Conceptual analysis of the international logistics of Daimler Trucks under the assumption of a 2° target policy

At the example of Daimler Trucks, this thesis aims at raising awareness for highly possible changes in the business environment of every major company that uses sophisticated logistic networks in order to enhance competitive advantage. Excessive emissions of GHGs, especially CO2 trigger these developments and are at the center of the thesis at hand.

Part one will comprise the whole theoretical background by first introducing strong arguments of avoiding a temperature rise above 2°C. Afterwards, the importance of identifying GHG externalities as an economic parameter is emphasized and thus, government regulation of emissions is justified. Thereafter, the thesis will focus on the freight transport sector, which will be hit especially hard by respective government regulation. Freight demand and corresponding emissions under a BAU scenario will be contrasted with those of under the IEA’s 450ppm scenario. The 450ppm scenario describes necessary emission pathways in order to avoid global temperature rises beyond 2°C.

As many worldwide acting companies, Daimler will most probably be faced with some sort of the 450ppm scenario, whereas company-specific threats and challenges have not yet been examined. Therefore, Daimler Trucks will be shortly illustrated in terms of how GHG emissions are handled. The bridge between theoretical background (part three) and empirical part of this thesis (Part four) is the application of the comparison between BAU and 450ppm to the real case of Daimler Trucks in the light of the following research question:  How far does the current internal logistics of Daimler Trucks comply with possible market conditions and policy regulations of a 2°C target scenario?

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oikos International

posted July 27, 2016

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oikos As One of Four International Organisations on WSEN Panel

The World Student Environmental Network (WSEN) Summit 2016 kicked-off on Sunday June 24th. With the other 75 delegates from more than 20 countries, oikos, represented by Anita Negri, was also invited.

Upon arrival participants engaged in ice breakers, reflection sessions and even a singing lesson at the new Attenborough Centre at the University of Sussex. Dinner was then served by a start-up that produces meals from food that would otherwise have gone to waste. For dinner it was curry and rice. An informal gathering was then initiated but with most participants having travelled from far, most made it back to their rooms early.

On the first full day of the conference, a typical English breakfast dish was served: porridge accompanied by many fair-trade nuts and responsibly-sourced muesli bars. The first session was a keynote talk by Andrea Cornwall, professor at the University of Sussex. Ms. Cornwall considers herself an activist bureaucrat and gave an interesting talk to participants about methodologies of being activists and techniques for raising youth voices. This was by all found to be a challenge of a youth sector, often, under-represented. The rest of the morning was dedicated to presentation sessions where delegates presented their sustainability projects from around the world. Lunch followed.

Immediately after lunch it was time for the international organisations’ panel discussion. With four organisation: oikos, NUS UK, WSEN and Commonwealth Youth, the panel took off by noting participants’ expectations. Panellists then presented their organisations, their values and their sustainability practices. These brief inputs were followed by a lively discussion on youth engagement, the issue of communication and international cooperation. The audience was, finally, split into four groups with each discussing a challenge in sustainability organisations. The afternoon continued with 6 parallel workshops on sustainability careers and sustainability in the workplace.

On Tuesday 26th July, the oikos representation left the conference despite the fact that the Summit would continue for 4 more days. Anita stated: “Having been part of the energy at the WSEN re-confirmed what I often observe in oikos: investing in bringing truly passionate people about sustainability physically together, can be very inspiring. I was amazed by the quality of contribution and engagement of the participants despite the long days that were planned. This makes it much more interesting for panellists to share experience and understand what areas to contribute to. My wish is, for all conference, that participants will have taken away important lessons to implement, directly, once back in their hometowns. Sustainability is not an easy mind-set but my participation to most international youth conferences on sustainability over the past years makes me want to remind all society that: youth is here, we are executing quality initiatives, even with small resources, we are raising our voices and we don’t intend to give up. Let’s keep walking the talk and great things will occur for the world as a whole, because sustainability is an collaborative matter”.

See what more went on at the WSEN Summit by following the hashtag #WSEN2016 on social media.

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oikos International

posted July 26, 2016

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Economic Evaluation of the Environmental Impact of Shipping from the Perspective of CO2 Emissions

In this research we evaluate the environmental economic impact of shipping from the perspective of CO2 emissions by implementing Marine Emission Trading Scheme (METS), as defined. This trading scheme is based on the EU Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS) program with adjustments for the shipping industry’s needs.
First, we evaluate the socio-economic cost of carbon emissions from seaborne trade activity per borne ton and per consumed ton fuel in both Business as Usual (BAU) and METS state. Then we continue to evaluate the relative socio-economic effect with regional segmentation, transportation mode, and the expected effect on the shipping industry from both the economic and environmental perspective.

The METS economic model is calibrated with the Fuel Consumption data (FC), forecasted FC growth rate (based on the proportion between FC growth rate and global trade growth rate), forecasted emission abatement rate (based on EU-ETS actual performance) and Emission Unit Allowance (EUA) prices. This generates an economic evaluation based on multiple CO2 emission scenarios, allowing us to estimate the socio-economic impact on the environment from seaborne trade activity per borne ton criteria and per consumed ton fuel criteria in BAU State and METS State.

The research shows that METS is effective, for an annual reduction rate of 7% or more, but its efficiency is dependent upon the low growth rate of fuel demand.
International shipping, in a state of BAU, is expected to increase its economic environmental influence by 356% from 2007 to 2030, with the maximum increase of CO2 emissions estimated at 324%. In contrast, implementation of METS is expected to decrease CO2 emissions between 54% and 93% with the maximum emission growth rate at 207%, and the minimum emission growth rate at 110%. In relation to the BAU state and the external costs per ton of fuel consumed under BAU is expected to grow by 16%, although with the expected rise in fuel prices this rate could decrease to 5%.
We found that under METS regulation this rate would grow only by up to 10% and decrease up to 4%. In addition, we found that calculations of external cost per transported ton are likely to create an imbalance between payments and actual contribution to the pollution problem.
To conclude, the current sea freight tariff system does not account for the external costs of CO2 emissions, and therefore we suggest that International Maritime Organization (IMO), must take charge, lead and coordinate an international program of emission trade, that could achieve effective reductions with minimum impact on business activity

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oikos International

posted July 26, 2016

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oikos Conference ‘Energy 24/7 – Energiespeicher der Zukunft’

For the 29th consecutive year oikos St Gallen is hosting the oikos Conference. This year participants will discuss the potential of energy storage for renewable energy, the missing piece for an efficient and sustainable energy strategy. More information will follow here.

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oikos International

posted July 21, 2016

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oikos Summer School 2016

For the third time, oikos Tbilisi is hosting the oikos Summer School. This year’s theme is ‘Transforming Management Education’. More information can be found here and here.

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oikos International

posted July 21, 2016

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Evaluating the launch of a first Social Impact Bond in Switzerland

Investments are the key driving forces for the progress of our society. A new trend is being developed with impact investments, ensuring the societal value creation of the financial capital invested. Within this context, this paper introduces and critically characterizes a new product called Social Impact Bond (SIB). Reviewing the mechanism in the first part, the research raises the question about further practical implementation and benefits of this financial mechanism in the centre of continental Europe, specifically in Switzerland. This feasibility study raises the questions if (1) an interest for such mechanism exists in Geneva and (2) if a launch in 2015 could be taken into consideration. Examining the question in depth with a SIB expert, a local government officer and two heads of State as well as additional stakeholders, a real interest for this conceptual approach could be confirmed. Additionally, further steps for a launch of SIB are conceptualised providing specific points of contact to develop the mechanism in 2015

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oikos International

posted July 21, 2016

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The applications for the oikos LEAP Advanced Track 2016/17 are open!

On a beautiful day in October 2015, in St Gallen, Switzerland, oikos LEAP officially debuted. With the motto that ‘great leaders set out to make a difference’, 40 participants from 20 countries gathered with excitement, ready to undertake their journey.

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oikos LEAP is a non-formal sustainable leadership programme created by oikos, an international organisation for sustainability in economics and management. Its main purpose is to inspire young leaders to become more responsible in their decision-making and equip them with insights, knowledge and tools to do so. Three tracks are proposed by oikos LEAP: Advanced, Intermediate and Basic. The first is the most intensive track consisting of a series of online and offline modules that are based on the principles of experiential learning, supplemented by three guiding methodological concepts: exploring, sharing-practicing and reflecting.

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With the participation of 17 people, out of the 40, between the ages of 20 and 29 from 9 countries, the first Advanced Track was a success. A French participant expressed that the programme “offered an international open space to share and listen, it helped have a better understanding of [oneself] and others’ behavior which is essential to act as a responsible leader”. The methodologies used attracted attention from various sources around the world. As an Azerbaijani participant shared “LEAP delivered constructive and very interesting webinars and teamwork. I was thrilled to be involved in such an unforgettable experience full of emotions and knowledge. It was beyond my expectations in terms of content and the way we were taught”. The innovative approach led to the team writing a paper for the Institute For Sustainable Leadership. The paper entitled, ‘The journey so far in oikos LEAP – A sustainable leadership programme for young leaders’, was then presented at the Symposium in Bangkok in May 2016.

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On July 18th, 2016, the application for the new cycle of oikos LEAP opened to all oikos members and a new class will meet in November 2016, in Speicher, Switzerland to kick-off their journey. An Indian participant stated: “I would recommend this program to anyone who is interested to develop self-awareness, challenge the traditional definition of leadership and stretch your own limits at each step”. Therefore, if you identify with this urge, apply and if you wish to partner with the programme or contribute to do not hesitate to contact oikos.
 

To apply for the new cycle and for more information visit: oikos-international.org/leap or contact us at info@oikos-international.org.

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oikos International

posted July 20, 2016

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Academic Research and Sustainable Investing. Seizing the Synergies

oikos Roundtable.
Co-organized with the Henley Business School and hosted by UBS.
Thursday, 15 September 2016, 9.30am – 1.30pm.
By invitation

Goal

The momentum for sustainable investing is fueled by a myriad of actors from both academia and practice. While some bridges between them are well established, many synergies among researchers and investors remain unseized. Pressure to perform in volatile markets on the one side, and to publish in leading academic journals on the other, are among the factors that turn engagement across these bridges into a challenge.

Nonetheless, seizing the synergies between academia and practice is critical for the development of sustainable financial markets. Leveraging academic research as a source of ESG insights, while using the input from practitioners to make research both more rigorous and relevant, and supporting finance students to foster sustainability talent in the next generation of investors and asset managers are cases in point.

Against this background, the roundtable shall convene faculty, practitioners and young scholars to identify synergies for sustainable investing, define interventions for further ESG integration into finance research, and explore next steps to strengthen platforms for interaction between academia and practice.

Guiding Questions

  • What are current ‘hot topics’ on which practitioners would welcome academic input, and on which academics would look for insights from practitioners?
  • How do finance practitioners and academic researchers interact today? What are best practices for these interactions? What are pitfalls?
  • Where is potential and what are impediments for further collaborations?

oikos Young Scholars Finance Academy

The roundtable takes place on the last day of the sixth oikos Young Scholars Finance Academy co-organized by oikos and Henley Business School from 11-15 September 2016. The academy provides a unique platform for exceptional PhD and post-doctoral researchers in the field of finance and sustainability to advance their research and expand their international research relations. Selected participants will present their research in the break of the roundtable. Faculty at the academy include Professor Jill Atkins, Professor Mike Barnett and Professor Sébastien Pouget. The full programme of the academy is available at www.oikos-international.org/financeacademy.

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oikos International

posted July 19, 2016

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The value of skills training in the improvement of the socio-economic status of microfinance beneficiaries

The research paper examined the value of skills training on the socio-economic profiles of beneficiaries of microfinance in the Northern Region of Ghana. The main interest of the study was to look into how skills training combine with microfinance enhances beneficiaries’ ability to cater for the education of their dependents, improves their ability to afford health care for their families, and to acquire more household assets as well as enhancing their empowerment.
The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research designs drawing into both primary and secondary data. The research instruments used to gather data from sampled beneficiaries were interviewer administered questionnaires and focus group discussions. A purposeful random sampling technique was used to draw a total of 107 respondents from the clients of Grameen Ghana. The sample consisting of 82 beneficiaries enrolled into skills training and 25 beneficiaries without skills training from the same organization. A total of six (6) focus group discussions were held; four (4) with groups receiving skills training and two (2) with groups without skills training. The models used for the analysis of the data included descriptive statistics, regression, and paired sample t-test.
The outcomes of the research revealed that skills training complements microfinance services to improve the socio-economic status of beneficiaries, in relation to the education of their dependents, their family access to health care and empowerment. Conversely, the study has found that skills training have no influence on the household acquisition of assets.

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oikos International

posted July 18, 2016

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oikos Alumn Niels Rot Shares The Reason for Their New Project: STRIDE

“In retrospect, one of the greatest things of my oikos days (2007-2011 St. Gallen) was the community of fellow oikees with similar values and dreams for changing society. I am sure that without this peer support, I would not have gone the journey to become (social) entrepreneur and co-found Impact Hub Zürich (with 2 fellow oikees ;)). Impact Hub is a global community of 80+ local incubators for social change.

nielsI am still regularly in touch with oikos alumni and so many do not find a meaningful career and miss the community support to make such a path happen. Since I am convinced there are many people out there who are looking for a meaningful career but lack the means to get there, I am currently starting a new venture in the area of executive/post-graduate education (think MBA alternative).
 
With STRIDE – unSchool for Entrepreneurial Leadership, which I am starting with another oikos alumnus (Björn Müller), we have created a one year part-time learning program that enables people to reinvent their career. Instead of doing case studies, the class actually founds a real entrepreneurial venture that tackles a large societal challenge. The learning happens around the experience of actually creating something new, in a community of changemakers. In this short video (see below) I share our learning philosophy and tell my story, including a very prominent role for oikos :). In short, I sometimes feel I have come full circle. Taking the best I got from oikos and proving this path to others well.
 
Thanks oikos!”
 

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oikos International

posted July 11, 2016

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