Research Interests & Publications
Professor of Strategic Management and Public Policy
The George Washington University, School of Business
Dept. of Strategic Management and Public Policy
e-mail: jrivera(at)gwu.edu
Citations of my work:
My research studies how firms' strategies are affected by climate change’s adversity and disasters. The latest findings of this research appear in my co-authored book: Business Adaptation to Climate Change (Cambridge U. Press, 2022); winner of the 2023 Best Book Awards from the ONE and SIM Divisions of the Academy of Management. I have also examined the competitive effects of green certification programs and environmental regulations. I have written over 50 publications, including several dozen journal articles and three books. These manuscripts have been printed in top academic publications including the Strategic Management Journal, Conservation Biology, World Developtment, the Policy Studies Journal, and Policy Sciences. My book, Business and Public Policy received the 2011 Outstanding Book Award by the Academy of Management's ONE Division. My publications’ findings have been mentioned in more than 30 news stories by national and international newspapers including the New York Times, The Financial Times, CNN, and the Denver Post. I am the founding Co-Editor of the Cambridge University Press’s Book series on Organizations and the Natural Environment. In 2012, I served as the Chair of the Academy of Management’s ONE Division.
PUBLICATIONS:
Books:
3. Rivera, J, Oh, C., and Oetzel, J. and Clement, V. ( 2022).
Business Adaptation to Climate Change. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
2023 Winner of the Best Book Awards from the ONE and SIM Divisions of the Academy of Management.
- Reviewed at Business Ethics Quarterly, 2023, Vol. 33 (1): 248–251. https://doi.org/10.1017/beq.2022.36
2. Rivera, J. (2010). Business and Public Policy: Responses to Environmental & Social Protection Processes. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Revised paperback edition, published in the Summer 2012.
- Outstanding Book Award, Academy of Management's Organizations and the Natural Environment Division, 2011. See reviews of the book in the following leading academic journals:
- Administrative Science Quarterly, 2011, Vol. 56 (3): 474-76.
- Policy Sciences, 2012, Vol. 45:193-197.
- Business Ethics Quarterly, 2012, Vol. 22(4):771-75.
Book contents:
1. deLeon, P., and Rivera, J. (Eds.) (2009). Voluntary Environmental Programs: A Policy Perspective. Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield.
Refereed articles:
31. Unter, K., Rivera, J., and Park, S. (Forthcoming, accepted Sept. 2023). Business response strategies to climate change: An integrative and research frontiers outlook. Organization & Environment.
30. Oh, C., Oetzel, J., Rivera, J. and Lien, D. (2020). Natural Disasters and MNC Sub-national Investments in China. Multinational Business Review, 28(2): 245-274.
29. Rivera, J., and Clement, V. (2019). Business adaptation to climate change: American ski resorts and warmer temperatures. Business Strategy and The Environment. Vol 28:1285–1301.
28. Rivera, J. and Roeschmann, J. (2019). Price Premium Effects of Business and Community Green Certifications: The Case of the Costa Rican Hotel Industry. Business Strategy and Development. Vol. 2:117-126.
27. Kanashiro, P. and Rivera, J. (2019). Do chief sustainability officers make companies greener? The moderating role of regulatory pressures. Journal of Business Ethics, Vol.155: 687-701.
26. Pek, S., Oh, C, and Rivera, J. (2018). MNC foreign investment and industrial disasters: The moderating role of technology, safety management, and philanthropic capability. Strategic Management Journal. Vol.39(2):502-526.
25. Clement, V., and Rivera, J. (2017). From Adaptation to Transformation: An Extended Research Agenda for Organizational Resilience to Adversity in the Natural Environment. Organization & Environment, Vol.30(4):346-65.
24. Rivera, J., Naranjo, M., Robalino, J., Alpizar, F., & Blackman, A. (2017). Local community characteristics and cooperation for shared green reputation. Policy Studies Journal, Vol. 45 (4): 613-632.
23. DeBoer, J., Panwar, J. and Rivera, J. (2017). Toward a Place-Based Understanding of Environmental Sustainability: The Role of Green Competitors and Green Locales in Firms’ Voluntary Environmental Engagement. BusinessStrategy & the Environment, Vol.26: 940–955.
22. Aragon-Correa, A., Marcus, A., Rivera, J., and Kenworthy, A. (2017). Sustainability management teaching resources and the challenge of balancing planet, people, and profits. Academy of Management Learning and Education, Vol. 16:469-483.
21. Tashman, P., and Rivera, J. (2016). Ecological uncertainty, adaptation, and mitigation in the US Ski Resort Industry. Strategic Management Journal. Vol. 37: 1507–1525.
20. Blackman, A., Naranjo, M., Robalino, J., Alpizar, F., and Rivera, J. (2014). Does Tourism Eco-Certification Pay? Costa Rica's Blue Flag Program. World Development, Vol. 58: 41–52.
19. Rivera, J., and Oh, C. (2013). Environmental regulations and MNC foreign market entry. Policy Studies Journal.Vol 41(2):243-72.
18. Shah, K., and Rivera, J. (2013). Industry associations and corporate environmentalism in emerging economies: Evidence from the oil, gas, and chemical sectors of Trinidad and Tobago. Policy Sciences. Vol. 46: 39-62.
17. Blackman, A. and Rivera, J. (2011). Producer-level Benefits of Sustainability Certification. Conservation Biology. Vol. 25(6):1176–1185.
16. Tashman, P., and Rivera, J. (2010). Are Members of Business for Social Responsibility More Responsible? Policy Studies Journal, Vol. 38(3): 487-514.
15. Oetzel, J., Westermann-Behaylo, M., Koerber, C., Fort, T, and Rivera, J. (2010). Peace through commerce: Sketching the Terrain. Journal of Business Ethics, Vol. 89 (supplement 4): 351-373.
14. Husted, B., Allen, D. and Rivera, J. (2010). Governance choice for strategic corporate social responsibility: Evidence from Central America. Business and Society, 49: 201-215.
13. Rivera, J., Oetzel, J., de Leon, P., and Starik, M. (2009). Business Responses to Environmental and Social Protection Policies: Towards a Framework for Analysis. Policy Sciences, 42:3–32.
12. Rivera, J. and deLeon, P. (2008). Voluntary Environmental Programs: Are carrots without sticks enough? Policy Studies Journal: Vol. 36(1): 61-63.
11. deLeon, P. and Rivera, J. (2007). Voluntary Environmental Programs: A Symposium. Policy Studies Journal: Vol. 35(4): 685-688
10. Shah, K., and Rivera, J. (2007). Export processing zones and corporate environmental performance in emerging economies: The case of the oil, gas, and chemical sectors of Trinidad and Tobago. Policy Sciences: 40(4):265-285. (Please also see Results Table’s erratum)
9. Steelman, T., and Rivera, J. (2006). Voluntary environmental programs in the United States: Whose interests are served? Organization & Environment, 2006, Vol. 19, No 4:505-526.
8. Rivera, J., de Leon, P. and Koerber, C. (2006). Is greener whiter yet? The Sustainable Slopes Program after five years. Policy Studies Journal, Vol. 34, No.2:195-224.
7. Rivera, J., and de Leon, P. (2005). Chief Executive Officers and voluntary environmental performance: Costa Rica’s Certification for Sustainable Tourism. Policy Sciences, 38(2-3):107-127.
6. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, United Nations. (2005). Ecosystems and Human Well-Being. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment: Synthesis Report. Island Press & World Resources Institute, Washington, DC.
5. Rivera, J., and Delmas, M. (2004). Business and Environmental Policy: An Introduction. Human Ecology Review, Vol. 11, No. 3, winter 2004, 230-234.
4. Rivera, J., and de Leon, P. (2004). Is greener whiter? The Sustainable Slopes Program and the voluntary environmental performance of western ski areas. Policy Studies Journal, Vol.32, (3), 417-437.
3. Rivera, J. (2004). Institutional pressures and voluntary environmental behavior in developing countries: Evidence from Costa Rica. Society and Natural Resources, Vol. 17:779-797.
2. Rivera, J. (2002). Assessing a voluntary environmental initiative in the developing world: The Costa Rican Certification for Sustainable Tourism. Policy Sciences, Vol. 35: 333-360.
- Policy Sciences Society’s McDougal Prize for best policy sciences published paper, 2003.
1. Ickis J., and Rivera J. (1997). Cerro Cahuí: A case study of the relationship between tourism, environmental protection, and competitiveness. Journal of Business Research, Vol. 38, No.1; 47-56.
Refereed Journal Special Issues Edited:
Rivera, J. and de Leon, P. (Eds) (2008). Symposium on voluntary environmental programs: Are carrots without sticks enough? Policy Studies Journal, Vol. 36(1): 61-166.
deLeon, P., and Rivera, J. (Eds.) (2007). Voluntary environmental programs: A symposium.
Policy Studies Journal, Vol. 35(4): 685-792.
Rivera, J., and Delmas, M. (Eds.) (2004). Special Issue on Business and Environmental Policy. Human Ecology Review, Vol. 11, No. 3, winter 2004, 235-291.
Book Chapters/Sections, and Reports:
Brewer, G., Rivera, J., et al. (2016). Gold and green together: The search for business and environment partnerships. Los Angeles, CA: Pacific Basin Research Center and Roberts Environmental Center, Claremont McKenna College.
Tashman, P., Winn, M., and Rivera, J. (2015). Corporate climate change adaptation: An emerging nonmarket strategy in an uncertain world. Book Chapter in . Lawton. T. and Rajwani, T. Non-market Strategy Handbook. Oxford, UK: Routledge.
King, A., Prado, A., and Rivera, J. (2011). Industry Self-regulation and Environmental Protection. In A. J. Hoffman & T. Bansal (Eds). Oxford Handbook of Business and the Environment. Oxford, UK.
Blackman, A., and Rivera, J. (2010). Environmental certification and the Global Environment Facility. Washington, DC: United Nations’ Global Environmental Facility.
United Nations. (2006). Choosing environmental policy responses. In the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment’s Policy Responses Global Assessment Report. New York: United Nations. (One of 7 co-authors).
Jones, et al. (2000). Strategic Issues in the Design of a Green Certification Program for Tourism.In Environment for Growth and Competitiveness in Central America. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Rivera, J. (1998). Foreign investment and the environment: The tourism industry in Costa Rica.In: Gentry, B. Ed. Private Capital Flows and the Environment: Lessons from Latin America. Yale University. Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar.
Rivera, J. (1998). The Costa Rican banana industry: Competitiveness and environmental performance. In: Gentry, B. Ed. Private Capital Flows and the Environment: Lessons from Latin America. Yale University. Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar.
Book & Journal Article Reviews/Commentaries:
Rivera, J. and Patnaik, S. (2017). Corporate lobbying expenditures and green performance. Academy of Management Discoveries, Vol. 3, No. 2, 230–231.
Rivera, J. and Turcotte, M. (2005). Community-Driven Regulation: Balancing Development and the Environment in Vietnam, by Dara O’Rourke, London: MIT Press, 2003, 299 pages.
Policy Sciences, Vol. 37, No. 3-4: 377 – 381.
Refereed Conference Proceedings:
DeBoer, J., Panwar, R., & Rivera, J. (2016). Pristine Neighborhoods, Progressive Neighbors: Toward a Place-Based Understanding of Firms’ Voluntary Environmental Behaviors. Proceedings of the International Association for Business and Society (Vol. 27, pp. 58-71).
Rivera, J. Bowen, F., Delmas, M., Forbes, L., Jermier, J., and Toffel, M. (2014). After Greenwashing: New Directions on the Symbol and Substance of Environmental Responsiveness. Academy of Management Proceedings, 1: 11858.
Tashman, P., and Rivera, J. (2008) Are Members of Business for Social Responsibility More Responsible? Anaheim, CA: Academy of Management Best Paper Proceedings.
Husted, B., Allen, D., and Rivera, J. (2005). Making, buying, or collaborating for corporate social responsibility: Evidence from Central America and Mexico. Proceedings of International Association of Business and Society's Annual Meeting.
Rivera, J. (2001). Does it pay to be green in the developing world? Participation in voluntary environmental programs and its impact on firm competitive advantage. Washington DC: Academy of Management Best Paper Proceedings.
- 2001 Best Paper Award for the Organizations and the Natural Environment Division