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January 2008

Political Economy

Corruption Is Bad for Business
Corruption, whether in government or in private industry, serves as a serious drag on a nation’s wealth and creates a less favorable climate for business, say researchers including Professor Ernesto Dal Bó. For one thing, corruption swells the number of employees needed, driving up costs and sidetracking workers from jobs that could help grow an economy.

Behavior

When First Impressions Flop: The Power of a Second Chance
Many people can overcome a bad first impression if they're given a second chance. But, says Professor Jerker Denrell, human nature and many corporate environments make it very hard to get that second chance.

New Take on Affirmative Action
Individuals who oppose affirmative action may do so because they're more worried about disadvantaging their group than about benefiting a minority group, says Professor Brian Lowery who is developing a new take on affirmative action.

Environment

Carbon Dioxide Buildup Linked to Human Deaths
Each increase of one degree Celsius caused by carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would lead to about 1,000 additional deaths annually in the United States alone, according to a new study. The work, by Mark Jacobson, Stanford professor of civil and environmental engineering, is the first to show a direct link between an increase in CO2 levels and resulting air pollution and an increase in human mortality. [icon - video] Video

First Person

Wozniak Recalls Apple's Early Days
When Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs cofounded Apple Computer in the 1970s, Woz recalls he wanted to build the best computer possible while Jobs "had a vision for making companies.” The result is history Wozniak told a Stanford Business School audience. [icon - video] Video

Entrepreneurship

Web-Based Nonprofit Helps Mom and Pop Grow

After two years of operation, web-based nonprofit Kiva founded by two Stanford alums has 123,000 lenders whose money goes to support 18,000 entrepreneurs in 39 countries. At $25 per donor it attracts $1.5 million a month to help the poorest of the poor.

Social Innovation

Customers Can Shutter Sweatshops
Consumers can wield great influence over the working conditions, particularly for employees of garment manufacturers working outside of the United States, says Professor Huggy Rao. The biggest success comes, he said, when consumers are convinced that by paying more they will improve worker’s lives.