Voluntary sustainability standards, which set private rules for ethical and green production, diffuse most successfully in countries with robust trade, technical assistance, and financial institutions that help local firms manage the high costs of compliance. While strong social protection systems also correlate with a higher presence, the research reported in this podcast surprisingly found no link between a country's environmental stewardship and the adoption of these standards. Ultimately, these results suggest that global sustainability organizations act as extensions of corporate sourcing strategies, prioritizing locations with the business infrastructure necessary to make "sustainable" production commercially viable.

Citation: Ferretti, T., Manivannan, A. & Marques, J.C. (2026). Advancing the understanding of voluntary sustainability standard organizations’ geographic diffusion: the role of national institutions in global agrifood. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00233-7

In today’s episode, we explore how artificial intelligence is sparking a revolutionary energy transition across the African continent. Today, we examine how "collaborative governance", which is a partnership between state governments and private businesses, can overcome infrastructure gaps and financial hurdles to power a more sustainable future. Join us as we discuss how smart grids and predictive analytics are not just high-tech dreams, but essential tools for bringing reliable electricity to millions.

Citation: Kearns, S., & Maksimov, V. (2025). Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Africa’s Energy Transition: A Collaborative Governance Perspective. AIB Insights. https:/​/​doi.org/​10.46697/​001c.146526.

In this episode on climate vulnerability, we dive into the surprising ways our changing planet is reshaping the global financial landscape. Today, we explore how a country's climate vulnerability and its ability to adapt can lead to sudden, dramatic crashes in individual stock prices. Join us as we discuss why the "bad news" managers hide today could become the market-shaking crises of tomorrow.

Citation: Ni, X., Si, Y. & Zhang, B. (2025). Climate vulnerability and stock price crash risk worldwide. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-025-00831-w