Related links
On the ODI website
Despite the focus on the role of aid in development, it is actually the private sector that primarily drives the economic growth needed in developing countries. It is the private sector that creates jobs and wealth. And it is the private sector that is responsible for the investment, innovation and technological progress that underpin both growth and development.
ODI works on the contribution business can make to development. This includes analysis of: incentives for business to improve its development impact; the right enabling environment for business, and the promotion of partnerships between business, government and civil society. We have also focused on specific sectors, such as the development impact of the oil and gas industries, engineering, tourism, and agribusiness.
Key publications and resources by issue - click for listings
Business for development
Harnessing core business for development impact ODI Background Notes, February 2009 Making markets work: Can you compete with the elite? Article - ODI Opinions 123, January 2009 Returns on investment in responsible business practice: higher in a downturn? Article - ODI Opinions 121, January 2009 Harnessing core business for development: time to shift from the why to the how ODI Blog Posts, January 2009 A review of ethical standards and labels: Is there a gap in the market for a new 'Good for Development' label? ODI Working Papers 297 - Executive summary, November 2008 How do ethical and fair trade schemes affect poor producers? Do we need a new 'Good for Development' label? Article - ODI Opinions 115, November 2008 Measuring the impact of business on development Article - ODI Opinions 101, April 2008 Is CSR just Corporates Saying the Right things? Article - ODI Opinions 100, April 2008 Stepping up the ladder: how business can help achieve the MDGs Article - ODI Opinions 99, April 2008 Assessing Business Development Impact: A Management Framework for Improved Economic and Socio-Economic Performance Reporting Report, April 2008 Is the time ripe for a 'Good for development' product label? Article - ODI Opinions 88, October 2007 A Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Diagnosis Module for Application in Value Chain Analysis (VCA) Report, April 2006 The New International Benchmark Standard for Environmental and Social Performance of the Private Sector in Developing Countries: Will It Raise or Lower the Bar? Article - ODI Opinions 66, February 2006 The business of poverty Article - ODI Opinions 10, February 2004 World Bank / IFC Public Sector CSR Diagnostic Tool Database, December 2003
The right policy climate for business
Private sector partnerships
African Growth - Forgotten Issues Improving Institutions for Pro-Poor Growth (IPPG) Briefing Papers 19, March 2008 The view from Davos - Part one: Global corporate citizenship in 2008 ODI Blog Posts, January 2008 AIDS and the private sector: The case of South Africa ODI Briefing Papers 30, November 2007 Business engagement in humanitarian relief: key trends and policy implications HPG Background Papers, June 2007 Private financing of humanitarian action 1995-2005 HPG Background Papers, June 2007 The New Broker: Beyond Agreement. Brokering Partnerships for Development Book, June 2007 Stakeholder Engagement: A Good Practice Handbook for Companies Doing Business in Emerging Markets Book, May 2007 Putting Partnerships to Work: Strategic Alliances for Development between Government, the Private Sector and Civil Society Book, May 2004 Multi Stakeholder Partnerships Issue Paper Report, November 2003 The New Broker: Brokering Partnerships for Development Book, June 2003
Sector: Energy, extractives and engineering
Oil Field Services Expenditure and Economic Growth: Prospects for Developing Countries ODI Business and Development Performance Briefing Notes 10, January 2008 A planetary petroleum 'windfall' fund for carbon abatement technologies Article - ODI Opinions 94, January 2008 Incentivising Community Content: the Interface of Community Investment Programmes with Local Content Practices in the Oil and Gas Development Sector ODI Business and Development Performance Briefing Notes 9, June 2007 Reversing the Curse: Five Principles for Beating the ‘Natural Resource Curse’ ODI Business and Development Performance Briefing Notes 7, March 2006 Does the Sustained Global Demand for Oil, Gas and Minerals mean that Africa can now fund its Own MDG Financing Gap? ODI Business and Development Performance Briefing Notes 6, September 2005 Levers and Pulleys: Extractive Industries and Local Economic Development ODI Business and Development Performance Briefing Notes 3, September 2005 Sustained Oil, Gas and Mineral windfalls mean that Africa could fund a substantial portion of its own MDG Financing Gap Article - ODI Opinions 51, September 2005 Meeting the Social and Local Economic Performance Standards of International Project Finance Institutions: Guidance for the Extractive Industries Sector ODI Business and Development Performance Briefing Notes 4, March 2005 Involving Large Contractors in Enhancing Social Performance During Construction ODI Business and Development Performance Briefing Notes 2, November 2004 Modifying Project Opportunities and Risk Analysis for Enhanced Social Performance ODI Business and Development Performance Briefing Notes 1, November 2004
Key events - click for details
Harnessing the power of business for development impactEvent series - 20 January
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13 October 2009
Key projects - click for details
IFC Global Good Practice Toolkit on Community Development Strategies for the Private SectorSeptember 2008 - May 2009