Blockchain systems and ethical sourcing in the mineral and metal industry: a multiple case study

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine blockchain's roles in promoting ethical sourcing in the mineral and metal industry.Design/methodology/approachIt analyzes multiple case studies of blockchain projects in the mineral and metal industry.FindingsIt gives detailed descriptions of how blockchain-based supply chain networks' higher density of information flow and high degree of authenticity of information can increase supply chain participants' compliance with sustainability standards. It gives special consideration to blockchain systems' roles in overcoming the deficits in the second party and the third-party trust. It also demonstrates how blockchain-based supply chain networks include outside actors and configure the supply chain networks in a way that enhances the empowerment of marginalized groups.Practical implicationsIt suggests various mechanisms by which blockchain-based supply chain networks can give a voice to marginalized groups.Originality/valueIt demonstrates how blockchain is likely to force mineral and metal supply chains to become more traceable and transparent.

Rhizo Coffee A Novel Fermented Coffee Product

<p>The aim of this project was to discover whether there is a market for fermented specialty coffee beverages, as the niche for fermented products is expanding, due to people becoming more health conscious and aware about their health (Mellentin, 2017). This fermented beverage could potentially be less bitter due to lower acidity levels and easier to digest then most coffees due to its lower caffeine content. The coffee product would be made from high quality Arabica coffee beans, to ensure the best possible flavour characteristics (Driftaway Coffee, 2018) and ethical sourcing and sustainable practices would be implemented during the coffees development and fermentation processes. As the specialty coffee industry is expanding globally (Lee W. , Cheong, Curran , Yu, & Liu, 2015), it brings about the opportunity to disrupt the specialty coffee market with this fermented product through the collection of evidence-based qualitative and quantitative research, to build a strong business case for its commercialisation. The key market research findings from this study show that people generally like to experiment with their coffee and are willing to try fermented coffee beverages. Qualities that the majority of respondents look for in a coffee brand are good taste and flavour, ethical sourcing of their products and the use of high-quality coffee beans. Other findings suggest that the specialty coffee industry is a very saturated market (The Register Team (TRT), 2017) and in order to stand out in this market the product needs to have a strong point of difference, a good brand and an interesting story. Good taste and high quality are two traits that seem to be the baseline for coffee products in the New Zealand specialty coffee market (Anthony, 2014). The key scientific findings are to be confirmed in subsequent laboratory trials, which will aim to validate the science in the papers by Lee, Wai Cheong , Curran, Yu, & Shao Quan, 2016b; Lee, et al., 2016c further. The results from this project have enabled the development of a business strategy that primarily targets those who earn between $50,000-$99,999 New Zealand Dollars (NZD) per annum (p.a.) in the age range between 18-34 years old. This subgroup could be expanded to those who earn $50,000+ NZD p.a. and target millennials (born between 1980 and 2000 or 18-38 years old) in future research (Goldman Sachs, 2018). In the early stages of the project if the science is validated on a small scale, capital could be raised through a crowd funding platform like Kickstarter, so that subsequent trials can continue (Kickstarter, 2018a). When the business case for the product is strong, key investors will be targeted for their assistance in future product development, verification and market validation. This strategy is a part of the business model for the project that outlines the best course of action given the current market research and scientific evidence that is available. If this project were to be successfully funded and a minimum viable product were to be developed, large scale laboratory trials could be conducted bringing the product one step closer to commercialisation. If the product were to reach this stage, it would allow specialty coffee consumers the opportunity to experience a fermented coffee beverage that uses ethical and sustainable practices and potentially contains unique flavour nuances, health benefits and less bitter compounds.</p>

Rhizo Coffee A Novel Fermented Coffee Product

<p>The aim of this project was to discover whether there is a market for fermented specialty coffee beverages, as the niche for fermented products is expanding, due to people becoming more health conscious and aware about their health (Mellentin, 2017). This fermented beverage could potentially be less bitter due to lower acidity levels and easier to digest then most coffees due to its lower caffeine content. The coffee product would be made from high quality Arabica coffee beans, to ensure the best possible flavour characteristics (Driftaway Coffee, 2018) and ethical sourcing and sustainable practices would be implemented during the coffees development and fermentation processes. As the specialty coffee industry is expanding globally (Lee W. , Cheong, Curran , Yu, & Liu, 2015), it brings about the opportunity to disrupt the specialty coffee market with this fermented product through the collection of evidence-based qualitative and quantitative research, to build a strong business case for its commercialisation. The key market research findings from this study show that people generally like to experiment with their coffee and are willing to try fermented coffee beverages. Qualities that the majority of respondents look for in a coffee brand are good taste and flavour, ethical sourcing of their products and the use of high-quality coffee beans. Other findings suggest that the specialty coffee industry is a very saturated market (The Register Team (TRT), 2017) and in order to stand out in this market the product needs to have a strong point of difference, a good brand and an interesting story. Good taste and high quality are two traits that seem to be the baseline for coffee products in the New Zealand specialty coffee market (Anthony, 2014). The key scientific findings are to be confirmed in subsequent laboratory trials, which will aim to validate the science in the papers by Lee, Wai Cheong , Curran, Yu, & Shao Quan, 2016b; Lee, et al., 2016c further. The results from this project have enabled the development of a business strategy that primarily targets those who earn between $50,000-$99,999 New Zealand Dollars (NZD) per annum (p.a.) in the age range between 18-34 years old. This subgroup could be expanded to those who earn $50,000+ NZD p.a. and target millennials (born between 1980 and 2000 or 18-38 years old) in future research (Goldman Sachs, 2018). In the early stages of the project if the science is validated on a small scale, capital could be raised through a crowd funding platform like Kickstarter, so that subsequent trials can continue (Kickstarter, 2018a). When the business case for the product is strong, key investors will be targeted for their assistance in future product development, verification and market validation. This strategy is a part of the business model for the project that outlines the best course of action given the current market research and scientific evidence that is available. If this project were to be successfully funded and a minimum viable product were to be developed, large scale laboratory trials could be conducted bringing the product one step closer to commercialisation. If the product were to reach this stage, it would allow specialty coffee consumers the opportunity to experience a fermented coffee beverage that uses ethical and sustainable practices and potentially contains unique flavour nuances, health benefits and less bitter compounds.</p>

Access and Benefit Sharing and the Sustainable Trade of Biodiversity in Myanmar: The Case of Thanakha

The global demand for biological resources to use as natural ingredients in diverse products is rising rapidly. This creates investment opportunities for nature-based products, creating pressure on and threats to biodiversity and its associated traditional knowledge (TK). Myanmar’s great biodiversity is attractive for scientific investigations searching for natural substances for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and other uses. Myanmar is amid profound political and economic changes, exposing the country to risks and opportunities. The recent opening to world trade put its rich biodiversity and TK under severe threat. One of the local natural biodiversity products is Thanakha, which is traditionally used for skincare. This study investigates the current and planned regulations and practices managing Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) in Myanmar, focusing on one of the potential BioTrade products: Thanakha. A qualitative and quantitative survey was conducted through in-depth interviews with 37 key informants and 35 Thanakha farmers. The results show that while the current research and development activities at the Thanakha manufacturing level could trigger ABS obligations, the low awareness about ABS requirements and the lack of traceability raise uncertainties for its potential implementation. The implementation of BioTrade principles and ethical sourcing to promote the sustainable trade of Thanakha, as well as the implementation of ABS, would lead to the protection of biodiversity and TK, and the improvement of local livelihoods.

Shareholder Value Effects of Ethical Sourcing: Comparing Reactive and Proactive Initiatives

With the advent of responsible business, ensuring social responsibility in sourcing is of interest to both academics and practitioners. In this study, we examine one way of achieving this goal: ethical sourcing initiatives (ESIs). ESIs refer to a firm’s formal and informal actions to manage sourcing processes in an ethical and socially responsible manner. While ESIs have been established as an important part of corporate social responsibility, it is unclear whether, how, and when this corporate effort is economically beneficial. We conduct an event study estimating the shareholder value effect of 159 publicly traded firms’ ESIs and find that the stock market reacts positively to ESIs in general. We also compare market reactions under different conditions including reactive versus proactive ESIs, and their interactions with initiative timing, firm size, and financial risk. Additionally, we find that ESIs are associated with long-term stock price and operating performance. Overall, our findings clarify the potential economic benefits of corporate ESIs and encourage buying firms to take these initiatives selectively according to business contexts.

Formalization as a tool for environmental peacebuilding? Artisanal and small-scale mining in Liberia and Sierra Leone

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) has long been a vital source of livelihoods for rural populations in the global South. Yet, it has also been linked to a host of social, political and environmental adversities, including violent conflict. As environmental peacebuilding increasingly stresses the importance of livelihood improvement as a means of fostering peace in conflict-affected extractive societies, ASM formalization has been identified as a solution to mitigate the sector's challenges, thereby addressing underlying causes of conflict. This article critically investigates the contribution of ASM formalization to sustainable peace by focusing on its impact on the livelihood dimension of peacebuilding. It analyses the livelihood impact of three formalization interventions in the diamond sectors of two countries: cooperatives in Liberia, and, in Sierra Leone, ethical sourcing schemes and a community-based natural resource management initiative. In line with calls for a paradigm shift from a narrow legalization-centred understanding of formalization to a broader approach that accounts for livelihood quality, the analysis presented here focuses on interventions that were informed by the ideal of improving the well-being of ASM workers and communities. We propose three pathways through which ASM formalization could potentially contribute to livelihood enhancement: income security, working conditions and community benefits. Based on fieldwork, this article highlights the challenges of generating livelihood improvements through formalization. Even when specifically designed to address the needs of ASM communities, during implementation, they risk prioritizing a narrow conceptualization of formalization and thus failing to become a conductor of transformative change.

Luxury brands’ use of CSR and femvertising: the case of jewelry advertising

Purpose Luxury brands seek to differentiate themselves from competitors by engaging in corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. Although many luxury brands participate in CSR activities, it is unclear if luxury brands communicate these CSR activities to consumers. Therefore, this study aims to explore two questions: are luxury jewelry brands communicating CSR (including women’s empowerment) in their advertising? And how should luxury jewelry brands communicate CSR messages in their advertising? Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a content analysis of luxury jewelry print advertisements and in-depth interviews with 20 female jewelry consumers analyzed using grounded theory to construct the luxury brand CSR advertising strategies theory. Findings Very few (3%) of print advertisements contain CSR messages, including femvertising and the theory presents four paths for brands to consider when promoting CSR practices, namely, ethical sourcing, cause-related marketing product, a signal of product care and quality and signal of an authentic relationship with the consumer. Practical implications The model provides four potential CSR advertising strategies and guidelines luxury jewelry brands can use to create successful advertising campaigns. Originality/value Luxury jewelry advertising has not been empirically examined and the study fills gaps in the understanding of luxury brands’ communication strategies. It adds to the knowledge and theorizing of the use and appropriateness of CSR appeals in a luxury brand context.

Certifying Biodiversity: The Union for Ethical BioTrade and the Search for Ethical Sourcing

This article is concerned with the potential for private action to improve sourcing practices to promote biodiversity. More specifically this article examines the Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT) and its verification and certification of ‘sourcing with respect’: that is, sourcing ingredients from biodiversity in a way that is respectful to both the local environment and people. While key international biodiversity treaties and instruments—such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Nagoya Protocol—encourage public actors to work with private actors to develop methods for the sustainable use of biological resources, our examination of UEBT shows that there are concerns over the standards, implementation and enforcement of private initiatives. In conclusion, we suggest two key ways in which transnational or public/private initiatives can be strengthened. First, via more proactively promoting public/private cooperation, including about how certification is used to reduce inconsistency and consumer overload or confusion. Secondly, by placing greater emphasis on mechanisms that place pressure on supply chain actors to source in ways that promote biodiversity.

Ghanaian cocoa prices point to LID implementation

Significance The price bump comes amid a push by Ghana and Ivory Coast, the world's two largest producers, for cocoa buyers to pay a Living Income Differential (LID) of USD400 per metric tonne. Impacts Despite paying the LID, buyers may not be able to downsize their sustainability programmes given productivity and ethical sourcing demands. Cameroon and Nigeria may wish to join an expanded agreement, which would cover nearly 75% of global supplies. The increased attention on the Ghanaian government’s cocoa-related demands may see greater domestic scrutiny over its sectoral management.