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Poole College of Management
Enterprise Risk Management Initiative

Emerging Risks

Oct 1, 2012

Applying “Big Data” to Risk Management

“Big data” is quickly building a following as a useful tool for helping managers make decisions. But what exactly is big data, and is its use actually beneficial to a business? This article from Harvard Business Review answers these two questions and more. The authors explain why digital data is perhaps more useful than ever before, and also provide real-life examples of companies using big data to make better decisions. The article also discusses five ingredients that are critical to using big data successfully in any company. Ultimately, big data could provide managers with insights into the risks facing their organizations.

Oct 1, 2012

Managing Risks of the Mobile Enterprise

Mobile devices are becoming more and more integral in the workplace today, as they are used for field work, file-sharing, and business processes. With the widespread use of mobiles, and the delicate intertwined relationship of such devices with both personal and professional lives, substantial number of risks arise that need to be managed properly in order to reap the benefits of these devices. To help organizations think about risks associated with the use of mobile devices, the Security for Business Innovation Council (SBIC) has issued an in-depth analysis of consumer mobile devices in the enterprise along with various risks that arise with the evolving technology. Furthermore, the report also provides various recommendations to manage such risks effectively over time. The following provides a summary of the report.

May 1, 2012

Managing Levels of Innovation Risk

The highly competitive landscape and the rapid pace of change means organizations must continually seek to innovate to survive and grow. For many, their rush to get new innovations to market overlooks critical risks that threaten the success of those initiatives. More organizations are seeing first-hand how difficult of a task it is to mitigate innovation risk. The Harvard Business Review (HBR) article "Managing Your Innovation Portfolio" highlights how organizations can, through the balance of diversifying and appropriately focusing efforts within their innovation portfolios, achieve higher returns over their long-term innovation investments. The authors of this article discuss issues dealing with managing innovation and ways to initially guide management.

Jan 1, 2012

The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks 2012 Report

Discover the top 50 global risks identified by the World Economic Forum, covering economic, environmental, geopolitical, societal, and technological threats, and their interconnected consequences for global stability.

Oct 1, 2011

Audit Committees Concerns About IT Risks

KPMG’s 2011 survey shows audit committees prioritizing IT risks, including cybersecurity and compliance. Respondents express concerns over the quality of information received and call for more frequent input from CIOs.

Oct 1, 2011

Audit Committees Call for Better Risk Management

KPMG's survey of audit committee members highlights concerns around IT risks, operational risks, and crisis planning, emphasizing the need for better information and input from CROs and CIOs.

Aug 1, 2011

Risk Identification through “Rooted Maps”

Discover how rooted maps enhance risk identification by visualizing global risks from specific perspectives. Learn how geographic, cultural, and policy differences shape business strategies and improve executive decision-making.

Jul 1, 2011

Managing Social Media Risks

As organizations realize the potential of social media to positively benefit their marketing and advertising strategies, they are also aware of potential risks. In a white paper published by Crowe Howarth LLP, the authors outline sources from which social media risks can originate and provides a six-step approach that an organization can use to create an effective social media risk management strategy.

Jul 1, 2011

Managing Human Capital Risk

Though companies recognize the high impact of Human Capital Risk (HCR), many still have immature HCR management processes, if any. The Conference Board researched companies based in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific to evaluate current HCR management practices. Companies with Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP) indicated better HCR maturity. The research in this article also highlights a need for HR and ERM executives to engage each other more to better understand risks associated with their human capital management.

Apr 26, 2011

Five Categories for Focusing Risk Oversight

Explore five key risk categories boards should assess to ensure comprehensive risk oversight, including governance, enterprise, strategic, business management, and emerging external risks.