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Don Martindale Award, Department of Sociology

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Contentions over World Culture: The Rise of Legal Restrictions on Foreign Funding to NGOs, 1994-2015

The Changing Effectiveness of Local Civic Action: The Critical Nexus of Community and Organization

World Society, Legal Formalism, and Execution of Legal Procedures

NGOs and International Development: A Review of Thirty-Five Years of Scholarship

Structural Pathways to Carbon Pollution: The Conjoint Effects of Organizational, World System, and World Society Factors on Power Plants’ CO2 Emissions

A Worldwide Analysis of Stranded Fossil Fuel Assets' Impact on Power Plants' CO2 Emissions

Wes Longhofer, Executive Academic Director at The Roberto C. Goizueta Business & Society Institute, joined The Goizueta Effect Podcast to discuss business and the critical role it plays in driving societal change.  His work has been funded by the National Science Foundation and featured in the Washington Post, American Sociological Review, and American Journal of Sociology. Most recently, Longhofer co-authored Super Polluters: Tackling the World’s Largest Sites of Climate-Disrupting Emissions. The Role of Business in Driving Societal Change  Business and capitalism are tremendous engines of prosperity and innovation. Organizations provide much-needed jobs and countless goods and services that undoubtedly make our lives better.  We're also living in an incredibly challenging time. Climate is in crisis. There's mounting inequality. Political polarization seems to be at a peak. Not to mention an ongoing pandemic that's shown us the power of business to urgently create a vaccine, but also raises important questions about the equitable distribution of it.  Recognizing the role of business in driving positive social change begins with acknowledging that there is no business without society. Too often, we think of markets as existing outside of people and the society that comprises them, but no market can exist without a society that sets the rules of the road, without a government that sets up things like property rights, or without an environment that provides natural resources that, if exploited, will threaten the ability of the market to function. If we start by recognizing that business exists in society and that markets are designed for and in the interest of people, then, we can begin to think about how to reimagine business. This view will help us as we work to redesign markets to serve both more of society and the natural world. It's about recognizing business not just as economic actors, but as civic and environmental actors as well.  Stakeholder Capitalism Stakeholder capitalism is messy. Primary stakeholders of a firm include employees, customers, investors, the firm itself, and the community in which the firm is located. That only scratches the surface. There's also government, the media, social movements, competitors, and the earth itself. So how do you make sense of this and which stakeholders matter the most? The classic professorial answer…it depends.  The History of Corporate Responsibility  Throughout history, there is a constant push and pull between business and society - from the expansion of the railroads, to the growth of U.S. steel, to the creation of the automobile. In the post-World War Two period, there was this idea that companies would provide jobs, not just for a few years, but for an entire career. They would provide opportunities for mobility over the life course. They would give you pensions. They would employ not just you, but a lot of your friends. A handful of large corporations really shaped and defined not just business in America, but civic life as well.  As the years progressed, the U.S. began to see momentous social movements and transformative public policy that raised awareness of things like civil rights and environmental degradation. Investors began to look at the old way of companies and decided they were not very profitable. In the late 1970s and 1980s, investors decided it might be better to break up those companies. They identified managers as a problem because companies were trying to do too much. Organizational scholars called this the garbage can theory of decision-making - you throw a bunch of strategies at the wall with ill-defined goals. Some said, "Well, maybe managers should just focus on maximizing profit rather than getting involved in all these other distractions." Very quickly, the idea of the company started to change. Employees started to spend less time at any one company, ownership became more centralized, companies began to invest more in financial markets and less on their own assets and R&D, and managers were compensated for maximizing profit. Companies began to view societal issues, like pollution, as externalities. Purpose-Driven Organizations Today  Today, a number of organizations are embracing purpose as part of their culture and their brand.  Patagonia's the obvious one that comes to mind. They have a deep commitment to sustainability in their supply chain. They work with industry partners to establish certifications that help verify that sustainability. They use their platform to take bold social and political stances that are aligned with their mission. In doing so, they make it easier for competitors to also be more sustainable. Another example of a company with purpose embedded throughout the company is Ben & Jerry's. They took, perhaps, one of the boldest stances on racial justice last summer by outlining specific steps that need to be taken to dismantle white supremacy. Chris Miller is their activism manager, which is not a position that you oftentimes see in a company's org chart. He previously worked at Greenpeace. Chris has described how the marketing department of Ben & Jerry’s gives him greater reach than an NGO ever could. How Social Movements Drive Organizations Accountability is key. It's one thing for a company to make a statement on a social issue, but many movements now want to know if these organizations really mean it. Are they putting resources toward that issue? Are they thinking about their own biases and practices that may have played a role in creating the very problem that these movements are concerned about?  How Purpose Impacts Purchasing Behavior A recent Nielsen report shows that 43% of consumers would prefer to spend more on products and services that support worthwhile causes. Millennials seem particularly interested in this idea, but aren't the ones actually buying these products. Instead, research suggests most sales are driven by older women. Despite the availability of options, a number of obstacles get in the way of shopping your values. A big challenge is a lack of information. There's a lot of greenwashing or just bad marketing that misstates the environmental benefit of a product. Habit comes into play as well, particularly for cheap products. There's also research that suggests that when we make a moral decision on our purchasing, we're more likely to offset that decision by doing something immoral later. The classic study shows that shoppers who take their own grocery bags to the grocery store are more likely to fill it with junk food. The issue of identity and social class represents another complication tied to purchasing with purpose. Sustainable products are usually more expensive and they're not available to everyone.

Reimagining Business as a Catalyst for Social Change

Last year alone, 10 climate-related disasters displaced millions of people with damages exceeding $3B. The time to act is now. Goizueta’s Wes Longhofer and Danni Dong join to discuss the role of business and innovation in a climate-smart world.  The past eight years have been the warmest on record, with sea levels are rising twice as fast as they were three decades ago. Often, when we think of innovation we think too narrowly - new technologies, products, or services. However, in tackling a problem as pervasive and complex as climate change, our approach in the business world needs to be broader, more holistic. We’ll talk today about the three pillars of business innovation in a climate-smart world:
technology,
business models, and
education. 
Wesley Longhofer is an associate professor of organization and management and the Executive Academic Director of Goizueta’s Business & Society Institute. His work on climate change has been funded by the National Science Foundation and featured in the Washington Post and Nature. His most recent co-authored book, Super Polluters: Targeting the World’s Largest Sites of Climate Disrupting Emissions, was published by Columbia University Press in 2020. Wes is also a member of the recently launched Emory Climate Research Initiative. Danni Dong is a dual degree graduate student at Emory pursuing her MBA and MSPH at Goizueta Business School and Rollins School of Public Health. Danni is a passionate activist working to tackle climate challenge through public private partnerships. She has worked with several governmental agencies including the Atlanta Housing Authority, Environmental Protection Agency, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Danni recently attended the United Nations Climate Conference in Egypt as a student ambassador with Emory Climate Talks. This episode of the Goizueta Effect podcast was co-created in partnership with Goizueta MBA students and ClimateCAP delegates including Danni Dong, Nikhil Mathur, Jimmy John, and Peter Danis.  A delegation of 11 MBA students from Goizueta Business School recently attended the ClimateCAP Global Summit. Along with hundreds of leading students and professionals from across the nation, they explored the enormous influence and responsibility business leaders hold in driving toward a climate-smart world. Want more insights? Check out #GoizuetaClimateSmart.   What is the Circular Economy? The concept of a circular economy came about as an alternative to the traditional “take-make-waste” model. The circular economy involves designing products and systems that are efficient, durable, and easy to repair, refurbish, or recycle.   Companies like Patagonia and FairPhone have successfully implemented circular strategies, incorporating buyback programs, refurbished goods, and modular products that can be partially upgraded to lengthen their useful life. These strategies not only benefit the planet, but also create customer loyalty and competitive advantage.   First It Was Shareholder vs. Stakeholder Capitalism. Now There Are “Multi-Stakeholders”? A newer way of thinking has come about recently, focusing on the importance of the multi-stakeholder approach in business. Central to this concept is considering the interests of all parties affected by a company's actions, including employees, customers, suppliers, communities, and the environment. Communities are demanding that companies create more value for society than they extract, and the environment is also considered a stakeholder due to the impact of climate change on businesses.   By considering multi-stakeholders, the true cost of climate change is clearer. From recent flooding in Pakistan to the longest recorded drought in Eastern Africa, it is apparent that the environment is a key stakeholder that needs to be considered. Natural disasters triggered by climate change have resulted in $3 trillion worth of economic losses between 2010 and 2020. Companies must take a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate these risks and account for the impact of their operations.   How Can Innovation Combat Climate Change? Green hydrogen is a promising alternative fuel option for companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Companies like Siemens Energy and NextEra Energy are investing heavily in green hydrogen technologies to reach zero emissions without offsets. Widespread adoption of green hydrogen is seen as necessary to compete with natural gas.  Likewise, how we move goods around the planet is an area that can be reconsidered to benefit the planet. Following the pandemic and the realization of fragile supply chains, there is now a shift in the US to reign in supply chains and bring them nearshore or even back onshore. This prompted the passage of the CHIPS Act which focuses on semiconductor manufacturing, but also spurred other industries to consider bringing operations closer to home. Such a shift from offshoring to onshoring could significantly decrease emissions from maritime and aviation shipping, which together currently accounts for more than 20% of global emissions.  What Role Does the Government Play? The government is a key player in addressing the climate crisis. The government provides a regulatory mechanism to enforce climate disclosures and spur private investment through setting ambitious policy goals.   The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was cited as an example of such policy, providing $370 billion in investments to address the climate crisis through new projects and initiatives, including clean energy tax credits, block grants for environmental justice, and boosting domestic manufacturing of solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries. This is aligned with the “mission economy” concept by economist Mariana Mazzucato, in which the government sets ambitious policy goals to coordinate public and private partnerships.  From a reporting standpoint, both the SEC and the EU are considering new ESG reporting requirements. The proposed SEC rule would require publicly traded companies to disclose their carbon emissions and how climate risks are affecting their businesses, while the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive would require EU companies (and any US company with EU business) to report on a broader range of ESG topics.   How Does Social Justice Overlap with Climate? Climate justice refers to solutions that address the disproportionate costs that vulnerable populations face due to climate change. This includes recognizing how climate change impacts inequities tied to gender, race, class, nation, and ethnicity and ensuring that any low-carbon economy is inclusive. The framework for climate justice in business includes embedding human rights in the supply chain, sharing the burdens and benefits from an energy transition fairly, being transparent and accountable in climate commitments, co-designing climate solutions with an inclusion lens, and investing in developing climate-smart education and skills in the entire supply chain.  Patagonia in particular has directly funded organizations working on climate justice, democracy, biodiversity, and the environmental challenges impacting indigenous communities. They have also advocated for policy changes and produced films that call attention to indigenous environmental struggles around the world. Additionally, its founder, Yvon Choiunard, gave away all non-voting stock in the $3 billion company to a collective that will use all non-reinvested profits to fight climate change.   Beyond technological improvements and reduction of greenhouse gases, it is importance to recognize that renewable energy solutions may bring their own costs, such as disruptions to indigenous communities. Businesses need to adopt a justice perspective that includes empathy for the real pain that climate change has caused for many communities around the world.  One emerging framework is the “people-centered approach” to corporate sustainability. In this framework, carbon is just one part of the story. It’s important to consider the health impacts of climate change and air pollution, particularly PM2.5, which is responsible for chronic asthma and cancer.   Corporate sustainability is not just about decarbonization; business leaders must consider how their actions impact people on a systemic level when addressing social justice concerns. Healthy populations are the cornerstone of thriving economies.  Can Innovation Save Us? When it comes to addressing the climate crisis, technological innovation is often touted as a key solution. But is it really as straightforward as just developing and scaling up new technologies? What are the limitations and risks associated with relying on technological breakthroughs? Since the beginning of human existence, innovation and our ability to adapt have been critical components of our survival and progress. However, as we face the urgent challenge of climate change, it is becoming increasingly clear that innovation alone may not be enough to address the scale of this problem.   Take Electric vehicles. When first introduced, electric vehicles (EVs) were touted as the golden ticket to zero emissions in the transportation sector. The reality is more complicated. Putting aside the environmental impact of mining rare earth materials, electric vehicles require more electricity to manufacture. And of course, they rely on electricity to run, but where is that electricity coming from? Fossil fuels still account for 60% of the electricity generated in the US. Many life cycle analyses have shown that EVs are only a greener alternative to internal combustion vehicles if the vehicle is produced and driven in an area that offers clean electricity. That’s to say, the effectiveness of green technology hinges upon a decarbonized grid.  Currently, 73% of global Greenhouse gas emissions come from the energy sector, which also means there is enormous potential for change. Scaling existing technology around solar, wind, and hydropower, while simultaneously phasing out coal fired powerplants is key. Widespread rollout of real-time dynamic pricing for electricity is also a way to encourage low-carbon behavior while reducing operating costs. With the traditional block pricing, prices remain constant irrespective of demand. Real time pricing encourages people to use power when renewable energy is available and conserve when it’s not. Utility companies could potentially see improvements in efficiency due to a decrease in the required capacity to fulfill demand. Doesn’t All This Investment in Sustainability Hinder Growth?  There is a common misconception that sustainable business practices hinder growth, but evidence shows it can actually drive growth. From a bottom-line standpoint too, sustainable practices often involve implementing energy-efficient processes, leading to cost reductions and more profit.   Companies with strong sustainability performance can attract more investment and secure better financing terms, allowing them to access cheap capital while growing their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) offerings. Take the examples of Walmart's Project Gigaton, which led to almost $1 billion in annual cost savings, and Alphabet's $5.75 billion sustainability bond issuance with record low coupon rates.  A recent McKinsey report estimates that climate-oriented equity transactions in private markets increased more than 2.5 times from 2019 to 2022, to about $196 billion, whereas the overall private-market equity market declined by 24% over the same period. In addition, a 2015 review of more than 2,000 empirical studies of ESG and financial performance found that the vast majority had a positive relationship. Green business can be good business.   What Role Do Business Schools Play in Innovation and Transition? It’s important for business schools to embed a deeper understanding of climate science and climate awareness into their curriculum. This involves going beyond simply offering a class in climate science to reimagining business education itself to address climate change.   Initiatives like Business Schools for Climate Leadership introduce concepts like circular economies, carbon markets, carbon reporting, and climate strategy into the existing core curriculum. Additionally, Longhofer argues that the climate crisis could be a moonshot for business schools to address declining enrollments and changes in the market, while also resolving long-standing tensions about the purpose of business.  What Do Employers Need to Know About Climate-Focused MBAs? Climate change is becoming increasingly important for business students and the business world, and employers need to be ready.   While some students believe in dismantling the system, most are willing to create systemic change from within. Employers are changing too, and companies need to be transparent in their climate commitments to engage new talent in setting and meeting those commitments.   Some employers have already embraced it. The CEO of BCG recently made a public statement calling for climate activists to join the firm, and Longhofer recalls that he’s lost count of the number of alums who have reached out in the past two years because they are put on ESG-related projects much sooner than they anticipated.   Especially because of the new reporting requirements, ESG is here to stay. Employers need to take notice.   To learn more about Goizueta Business School and how principled leaders are driving positive change in business and society, visit www.goizueta.emory.edu.

Innovation in a Climate-Smart World

Climate change is real and it’s worsening. Goizueta Business School’s Wes Longhofer and Cameron Bard join to discuss the business imperative for carbon neutrality – and how human creativity, technological progress, and a strong commitment to a sustainable future can drive us toward net zero. There’s no escaping it – climate change is real and it’s worsening. 2023 was by far the warmest year on record, and 2024 is predicted to be even hotter, marking 10 years of consecutive increases. Last year, ocean warming broke records, Arctic sea ice dropped to a record low, and climate-related disasters caused damages exceeding $92 billion dollars.  Wes Longhofer and Cameron Bard of Emory University’s Goizueta Business School join to discuss the role that business can and should play in helping our society transition to carbon-free sources of energy. We unpack the need for truly innovative large-scale ideas and investments, opportunities within developed and developing countries, global threats, and the challenge of pursuing clean energy initiatives while also respecting other environmental and social justice concerns.    Wes Longhofer is an associate professor of organization and management and the executive academic director of the Business & Society Institute at Goizueta. His research on climate change and energy systems has been featured in the Washington Post and Nature. He also serves on Emory's Climate Research Initiative Task Force, as well as Emory's Sustainability Visioning Committee.  Cameron Bard is a student in Goizueta’s Full-time MBA program. He serves as the President of the Goizueta Energy and CleanTech Association and is a Social Enterprise Fellow focusing on climate and sustainability. Post-graduation, he will work for Boston Consulting Group. Outside of class, he volunteers for the Georgia CleanTech Innovation Hub.  Understanding Climate Change Climate change is defined as the long-term alteration of temperature and weather patterns on Earth. Highlighting the pivotal role of human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, in these environmental shifts, the conversation points to the direct consequences we're facing: increasingly frequent and severe climate shocks that disrupt the natural balance of our planet.  The Energy Trilemma This trilemma refers to the complex challenge of balancing three critical aspects of energy policy: environmental sustainability, energy equity (affordability), and energy security. It underscores the difficulty of ensuring that future energy sources are not only carbon-free and sustainable to combat climate change but also affordable for communities worldwide and secure from the threats posed by geopolitical tensions and bad actors. In addition, it highlights the interplay between these dimensions in transitioning to a sustainable energy future, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions that address all three aspects simultaneously. Historical Context and Infrastructure Let’s look back at monumental projects like the massive hydroelectric dams constructed during the New Deal era, the creation of the interstate highway system in the 1950s, and the achievement of putting a man on the moon. These examples serve to illustrate the ambition and scale of past infrastructural endeavors, providing a benchmark for current efforts to transition to clean energy. However, there were several challenges these projects faced, such as the protests against the interstate highway system due to its impact on neighborhoods and local ecosystems, and the failure of certain dams and nuclear plants because of resistance from affected communities. The discussion suggests a path forward that respects local interests, protects the environment, and shares benefits equitably, aiming for a more thoughtful and comprehensive approach to developing modern sustainable infrastructure. Innovation and FOAK Projects The focus shifts to the importance of innovative ideas and first-of-a-kind (FOAK) projects in spearheading the energy transition. The deployment of advanced nuclear reactors and large-scale battery storage systems showcase how these FOAK projects are pivotal in overcoming the inherent challenges of reliability and storage faced by renewable energy sources, thereby accelerating the path towards a sustainable energy landscape.  The Pursuit of Clean Energy, While Respecting Other Environmental and Social Justice Concerns Specific instances, such as the opposition to the Lithium Americas mine at Thacker Pass in Nevada, illustrate how NIMBYism ("Not In My Backyard") and BANANA ("Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything") mentalities create significant roadblocks to essential renewable energy projects. Additional protests against the construction of wind farms and solar panels are discussed, where local communities' concerns over environmental and aesthetic impacts lead to delays or cancellations. These examples underscore the complex task of balancing the need for clean energy development with respecting local community values and environmental conservation. The conversation highlights the importance of engaging stakeholders early with transparent, inclusive decision-making processes to ensure energy equity and foster broader acceptance of renewable energy initiatives. Role of Businesses Towards Net Zero by 2050 The role of businesses in reaching net zero emissions by 2050 is crucial. By embracing sustainable practices, innovative finance, and investments in clean energy, companies contribute significantly to climate change mitigation and set standards for ethical business conduct. Despite the challenges lying ahead on the path to net zero, a quiet optimism persists, supported by our belief in human creativity, technological progress, and a strong commitment to a sustainable future. It’s a significant challenge, yet achievable with the business sector leading the way towards the goal of a net-zero world by 2050, demonstrating the essential balance between economic development and environmental care.  For those inspired to learn more, visit Goizueta’s Business & Society Institute for additional resources and information on the intersection of business with climate change, racial justice and inclusive economies. For more insights to equip you with the tools and perspectives to excel in your career, subscribe to the Goizueta Effect podcast.  This episode of the Goizueta Effect was co-created in partnership with MBA students and ClimateCAP delegates Sam Haber, Marco Zgliczynski, and Shweta Agrawal.

Climate Crossroads: Business, Innovation, and the Path to Net Zero

 This social theory text combines the structure of a print reader with the flexibility of an interactive website. The reader includes original texts from important classical and contemporary theorists and puts them in conversation with one another through core themes such as the puzzle of social order, the darkside of modernity, questions of identity, and more. The website contains a wide variety of innovative material that instructors can use to tailor their theory courses both inside and outside of the classroom, including videos; interactive commentaries and summaries of key concepts; exams and quizzes; annotated selections from key readings; classroom activities and links to supplemental texts.  New to the 2nd Edition:   -New readings, updated and expanded web content.  -The combination of a print reader and an online component will appeal to instructors looking to move parts of their course online or instructors already teaching in an online setting.

Social Theory Re-Wired: New Connections to Classical and Contemporary Perspectives (Contemporary Sociological Perspectives)

Super Polluters: Targeting the World's Largest Sites of Climate Disrupting Emissions

Wesley Longhofer joined the Goizueta Business School in 2012 after receiving his PhD in sociology from the University of Minnesota. in addition to his faculty role, he serves as senior director ofthe Center for Faculty Development and Excellence and assistant vice provost for Faculty Affairs. He previously served as the executive academic director of Goizueta's Business & Society Institute, an academic research center that addresses complex challenges facing people and the planet through academic discovery and purposeful action. 

Some of his published work on charitable organizations, environmental protection, and international law has appeared in the American Sociological Review, American Journal of Sociology, Administrative Science Quarterly, Nature Communications, Social Forces, Sociological Science, and Scientific Reports. His research on climate change and the energy sector has been funded by the National Science Foundation and featured in the Washington Post and Nature Climate Change. 

Wes has received a number of awards for his teaching, including the 2018 Emory Williams Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award and the 2016 Marc F. Adler Prize for Excellence in Teaching. He was once named one of the 40 Best Business Professors Under 40 by Poets & Quants. His most recent co-authored book, Super Polluters: Tackling the World's Largest Sites of Climate-Disrupting Emissions, was published by Columbia University Press in 2020.

Organizational Sociology

Business and Society

Social Enterprise

Philanthropy and Non-Profits

Climate Change

Human Rights

Business & Society Institute

Center for Faculty Development and Excellence

Why some ads for the new movie ‘Migration’ are promoting a nonprofit bird rescue

Provocative ads use voting law to target Coke on labor, obesity

Coca-Cola is at the center of a debate over corporate social justice, with an anti-affirmative-action activist threatening to sue over its supplier diversity program

Markets are actually holding companies accountable for human rights violations

Opinion: This long-standing tenet of American capitalism must change - now

Our Sustainable Future: Air

This could be a completely different strategy for tackling the world’s carbon emissions

Companies are turning their environmental liabilities into cash

How to measure impact of economic blackout, boycotts

An Ambitious B-School Social Impact Center Emerges In The Southern U.S.

Beijing Games: Longtime Olympics sponsor Coca-Cola attempts delicate balancing act.

New Business & Society Institute at Emory Goizueta Tackles Inequality, Climate Change | Clear Admit

Did the Nationwide Economic Blackout Work? What Amazon Data Shows - Newsweek

This study advances scholarship on environment and development by examining whether nations more embedded in the pro-environmental world society are more or less likely to experience a relative decoupling between economic development and carbon emissions over time. 

Decoupling reconsidered: Does world society integration influence the relationship between the environment and economic development?

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.

 Understanding economic development and its environmental impact

Notwithstanding some visible debates, systematic evidence about the implications of greater corporate involvement in the social sector is sparse. We provide some of this evidence by
examining one channel of corporate influence within the nonprofit sector–company sponsorship of philanthropic foundations.

A Comparative Analysis of Corporate and
Independent Foundations

Debate continues as to whether corporate or independent foundations are more impactful, despite the shared interest in supporting charitable services. In research from Justin Koushyar, doctoral candidate in organization and management (2017), Wesley Longhofer, assistant professor of organization and management, and Peter Roberts, professor of organization and management, the trio determines that the answer is mixed. They used data from a matched random sample of corporate and independent foundations that operated across the United States in 2005 and 2009. With deeper pockets, corporate foundations were able to raise more funds than their nonprofit counterparts. Company sponsorship of a philanthropic foundation also meant that they could operate with lower overhead. However, Koushyar, Longhofer, and Roberts found that corporate foundations are “more dispersed and less relational, and they tend to be governed by more ephemeral groups of officers and trustees.” Simply put, corporate foundations have fewer longterm attachments to the charitable organizations they support. Additionally, “market-based motivations” may influence how they give. Corporate foundations do tend to provide smaller individual grant amounts than independent foundations. These “stakeholder effects” are even more dramatic for the foundations linked to larger publicly traded companies.

The impact of corporate vs. independent foundations

Past research on the disproportionality of pollution suggests a small subset of a sector’s facilities often produces the lion’s share of toxic emissions. Here we extend this idea to the world’s electricity sectors by calculating national-level disproportionality Gini coefficients for plant-level carbon emissions in 161 nations based on data from 19,941 fossil-fuel burning power plants.

Disproportionality in Power Plants’ Carbon Emissions: A Cross-National Study

In recent years, several scholars have recommended that countries reduce their energy-related CO2 emissions by setting carbon intensity targets for their electricity generating plants. Other research suggests that countries could substantially cut their emissions simply by focusing on lowering the carbon emissions of the most extreme polluters. Using a unique international data source on power plants, researchers Don Grant (U. Colorado); Wesley Longhofer, assistant professor of organization and management; and Andrew Jorgenson (U. Utah) inform this issue by analyzing the distribution of CO2 emissions and intensities within the electricity sectors of 20 countries. They find that the dirtiest 5 percent of power plants are responsible for huge shares of their sectors’ total emissions, noting that “if these plants continued generating the same amount of electricity but met particular intensity targets, the world’s total electricity-based CO2 emissions could be reduced by as much as 44 percent.”

Focus on extreme polluters

When you change your perspective you can change business for the better. Join us on Goizueta Effect to hear from leading faculty at the Goizueta Business School on the latest trends, research, and innovations in business, and find out how you can achieve more, do more, and create more in today’s ever-changing marketplace.

Goizueta Effect

taking-on-super-polluters-to-reduce-greenhouse-gases-

Associate Professor of Organization & Management; Senior Director, Center for Faculty Development and Excellence; Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs

 If just the top five percent of carbon-emitting plants in the U.S. reduced emissions to the average intensity of all plants, overall emissions from the electricity sector would fall 22 percent. A new book co-authored by Wesley Longhofer, associate professor of organization and management at Goizueta Business School, offers new insights into a persistent problem—how to curb carbon emissions from top-polluting power plants around the world.

 In Super Polluters: Tackling the World’s Largest Sites of Climate-Disrupting Emissions (Columbia University Press), Longhofer and co-authors Don Grant and Andrew Jorgenson argue that reducing pollution from fossil-fueled power plants should start with the dirtiest producers.

From data they gathered over eight years on the carbon emissions of every power plant in the world, they found that a small number of plants contribute the lion’s share of pollution. For instance, if just the top five percent of carbon-emitting plants in the U.S. reduced emissions to the average intensity of all plants, overall emissions from the electricity sector would fall 22 percent.

The book also questions claims that improvements in technical efficiency will always reduce greenhouse gases.

“It’s the paradox of efficiency,” Longhofer says. “Just because a plant produces power more efficiently doesn’t mean they’ll pollute less. It just becomes cheaper to produce.”  As sociologists, the authors are the first to put the problem into context, investigating global, organizational, and political conditions that explain super-polluter behavior. They demonstrate energy and climate policies most effective at curbing power-plant pollution and show how mobilized citizen activism shapes those outcomes.

“Climate change is fundamentally an organizational problem. Even if you think about the Paris Accords, it’s the power plants and the cars within those states that produce the emissions, not the states themselves,” Longhofer says. “What do we do with what we already know? How do we develop policies to help us achieve our climate goals?”  If you’re a journalist looking to speak with Wesley Longhofer about his book or discuss big pollution and how to cut carb emissions - then let us help. Simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.



Taking on Super Polluters to Reduce Greenhouse Gases 

focus-on-extreme-polluters

In recent years, several scholars have recommended that countries reduce their energy-related CO2 emissions by setting carbon intensity targets for their electricity generating plants. Other research suggests that countries could substantially cut their emissions simply by focusing on lowering the carbon emissions of the most extreme polluters. Using a unique international data source on power plants, researchers Don Grant (U. Colorado); Wesley Longhofer, assistant professor of organization and management; and Andrew Jorgenson (U. Utah) inform this issue by analyzing the distribution of CO2 emissions and intensities within the electricity sectors of 20 countries. They find that the dirtiest 5 percent of power plants are responsible for huge shares of their sectors’ total emissions, noting that “if these plants continued generating the same amount of electricity but met particular intensity targets, the world’s total electricity-based CO2 emissions could be reduced by as much as 44 percent.”

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Professor of Organization & Management; Executive Academic Director, Business & Society Institute

Debate continues as to whether corporate or independent foundations are more impactful, despite the shared interest in supporting charitable services. In research from Justin Koushyar, doctoral candidate in organization and management (2017), Wesley Longhofer, assistant professor of organization and management, and Peter Roberts, professor of organization and management, the trio determines that the answer is mixed. They used data from a matched random sample of corporate and independent foundations that operated across the United States in 2005 and 2009. With deeper pockets, corporate foundations were able to raise more funds than their nonprofit counterparts. Company sponsorship of a philanthropic foundation also meant that they could operate with lower overhead. However, Koushyar, Longhofer, and Roberts found that corporate foundations are “more dispersed and less relational, and they tend to be governed by more ephemeral groups of officers and trustees.” Simply put, corporate foundations have fewer longterm attachments to the charitable organizations they support. Additionally, “market-based motivations” may influence how they give. Corporate foundations do tend to provide smaller individual grant amounts than independent foundations. These “stakeholder effects” are even more dramatic for the foundations linked to larger publicly traded companies.

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Emory Inspired: Musa Saboor and Start:ME Accelerator

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing current and future business. Wesley Longhofer will discuss his recent book, Super Polluters: Tackling the World’s Largest Sites of Climate-Disruption Emissions, and what it can tell us about our energy system as well as the future of our planet. He will also discuss innovative ways some companies are reimagining business to build a more climate-smart world.

Emory University’s Goizueta Business School offers a unique, community-oriented environment paired with an academic prestige and rigor shared with the international acclaim of Emory University. Goizueta trains business leaders of today and tomorrow with an Undergraduate degree program, a Master's of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA), a Two-Year Full-Time MBA, a One-Year MBA, an Evening MBA, an Executive MBA, a Doctoral degree and a portfolio of non-degree Emory Executive Education courses. The school is named for the late Roberto C. Goizueta, former Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. For more information, visit http://goizueta.emory.edu and follow us on Twitter at @emorygoizueta.
 
Emory University is recognized internationally as an inquiry-driven, ethically engaged, and diverse community whose members work collaboratively for positive transformation in the world through courageous leadership in teaching, research, scholarship, health care, and social action. The University consists of an outstanding liberal arts college, highly ranked professional schools, and one of the larger and more comprehensive healthcare systems in the Southeast.

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