Business, ethics & society

Long before the coronavirus pandemic, advances in information technology were already fueling the rise of a handful of superstar firms that dominate the economy. COVID-19 has greatly accelerated that trend. Darden Professor Anton Korinek explores the implications of the superstar phenomenon for overall economic efficiency and, by extension, policy.

Netflix is investing $100 million in financial institutions that support Black-owned banks and Black communities. This investment isn’t just socially responsible in fueling opportunity; research shows that Black-owned banks outperform non-minority-owned peers. How does that reconcile with data that imply decline in success? Lack of initial assets.

In April 2009, Genzyme became the target of Relational Investors (RI), an activist investment fund. It had built a 2.6 percent stake and demanded that Termeer focus on returning cash to shareholders. Should he fight RI and risk being ousted, or should he welcome the activist’s advice on creating shareholder value and risk losing control?

Around 90 percent of the cases of blindness in Ethiopia are avoidable. Restoring and maintaining sight frequently depends on corneal transplants, but those require access, and the global demand is greater than the supply. One partnership created a system to meet 100 percent of the current demand for quality corneal tissue in Ethiopia.

Eliminating discrimination from customer service has been historically difficult, even for organizations with stellar service reputations. Is there a way for companies to better identify their breakdowns and eliminate discrimination from the fast food drive through to the hotel lobby?

Diversity, equity and inclusion are imperative. How can companies — and the individuals in them — ensure the kind of inclusive hiring practices that will lead to a genuinely equitable and diverse culture? Darden Professor Toni Irving discusses problems and solutions for hiring and developing diverse talent.

Grassroots organizations are engines for transformation but lack stable funding. To address these challenges, IAF and the Mott Foundation created a public-private partnership to put underserved communities in control of projects that improve quality of life, foster civic engagement and contribute to a more robust democracy in Mexico.

While the U.S. has become more diverse, it has largely remained segregated. Good intentions and conversations about diversity may lead to what Professor Greg Fairchild terms the “illusion of inclusion”; even if we do not hold bias, physical and social separation may exacerbate existing income, wealth, job and achievement gaps.

The greatest global health challenge for children is disease related to water, sanitation and hygiene. To address these health challenges, Sesame Workshop and World Vision established the Wash Up! initiative with the ultimate goal of reducing the number of children suffering or dying from preventable and treatable diseases.

Many employees now work remotely. How can managers help them cope with the unique challenges posed by a stay-at-home world? Darden Professor Roshni Raveendhran discusses blind spots to avoid, concrete strategies to help direct reports, and the important distinction between a company’s formal policies and interpersonal conduct in affecting behavior.