下面为大家整理一篇优秀的paper代写范文- UBS: Mobilizing private wealth for public good,供大家参考学习,这篇论文讨论了瑞士联合银行集团。瑞银集团总部位于瑞士,拥有155年金融服务业的悠久历史。它以财富管理、私人银行、投资银行等方面的经验和专业而闻名,与新成立的银行相比,其名气和声望为其创造了难以复制的优势,而合并和收购也为瑞银的扩张做出了很大的贡献。
Abstract
Sustainable development has been a topic of general interest since 1978 when firstly introduced by official organizations. A concept of sustainable development goals (SDGs) was published by UN in 2015 that would be integrated into the follow-up to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (Griggs, et al., 2013). Also, in January 2017, UBS focuses on private capital function that is closely related to SDGs via its White Paper. The essay explores more about UBS and its efforts, proving that barriers of implementation do exist. After identifying the issues through relevant literature and constructive feedback from supervisors and UBS, two recommendations are made to assist to mobilize private wealth for public good.
Part I
1.0 SWOT Analysis of UBS
Strengths
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Headquartered in Switzerland, UBS has a long history of 155 years in servicing financial industry. It is well-known for the experience and professionalism in wealth management, private banking, and investment banking, etc. The fame and reputation create hard-to-duplicate strengths compared to newly established banks. Merger and acquisitions make contributions to UBS’s expansion. For example, the merger with Union Bank of Switzerland and the Swiss Bank Corporation (SBC) in 1998 and acquisition of Paine Webber, Phillips & Drew, S.G. Warburg in 1990s-2000s (United Bank of Switzerland, 2017).
Wide international coverage and network form ability of better resource allocation and application for UBS as well. According to its official site and annual report 2016, UBS had hundreds of offices in 52 countries over five continents – Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America & Caribbean – with around 60,785 employees until last year. The workforce, composed of 35% Swiss, 34% America, 18% EMEA, and 13% Asia, provides services to clients all over the world. As a result, UBS could conduct diversified and customized businesses on the basis of local environment.
Combined with its strategy to “make substantial progress focusing activities on a set of highly synergistic, less capital and balance sheet-intensive businesses dedicated to serving clients and well-positioned to maximize value for shareholders”, UBS created unique global presence and capabilities in financial services through expertise, resources, as well as involvement. Moreover, the strategy helped UBS enjoy a competitive position in assisting customers growing wealth.
Weaknesses
With depth participation and large scale all over the world, potential problems follow. The corporation faces various business and legal environments, cultures, as well as user demand, etc. At the same time, complicated organization structure reduces management efficiency. Regulatory loopholes may exist. On Sep 15, 2011, a director of Global Synthetic Equities Trading team of UBS in London named Kweku Adoboli led to about 2.3-trillion- dollar loss by fraud and unauthorized trading (BBC News, 2011). UBS surely has problems in its internal control. Such case affects negatively on its professional image.
Opportunities
In its White Paper for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2017, UBS puts forward concerns about global imbalance like uneven growth, wealth inequality, and environmental degradation, which negatively influence the inheritance of private wealth between generations. Therefore, UBS endeavours to invest private capital in related projects or activities to sort out the intergenerational issues and mobilizing private wealth for public goods. This action is in line with interest of majorities and international trend. If properly implemented, UBS could probably earn sustainable gains and more importantly, promote equality and social development.
Better yet, outsiders generally have positive attitude towards UBS. Numerous awards are achieved, such as Best Global Bank or Operational Risk 2016 Bank of the year award (United Bank of Switzerland), because of its success in connecting with customers, commitment to employees and the communities, and its ability to control risks. Moreover, credit rating agencies – Standard & Poor's, Fitch, and Moody's – also rate UBS at a high level. Recognition and identification are propitious to realize the targets or goals.
Threatens
UBS faces some issues in its efforts in chasing sustainable development goals (SDGs). Regulatory loopholes referred above are one example. Real negative interest rate in Europe is bad sign to some extent. European Central Bank (ECB) had relied on negative interest rate to stimulate the downward economy since 2014. This action increased investment risk, not being conducive to UBS’s plan to invest in public good. Additionally, some nations do not have favourable investment environment or refuse to cooperate with firms abroad, thanks to political or economic reasons, etc. Thus, considering possible non-transparency, insufficient disclosure and information, bad legal and political, investments may fail, causing loss on both profitability and fame.
Part II
2.0 Outline of Research Project
2.1 Summary of Problems
After financial crisis in 2008, economic growth is much lower than that of last ten years (Inklaar, et al., 2013). Meanwhile, economic expanding patterns are too extensive so that most consumption of resources is inefficient. Situation in emerging countries is more severe due to unimpeded flow of information, lack of transparency and standards, excessive desire and interest in industrialization, and weak resistance to adverse environment, etc. Thus, natural disposition of capital to pursue profits makes wealth inequality more likely to appear. Most developing countries and some developed countries are developing and progressing at expense of next generation. Public good may not get what it needs.
UBS, as one of the first signatories of the UN Global Compact, attempts to help solve the problems by investing to support SDGs and achieve its goals related to public good. However, the measures are described as a fail by UBS since most initiatives of relevant parties ignore private wealth. On UBS’s perspective, lack of transparency, limited company disclosure, absence of information, lack of standardization or consistency, and insufficient incentivisation form are the main factors blocking in mobilizing or stimulating private wealth for public good (United Bank of Switzerland, 2017).
2.2 Theoretical framework
Based on Resource Advantage Theory by Hunt & Derozier, a company could establish superior performance or sustainability on firm/industry level or system level. Company in the theory should recognize its internal and external advantages at first. Internal advantages include resources and capabilities, while external ones are related to location and marketplace position. By differentiating itself from other participants, the firm might perform better in qualitative and quantitative aspect, in this way acquiring superiority in long term.
Diagram 1. (John Hirst, 2017)
This theory will be applied to UBS on the recommendations part. Internal and external advantages will be examined so identify possible and potential superiority. Then, the superiority will be further discussed to make final advices, which assist in mobilizing private wealth for public good.
3.0 Literature review
Modern concept of sustainable development was firstly introduced in Brundtland Report by World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) or Brundtland Commission in 1987. It focused on meeting human needs by securing global equity for current and future generations through the redistribution of resources towards poorer nations and environmental conservation (Visser & Brundtland, 2009). Around ten years later, researchers began to study the impact of private capital on sustainable development. Centry & Esty raised an idea that private capital flows could help in sustainable development when opportunities were properly recognized and act upon and that public sectors worked closely in partnership with private ones, especially for developing countries (Gentry & Esty, 1997). Jun & Brewer emphasized that coordination of host countries, such as advantageous policies to allow free capital flow were key factors to promote sustainability in terms of private investment (Jun & Brewer, 1997).
Among various sources of private capital, foreign direct investment (FDI) was the main and best documented way, accompanied by portfolio investment and commercial bank loans (French, 1998). Kharas & McArthur proposed five categories where large private external investment could take place – infrastructure and decarbonisation, agriculture and food systems, extractive industries, social sector investments like health services and education, as well as real economy; at the same time, sustaining or supportive regulatory and public investments should be in the place (Kharas & McArthur, 2014).
The U.S. was one of the early countries putting the idea into practice. It removed regulatory barriers to unlock additional private impact investment, increase the effectiveness of government programs, provide incentives for new private impact investment. It also is expected to encourage and support 36 innovative and impact-oriented organizations in order to grasp investment opportunities (US National Advisory Board, 2016). The measures agree with UBS’ perspective on current problems in fact.
In 2016, UBS led an internal competition called UBS Grand Challenge, involving over 1,200 employees to develop innovative financial solutions to address difficulties or challenges from carrying out SDGs. UBS also invested with commitment to SDGs. For example, Oncology Impact Fund aims to develop new and innovative treatments for cancer. Other investment areas consist of infrastructure, waste management and recycling, renewables and clean-technology, energy reduction, and economic development, etc. Announcement to invest large amount of client assets over the next five years to support the SDGs displayed its resolves as well.
Moreover, White Paper referred above that advised capital to be invested in human capital instead of wealth, introduced two main avenues – giving and investing, and proposed several suggestions illustrated its care for future progress of SDGs. Recommendations discussed on transparency improvement, connection establishment, new platform solution and so forth. In all, these movements and proposals were consistent with frontal research results and exhibited an attitude to create a beneficial environment for private investment in SDGs.
4.0 Feedback from UBS
4.1 Earlier findings
Before I visit UBS, my group did some research about UBS. Based on analysis of UBS’s background, White Paper, annual review and report, five recommendations were showed to the insiders:
1) Be more specific: pick 6 goals among 17 as main emphasis
2) Be a better partner: work together with government or public sector
3) Be committed: adopt a set of guidance, mind-sets, and platform
4) Be responsible: implement impact assessment and build climate conductive to SDGs
5) Be transparent and accountable: focus on financial data and quantify environmental nuisance
4.2 Further insights
However, when I finish this International Study Tour, I gained much more than before. For example, the recommendations were not practical enough for people who worked in a real world. Main feedback from UBS indicated that we paid too much attention to the theory of SDGs. The theory was just a tool to assist in settling disputes, so focal point should be on how to take advantages of relevant theory to address challenges that UBS encountered.
It is obvious that these recommendations were too broad according to what was required. Staff of UBS worked for clients all over the world, so they understood the significance of partnership or standardization. Additionally, they demanded certain detailed plan to mobilize private wealth for SDGs and followed them. Therefore, in future research and analysis, apart from referring literatures and public documentations to gain a common and representative conclusion about these issues, we should focus more on urgent challenges in real world and become detail-oriented or professional.
5.0 Recommendations
Through relevant constructive feedback from supervisors, we are suggested to make more specific and practical recommendations with cautious. After talking with one of group leaders, we know that next generation strategy is a very effective method to address problems. Thus, next generation or intergenerational approach, instead of recapitulative thoughts derived from SDGs theory, will be discussed to find better means of applying private wealth to public goods. This strategy can complement and reinforce common principle but differentiate responsibilities and respective capabilities by ensuring that the legitimate right of the poorest to develop should not be sacrificed in the name of future generations (Mary Robinson, 2013). To be specific, two methods could be applied.
Firstly, UBS may use its existing influence in the financial industry worldwide. As referred above, the corporation is famous for the expertise and capabilities in wealth management and private banking. The reputation and business network could help expand investment in more environmentally-friendly projects or products that alleviate contradiction between contemporary and next generation. White paper and Oncology Impact Fund were past attempts. Educational funds and infrastructure projects could also be good choices. Mainly because it is a fact that the emerging countries are poor in education and infrastructure generally. Governments would like to improve business environment, such as information flow, disclosure, and transparency in exchange of foreign investment. Barriers are likely to be lowered. For private investors, the characteristics of profit driving were fulfilled too. Education or infrastructure projects (Canning & Bennathan, 2000) often return sustained wealth growth in relatively long-term. Similar investment term attracts prudent investors, especially the young generation of billionaires – one demographic group of UBS’s clients. They are keen on benefiting society as part of “next generation”. When both sides are motivated, the investment on public goods could then be continuous.
Additionally, effective identification and follow-up of opportunities are vital in the process. For example, China is now conducting Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects to amplify private involvement (Yuan, et al., 2010). If UBS branch grasps and updates the information in time, the opportunity to cooperate is greater than where no message is transferred. UBS’s network equips itself with capabilities to achieve quick handle of such opportunities. Timely reflection enhances its competitive power and service quality vice versa.
Secondly, UBS may consider investing in public good with return of human capital but not wealth. Current investments are mainly based on cash flows or fundamental assets, even public products or services. “Money” is visible and predictable contrast to human capital. But from another viewpoint, human capital is better in line with SDGs, because it is the primary power of economic growth and next generation development. The meaning behind investing in public good is to gain sustainable development somehow. Education quality, gender inequality issues, and even economic growth will benefit from enhanced investment regarding human capital.
To be specific, it has been very clear that the implementation and relevant advantages are extremely obvious. For instance, in Singapore, UBS could support abroad study with service terms. The government has cooperation with several countries in such projects. Students who receive free education will service the nation for about 5 years. As a result, indirect return is paid back to local organizations or enterprises. Based on such experience, UBS could further develop similar events or projects to better meet its goals related to public good. Services term is better linked to investors because return is required at the end. In this way, problems in investing public good are solved because investors or wealth managers are in charge. These educated students will finally benefit their home countries by improving equality, technology, economic efficiency, etc. Just as Tisdell concluded, increases in human resource capital and education had positive impact on technological progress and awareness of environmentally-friendly alternatives (Tisdell, 2001). Thus, the situation where poorer countries develop at expense of next generation will possibly be meliorated.
The recommendations attempt to provide some conception to facilitate private capital investment on public good under various challenges. Hence, the rights of generation could be better protected. Further studies might be needed to offer more specific practices.
6.0 Conclusion
To achieve SDGs, UBS makes efforts to invest in public good; however, obstacles like lack of transparency, lack of standardization, limited information, and insufficient incentivisation make it extremely difficult. Ever worse, the situation may not alter in short period, so UBS must find ways to adapt to current circumstances and collaborate with participants.
In conclusion, two ideas about next generation strategy are advised. The first is to expand investment in socially or environmentally-friendly projects through its capabilities and network; the other is to invest in public good with return of human capital. Both advices aim to help comparatively less developed countries with investment chances in public construction and development. Although UBS has talked about relevant suggestions in its White Paper, more professional research and comprehensive analysis are expected to ensure UBS could make final reasonable determinations, which contribute to mobilizing private for public good.
Part III
7.0 Reflective statement
In my perspective, master is not a simple degree, but an opportunity to develop as a person. Five aspects of attributes and competencies are expected to be enhanced during the study:
1) Professionalism: Mastering knowledge and skills needed in working environment, combining theories with practices, forming independent thinking and judgement;
2) Responsibility: Maintaining and improving conscientiousness - completing own job and focusing on quality;
3) Independent and critical thinking: Relying on facts and evidences, staying calm and independent;
4) Efficiency: Adapting to self-study mode; staying focused; collaborating with partners on complex issues;
5) Effective communication: developing effective communication skills –in both writing and presenting
This tour offered a chance to examine myself. On one hand, I did a relatively good job in responsibility and independent thinking. During the process, I always finished my part of assignment or work in good quality and in a timely manner. All thoughts and idea were based on extensive research and independent thinking. On the other hand, gaps existed in professionalism, critical thinking, efficiency, and communication between expectation and the fact. Due to lack of knowledge on real financial market and working experience, our early recommendations were considered too theoretical. Settlements, instead of questions, are required in workplace. My failures to ask for suggestions before the presentation exposed the poor communication skills to some extent. The results were not critical and efficient therefore.
Recognizing my strengths and weaknesses, objectives could be set to improve myself:
Learn more professional and career related knowledge
Involve in internship during master study
Build connections with alumni association and social groups to acquire information
Learn to collect adequate supporting materials before research and conduct research in a practical way
Strength communication with participants in activities by taking relevant trainings
Study to design and control procedure to develop leadership and improve efficiency
After setting these objectives, I involved more with social groups and started to control procedure for my schedules and works. The result was positive. I indeed acquired more information and became more efficient in daily work. Furthermore, detailed plan will be drafted in near future. Effects may not be checked at current time. However, I am sure that it will works to some degree if I follow the items. Further revise is possible as well to improve new found attributes or competencies.
Reference
[1] BBC News, 2011. UBS trader Kweku Adoboli charged with fraud. [联机]
Available at: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-14950873
[2] Canning, D. & Bennathan, E., 2000. The Social Rate of Return on Infrastructure Investments, s.l.: The World Bank.
[3] French, H. F., 1998. Investing in the future : harnessing private capital flows for environmentally sustainable development., Washington, DC: Worldwatch Institute.
[4] Gentry, B. S. & Esty, D. C., 1997. Private Capital Flows: New and Additional Resources for Sustainable Development, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.: Yale F&ES Bulletin.
[5] Griggs, D. et al., 2013. Policy: Sustainable development goals for people and planet. Nature, 21 3, Volume 7441, pp. 305-307.
[6] Hirst, J., 2017. Topics Lecture Slides from International Study Tour Module, Durham: Durham University.
[7] Inklaar, R., Fernández de Guevara, J. & Maudos, J., 2013. The Impact of the Financial Crisis on Financial Integration, Growth and Investment. National Institute Economic Review, 3 5, Volume 1, pp. R29-R35.
[8] Jun, K. W. & Brewer, T. L., 1997. The role of foreign private capital flows in sustainable development., Santiago, Chile: Fourth Expert Group Meeting on Financial Issues of Agenda 21,epartment for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development of the United Nations (DPCSD), Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Interamerican Development Bank (IDB).
[9] Kharas, H. & McArthur, J., 2014. Mobilizing Private Investment for post-2015 Sustainable Development, Washington, D.C.: The Brookings Institution.
[10] Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice, 2013. Climate Justice: An Intergenerational Approach, Dublin: Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice.
[11] Tisdell, C., 2001. Sustainable development, gender inequality and human resource capital. International Journal of Agricultural Resources Governance and Ecology, vol 2, pp. 178-192.
[12] United Bank of Switzerland, 2017. Mobilizing private wealth for public good, s.l.: World Economic Forum.
[13] United Bank of Switzerland, Leading financial markets magazine Euromoney has named UBS «Best Global Bank».
Available at: https://www.ubs.com/global/en/about_ubs/about_us/awards/group.html
[14] Visser, W. & Brundtland, G., 2009. Our Common Future (‘The Brundtland Report’): World Commission on Environment and Development. Top Sustainability Books, pp. 52-55.
[15] Yuan, J. F., Skibniewski, M. J., Li, Q. & Shan, J., 2010. The driving factors of china's public‐private partnership projects in Metropolitian transportation systems: Public sector's viewpoint. Journal of Civil Engineering & Management, Volume 1, pp. 5-18.
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