Business Commons^™

Supply Network Relationships: A Review Of Empirical Evidence, Andrew Humphries, Carlos Mena

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

Supply networks are prevalent industry structures which, like the academic literature, are complex, confusing and short on practical guidance. We evaluate the current position of empirical research to expose the main constructs that can be used to study cooperative supply network relationships, to identify emergent themes, gaps and shortcomings, to share insights with managers and, to propose future research approaches. Five significant drivers of supply network relationship behaviors are identified: complexity, power, alignment of objectives, knowledge management and coordination. This paper provides a unique, topical 'map' of the supply networks field and proposes a theoretical model for integrating the many …

A Global System Growing Itself To Death -- And What We Can Do About It, H. Thomas Johnson

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

The underlying purpose of today's global economy, most assume, is to transform natural resources into a continuously growing quantity of goods and services for human consumption. Even when people acknowledge the existence of myriad social and environmental problems such as wide-spread poverty, climate change, extinction of species, and the increasingly unequal distribution of income and wealth, they fail to see economic growth as a fundamental cause of these problems. In fact, many propose that we can "grow our way" out of serious social and financial challenges. Because they see growth as beneficial, they do not recognize that it makes "solution" …

Governance, Media And The Quality Of Environmental Disclosure, Kathleen Rupley, Darrell Brown, Scott Marshall

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

Given the rising emphasis on environmental disclosures and the expressed importance of 'good' governance in determining the extent of information disclosure in general, we examine the relation between specific aspects of governance and media coverage and the quality of voluntary environmental disclosure (VED). Using a sample of 127 firms over a six-year period (2000 to 2005), we empirically test characteristics of governance and media in relation to VED. Our results suggest that VED quality is positively associated with environmental media coverage, negative environmental media and board attributes of independence, diversity, and expertise. Results from supplemental analysis suggest that institutional investors …

Creating And Maintaining Environmentally Sustainable Organizations: Recruitment And Onboarding, Talya N. Bauer, Berrin Erdogan, Sully Taylor

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

There is a growing realization that economic sustainability is intertwined with environmental sustainable development. The authors explore this topic, how recent changes in the global environment have led companies to realize that by solely focusing on maximization of shareholder financial returns, the long term economic viability of their firms is threatened.

Burgerville: Instilling A Sustainable Culture, Sully Taylor, James Berg, Colin Gallison, Will Sandman, Benjamin Werner

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

From a single store to a regional chain, Burgerville has differentiated from other national chains by maintaining a strong relationship with its customers, supply partners, employees and the community. A case study from PSU's School of Business delves deeper into Burgerville's commitment to instilling a sustainability culture by assessing the impact of the company's mission to "Serve with Love." The analysis in this study covers Burgerville’s strategic changes in:

• Product development – BV's commitment in using locally and seasonally sourced ingredients throughout its menu
• Supply chain management – BV's approach to maintaining strong relationships with suppliers, and preferentially purchasing from …

Transformational Solutions Of Self Through Companion Animals, Jill R. Mosteller

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

How consumers manage the dynamics between love and money can be intertwined in a myriad of ways. Based upon the growing presence of companion animals in U.S. households (now estimated at 62%) and related financial spend (over $50 billion in 2011) (APPA 2011), understanding consumers' identity dynamics relating to companion animals may be theoretically insightful. The things we love exert a strong influence on our sense of self (Ahuvia 2005). Companion animals may be classified as extensions of oneself in addition to being associated with significant life events or experiences (Belk 1988; Ahuvia 2005). By understanding the meanings companion animals …

Analyzing Sustainability Impacts, Kristi Jane Yuthas, Marc J. Epstein

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

Financial managers need basic models that incorporate the most significant variables, are robust enough to accommodate a wide variety of decisions, and provide results that are simple to communicate. We attempt to help fill this gap by providing a simple and familiar cost-benefit approach that's enhanced and improved through the addition of sustainability outcomes. We developed the cost-benefit tool presented here specifically with the needs of financial managers in mind. It allows them to simultaneously consider the financial and social outcomes of potential decisions without the need for advanced knowledge of sustainability models or methods. The tool is built on …

Redefining Education In The Developing World, Marc J. Epstein, Kristi Jane Yuthas

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

Brief article in which the authors argue that governments and organizations investing in developing-world education must move away from the assumption that improvements in test scores provide evidence of success. They believe, instead, that in a time of scarcity, it is more important to seek out interventions that lead to the greatest social and economic impact for the poor.