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Understanding economic development and its environmental impact

While fears about the environmental impact of economic development remains under discussion, the number of proenvironmental international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) continues to grow. But little is known about their influence on countries to create more eco-friendly industrial processes and technologies. In new research from Wesley Longhofer, assistant professor of organization & management, and coauthor Andrew Jorgenson (Boston College), the pair determined which nations they believed were “more embedded in the proenvironmental world society,” determining the level of influence of INGOs, as well as global treaties and professionals, on the countries they studied. The data took into account GDP per capita to find the effect of economic development on carbon emissions. The research examined whether countries that were more likely to feel this global pressure to “enact pro-environmental policies or invest in cleaner technologies” subsequently experienced a drop in rates of carbon emissions. Longhofer and Jorgenson created a measure to analyze the effects of development over time on carbon emissions in 79 countries, using data from 1970 to 2009. They found that “nations that are the most embedded in the environmental world society experienced a moderate decrease” in the impact of economic development on carbon emissions. Essentially, larger and more developed nations were more likely to feel the influence of proenvironmental INGOs than less developed countries, ultimately showing a small drop in carbon emissions. Source:

Securitized loan modification and loan performance

After the collapse of the housing market, the wave of foreclosures in the US changed the economic landscape of many neighborhoods across the country. Some academics and policymakers have argued that the renegotiation of those loans was a much better alternative than foreclosure and that incentives should have been offered to financial institutions to encourage it. However, little research exists to understand the performance of loans that were modified. Gonzalo Maturana, assistant professor of finance, takes a close look at loan modifications made early in the recent housing crisis to better understand the value of offering incentives to modify securitized non-agency loans. According to Maturana, researchers contend that the small number of loan modifications added to the number of foreclosures during the subprime crisis. His analysis consisted of slightly more than 835,000 non-agency securitized loans that became delinquent between August 2007 and February 2009. Maturana found that loan “modification reduces loan losses by 35.8% relative to the average loss, which suggests that the marginal benefit of modification likely exceeded the marginal cost.” Additionally, modifications resulted in fewer liquidations. He also found that modifications were particularly useful “in preventing future loan losses in times of large increases in delinquencies when servicers are more likely to be working at full capacity.” Source:

Relational signaling and gift giving

Prior research indicates that gift givers are motivated by competing goals. Often, they will simply select an item of the recipient’s choosing. However, gift givers are also likely to select an item on their own to help show knowledge of the recipient and further define and maintain a personal connection. Morgan Ward, assistant professor of marketing, and coauthor Susan Broniarczyk (U Texas) take the research a step further by analyzing how the closeness of a relationship further impacts the gift-giving decision when a gift registry is readily available. The duo employed five separate studies with human subjects presented with various gift-giving scenarios. The paper notes, “We find that despite their stated primary intention to please recipients, close (vs. distant) givers ultimately are more likely to ignore recipients’ explicit registry preferences in favor of freely chosen gifts.” Ward and Broniarczyk conclude that divergence from the registry was not necessarily about finding a better gift. Instead, it occurred only when givers specifically received attribution for their selection. The closeness of the personal connection resulted in a “perceptual distortion of the gift options in favor of relational-signaling gifts.” Distant givers were much more likely to pick an item from the registry, selecting gifts closely aligned with recipients’ preferences. Source:

Ask Our Experts! - Part 1

6 Facts We Learned Working with Migrants and Refugees Around the World: Facts 1 and 2 Working with migrants and refugees is our business at Catholic Relief Services. CRS was founded in 1943 to assist refugees during World War II. Seventy-five years later, we are still coming to the aid of people escaping conflict, violence and natural disasters. While CRS doesn’t resettle refugees in the United States (these programs are run by the Catholic Church’s Migration and Refugee Service and Catholic Charities), our rich history has taught us valuable lessons on how to best help families fleeing crisis. 1. People Do Not Want to Leave Their Homes. An astonishing 1 in 110 people have been forced to flee their home (UNHCR). They only do that when they feel they have no other choice. Most people the world over give the same reason for starting their perilous journey across borders -- violence. That’s true for millions fleeing conflict in South Sudan and for tens of thousands fleeing gang violence in Central America. Most often, people flee to other parts within their country first. Only when they see no other option do people leave their country. Rick Jones is the agency's Youth and Migration Advisor in Latin America and the Caribbean. He also specializes in issues affecting Central American migration, including gang violence, poverty, and internal displacement. See his contact information at the bottom. 2. Don’t Separate Families. Based on extensive experience with refugees and migrants, CRS agrees with the criticism of the former U.S. policy of separating children from their parents. Decades of research shows that this is so traumatic for children it can lead to long-term psychological, and even physical damage. Shannon Senefeld is a global development expert at CRS. She has published and presented extensively on international children’s issues and the importance of strengthened family care for children’s development. See her contact information at the bottom. The experts at Catholic Relief Services are available to help with any media coverage or insight that is required regarding this ongoing news story and issue that is continuing in America. Simply click on any of their icons to arrange a time for an interview. Source:

Independence Day: Baylor’s Benjamin Franklin Scholars Bring Light to Complex Figure

Founding Father Benjamin Franklin was a complex man. Among his many roles, he was a businessman, entrepreneur, inventor, journalist, author, printer, editor, politician, postmaster, statesman, ambassador and signer of the Declaration of Independence. And even with a treasure trove of accomplishments, sometimes the Franklin legends are bigger than Franklin the man – and it’s taken an army of historians and scholars throughout the centuries to sort it out. As July 4 Independence Day approaches, Baylor University's two Franklin scholars share different perspectives of Franklin, his faith and his business acumen: • Thomas Kidd, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of History and associate director of Baylor’s Institute for Studies of Religion • Blaine McCormick, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the management department in Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business Both have penned Franklin books and both have been featured nationally for their research on the Founding Father. Kidd’s 2017 book, “Benjamin Franklin: The Religious Life of a Founding Father,” has received high marks for its analysis of Franklin’s beliefs. From his Puritan upbringing to deism, skepticism and more, the book explores the influences and evolution of faith throughout Franklin’s life. “In today’s polarized political and religious environment, some pundits seek to remake the Founding Fathers in their own image. Benjamin Franklin’s example reveals that the historical truth is often more complicated,” Kidd wrote in a column for The Wall Street Journal. McCormick, who wrote “Ben Franklin: America’s Original Entrepreneur,” discovered a passion to study the Founding Father after listening to an audiobook of Franklin’s autobiography. “Franklin could do things as a statesman, and understand things, and achieve things as a statesman, because he had achieved things in the marketplace first,” he said. “I’ve yet to find a better book for businesspeople to learn about how to run a business in the American Experiment. He wrote the autobiography to help train people in the life of business. Many of the principles are still very robust.” And the way he shared those principles (many of which have been misquoted and made into memes through the decades) is important, McCormick said. “Franklin used sentences no longer than a Tweet to train generations of colonial businesspeople,” he said. “They were short. They were memorable. They were high-impact.” Source:

Always Keep Families Together. Separation Damages Children.

The ongoing situation in America’s border towns with the detention and separation of thousands of children from their parents is both highly damaging for children and unnecessary. The actions of American authorities who are enforcing the ‘zero-tolerance’ policies have led to outcries from world leaders, American politicians and a large segment of the public. The following is a statement from Shannon Senefeld, Senior Vice President, Overseas Operations, Catholic Relief Services. “At Catholic Relief Services, keeping children with their parents is always one of our paramount goals. That’s true in emergencies, in health crises, in all of our long-term work combatting poverty and working to end the institutionalization of children. The research is clear – separating children from their families causes lasting mental, and even physical damage. Family support is vital for all children, especially those fleeing violence or dire poverty. “ As a Clinical Psychologist and with a long career working with vulnerable children around the world, Shannon Senefeld can speak with authority on why the ongoing situation with the separation of families on the US border. She can also speak to the root causes that propel families to migrate in the first place, such as rampant gang violence and poverty in Central America. Shannon is available to speak with media. For an interview – simply click on her icon to contact her and arrange a time. Source:

Baylor Gerontology Expert: It's Important for People to Know the Signs of Elder Abuse

Gerontology expert James Ellor, Ph.D., M.Div., professor in Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, said it's important to remind people what elder abuse looks like and how they can respond if they see the signs. Reports of abuse are most often submitted by family members, hospital staff and law enforcement. But churches and other organizations should also be diligent, Ellor said, adding that clergy are considered mandatory reporters in many states. “No one group of caring persons can solve this problem alone; it takes a community of caring lay and professional leaders to even try to start to make a difference,” Ellor said. Elder abuse – intentional or negligent acts by a caregiver or trusted individual – comes in many forms: * neglect or isolation * physical abuse, sexual abuse * exploitation or financial abuse * emotional and psychological abuse * verbal abuse and threats “If signs are noticeable, the next steps will depend on the type of abuse. In most cases, counseling support is critical, but often the need for medical help or legal help is also very important,” Ellor said. Read the linked article to learn more. ... Dr. Ellor works with older adults around issues of mental and spiritual health. He has served on the executive committee of the Midwestern Geriatric Education Center and provided education, counseling and planning for individuals and groups who work with seniors. His research includes work in entrostomal therapy, hunger, the church as service provider, spiritual assessment and intervention techniques with cognitively impaired older adults. Source:

Baylor Adoption Expert Says Birth Mothers Need Increased Support During, Following Adoption Process

Dr. Elissa Madden's latest social work research centers on the experience of birth mothers who decide to place their children for adoption. Madden and her research team found that time impacts the level of satisfaction (or lack thereof) these women feel regarding their decision -- and that impact isn't always positive. While many birth mothers reported satisfaction with their decision, the newest findings show that the more time that has passed since the birth mothers placed their child, the less overall satisfaction some birth mothers felt. Some prior research suggests birth mothers’ grief and adjustment attenuates with the passage of time. However, the researchers note “the findings of this analysis highlight the importance of not confusing birth mother’s satisfaction with her decision and the feelings of loss that she may feel about the placement.” A birth mother may feel she made the right decision regarding placement and yet still experience ongoing feelings of loss and grief even years later, Madden said. Madden's multiple studies of birth mothers' experiences have shown that there's a need for more resources for these women. “Adoption professionals must be especially attuned to the needs and concerns of expectant mothers who seek their counsel, as many lack a full understanding of their options,” Madden said. Madden and her team suggest: • Annual “grief and loss” training for adoption professionals • State and federal policies ensuring birth mothers have access to ongoing post-relinquishment support services • Free grief support groups for all birth mothers • Adoption of national standards to ensure that expectant mothers and prospective adoptive parents receive standardized information detailing the benefits of ongoing post-adoption contact • Stipends for expectant mothers to hire independent legal counsel to represent the mothers at the relinquishment and during sensitive discussion regarding post-adoption contact Elissa Madden, Ph.D., associate professor, joined the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work in August 2016. Her primary research interest is in child welfare, with a particular focus on ways to promote permanency for children in foster care. Dr. Madden is a former child welfare conservatorship worker with Child Protective Services in Texas. She is a licensed social worker and has extensive experience working with children & families. Source:

Second Annual SUU Child Behavioral Health Conference

The second annual Southern Utah University Child Behavioral Health Conference is happening this week, May 17-18, 2018. Representing expertise across the field of child and pediatric behavioral health, the invited presenters include Gregory Snyder, Lindsey Ricciardi, Julia Thompson, and Kelsie Hendrickson. Dr. Michelle Grimes, Assistant Professor of Child Clinical Psychology at Southern Utah University and founder of the Child Behavioral Health Conference, wanted to create an opportunity for the professional community by bringing a continuing education event focused on evidence-based behavioral healthcare to southern Utah. “So often, behavioral health providers in rural areas have to invest a significant amount of time and financial resources travelling to conferences to receive continuing education. This ongoing training is necessary to stay current in the field, and also to maintain professional licensure. My goal for the SUU Child Behavioral Health Conference is to match the high quality you would find at a national event, while increasing the accessibility to healthcare providers in our community and surrounding areas.” Last year’s conference focused on common behavioral health disorders of childhood and adolescence. This year the conference will include a variety of topics relevant to adolescents, children, and parenting; broadly focusing on addressing complex cases in an outpatient setting. “We are focusing on complex clinical cases and added a seminar on ethical issues that arise when working with youth. The seminar will emphasize ethics related to adolescents and risk behavior, eating disorders, and trauma.” The conference welcomes all healthcare professionals from psychologists and pediatricians to social workers and treatment center staff. “We have attendees from Idaho, Utah, and Nevada and various behavioral health and medical disciplines are represented. This also serves as a professional development opportunity for students; we are pleased that students from SUU and other universities throughout Utah have registered. We hope to continue to build a regional interdisciplinary focus. We look forward to holding this event annually.” Dr. Grimes is a licensed psychologist with specialized training in clinical child psychology. Her clinical and research interests focus on behavior disorders of childhood, sibling conflict, and pediatric sleep disorders. She is familiar with the media and available for an interview. Simply visit her profile. Source:

Is there a silver bullet for performance ratings?

Yes and no, said Goizueta Professor of Accounting Karen Sedatole. She and colleagues from University of Missouri and College of William and Mary have published a study looking at the role of calibration committees in performance evaluation system. The first major analysis of its kind, Sedatole’s research sets out to put a number of hypotheses to the test; primary among them, the notion that calibration committees deliver a raft of benefits to organizations. Source: