Center for Social Innovation

A Light in City Hall

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Fall 2009

How one newcomer to the Los Angeles mayor’s office mixed government with philanthropy to make change.

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Public-Private Alliances Transform Aid

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Fall 2009

The dual goals of scalability and sustainability have eluded many development projects. In recent years, however, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has reached out to corporations, nonprofits, and even private citizens to build alliances that are making large-scale, long-term change. In this article, the former head of USAID describes the public-private partnership model that his agency forged, the successes that the model has won, and the struggles that it continues to face. —By Andrew S. Natsios

September 11 Attacks Changed FBI Focus

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Government, Leadership

Today the Federal Bureau of Investigation is more focused on counterterrorism around the world than on racking up big numbers of arrests FBI Director Robert Mueller told a Stanford Graduate School of Business audience.

Resource: News Article

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Nonprofits’ Attraction to Stimulus Funds Could Prove Fatal

Nonprofits need to be careful not to betray what makes them essential to a healthy democracy and civic marketplace. The job of nonprofits is to take on social and global problems and make our communities better places to live and work. To do that, nonprofits need to deliver effective services, find innovative ways to address both the symptoms and causes of problems, and ride hard on government lawmakers and policymakers. But nonprofits should be careful that in chasing government money and access to power they do not devolve from entrepreneurial watchdogs into lazy and dependent lapdogs.

Resource: Blog Post

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Government, Philanthropy, Responsible Investing

The Ultimate Second Act

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Summer 2009

THE UNFINISHED PRESIDENCY by Douglas Brinkley Review by John Wood

At Stanford, Al Gore Connects Climate Change Inaction to Political Dysfunction

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Environment, Government, Leadership

Speaking to a capacity crowd at Stanford's Memorial Auditorium, former Vice President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore calls for passionate action to reverse "degraded" state of democracy.

Resource: News Article

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Streamlining An "Expensive Democracy"

Nigeria's reform-minded central banker discusses government waste, austerity, and growth.

Resource: News Article

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Economic Development, Government, Human Rights

The Tough Math Behind Humanitarian Aid

A new study finds that a different approach to food-relief efforts in the developing world could save more lives.

Resource: News Article

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Government, Social Entrepreneurship

The $86 Billion Fix

A group of scholars propose a plan that could put a brake on health care spending.

Resource: News Article

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Help for the Undecided

A Stanford GSB student's new company could make voting decisions more like online shopping.

Resource: News Article

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Red and Blue Revisited

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2008

The more race- and sex-segregated the county, the more Republican it votes.

Arts, Culture, and Religion, Government

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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With Love Comes War

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2008

Xenophobia and altruism may have evolved hand in hand.

Economic Development, Government, Healthcare

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Poor in Body

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2008

Toxic environments knock impoverished kids’ systems out of kilter.

Economic Development, Government, Philanthropy, Responsible Investing

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Review: Giving

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2008

Former president Bill Clinton chronicles how ordinary citizens are helping to solve our big problems. Review by Paul Collier

Government, Philanthropy, Responsible Investing, Social Entrepreneurship

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Innovating the White House

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2008

In this article Michele Jolin, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and senior advisor to Ashoka, envisions how the next president of the United States can spur social entrepreneurship. According to Sonal Shah, head of the new White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, Michels Jolin's articles led to the creation of her office.

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Government, Nonprofit Management, Philanthropy, Responsible Investing

New Approaches to Funding or to Programs?

Tax cuts and the federal deficit create real shortfalls for nonprofits. The scale of replacement needs is well beyond possible increased revenues from private philanthropy and social ventures. What to do?

Resource: Blog Post

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Education, Government, Philanthropy, Responsible Investing

Private Money for Public Schools

Should private money be given to schools?

Resource: Blog Post

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Government, Philanthropy, Responsible Investing

Co-opted by Wal-Mart?

Where should the line be drawn in public-private collaboration?

Resource: Blog Post

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Congress and the Ford Foundation

Strained relations between Congress and foundations.

Resource: Blog Post

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Government, Philanthropy, Responsible Investing

Who Elected Us?

What’s the role of foundations in public policy?

Resource: Blog Post

Video/Audio : All | Audio | Video

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Addressing the K-12 Crisis

How can the Unites States get its K-12 schools out of their current crisis? In this panel, experts from various fields who are passionate about improving our kids' lives and our nation's future discuss why things are failing, what's working to make them better, and what the best options are, from teacher education to integrating technology. They spoke at the Global Education Conference at Stanford.

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Resource: Audio

Topic:

Changing Behavior and Changing Policies

The Veteran's Administration, Medicare, and Medicaid make up the largest repository of public health data in the world, and now it's being made available in appropriate forms for the use of patients and innovators alike. Todd Parks, CTO of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, wants to change the fee structure of healthcare from "Fee for Service" to something more efficient, and he's freeing up information on public health so everyone can see and help design better health systems.

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Resource: Audio

Topic:

Environment, Government

EDF Future of Green Calls

Could it be that Defense takes the lead on climate change initiatives? An important DoD report cited climate change as a top national security concern. On this Future of Green Call, Daniel Kreeger explains how Defense is planning ways to avoid conflict over essential supplies such as clean water, resource consumption and keeping bases safe from predicted coastal flooding. Discussion also includes lessons learned from climate catastrophes and how to respond more quickly and efficiently to crisis.

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Resource: Audio

Topic:

Environment, Government

Environmental Sustainability and Energy Policy

New Obama administration goals are making this an excellent time for professionals interested in environmental sustainability. So say senior government energy and technology officials in this panel discussion convened by the Stanford's Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance. Pointing to the challenges ahead, they outline where the opportunities will lie for energy-focused entrepreneurs.

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Resource: Audio

Topic:

Food Industry and Global Health

Why have American eating habits changed so drastically for the worse in the last half century? What is the appropriate role of government in mitigating these changes? Who can we hold responsible? In this audio lecture, author and former FDA Commissioner David Kessler discusses the marketing strategies of multinational food companies, the scientific realities behind these current trends, and what we might do to change them.

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Resource: Audio

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Environment, Government, Leadership

Al Gore: Leaders Must Supply Vision, Values & Goals

The Stanford Graduate School of Business View from the Top Series hosted former Vice President Al Gore where he spoke to over 600 students on leadership, solutions for the climate crisis, and sustainable capitalism.

Resource: Video

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A Behavioral Science Perspective on Why People Vote

The investigation into what messaging motivates people to vote and the effectiveness of facilitating a voting plan during a presidential election.

Resource: Video

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Global Education Conference

Business and technological innovations are pushing education everywhere to the brink of great change. What is the potential for global education today?

Resource: Video

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Pharmaceutical Innovation

What can pharmaceutical companies do to contribute to global health?

Resource: Video

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Education, Government, Leadership

GSB Black Business Student Association Award Winner Jim Shelton

James H. Shelton of the Office of Innovation and Improvement at the U.S. Department of Education won the prestigious Tapesty Award for 2011.

Resource: Video

Topic:

Environment, Government, Leadership

Al Gore: Leaders Must Supply Vision, Values & Goals

The Stanford Graduate School of Business View from the Top Series hosted former Vice President Al Gore where he spoke to over 600 students on leadership, solutions for the climate crisis, and sustainable capitalism.

Resource: Video

Topic:

A Behavioral Science Perspective on Why People Vote

The investigation into what messaging motivates people to vote and the effectiveness of facilitating a voting plan during a presidential election.

Resource: Video

Topic:

Addressing the K-12 Crisis

How can the Unites States get its K-12 schools out of their current crisis? In this panel, experts from various fields who are passionate about improving our kids' lives and our nation's future discuss why things are failing, what's working to make them better, and what the best options are, from teacher education to integrating technology. They spoke at the Global Education Conference at Stanford.

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Resource: Audio

Topic:

Changing Behavior and Changing Policies

The Veteran's Administration, Medicare, and Medicaid make up the largest repository of public health data in the world, and now it's being made available in appropriate forms for the use of patients and innovators alike. Todd Parks, CTO of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, wants to change the fee structure of healthcare from "Fee for Service" to something more efficient, and he's freeing up information on public health so everyone can see and help design better health systems.

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Resource: Audio

Topic:

Environment, Government

EDF Future of Green Calls

Could it be that Defense takes the lead on climate change initiatives? An important DoD report cited climate change as a top national security concern. On this Future of Green Call, Daniel Kreeger explains how Defense is planning ways to avoid conflict over essential supplies such as clean water, resource consumption and keeping bases safe from predicted coastal flooding. Discussion also includes lessons learned from climate catastrophes and how to respond more quickly and efficiently to crisis.

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Resource: Audio

Case Studies : All | Academic Cases

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Transparent Markets: Promoting Public Values Through Private Enterprise

Luis Moreno Ocampo, an attorney who had fought human rights abuses in Argentina, views corruption in public procurement as the next major human rights issue. He established a company to collect and distribute information on public procurements to make the entire process more transparent.

Resource: Academic Case

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Government

San Diego Padres: PETCO Park as a Catalyst for Urban Redevelopment

The San Diego Padres’ ballpark was the first integrated sports facility/development project ever attempted. While it proved to be a huge success for the Padres, San Diego, and taxpayers, there were many obstacles that had to be overcome.

Resource: Academic Case

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The Competitive Advantage of India

India’s services sector had demonstrated that the country possessed the capacity to improve its global standing significantly. The question was whether India would capitalize on its success by addressing obstacles to growth, or miss the opportunity to enter the modern world.

Resource: Academic Case

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Angola's Mislaid Billions

This case focuses on corruption in Angola surrounding oil production. It discusses the involvement of nongovernmental organizations, oil companies, and internal organizations, as well as the Angolan response.

Resource: Academic Case

Topic :

Transparent Markets: Promoting Public Values Through Private Enterprise

Luis Moreno Ocampo, an attorney who had fought human rights abuses in Argentina, views corruption in public procurement as the next major human rights issue. He established a company to collect and distribute information on public procurements to make the entire process more transparent.

Resource: Academic Case

Topic :

Corporate Social Responsibility, Government

San Diego Padres: PETCO Park as a Catalyst for Urban Redevelopment

The San Diego Padres’ ballpark was the first integrated sports facility/development project ever attempted. While it proved to be a huge success for the Padres, San Diego, and taxpayers, there were many obstacles that had to be overcome.

Resource: Academic Case

Topic :

The Competitive Advantage of India

India’s services sector had demonstrated that the country possessed the capacity to improve its global standing significantly. The question was whether India would capitalize on its success by addressing obstacles to growth, or miss the opportunity to enter the modern world.

Resource: Academic Case

Topic :

Angola's Mislaid Billions

This case focuses on corruption in Angola surrounding oil production. It discusses the involvement of nongovernmental organizations, oil companies, and internal organizations, as well as the Angolan response.

Resource: Academic Case

Research Papers : All

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Electoral Incentives and Partisan Conflict in Congress: Evidence from Survey Experiments

Does partisan conflict damage citizens’ perceptions of Congress? If so, why has polarization increased in Congress since the 1970s?

Resource: Research Paper

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The Effect of Tax Preferences on Health Spending

Workers who earn just below the Social Security tax threshold receive a larger tax preference for health insurance than workers who earn just above it.

Resource: Research Paper

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Government, Leadership

Does an Effective Media Reduce Politicians' Incentives to Pander to Voters?

Elections sometimes give policy makers incentives to pander — to implement policies that voters think are in their best interest even though the policy maker knows they are not, says Professor Kenneth Shotts. In general, an effective media reduces this tendency to pander, "but there are some exceptions to this general rule."

Resource: Research Paper

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TV Ads Do Influence Consumers — In Elections and Beyond

By studying the outcome of the 2000 U.S. presidential election, Stanford professor Wesley Hartmann and his coauthor have proved that television advertising sells products. Along the way they also found that television advertising tipped the election in favor of George Bush over Al Gore.

Resource: Research Paper

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Evaluating the Medical Malpractice System and Options for Reform

The U.S. medical malpractice liability system aims to compensate patients who are injured through the negligence of healthcare providers and to deter providers from practicing negligently. Though the system has failed to deliver on these goals, evidence from several studies suggests that wisely chosen reforms may reduce healthcare spending significantly with no adverse impact on patient health outcomes.

Resource: Research Paper

Courses : All

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Homeland Security: Operations, Strategy, and Implementation: OIT 571

This course covers a variety of topics in homeland security. Among them are bioterrorism, influenza pandemics, nuclear security at ports and around cities, the biometric aspects of the U.S. VISIT program, the intersection of homeland security and immigration, and suicide bombings.

Resource: MBA Course

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The International Economy: Policies and Theory: MGTECON 334

This course gives students an understanding of international trade economics, and analyzes the political processes by which international trade policy is determined. It combines lecture and mini-case studies.

Resource: MBA Course

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Political Economy of Health Care in the U.S.: MGTECON 331

The purpose of this class is to provide students with the economic tools and the institutional and legal background to understand how markets for health care products and services work. The class utilizes case studies, lectures, and visits from individuals in the industry.

Resource: MBA Course

Innovators : All

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Ernie Ting (MBA '80)

Ernie Ting helps voters find relevant information to become more engaged in our democracy with the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund.

Resource: Alumni

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Steve Westly (MBA '83)

Steve Westly reflects on his years as a public servant, including State Controller and CFO for the State of California, and his candidacy for Governor in 2006.

Resource: Alumni

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California Redistricting Panel Calls on Citizens Like Cynthia Dai, MBA '93

Cynthia Dai, MBA '93, joins panel redrawing districts for state government, Congress.

Resource: Alumni

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An interview with Peter Ohtaki (MBA '87)

As Executive Director of the California Resiliency Alliance (CRA), Peter Ohtaki has helped bring businesses and government together to improve disaster response and recovery.

Resource: Alumni

Topic :

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

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Public Management Program Oral History Panel

In response to the historical events of the late 60's and the growing societal demands on business, the Stanford Graduate School of Business developed a pioneering vision for educating leaders who understand the world they live in and know to work across silos to accomodate the needs of both business and society. The founders of the Public Management Program share their motivations for creating the first program of the sort at a business school and why it is more relevant than ever today.

Resource: Video

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Government, Leadership

A Sobering Look at Today's Federal Debt

The United States has recovered from high debt in the past but there are no easy solutions to today's estimated $14 trillion bill, panelists told a business school audience.

Resource: News Article

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