuel cells have been harnessed as an environmental sustainability measure to deliver reliable, renewable, and affordable electricity to rural communities off the grid. In this audio interview, Stanford Center for Social Innovation correspondent Sheela Sethuraman talks with 2009 Tech Award winner Rolf Papsdorf to find out how his company, Alternative Energy Development Corporation, combines sound economics, customer service, and social responsibility to tangibly improve the lives of people around the world.

Resource: Audio

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Environmental Sustainability and Global Warming

Promoting environmental sustainability is the responsibility of every world citizen, says Nobel Laureate and former Vice President Al Gore in this audio lecture. Speaking at the 2009 Tech Awards, he urges his audience to consider how they may make changes and press for policies that will address global warming. He asks Westerners, in particular, to consider how the consequences of their own actions may be causing suffering for millions displaced by climate change.

Resource: Audio

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Economic Development, Environment

Examining the 21st Century Oil Company

The Saudi Arabian Oil Company exemplifies how an organization may go from good to great through a focus on innovation. In this audio lecture, CEO Abdallah Jum'ah shares with an audience of Stanford MBA students how he has harnessed the brainpower of his people to come up with breakthrough solutions in areas such as technology, tools, processes, and organizational management. His talk demonstrates how living the values of innovation, insight, and principle can transform an organization and change the world.

Resource: Audio

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Lighting the Way to Economic Development

Let there be light! That's Sam Goldman's motto, and he's taking it around the world. The founder of d.light design talks with Stanford Center for Social Innovation correspondent Sheela Sethuraman about how he is bringing affordable, ecologically sustainable electricity and lighting to billions who are now operating in the dark. In this audio interview, he details aspects of the design, function, marketing, and distribution of the organization's products, as well as the kind of impact the social enterprise is having in some of the most remote, poor areas.

Resource: Audio

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Economic Development, Environment, Social Entrepreneurship

Clean Energy

Speakers on the 2005 Clean Energy Panel discuss how wind, solar, and other renewable energy sources have reached the critical mass to appear at least as recognizable slivers on the pie chart of the U.S. energy portfolio.

Resource: Video

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Reducing Global Poverty

From disease control to global climate change, innovative business people are designing sustainable solutions to promote international development and reduce global poverty. Hear how this is happening from leaders in the field.

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, Environment, Social Entrepreneurship

Social Entrepreneurs Invent the Future

Can businesses deliver strong returns to shareholders while also promoting the health of people and the planet? Gary Hirshberg, the phenomenally successful pioneer of the organic foods industry, utters a resounding yes.

Resource: Video

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment, Social Entrepreneurship

Social Enterprise in Food Supply Chains

In the arena of social enterprise, a California collaboration is creating a high yield. In this university podcast, executives Diane Del Signore and Maisie Greenwalt share how Community Alliance with Family Farmers and Bon Appétit Management Company have partnered to create a local distribution system to get locally grown products into institutional settings. They also talk about efforts to help farmers become more organic.

Resource: Audio

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20 Years of Business Partnership at EDF

What happens when the nation's largest fast-food chain and a leading environmental advocacy group partner to reduce food packaging waste? Sharing the lessons learned from the groundbreaking success story of an NGO-business model that began 20 years ago and led way for other cross-sector partnerships in sustainability, Environmental Defense Fund's Gwen Ruta and McDonald's Bob Langert, with host Jerry Michalski, kick off The Future of Green open call series.

Resource: Audio

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Business, Environment

Sustainable Water Practices For a Global Corporation

Businesses are increasingly focusing on reducing their water footprint as a source of strategic advantage and as a demonstration of good corporate citizenship. In this audio interview, part of a Stanford Center for Social Innovation series on water around the world, Pepsico's Dan Bena talks with Stanford MBA student Ashish Jhina about his company's efforts to reduce water use in its bottling plants and its partnerships to promote sustainable water use in agriculture and to provide improved access to clean drinking water.

Resource: Audio

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Water's Role in Environmental Sustainability

What is the best way for entrepreneurs to approach water companies with environmental sustainability solutions that address water problems? In this panel discussion, sponsored by the Center for Social Innovation at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, experts and academics share what the water industry is doing to save water and the energy used to produce it for public use. They offer suggestions about how business can best invest in this growing field.

Resource: Audio

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Environmental Sustainability in Supply Chains

How can a company put environmental sustainability into its DNA? In this university podcast, Joao Paulo Ferreira, VP of operations and logistics, talks about Natura Cosmetics Brasil's supply chain and its challenges to embed sustainability concepts into the way it is designed and operated. He discusses the company's culture of collaboration with indigenous communities, NGOs, and other organizations.

Resource: Audio

Case Studies : All | Academic Cases

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Topics:

Environment, Nonprofit Management

Wild Salmon Center

The Wild Salmon Center was created to provide anglers access to excellent fishing in return for funding research and conservation. The case discusses the Center’s efforts to protect the pristine watersheds of the Kamchatka Peninsula by developing ecotourism to raise funds for conservation.

Resource: Academic Case

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment, Social Entrepreneurship

Gardenburger

The CEO of Gardenburger, a seller of veggie burger products and other food alternatives to meat, considers the company’s advertising strategy. He aims to take the company from the small health-food niche to the consumer mainstream.

Resource: Academic Case

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Touring in the Galapagos Islands

Various economic and environmental issues face the owners of a cruise business in the Galapagos Islands. The case gives special attention to the efforts of locals to preserve and enhance their own ecotourism business prospects.

Resource: Academic Case

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Ma Jun and the IPE: Using Information to Improve China's Environment

The Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs is Chinese environmental non-profit that has single-handedly revolutionized brought pollution standards and compliance to more than 47,000 sites and 22 multinational corporations in China. This case tells the story of the organization and its founder, environmental entrepreneur Ma Jun.

Resource: Academic Case

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Maria Yee Inc.: Making 'Green' Furniture in China

Maria Yee Inc. occupies a unique position as an environmentally conscious premium household furniture maker with two direct-owned factories in China and distribution through several large U.S. retailers. This case addresses the unique challenges that an entrepreneurial company faces in reaching its full potential as a business while advancing its green strategy.

Resource: Academic Case

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Environmental Enhancements in Road Vehicle Technologies

In 2007, the issue of global warming brought carbon dioxide emissions to the forefront of Americans’ minds. This paper examines some of the emerging innovations designed to reduce oil consumption.

Resource: Academic Case

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Disclosure Dilemma: Financial Reporting of Contingent and Environmental Liabilities

The case discusses U.S. and international accounting guidance regarding the disclosure of contingent and environmental liabilities.

Resource: Academic Case

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Fuel Economy Standards 2007

In 2007, Congress was discussing a 40 percent increase in required fuel efficiency. The automobile industry had a choice to fight the ruling., but instead decided to focus on influencing the details of the legislation.

Resource: Academic Case

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Note on Energy

Entrepreneurs and investors will find in this note a broad overview of the energy sector in 2008, highlighting trends and market dynamics.

Resource: Academic Case

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The Electric Car: The Major Players

The case covers and analyzes the major players in the electric car industry, including start-up and established automakers, battery makers, retrofitters, utility companies and the government.

Resource: Academic Case

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Environment, Human Rights

The World Trade Organization and the Seattle Talks

In 1999, the World Trade Organization talks in Seattle were sidelined by people protesting against the organization and issues of free trade. The case describes the nature of the protests, and the WTO’s dispute resolution process.

Resource: Academic Case

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Property Rights in New Zealand Abalone Fisheries

When abalone divers were given a property right in abalone fisheries, fishery owner Roger Beattie moved from the small time to become a successful entrepreneur. He began seeking out opportunities to improve his bottom line and the local environment.

Resource: Academic Case

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River Run Development Company

Peter O’Neill envisioned a 120-acre residential community alongside the Boise River. However, he needed to convince the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and several other agencies, that his idea would not harm the trout population.

Resource: Academic Case

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment, Social Entrepreneurship

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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Business, Socially Responsible Business, Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment

U.S. Plastic Lumber

Mark Alsentzer, an investor in Earth Care, took over leadership of the business when it got into trouble in 1996. He focused on a two-pronged strategy to invest in research to speed up the manufacturing process to turn plastic into lumber, and to increase product recognition.

Resource: Academic Case

Research Papers : All

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Don't Tweak your Supply Chain - Rethink It End to End

The article examines environmental issues related to supply chains and supply chain management. Attempts to introduce sustainable practices into supply chains often meet with unexpected financial or environmental costs.

Resource: Research Paper

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Socially Responsible Business, Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment

Modern Management: Good for the Environment or Just Hot Air?

Establishments in better managed firms are significantly less energy intensive. Better managed firms are also significantly more productive. These results suggest that management practices that are associated with improved productivity are also linked to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Resource: Research Paper

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Environment, Government, Leadership

Would Boycotting BP Do Any Good?

[photo - gulf_oil_spill_source_la_times]

Consumer and environmental groups, angry over the spreading oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, are calling for a boycott of BP, the oil giant that owns the well gushing oil onto beaches and marshes. According to research by Phillip Leslie and Larry Chavis, boycotts do in fact work and they're something businesses should be concerned about.

Resource: Research Paper

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A Room with a Viewpoint

Managers and marketers can motivate consumers to participate in environmental conservation programs by telling them how the majority of other people behaved in the same situation. Researchers specifically studied how to ask hotel guests whether or not they wanted to reuse their towels during the course of a stay. The study highlights the benefits of employing social science research and theory—rather than business communicators’ hunches, lay theories, or best guesses—in crafting persuasive messages. Guests given a description : "the majority guests in this hotel asked to reuse their towels," were 9% more likely to make the same decision than guests who were simply asked to "help save the environment" with no information on comparative behavior. Guests were motivated even further when the description matched their social demographic even more closely. They were even more likely to reuse their towels when told the majority of people staying in their room in the past had done so.

Resource: Research Paper

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Slowing Introductions of New Electronic Products Reduces E-Waste

Some types of regulations governing disposal of electronic waste can reduce the world's mountains of devices waiting to be recycled, and also slow the rate of new product introductions says Stanford Graduate School of Business Professor Erica Plambeck.

Resource: Research Paper

Courses : All

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Environmental Science for Managers and Policy Makers - advanced: OIT 339

Designed for students with strong modeling/optimization/simulation skills, this course allocates more time to environmental and energy science and its implications for management and policy, and less time to the basics of modeling/optimization/simulation. Students apply spreadsheet modeling, optimization, and Monte Carlo simulation to resource management and environmental policy.

Resource: MBA Course

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Environmental Science for Managers and Policy Makers: OIT 338

This course explores the fundamental science of ecosystems, climate, and energy. Students learn to apply spreadsheet modeling, optimization, and Monte Carlo simulation to resource management and environmental policy.

Resource: MBA Course

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Initiating, Sustaining, and Monetizing Green Marketing: MKTG 551

This course addresses numerous questions about how to initiate and sustain green marketing. It also explores what technological and marketing innovations are likely to arise in the future.

Resource: MBA Course

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Business and Environmental Issues: GSBGEN 547

This speaker seminar examines the overlap and synergies between the business and environmental fields. Weekly speakers include leaders from both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.

Resource: MBA Course

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Environmental Entrepreneurship: GSBGEN 339

Markets have tremendous potential for solving environmental problems. Through case analysis, guest speakers, and the creation of business plans in environmental entrepreneurship, students will learn to apply core business principles of finance, marketing, economics, operations, accounting, and more to the provision of environmental goods and services.

Resource: MBA Course

Innovators : All

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Water World

Leading a Social Innovation Study Trip lands Robyn Beavers, MBA '10, in a new industry.

Resource: Alumni

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Economic Development, Environment

Jeremy Sokulsky, MBA '04

Jeremy Sokulsky, MBA '04, President, Environmental Incentives, discusses how he's drawing upon the tools and training he received from the GSB to help make a difference.

Resource: Alumni

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How Growth Can Be Green

A Stanford GSB student looks at the value of renewable energy in the developing world.

Resource: Student

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Jack May (MBA '84)

Jack shares his unexpected adventures on Kangaroo Island, Australia, and how his discovery in habitat restoration has become an international example.

Resource: Alumni

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Arts, Culture, and Religion, Environment, Nonprofit Management

Frank Gibson Myers (MBA '66)

"Gib" shares his passion for America’s Great Plains and the possibility and promise of creating a prairie wildlife reserve of three million acres, and the hope it represents.

Resource: Alumni

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How Do You Encourage Recycling?

Recycling programs abound, but people are often lackadaisical about putting plastic, paper, glass, and metal into those bins. How can we get more people to recycle? An intervention recently conducted in Canada is pointing the way, and the message is all about ... well, the messaging.

Resource: News Article

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Arts, Culture, and Religion, Environment, Nonprofit Management

The Effectiveness of Message Framing to Influence Behavior

Most observers agree that human consumption is on a crash course with the environment. Although recycling programs have been implemented in many cities around the world, people often do not participate as often as they could. This research examines the effectiveness of messages that highlight the negative consequences of not recycling (loss frames) versus those that emphasize the positive consequences of recycling (gain frames) in influencing people's behavior.

Resource: Video

Topic :

Environment, Nonprofit Management

Sustainable Water Treatment

How can a young nonprofit organization make a tangible improvement in people's health through clean water using only the power of gravity? This was the challenge for Daniel Smith and the AguaClara team when they began work to introduce community-level drinking water treatment plants in Honduras. In this audio interview, Sheela Sethuraman learns from the 2011 Intel Environment Award winners about the importance of using local resources and experts to encourage horizontal learning.

Resource: Audio

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Environmental And Food Activists Need To Consider Social Justice, Author Says

Journalist-filmmaker Eric Schlosser tells students interested in food issues that critics of today’s industrial food system shouldn’t forget lower-income people.

Resource: News Article

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