Research

Has Impact Investing Been Seduced? That’s One Hypothesis

Commentary by Wharton Social Impact Initiative’s Nick Ashburn and Katherine Klein In the latest edition of SSIR, we read Mara Bolis and Chris West’s thoughtful critique of the evolution of impact investing with great interest. Bolis and West argue that impact investors have become increasingly “seduced” by the promise of…Read More

Student Perspective: What I Learned About Mission Preservation through Legal Documents

Last fall, Wharton Social Impact Initiative announced a collaborative project with Penn Law’s Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic. Our Social Impact Fellowship legal research team—composed of Anne Tucker, an associate professor of law at Georgia State University, and four Penn Law students—collected and analyzed data to better understand how impact investing funds reflect…Read More

Legally Binding: How the Law Can Ensure Impact Outcomes

Last fall, Wharton Social Impact Initiative announced a collaborative project with Penn Law’s Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic. In collaboration with Anne Tucker, an associate professor of law at Georgia State University, and supported by four Penn Law students through the Social Impact Fellowship, this cross-campus collaboration aimed to advance our ongoing impact…Read More

New Research Shows Strong Corporate Values Yield Powerful Impact

Last fall, Wharton Social Impact Initiative announced a collaborative project with Penn Law’s Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic. In collaboration with Anne Tucker, an associate professor of law at Georgia State University, and supported by four Penn Law students through the Social Impact Fellowship, this cross-campus collaboration aimed to advance our ongoing impact…Read More

Impact Through a Legal Lens: What Impact Investing Means for This Law Student’s Career

Last fall, Wharton Social Impact Initiative announced a collaborative project with Penn Law’s Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic (ELC), and during the 2017 spring semester we welcomed four Penn Law students to continue the work through the Social Impact Fellowship. In collaboration with Anne Tucker, an associate professor of law at Georgia…Read More

Building The Evidence Base: Establishing Wharton’s Role in a Shifting Industry

Since the controversial “Google Diversity Memo” surfaced over the weekend, our inboxes have been filled with strong reactions. Amidst the cacophony of responses, one piece seems to resonate strongly with readers: Wharton Professor Adam Grant’s analysis on “Differences between Men and Women are Vastly Exaggerated.” Why are CNN, CNBC, Fortune and…Read More

Center for High Impact Philanthropy Releases New Report: The XX Factor

The Center for High Impact Philanthropy released a new report examining the inequalities and opportunities afforded to women and girls, and providing a framework for ways to help. “Women and girls make up half of the world’s population. Given their roles as caregivers, breadwinners, and de facto community leaders, it is not a…Read More

Research Review: Does Gender Diversity on Boards Really Boost Company Performance?

Many commentators suggest that gender diversity in the corporate boardroom improves company performance because of the different points of view and experience it offers. However, rigorous, peer-reviewed academic research paints a different picture. Despite the intuitive appeal of the argument that gender diversity on the board improves company performance, research…Read More