by Iliyah Maddox | Aug 26, 2025 | arts and humanities, business and economy
Research from Professor Juliane Reinecke at the University of Oxford and Professor Jimmy Donaghey at the University of South Australia reveals how strategic ambiguity in international agreements can paradoxically strengthen rather than weaken collective action. Their eight-year study of the Bangladesh Accord for Fire and Building Safety demonstrates how deliberately vague language that initially enables difficult negotiations can evolve into robust, expanding commitments that exceed original expectations.
by Iliyah Maddox | Aug 22, 2025 | arts and humanities, business and economy, earth and environment
Research from Dr. Bernhard Reinsberg at the University of Glasgow and Dr. Christoph Valentin Steinert at the University of Zurich reveals how France’s groundbreaking mandatory due diligence law defied business predictions of economic harm. Through analysis of 11,504 French companies over fifteen years, their study demonstrates that requiring firms to monitor human rights and environmental standards in their supply chains had no significant impact on profitability. Their findings challenge widespread industry claims that such regulations threaten competitiveness and provide crucial evidence for policymakers considering similar legislation worldwide.
by Iliyah Maddox | Jan 27, 2025 | business and economy, earth and environment
Research by Dr. Claudia Ituarte-Lima and Dr. Radu Mares at Lund University examines how a pioneering environmental agreement in Latin America and the Caribbean introduces new ways of protecting nature and human rights. Their study reveals both opportunities and challenges in how this regional treaty interacts with European Union trade laws, offering insights into how different regions can work together to protect the environment and strengthen democracy.
by Iliyah Maddox | Dec 12, 2024 | business and economy, earth and environment
As global agriculture faces increasing challenges from climate change, soil degradation, and herbicide resistance, sustainable practices are becoming more crucial than ever. Among these practices, the use of cover crops, a technique that has been gaining traction for its multiple benefits, stands out. Dr. Kurt Vollmer and his colleagues at the University of Maryland and Rutgers University have delved into this area, focusing on the potential of spring-seeded grass cover crops in improving weed management and crop yields, specifically in cucurbit production. Their research sheds light on how integrating cover crops with traditional farming techniques can lead to more sustainable and productive agricultural systems.
by Iliyah Maddox | Nov 22, 2024 | business and economy
Freight rates are crucial in the shipping industry, underpinning the operations of shipowners, carriers, and trading companies. Over the past two decades, various studies have aimed to model these rates, employing various approaches to study different sectors of the shipping industry. A research team led by Qing Liu and Luqi Ke at the University of Hamburg presents a new review of these studies, which have important implications for the future of freight rate modelling.
by Iliyah Maddox | Oct 22, 2024 | arts and humanities, business and economy
Voluntary Sustainability Standards have emerged as influential tools to promote sustainable practices in global value chains and are becoming increasingly relevant in the context of new legislation by the European Union and other governments for the promotion of sustainable development. A comprehensive review led by Axel Marx at KU Leuven examines the evolution, impacts, and challenges of these standards, offering insights into their role in global governance and sustainable development.
