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• Article | Harvard Business Review Digital Articles | October 6, 2020

  COVID-19 Is Rewriting the Rules of Corporate Governance

  Lynn S. Paine

  Boards are facing a complex new reality as a result of COVID-19. The new environment is characterized by pressures and demands from various stakeholder groups, heightened expectations for societal engagement and corporate citizenship, and radical uncertainty about the future. These factors are complicating board decision-making and challenging the shareholder-centric model of governance that has guided boards and business leaders for the past several decades. A board’s ability to deliberate in a thorough and thoughtful, but efficient, manner and come to a considered conclusion around key issues will be a critical aspect of its effectiveness in the post-COVID era.

  Keywords: Health Pandemics; Corporate Governance; Governing and Advisory Boards;

  Citation:

  Paine, Lynn S. "COVID-19 Is Rewriting the Rules of Corporate Governance." Harvard Business Review Digital Articles (October 6, 2020).  View Details

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• Article | Harvard Business Review Digital Articles | October 6, 2020

  Test Your Board's Readiness for the Post-COVID Era

  Lynn S. Paine

  Research suggests that well-run boards take the process of self-evaluation quite seriously, often using a combination of director surveys and personal interviews to assess the functioning and effectiveness of the board, its committees, and its individual members. As boards prepare for their next round of self-evaluation, they will want to assess their capabilities and readiness to govern in the wake of COVID-19. This list offers a guide to the kinds of key questions and statements they should consider adding to their surveys or interview protocols.

  Keywords: Health Pandemics; Governing and Advisory Boards; Performance Evaluation;

  Citation:

  Paine, Lynn S. "Test Your Board's Readiness for the Post-COVID Era." Harvard Business Review Digital Articles (October 6, 2020).  View Details

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• Background Note | HBS Case Collection | August 2020

  U.S. Private Equity Firms: ESG and Impact (A)

  Lynn S. Paine and Holly Fetter

  This Note has two parts. The first part (A) explores how U.S. private equity firms are incorporating ESG (Environmental, Social, & Governance) factors and impact objectives into their investment strategies and firm practices. It is based on publicly available information and on interviews with representatives from leading firms, limited partners (LPs), academic experts, and relevant nonprofit organizations. The note begins with background on the PE industry. It then examines why and how firms are incorporating ESG and impact objectives, identifies the barriers to integrating these objectives more fully, and summarizes some areas of possible improvement.
  The second part (B) offers suggestions for offers suggestions for roles various constituents can play in advocating for improved ESG and impact efforts in the PE industry.

  Keywords: Private Equity; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Social Issues; Financial Services Industry; United States;

  Citation:

  Paine, Lynn S., and Holly Fetter. "U.S. Private Equity Firms: ESG and Impact (A)." Harvard Business School Background Note 321-036, August 2020.  View Details

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