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Unlike many other nations, cultural differences rarely influence the scale of China’s trade activities. What makes China unique? By aligning itself with the economic development needs of its trading partners, China has been able to minimize the negative effects of cultural differences on its trade. It doesn’t try to impose any values of its own. It’s a strategy that has proved to be remarkably effective. https://buff.ly/46go4pj #trade #China #globaleconomy #culture

A 2023 study shows that only 1 in 4 charitable nonprofit organizations have ever formally lobbied the government – this is a big decline from 2000, when 3 in 4 reported doing at least some lobbying, even though educating lawmakers about their causes can sometimes make sure important priorities get funded. https://buff.ly/3xU18iL #charities #nonprofits #lobbying

Is #college the “great equalizer”? It does help level the playing field for students of different socioeconomic backgrounds, but widespread employment practices that keep salary information hidden seem to play a bigger role, according to interviews with business professors and students.. https://buff.ly/4cTOmiZ #employment #highered #careers

More women in VC board rooms doesn’t mean more funding for women founders. A new study by Lei (Jeremy) Xu, a professor of entrepreneurship, analyzed funding decisions from more than 150 U.S.-based VC firms and found that every additional senior female VC in a firm’s decision-making group was linked to a 0.46% decline in the proportion of newly funded woman-led businesses in its investment portfolio. But there were a couple of factors he found that reduce this effect. What do you think can get more funding to women-led businesses? https://buff.ly/3XLlohb #GirlBoss #VC #VentureCapital #Startups

About five centuries ago, Machiavelli offered some #leadership lessons for would-be dictators. But based on his studies of the fall of the Roman Empire and Renaissance Florence, he also offered advice for people who wished to avoid a Machiavellian dictatorship – and any Americans reading it should take notes. A political science professor from Tufts University breaks down a few things to take into consideration from Machiavelli: Is it too late for the American republic? What’s your take? https://buff.ly/3L92aKD #politics #USpolitics #history

Converting abandoned, post-pandemic office buildings into residential apartments is making our cities. An architect from Miami University has been observing how: With landlords finding it hard to rent out office buildings that are older have fewer amenities or less-desirable locations, they are attractive as prospects to be turned into apartments. Many of these smaller buildings comply best with residential building codes: a smaller core-to-shell distance allow more rooms to access natural light, and they already have large and operable windows. Despite this, there are a few obstacles: > Undesirable locations are often away from grocery stores and restaurants. > Floor plans are hard to carve up into residential units. > Traces of lead or asbestos. > Costly plumbing and heating conversions. Architects are working to overcome these challenges, anticipating that the conversion of these buildings would help us build more walkable cities. Is this what will finally bring residents back to commercial business districts? Tell us in the comments below. https://buff.ly/3RUVl34 #architecture #cities #wfh

Distrust of #journalism does not stem from fears of ideological brainwashing. Instead, it stems from assumptions that the #news industry as a whole values profits above truth or public service, according to recent interviews of a cross-section of the public.

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Journalism is at the epicenter of a crisis in all the professions people do because they want to make a difference, like teaching, nursing and caregiving. From dwindling resources to increasing digital pressures to stagnating wages, journalists are finding that social impact is not enough when you have low salaries, long hours, and unmet expectations of excitement. Matthew Powers, a communications professor at the University of Washington, says things are even worse: This is not just a failure of a profession overtaken by commercial considerations. It's a reflection of a society unable to satisfy its citizens' basic desire to find meaning through the work they do. #Journalism #Media #VocationCrisis #DigitalAge