Michele Morales, autor en

How do firms price growth when capital is more expensive?

27 Jul

Allocating investment when growth capital costs rise

As the cost of capital climbs, pursuing growth transforms into something far more nuanced than merely investing additional resources to seize market opportunities. Elevated interest rates, constrained credit availability, and more demanding investor scrutiny compel organizations to fundamentally reassess the mechanisms through which growth gets valued, substantiated, and conveyed to stakeholders. The pricing of growth shifts into a deliberate strategic undertaking—one that weighs profitability against risk while prioritizing sustainable value generation over an indiscriminate pursuit of market share.Understanding What "Pricing Growth" Really MeansThe way companies establish pricing strategies, distribute capital resources, and articulate their value proposition directly influences their ability…

What trends are emerging in carbon capture for hard-to-abate industries?

26 Jul

Advances in carbon capture for chemical and refining industries

Michele MoralesScience and Technology

Hard-to-abate industries such as cement, steel, chemicals, refining, and heavy transport account for a large share of global industrial emissions. These sectors rely on high-temperature heat, chemical reactions, or fossil-based feedstocks that are difficult to replace with electrification alone. As net-zero targets tighten, carbon capture has emerged as a central tool to manage emissions that cannot be eliminated through efficiency or fuel switching.Recent years have seen a shift from pilot-scale experimentation toward commercially oriented deployment. The trends below highlight how carbon capture is evolving to meet industrial, economic, and regulatory realities.From Single-Plant Projects to Industrial HubsOne of the strongest trends…

Gran bandera uruguaya en un paseo costero en Punta del Este, Uruguay.

26 Jul

The role of blended finance in enhancing CSR outcomes in Uruguay

Michele MoralesSocial Responsibility

Uruguay is widely cited as a model for rapid decarbonization of power supply: driven by a mix of hydropower, wind, biomass and solar, the country moved from a historically fossil-dependent grid to one that routinely supplies more than 90% of electricity from renewable sources. This national energy transition created a space in which corporate social responsibility (CSR) evolved beyond philanthropy into strategic investments that link renewables, local development and inclusive quality jobs.Policy and finance enablers that shape CSRStrong public policy and predictable procurement shaped corporate behavior and CSR outcomes:Competitive renewable auctions: Government-organized auctions reduced market risk for developers and required,…

Uruguay: CSR cases advancing renewables and inclusive quality jobs

26 Jul

The synergy between Uruguay’s renewable energy and inclusive employment strategies

Michele MoralesSocial Responsibility

Uruguay is widely cited as a model for rapid decarbonization of power supply: driven by a mix of hydropower, wind, biomass and solar, the country moved from a historically fossil-dependent grid to one that routinely supplies more than 90% of electricity from renewable sources. This national energy transition created a space in which corporate social responsibility (CSR) evolved beyond philanthropy into strategic investments that link renewables, local development and inclusive quality jobs.Policy and finance enablers that shape CSRStrong public policy and predictable procurement shaped corporate behavior and CSR outcomes:Competitive renewable auctions: Government-organized auctions reduced market risk for developers and required,…

Gladiator 2: Is this movie accurate history? No. But it's good ...

26 Jul

What did Gladiator contribute to historical cinema?

Michele MoralesCulture and Entertainment

When Ridley Scott's Gladiator debuted in 2000, it sparked a profound shift in how historical cinema was approached. Beyond merely rekindling fascination with ancient epics, the film fundamentally altered production methodologies, storytelling frameworks, and what viewers anticipated from historical representations in cinema. To grasp its impact requires exploring the circumstances surrounding its premiere, the sophistication of its production design, the decisions made in crafting its story, and the enduring influence it exerted on creators and viewers alike.Breathing New Life into the Sword-and-Sandal GenrePrior to Gladiator, historical epics depicting the ancient world—often labeled as the "sword-and-sandal" genre—had largely fallen out of…