In an insightful new analysis, two Harvard professors have revealed why the corporate sector plugging ‘institutional‘ gaps in societies can lead to economic prosperity for both the companies and the nations in which they invest. The value of social investments in emerging markets and why western companies looking to expand should consider making it a [...]
The tone of this blog has sometimes veered off its original intent, every so often appearing similar to that of an international human rights watchdog. Quite frequently however, we refer to the geopolitical and economic ramifications from the actions of an erratic authoritarian, of which there are unfortunately many, and not only the human cost. [...]
In the wake of the latest threat by the Chinese government, Google Inc.’s only choice is to pack up and exit the Chinese market, wholesale. In lieu of this, Chinese authorities on Friday told local news websites that if Google China does close, they will be required to use only official news accounts of situations, [...]
Opposition parties in Ivory Coast staged protests today as the west African country awaited the annoucement of a new government after President Laurent Gbagbo scrapped the previous one. The protests are growing in volatility as a nation awaits a government in flux. The head of the former rebel New Forces (FN), Guillaume Soro, whom Gbagbo reappointed [...]
Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych yesterday called on his opponent and longtime rival, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, to concede defeat in Sunday’s presidential runoff after he secured a slim victory at the polls. With more than 98 percent of the ballots counted as of Monday evening, Yanukovych had captured 48.5 percent of the vote, with Tymoshenko [...]
ENI SpA’s chief executive said yesterday that the Italian energy company will pull out of Iran after current contracts to develop two gas fields there run out, amidst international pressure to isolate the country over its highly controversial nuclear program. Paolo Scaroni also said the company plans to raise around euro1.5 billion from selling off [...]
This is quite an interesting little comment buried down in a Financial Times article today, about how the Chinese authorities are raising a lot of international concerns (including inside Brazil, the other titan of the BRIC grouping) by artificially keeping their currency undervalued and failing to allow for the development of what could become one [...]
One of the principle driving factors behind our ideas in corporate foreign policy is the bifurcation of global financial and political influence. With the rise of strong emerging economies such as China, India, and Brazil, and the steep losses in soft power suffered by the United States along with Wall Street’s struggles, it is only [...]
Last week may have been the most important one of the year for troubled Honduras. It brought a number of important decisions both in and outside of the country, each of which will have implications for years to come. The first decision was that of the majority of Hondurans in Sunday’s presidential vote to elect Porfirio [...]
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said Venezuela has put up an illegal trade embargo that is becoming a “Berlin Wall,” cutting off the South American neighbors. Uribe, in Portugal to attend a Heads of State Ibero-american Summit , criticized Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for not attending the meeting and spoke out against Venezuela’s suspension of trade with [...]
