Universities and Corporations: A Selection of Papers Presented at tire Western Michigan University Emeriti Council Forum

A selection of papers presented at the WMU Emeriti Council Forum

Materiality in The Context of Sustainability

Materiality is a hotly debated topic, not only at the financial level but also at the sustainability level. Until a few years ago, multiple bodies (d standards regarding reporting inherent to sustainability. Currently, we are seeing a consolidation of various bodies into one Board and the emergence of very close collaborations between bodies giving these standards. This reduces the definitions of materiality, which were marked by even considerable differences in the past. In the following pages, we will highlight the central bodies that (standards concerning sustainability and the definition of materiality contained in these standards alla sostenibilitàCurrently, there is a consolidation of several bodies into a single OA body, with very close cooperation between bodies issuing standards. This reduces the definitions of materiality, which in the past, were marked by differences even known i. On the following pages, we will highlight the main bodies issuing standards concerning sustainability and is the definition of materiality contained in these standard

Scenarios for the Development of Smart Grids in the UK: Literature Review

This Working Paper reviews the existing literature on the socio-technical aspects of smart grid development. This work was undertaken as part of the Scenarios for the Development of Smart Grids in the UK project

The Ambivalence of Power in the Twenty-First Century Economy

The Ambivalence of Power in the Twenty-First Century Economy contributes to the understanding of the ambivalent nature of power, oscillating between conflict and cooperation, public and private, global and local, formal and informal, and does so from an empirical perspective. It offers a collection of country-based cases, as well as critically assesses the existing conceptions of power from a cross-disciplinary perspective. The diverse analyses of power at the macro, meso or micro levels allow the volume to highlight the complexity of political economy in the twenty-first century. Each chapter addresses key elements of that political economy (from the ambivalence of the cases of former communist countries that do not conform with the grand narratives about democracy and markets, to the dual utility of new technologies such as face-recognition), thus providing mounting evidence for the centrality of an understanding of ambivalence in the analysis of power, especially in the modern state power-driven capitalism. Anchored in economic sociology and political economy, this volume aims to make ‘visible’ the dimensions of power embedded in economic practices. The chapters are predominantly based on post-communist practices, but this divergent experience is relevant to comparative studies of how power and economy are interrelated

The politicisation of the Atewa Forest Reserve in Ghana

In 2018, the Ghanaian government signed the Sinohydro deal, a resource-backed loan using bauxite as collateral, with Ghana's president highlighting the opportunity to develop an integrated bauxite-aluminium industry and boost industrialisation across the country. The deal has led to a number of protests against bauxite mining in Ghana, particularly at one potential site: The Atewa Forest Reserve. This paper analyses the politicisation of the Atewa Forest Reserve through the lens of political ecology. Political ecology recognises that forests are not neutral entities, but are shaped by political processes and dynamics. The Atewa Forest is seen as a political forest, as a particular constellation of power constituted by ideas, practices and institutions. The paper contends that the narrative constructed around the Sinohydro Deal strategically legitimizes mining in the Atewa Forest, positioning the project as a symbol of progress and national development. It also argues that the Sinohydro deal was designed to circumvent national environmental laws, leading to quick (political) success while being embedded in a powerful narrative. Therefore, the contestation over development is increasingly shaped by a discursive closure that limits dissent, influencing public opinion and decision-making. Despite presenting the developments as visions for the future, the narrative ultimately reinforces old development tropes of resource extraction, convincing even counter-movements to focus on the location rather than opposing bauxite mining as a whole. The findings are based on interviews conducted during fieldwork in 2018, 2019 and 2020, as well as analysis of secondary data such as political documents, press statements and speeches

Report on industrial lands focus groups

87 pp. Bookmarks supplied by UO. Tables, appendices. Published July 15, 1998. Captured January 13, 2008.Davis & Hibbitts, Inc. (DHI) is pleased to present a summary of key points based on focus group research conducted for a consortium of organizations working on a regional industrial lands strategy. The purpose of the research was to solicit opinions about industrial land availability and industry location considerations from six perspectives â geographic, warehousing/ distribution, business park/flex space, manufacturing, large campus industrial, and land use/environment/agriculture. This focus group research is part of a larger, broader effort to reach consensus on an industrial lands strategy for the region. The Port of Portland is leading this planning effort, along with the Oregon Economic Development Department, Portland Development Commission, Columbia River Economic Development Council, Commercial Real Estate Economic Coalition, Metro, and Portland General Electric. The full report presents in much more detail the key ideas and themes that emerged from the discussions which may be useful in deciding what additional research and planning needs to be done. Because this was a qualitative study, the information describes, rather than quantifies, the variety of views among focus group participants. [From the document]"This project was funded in part with Oregon State Lottery Funds administered by the Oregon Economic Development Department. The preparation of this report was funded in part with a grant from the Oregon State Lottery through the Regional Strategies Fund administered by the Oregon Economic Development Department and regionally administered through the Portland Development Commission for Multnomah and Washington Counties.

Pacific Review Summer 2012

https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/pacific-review/1012/thumbnail.jp

Setting public policy

Australia’s two-decade economic expansion has not been simply a function of chance or benefiting from the nation’s rich natural endowments. This historic growth period has occurred despite the Asian Financial Crisis; the Russian and Long Term Capital Management (LTCM) crises; the 2001 bursting of the technology bubble; the quintupling of oil prices; the global financial crisis and subsequent deep recession in advanced economies; and the ongoing European sovereign debt crisis. Success has been enabled by public policy settings that have encouraged flexibility, efficient resource allocation and innovation in the economy.   There is widespread belief among CEDA members that Australia’s recent policy making has not been at a best practice standard. Some reasons that have been given for the presumed decline in quality of public policy debate and execution are: A heightened emphasis within governments on opinion polls and responding to perceived popular opinion; Changes in the media landscape and its influence on public information; and Issues in the relationship between the public service and politicians. While these issues have not stopped important policy development, such as the Henry Tax Review or the white paper on Australia in the Asian Century, many of the reforms put forward have been considered too difficult or politically unpalatable for government to pursue. The major exception is the National Disability Insurance Scheme, now DisabilityCare Australia. However, despite wide community and bipartisan political support for the initiative, contentious issues associated with its ongoing funding have proven intractable. It is vital that Australia rediscovers its ability to clearly identify and implement challenging economic reforms.   As the stimulus from the mining boom fades, Australia’s prosperity will become increasingly subject to the pressures of the international marketplace. This will occur in an environment of heightened human and financial capital mobility and fast paced technological advances that can rapidly undermine sources of traditional comparative advantage. Whether recent economic success fades into memory or continues will be substantially determined by the quality of policy implemented by government.   Related identifier: ISBN 0 85801 289

ADB–OECD Study on Enhancing Financial Accessibility for SMEs: Lessons from Recent Crises

During the era of global financial uncertainty, stable access to appropriate funding sources has been much harder for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The global financial crisis impacted SMEs and entrepreneurs disproportionately, exacerbating their traditional financing constraints. The financial conditions of many SMEs were weakened by the drop in demand for goods and services and the credit tightening. The sovereign debt crisis that hit several European countries contributed to further deterioration in bank lending activities, which negatively affected private sector development. The global regulatory response to financial crises, such as the Basel Capital Accord, while designed to reduce systemic risks may also constrain bank lending to SMEs. In particular, Basel III requires banks to have tighter risk management as well as greater capital and liquidity. Resulting asset preference and deleveraging of banks, particularly European banks with significant presence in Asia, could limit the availability of funding for SMEs in Asia and the Pacific. Lessons from the recent financial crises have motivated many countries to consider SME access to finance beyond conventional bank credit and to diversify their national financial system. Improving SME access to finance is a policy priority at the country and global level. Poor access to finance is a critical inhibiting factor to the survival and growth potential of SMEs. Financial inclusion is thus key to the development of the SME sector, which is a driver of job creation and social cohesion and takes a pivotal role in scaling up national economies. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have recognized that it is crucial to develop a comprehensive range of policy options on SME finance, including innovative financing models. With this in mind, sharing Asian and OECD experiences on SME financing would result in insightful discussions on improving SME access to finance at a time of global financial uncertainty. Based on intensive discussions in two workshops organized by ADB in Manila on 6–7 March 2013 and by OECD in Paris on 21 October 2013, the two organizations together compiled this study report on enhancing financial accessibility for SMEs, especially focusing on lessons from the past and recent crises in Asia and OECD countries. The report takes a comparative look at ADB and OECD experiences, and aims to identify promising policy solutions for creating an SME base that is resilient to crisis, from a viewpoint of access to finance, and which can help drive growth and development