Research Finds Female Executives Are More Likely to Encourage Stakeholder Engagement, High Ethical Standards, and Group Decision-Making — By Valentin Kiefner In the top league of the American corporate world, it is easier to find a CEO named James than it is to find a female CEO. In 2022, only 32 female CEOs led companies in the S&P 500—6.4% of the total. This imbalance is a problem for…

Incorporating a Commitment to Inclusive Development in Unstable Environments — We want to think that business is a force for good. But in some places, business operations may actually increase conflict. Professor Brian Ganson of Stellenbosch University Business School studies the role of business in places where there is violence, deep-rooted conflict between groups, or a government that lacks legitimacy…

Cobalt Supply Chain Research Offers Lessons for Positive Change — By Catherine McDonald It might seem ironic, but sustainable development relies on the mining industry, which provides metals and minerals necessary for technological and sustainable advancement. These materials enable sustainable innovations such as electric battery vehicles (EBVs) and solar panels. Cobalt is particularly important to the sustainable development transition. Cobalt’s…

The Role of Business in Enhancing Environmental Sustainability by Reshaping Practices, Policies, and Products — This article by Brooke Lahneman and Chelsea Hicks-Webster is part of “The Basics” series by the Network for Business Sustainability (NBS) that provides essential knowledge about core business sustainability topics. The concept of environmental sustainability emerged in 1987, when the World Commission on Environment and Development published a report highlighting…

Business Can Play a Vital Role in Protecting Biodiversity — This article by Kate Berrisford is part of “The Basics” series by the Network for Business Sustainability (NBS) that provides essential knowledge about core business sustainability topics. Growing up and living in South Africa, I have always been surrounded by nature — a term that is often used synonymously with…

New Research Shows 4 Financial Benefits of Natural Areas That Reduce Property Damage from Extreme Weather — By Claudio Rizzi Even if carbon emissions fall dramatically, climate impacts will continue to play out. We face a new reality of extreme weather, with storms and flooding, and we need to find new ways to adapt. In my research, which won the Ivey/ARCS PhD Academy Best Paper Award, I’ve…

How Leadership and Structure Models Can Influence Co-Op Sustainability — By Desirée Pacheco, Angelique Slade Shantz, Geoffrey Kistruck, and Justin Webb Cooperative businesses (also known as co-ops) can be a great way to address economic development needs. In a cooperative, people pool their resources and share ownership and decision-making. Co-ops prioritize community benefits, like job stability, over short-term gains. So…

Clothing Reuse Business Model Supports Families, the Circular Economy, and Sustainability Awareness — By Maya Fischhoff and Abby Litchfield It’s better to reuse clothes than buy new ones. “Fast fashion” — new clothing — has a huge environmental impact. Used clothes can also be cheaper for consumers. But for entrepreneurs, building a business around clothing reuse may be challenging. Local norms may not…

A Stakeholder-Minded Approach Can Help Businesses Build Long-Term Positive Social Impact — “The Basics” provides essential knowledge about core business sustainability topics. Social sustainability often gets less attention than environmental sustainability. But it’s just as important. Sometimes, people avoid it because it can seem confusing. In this article, we define the concept and how businesses — and other organizations — can make…