Bücher von Jens Hillebrand

Seminar paper from the year 2008 in the subject Politics - Topic: Public International Law and Human Rights, grade: 1,7, Vrije University Brussel (Faculty of Economic, Political and Social Sciences and Solvay Business School), course: European and International Politics, language: English, abstract: This paper examines the impact of policies of the European Union (EU) on the human rights development in the People¿s Republic of China (PRC). To this end the definition of human rights from a United Nations perspective will be used.After briefly looking at the history of human rights abuses in China, the paper turns towards the main analysis shedding light on the EU¿s conditional engagement policy towards China and the nature of the EU-China relations - whether it be a true strategic partnership or merely a strategic dialogue.The paper then evaluates the success of the EU¿s policy by looking at how far it has been able to achieve its objectives set with regard to human rights in the PRC. Moving on from the achievements to date, a critical outlook on the prospects of Europe¿s strategy is given comprising an analysis of the opportunities and challenges the EU is likely to face in this respect.Finally, the paper concludes that the impact of the European Union on the human rights development in China remains far from clear-cut. Whereas some scholars and politicians attribute much of the observed advancements to Europe¿s conditional engagement policy, others challenge this view and contest that developments in this area are predominantly related to Chinäs overall economic progress. While the truth probably lies somewhere in between these two opposing views, future human rights development in the PRC will nevertheless remain a challenging task. Whereas developments on the economic and social side are also in Chinäs interest and will thus be relatively easy to promote, holistic progress - including civil and political rights - will only be possible if substantial differences between the EU and China can successfully be dissolved. Amongst other things, this will require the development of deep mutual cultural understanding and the discovery of sophisticated, novel negotiation approaches. Due to the complexity and sensitivity of the involved issues meaningful progress will only develop gradually, though, and the achievement of a universally acceptable human rights standard in China will still require a substantial amount of time as well as the willingness to compromise on behalf of both parties.

Essay from the year 2007 in the subject Business economics - Trade and Distribution, grade: 1,7, Solvay Business School, Brussels (Solvay Business School, Brussels), course: Advanced Marketing, language: English, abstract: Since their introduction several years ago Fairtrade products have remained subject to low sales and failed to win satisfactory market shares. Investigating into the reasons for the observed underperformance the study will begin by analysing customers¿ motivations to buy Fairtrade products and their reasons to refrain from Fairtrade purchases.After the analysis of the various important influences on customers¿ Fairtrade buying behaviour, it will examine some of the implications this may have for marketing professionals. The study will conclude that some of the main factors affecting Fairtrade purchases are of demographical nature, while others stem from customer equity dimensions, before it will propose a number of possible actions to increase the success of the Fairtrade initiative.[...]

Seminar paper from the year 2008 in the subject Environmental Sciences, grade: 1,0, Vrije University Brussel (Solvay Business School), course: Advanced Technology, language: English, abstract: The ongoing process of changes in the global climate system is rather undisputed these days, as it is evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice as well as rising global sea levels. Moreover, while the exact causes for the currently observed increases in global temperatures are yet to be established, a growing consensus is emerging that at least part of it is human-caused. As a result, various panels and organisations have emerged throughout the world, which are working on strategies how to reverse or at least halt this process. As Kolk & Pinske point out the resulting climate policies across different sectors and locations are diverse. Various companies are trying to restructure their operations in order to reduce waste and to make their processes more energy efficient. A number of governments are enacting policies to replace CO2-intensive energy, released through the burning of coal, oil and gas by more environmentally friendly, so-called ¿clean¿ energy, such as wind, solar, or hydroelectric power. Others are resorting back to nuclear power asserting that the actual risks of this technology are by far not as high as they are perceived to be or as they were some years ago. A further alternative that has recently been implemented by the EU is a ¿cap-and-trade system¿ for energy-intensive industries, which defines strict limits for the absolute amount of emissions. While the responsibility for complying with this regulation rests with the companies in the respective industries, they are free to find ways how to stay within the limits. Compensating for emissions by purchasing carbon credits is one prominent option available to companies in this respect.Purpose of this paper will hence be to analyse the current state of emissions trading development and assess the prospects of a universal worldwide emissions trading scheme.

Essay from the year 2006 in the subject Business economics - Business Ethics, Corporate Ethics, grade: 1,3, University of Glamorgan, course: Business Ethics and Sustainable Development, language: English, abstract: This essay builds upon Milton Friedman's (1970) famous statement that "the social responsibility is to make a profit".It analyses four dimensions of corporate social responsibility - economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic - and discusses arguments for and against each of them.The study concludes that there is need as well as justification for CSR, not only in a strategic manner, but also in an altruistic/philanthropic way.