Business, ethics & society

Courage: the lynchpin of leadership. It’s also the key to solving problems, innovating, pursuing opportunities and safeguarding the welfare of others. In a new book — and this Darden Ideas to Action series — Professor Jim Detert discusses courage as a skill that can be learned and developed.

How to address ethical dilemmas effectively: The Giving Voice to Values (GVV) approach helps individuals recognize and act on their values in the face of conflict — more than theory, it’s about practicality. In a new book edited by GVV pioneer Mary Gentile, experts Ed Freeman and Brian Moriarty discuss GVV and the pragmatic philosophy of John Dewey

Darden faculty share their expertise on ethics in technology.

Lean principles have helped successful companies optimize operations and eliminate inefficiencies. Used as a tool, the methodology can create significant value for multiple stakeholders, including consumers. But the COVID-19 pandemic brought into stark relief the vulnerability of food supply chains in major shocks.

The health of Americans is worse than that of populations of other wealthy nations. The U.S.’ lower health status inflicts costs on individuals, families, businesses and society, all of which are interdependent — as are community health and economic prosperity. What strategies can ensure that vital conditions are met for all Americans?

Many of us want to act in alignment with our values, but it’s often easier said than done. Giving Voice to Values (GVV) is an innovative approach to standing up for values under pressure. Here, GVV pioneer Mary Gentile shares a portion of her journey in finding the answer to “Once I know what I believe is right, how can I enact it effectively?”

As we close Women’s History Month, some of Darden’s many female faculty experts share wisdom on leadership and business. Here they offer guidance in advancing to leadership positions, creating trust, race in the workplace, leading mindfully through crisis and supporting female entrepreneurs in emerging economies.

New research by Darden Professor Gaurav Chiplunkar tracks the rise and fall of dowry in India and analyzes common theories about trends in the practice, as well as offers speculation on mitigating it: “As there is a public interest in eliminating dowry due to harmful effects, education may be an effective strategy to fight it.”

To buffer the effects of the pandemic on the economy, the U.S. Congress has enacted a number of bipartisan COVID-19 related bills, including the CARES Act, which got a few things wrong. Darden Professor Anton Korinek shares insights on how to improve targeting and overall effectiveness of federal aid during large-scale crises.

Research shows that racial stereotypes undermine opportunities and diversity enables organizations to build relations with stakeholders. Here: four strategies to assert racial identity as an asset — mobilizing identities to the positive, challenging stereotypes, building bridges, and helping people navigate microaggressions and do their jobs better