The Magazine of Corporate Responsibility

Archive for April, 2010

Arizona Illegal Immigration Law Prompts AriZona Disclosure

Apparently concerned about Internet chat of a potential consumer boycott of products made in Arizona, privately-held AriZona Beverages is wants customers to know that it is sold and distributed from a headquarters in New York.

Democrats Introduce Political Contributions Legislation

Democrats officially launched their long-expected legislative response to the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling freeing up corporations, unions and other groups to make political contributions. Five U.S. Senators released their version of the DISCLOSE Act – an acronym for the “Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections” Act. Similar legislation was introduced in the House. (File Photo)

Enron on Broadway: No Accounting for Bad Behavior

“Enron” the play tries hard to stimulate, dazzle and entertain. The problem is that it tries too hard. In the process it dilutes the authentic drama and power of the story behind Enron the company, a real-life corporate tragedy that really needed no embellishment.

Survey: Executives Expect More Financial Statement Fraud

A survey of 2,100 business professionals found that more than half (56 percent) think more financial statement fraud will be uncovered this year and in 2011, as compared to the last three years. Financial services was expected by most to be the industry with the greatest percentage increase in financial statement fraud alleged by the SEC during 2010.

Video: Five Ways to Become Happier Today

For however elusive happiness is to define, there are very specific things people can do each day that are proven to increase happiness: Tal Ben-Shahar has spent his career studying them. He gave Big Think several practical happiness tips, including changing your calendar, buying a notebook, and changing your approach to car parking.

AstraZeneca to Pay $520 Million to Settle Illegal Marketing Charges

The settlement involves civil charges that from 2001 through 2006 the pharmaceutical company illegally marketed the anti-psychotic drug Seroquel for so-called “off-label” uses not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

BNY Mellon To Increase Social Investing Options

Fiduciary responsibility “has often been defined exclusively in financial terms, such as maximizing returns to provide for retired employees,” the firm said. “However, there is growing discussion that the way in which those returns are achieved is just as important.” BNY Mellon has $22.3 trillion in assets under custody or administration and $1.1 trillion under management.

WellCare Director Resigns, Questions Accounting Oversight

In a rare public display of boardroom in-fighting, a Harvard Business School professor and health care expert resigned from the board of WellCare Health Plans Inc., asserting that the company’s accounting systems were in need of greater oversight and that some board members had conspired to undercut her authority and force her from the board.

Which Woods Can You Use and Not Harm Forests?

Wood products are essential to modern life. Without wood we wouldn’t have the buildings, furniture, paper and other essentials we make use of every day. That’s why protecting sources of wood has become a leading concern among not just environmentalists but everyone else as well.

Climate Change: Copenhagen’s Misssed Opportunity

Hopes were high that international negotiators in Copenhagen last December would be able to hammer out a strong agreement to once and for all take the climate beast by the horns and begin to reign in carbon emissions worldwide. But a new binding formal agreement was not to be, mostly because of conflicting priorities among participating countries.