Corporate Social Responsibility

US & China | Milestones
“This is a major milestone in the US-China relationship, and it shows what’s possible when we work together on an urgent global challenge.”

Vatican | Newsmakers
René Brülhart, known as the “James Bond of the financial world” for his high-profile role in cases such as the return of assets from Saddam Hussein to post-war Iraq and the uncovering of the Siemens bribery scandal, has become chairman of the Vatican’s anti-money-laundering unit.

 

MANAGEMENT | PENSIONS
As people live longer, many companies are discovering that they have to pay pension benefits to retirees for longer than they had expected. Insurance companies are stepping in with new products that can help take this “longevity risk” out of corporate defined-benefit pension plans.

Norway’s $870 billion sovereign wealth fund has always been at the forefront of ethical investing, and its actions have influenced the decision making of other asset managers, big and small. But starting next year the fund will reveal its voting intentions before shareholder meetings, not only to be more transparent but also to influence the debate and the subsequent voting.

It is easy to dismiss the Yukos case as a temporary political and legal hurdle. But clearly the reality is more complex.

FINANCE & CAPITAL | TRENDS: Islamic Finance

It is not only investors in the traditional Muslim markets in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey who are tapping into the financial and emotional benefits of shariah exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

It has never been easy for small and midsize companies in emerging markets to raise money. Since the financial crisis it has become even harder. But there's hope.

Nigeria’s first shariah-compliant bond, a $62 million issue by Osun state late last year, could be the start of an Islamic finance boom in Africa.

RISK MANAGEMENT: ENVIRONMENTAL INSURANCE
The threat of corporate environmental liability incidents is increasing as new regulations—and new risks—take hold.

Indeed, there are those who think that the IP wars will continue to have no clear resolution or winners.  The only real beneficiaries: lawyers.  But commentators such as Bruce Berman argue that unless and until we can quickly sort out the real issues in the IP imbroglio, almost everyone –even the patent trolls – will lose out. 

NEWSMAKERS By Gilly Wright Dubbed by his supporters a gifted visionary, engineer and CEO Elon Musk is not afraid to take on both big oil and the auto sector in his attempts to drive the sustainable energy sector forward, as ...

On October 29, a little piece of history was made when the UK finally announced it would become the first Western country to issue a sovereign sukuk, or Islamic bond.

Global Finance sat down with John Alan James, executive director, Pace University Center for Global Governance, Reporting & Regulation. James’s distinguished career in management consulting, governance and academia spans 25 years in Europe and more than 20 years in Asia.

Twelve months is a long time in financial markets, and the phenomenon of globalization appears to have reached a fork in the road, with growth in emerging markets looking challenged. Is the globalization frenzy coming to an end?

SPECIAL REPORT: ISLAMIC TRADE FINANCE By Anita Hawser Islamic trade finance is of increasing interest, but whether it will be successful depends on market forces. “Shariah-compliant trade finance is an ancient tradition with a long history of supporting economic activity ...

MILESTONES: UNITED STATES   Responsible Corporations Gain Protection   By Denise Bedell   Safekeeping: New law will protect companies’ ethical goals For companies that aim to always be socially and environmentally minded, achieving growth without giving up that goal can be ...

COVER STORY: CORE VALUES   Companies at the cutting edge of corporate responsibility are weaving their citizenship efforts into the strategic heart of the business.   By Dan Keeler   In the decade or so since the phrase "corporate social ...

SPOTLIGHT CORPORATE FRAUD Crumbling asset values and wild volatility have left a trail of disaster in their wake. They also exposed some truly shocking frauds.     Abbey: “If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is” In ...

UNITED STATES     Greening finance: Social and environmental ethics will form part of business curriculums. A burgeoning global movement to reshape corporate behavior by weaving corporate social responsibility principles into business school teaching got a boost last month. At ...