Peacemaking in Business Professions

Businesses exist in every society and community. From employing people to providing access to goods and services, business is part of the fabric of everyday life. When businesses commit to positively impacting society, a company's collective impact can be much greater in magnitude than when an individual makes the same commitment.

The following courses are either required or elective for all business majors and are included in the INPS curriculum:

  • FINA 4085 - Sustainable Finance (business ethics structured elective)
  • MANA 3034 - Negotiation
  • MANA 3035 - Leading for Inclusion

There are as many ways to be a peacemaker in each business profession as there are business disciplines. Below is an exploration of some ways peacemaking intersects with the various majors and minors offered through 黑料论坛's College of Business Administration.

Peacemaking in...

Accounting
Business Administration
Business Analytics
Business Economics
Entrepreneurship
Finance
Human Resources
Information Systems
International Business
Marketing
Operations & Supply
Chain Management
Real Estate

Accounting

What happens when businesses decide to look beyond just a profit and loss statement to measure their impact? That's the idea behind the triple bottom line--an accounting framework that measures success by a company's impact on people (social equity) and the planet (environmental responsibility), in addition to the traditional measure of owner or shareholder profit.

Forensic accountants may focus on investigating a number of criminal and social justice issues such as human trafficking, identity theft, insurance fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, and more.

Accountants are also essential to the success of non-profit organizations. Some non-profits hire full-time accountants, some contract accounting services, and others may benefit from pro bono services allotted by large firms. Accountants can also be high in demand for non-profit board positions.

These ACCO courses are in the INPS curriculum:

  • Additional ACCO courses may be waived in for INPS at the discretion of the Peace Studies program director.

Some organizations and employers in this area include:

  • Local accounting firms with non-profit divisions such as and
  • Compliance services such as  and 
  • Professional organizations such as

Business Administration

Business fundamentals such as accounting, economics, finance and budgeting, marketing and promotion, operations and the management of human resources are valuable to any professional engaged in social impact work.

These BUAD courses are in the INPS curriculum:

  • Additional BUAD courses may be waived in for INPS at the discretion of the Peace Studies program director.

Some organizations and employers in this area include:

  • Every business, nonprofit, social impact organization, social movement, and action campaign uses business administration skills in some form

Business Analytics

Analytics are increasingly relied upon in business decision making. Thus, it is important to simultaneously develop measures that track sustainability, social impact, and even global peace. 

Some ethical considerations in analytics include the tracking of personal information and digital privacy rights. Furthermore, data and analytics can be used to measure, track, and inform interventions in active conflicts.

These BUAN courses are in the INPS curriculum:

  • Additional BUAN courses may be waived in for INPS at the discretion of the Peace Studies program director.

Some organizations and employers in this area include:

  • Organizations that map, analyze, and monitor conflicts such as and
  • Peace-related Geographic Information Service (GIS) organizations such as and

Business Economics

Many attribute the increasingly globalized world economy as contributing to historical declines in global conflicts. Yet, many of the conflicts that remain are rooted in attempts to control scarce resources and gain economic advantages.

Economists play an important role in measuring and shaping policies that impact socio-economic wellbeing and the distribution of wealth and resources. Peace economics prioritizes sustainable growth, poverty reduction, improving access to health care, increasing funding for education, access to housing, and labor rights. These are among the many factors measured in the Global Peace Index (GPI) and Positive Peace Index (PPI), which demonstrate the correlation between peace and economic policy.

Whether acting locally or internationally, community-based economic development strategies have protected human rights and improved the quality of life in communities around the globe.

These ECON courses are in the INPS curriculum:

  • ECON 4016 - Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
  • ECON 4047 - Development Economics
  • Additional ECON courses may be waived in for INPS at the discretion of the Peace Studies program director.

Some organizations and employers in this area include:

  • International think tanks such as 
  • International development and lending institutions such as , , and
  • Monopoly and anti-trust enforcement agencies such as
  • Networks such as
  • Milwaukee-based programs such as , and

Entrepreneurship

One of the general societal benefits of entrepreneurship is job creation. Some argue that increasing employment rates is one of the most effective ways to improve peace and security in any community. Furthermore, entrepreneurship has been shown to help revitalized impoverished neighborhoods and cities.

Social entrepreneurship focuses on using innovative solutions and systems-changing business models to address specific social and environmental issues. While social entrepreneurs make a profit, they prioritize delivering systemic change and positive social impact more than maximizing their profit. 

These ENTP courses are in the INPS curriculum:

  • Additional ENTP courses may be waived in for INPS at the discretion of the Peace Studies program director.

Some organizations and employers in this area include:

  • Networks and professional organizations such as  and 
  • Education and venture philanthropy organizations such as , , and
  • Certified and verified social-impact businesses by and
  • Campus and Milwaukee-based programs and resources such as 707 Hub, , , and
  • Government programs such as

Finance

Banks are community cornerstones and can positively impact community well-being. In particular, credit unions help ensure that money held in a local community stays in the local community. Furthermore, banking regulations can help identify and disrupt money laundering, human trafficking, and the illicit arms trade.

Sustainable finance incorporates ethical and moral considerations with investing. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards are one framework that can help financial managers and investors ensure their stock holdings align with their values. For example, while weapons manufacturers may reap enormous profits from war, many investors consider it unethical to personally profit from such violence.

Microlending or microfinance is a form of offering small loans to businesses or entrepreneurs that don't have access to traditional financial systems, often because of discrimination based on gender, ethnic group, or education level.

Shareholder activism is an important but less common practice. It involves purchasing stock in a company known to be engaged in unethical practices (such as human rights violations) and using one's status as a shareholder to advocate for corrective action.

These FINA courses are in the INPS curriculum:

  • FINA 4085 - Sustainable Finance
  • Additional FINA courses may be waived in for INPS at the discretion of the Peace Studies program director.

Some organizations and employers in this area include:

  • Milwaukee-based sustainable investing firms such as  and , and international firms such as
  • Micro-lending organizations such as and
  • Professional development and licensing organizations such as
  • Compliance services such as  and 
  • Think tanks and non-profits such as , , and
  • Faith-based investing and shareholder activism organizations such as  , and
  • Certifications and pledges such as  and

Human Resources

Conflict resolution is a key skill for human resources (HR) professionals. Sometimes workplace conflicts can be a productive part of decision making, while other times it can be very unproductive. HR professionals, including mediators and ombuds, are available to employees and companies when disruptive conflicts and grievances emerge.

Another justice-related concern of HR includes legal compliance, especially when it comes to discrimination and harassment in hiring, workplace behaviors, or company practices. For example, medical leave and workplace accommodations are guaranteed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.

HR professionals also contribute to a company's talent development through trainings on soft skills such as conflict resolution, goal setting, and creating a welcoming work environment. This may occur through 1-1 coaching, as well as group professional development programs.

These HURE courses are in the INPS curriculum:

  • Additional HURE courses may be waived in for INPS at the discretion of the Peace Studies program director.

Some organizations and employers in this area include:

  • Almost every company has a human resources employee or team
  • Governmental agencies such as and
  • Consultancy and certification organizations such as
  • Non-Governmental Organizations such as

Information Systems

New technologies routinely disrupt the status quo, often raising ethical and moral questions about how they can or should be used. Harnessed for good, new technologies and applications can increase transparency, democratize information sharing, foster collaboration, assist with decision making, and address pressing social issues.

Perennial debates about privacy, human rights, and whether new technologies increase or decrease societal inequities will continue to be negotiated in regard to data mining, artificial intelligence, and tomorrow's many inventions.

Growth in cyber security has paralleled increases in cyber crime. Digital security is considered a critical component of global peace given the ability of disinformation and cyber attacks to threaten individuals, communities, and nations.

These INSY courses are in the INPS curriculum:

  • Additional INSY courses may be waived in for INPS at the discretion of the Peace Studies program director.

Some organizations and employers in this area include:

  • Social change technologies and organizations such as , , , and
  • Research, policy, and advocacy organizations such as , , , and 
  • Governmental agencies such as
  • Cyber security non-profit organizations such as and

International Business

Geopolitical conflicts and disputes can easily disrupt trade, investment, and collaboration. Companies with international business operations can choose actively engage in and support diplomacy, peace processes, and conflict resolution.

Furthermore, when doing business in countries that have less stringent environmental laws and labor regulations, companies can influence the practices of business partners through requiring the use of sustainable manufacturing practices and stringent protections of workers rights.

These INBU courses are in the INPS curriculum:

  • Additional INBU courses may be waived in for INPS at the discretion of the Peace Studies program director.

Some organizations and employers in this area include:

  • Many large companies will have international business operations and teams
  • International business for peace alliances such as , , and

Marketing

Even peace needs good marketing. Branding, storytelling, and engagement are as important to the success of social ventures, nonprofits, and activism campaigns as they are to large businesses.

In product development, marketers may consider sustainability or the societal benefit of products. In pricing, marketers may consider if fair wages are being paid, or if materials are being ethically sourced. In promotion, marketers may consider ways to communicate a product's societal benefits or a business' social values.

Studies show that consumers are more likely to purchase from companies with social goals that align with their own personal values and beliefs. In instances where consumers sense their values don't align with product messaging or company practices, they may actively choose to boycott the product or business.

These MARK courses are in the INPS curriculum:

  • Additional MARK courses may be waived in for INPS at the discretion of the Peace Studies program director.

Some organizations and employers in this area include:

  • Almost all social ventures, nonprofits, and activism campaigns have a marketing team
  • Sustainable product design resources and standards such as , , 
  • Storytelling for social change consultancies such as , , 

Operations & Supply Chain Management

Even smallest of businesses can have complex, global supply chains. Given vastly different regulatory and policy environments in different countries, it's important to consider ethical and sustainability factors in any supply chain. A narrow focus on maximizing profit and productivity can lead companies to participate in or support labor exploitation, environmental destruction, and even human trafficking.

While social responsibility and sustainability considerations vary for each supply chain, some examples include using recycled materials, limiting the amount of water or electricity consumed in production, paying farmers and workers fair wages, purchasing from local or minority-owned businesses, using non-toxic ingredients, ensuring animals are treated humanely, and not participating in bribery or corruption.

Skills such as negotiation, mediation, and diplomacy are invaluable to supply chain managers responsible for working with trade and business partners from many countries and industries.

These OSCM courses are in the INPS curriculum:

  • Additional OSCM courses may be waived in for INPS at the discretion of the Peace Studies program director.

Some organizations and employers in this area include:

  • Sustainable supply chain consultancies such as , , , and many major business consulting firms
  • International Non-Governmental Organizations such as
  • Government agencies such as
  • Certifications and standards such as , , , and
  • Investigative and whistleblowing organizations such as

Real Estate

Real estate is an important aspect of any urban planning or community development initiative. From partnering with affordable housing programs to engaging in commercial corridor development to bring wanted businesses into communities, there are few areas that impact social cohesion more than the built environment.

Segregation exists in many cities across the U.S. as a historical result of redlining, racially-restrictive covenants, and urban renewal. Now, there is a fine line between neighborhood revitalization and gentrification. Socially-conscious developers and real estate professionals will engage with an area's history and residents to practice restoration rather than displacement. Adequate housing is widely recognized as a human right.

Sustainable design is an important consideration for any construction or renovation project. Other considerations could include using local contractors, preserving the surrounding natural landscape, or installing environment-friendly appliances (from washing machines to solar panels).

These REAL courses are in the INPS curriculum:

  • Additional REAL courses may be waived in for INPS at the discretion of the Peace Studies program director.

Some organizations and employers in this area include:

  • Community design consultancies and networks such as , , , and
  • Sustainability certifications such as
  • Government agencies such as , , and
  • Milwaukee-based affordable housing programs such as , , , and ,