Reports About Economic Development

The New Geographies of Corporate Sustainability

Drawing on research and insights gathered from UN Global Compact workshops in Brazil, China, and India in March to May 2012, this discussion paper asks whether there are specific approaches to corporate sustainability in the three emerging economies and how these approaches may influence global discourse and action. Read more →

Posted: June 19, 2012 | Topics: Economic Development, Governance & Accountability, Leadership, Strategy & Integration | Download (PDF)

Financial Inclusion in the Supply Chain

Approximately 2.5 billion of the world’s adults do not use formal financial services to save or borrow money. About 90 percent of them live in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Without access to formal financial institutions, people must rely on their own funds or risky informal services that charge excessive fees to invest in their health and welfare and that of their families. Read more →

Posted: August 2, 2011 | Topics: Economic Development, Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Financial Services, Strategy & Integration | Download (PDF)

Stories From the Field

Richard Feinberg, Professor, University of California, San Diego, and Tamar Benzaken Koosed, President, Manaus Consulting

"Stories From the Field" provides a reader-friendly collection of 14 case studies from our DR-CAFTA Responsible Competitiveness Project in Central America and the Dominican Republic, which BSR created and led to make the business case for responsible labor in the region. Read more →

Posted: March 18, 2011 | Topics: Civil & Political Rights, Community Engagement & Development, Consumer Products, Economic Development, Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Human Rights, Information & Communications Technology, Supply Chain | Download (PDF)

Women and Sustainability: Investing in Women's Health

Racheal Meiers (née Yeager), Director, HERproject

The gender dimensions of health have significant impacts on workplace productivity, the consumer marketplace, community stability, and community member well-being. Investments targeted at raising women's health awareness and access to health products and services, can deliver important immediate business benefits, such as more productive workforces or more informed consumers. In the longer term, these investments also support women's full economic participation and contribute to healthier, more stable communities. Read more →

Posted: March 7, 2011 | Topics: Economic Development, Supply Chain, Women & Sustainability | Download (PDF)

Women and Sustainability: Investing in Women Economic Empowerment

Racheal Meiers (née Yeager), Director, HERproject

Investments in women's economic empowerment are a strategic means to create and support markets, by providing jobs, opportunities for professional development, financial literacy and access to banking, and start-up capital and capacity-building to help women run small businesses. Read more →

Posted: March 7, 2011 | Topics: Economic Development, Supply Chain, Women & Sustainability | Download (PDF)