International
Prediction Markets may Revolutionise Business Forecasting
Prediction markets are a type of financial market (also known as information markets or event futures), in which participants trade in contracts whose payoffs depend on unknown future events. Of course,
Op-Ed: Boycott the Games
“If all GB athletes wore rainbow flags and Cameron turned up to the Kremlin with a rainbow tie, then that would be great,” said Anna Grigoryeva, 24, a Cambridge student
Op-Ed: Don’t Boycott the Games
“Don’t boycott the Games.” This sentiment can be heard from several sides of the debate regarding Putin’s ban on homosexual athletes competing in Sochi at the Winter Olympics in 2014.
The World Vanilla Market is Anything but Vanilla
Vanilla strikes most consumers as a rather standard commodity. However, the story of how vanilla makes it from the farm to your ice cream cone is a complex mess. Vanilla
The Real Reason High Oil Prices Lead to Instability
Businesses rarely gain from political instability so trying to predict unrest is a critical activity for any entity investing in a volatile corner of the world. One of the factors
Shale Oil Changes International Energy Trade
At the onset of the global financial crisis in the summer of 2008, with oil prices hitting $147 per barrel, no political or energy analyst considered shale oil as an
Nuclear Power Opportunities Move East
A birds-eye look at the nuclear power industry in 2013 reveals a depressing picture. Early in the 2000s, thanks to a combination of rising fossil fuel prices and a lack
Snowden in Self-made Passport Limbo
Every once in a while a story arises in the news that requires some theorising to contextualise its importance; Edward Snowden’s story is such an example. Snowden is the (in)famous
Globalisation of the Halal Industry
The market for halal products is a fast-growing, interconnected industry of global proportions. There are over 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide, making for a sizable consumer base. Meanwhile, the halal market,
The Case Against Self-Regulation in Extractive Industries
Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of international social issues and are demanding more responsible businesses. A model that is often discussed as an example of successful industry regulation is the
