Stanford Knowledgebase

JANUARY 2005

Development Banks Should Stop Making Loans
Two Stanford researchers argue that organizations like the World Bank should stop making subsidized loans and instead give emerging countries outright grants. [Details] [Details ]

Taking Earthquake Safety the Last Mile
Good faith efforts to mitigate earthquake risks are being made in developing countries, but too often these don't go the last mile says Stanford engineering professor Haresh Shah. Too many efforts haven't touched the lives of average people. [Details]

Foundations Can Lead Bold Social Changes
Philanthropic foundations can be very effective in leading social change, but they must be careful not to misuse their power. The Stanford Social Innovation Review cites the case of three foundations that successfully forced change in the Pittsburgh School District in the 1990s. [Details ]

Household Fragrances May Harm Aquatic Life [Details]

Collaborating on Sustainable Development
Do we need stricter laws, better technology, cooperation from business—or just a change in attitudes among the world's citizens to tackle issues like increasing plastic recycling and lowering greenhouse gas emissions? Academics and business leaders are struggling to find a common ground. [Details]

Move Swiftly and Set a Good Example Says Kraft's Deromedi
Within three weeks of being named Kraft Foods CEO, Roger Deromedi rolled out a new organizational structure, updated the mission statement, and presented a global strategy. [Details]

Websites of Interest

Trendwatching.com scans the globe for promising consumer trend and hands-on business ideas. [Details]

Survey of Consumers by the University of Michigan has proven to be an accurate indicator of the future of the economy. [Details]

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Top Down: Why Hierarchies Are Here to Stay and How to Manage Them More Effectively
Pundits have been forecasting the demise of the hierarchical corporation for decades. Prof. Harold J. Leavitt argues that hierarchy remains the foundational shape of every large human organization and leaders can reshape them to enable employees to thrive. [Details]

Avoiding the Traps of Success
The 2005 Leadership Perspective Series, presented by the Center for Social Innovation, Jan. 27. [Details]