(Photo: National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration)
I.
Wide-Ranging, Integrative
Research Capability
ENVIRONMENTAL,
SOCIOPOLITICAL, AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
Hoffman and
Associates brings an international,
interdisciplinary approach to bear on a broad spectrum of
important research questions. Here are a few
examples of research we have done:
 | Sustainable
Agriculture
What is the state of environmentally sustainable agriculture in Japan, and how does it
compare with the U.S.?
What can Japan learn from U.S. organic certification issues, and vice
versa?
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| U.S.,
International,
Japanese Environmental Business
What is the state of environmental consulting in Japan?
What environmental problems can international firms help
solve in Japan? How can we best
support businesses to make positive environmental changes?
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| Indicators of
Sustainability
What environmental and social indicators should be used to evaluate
environmental quality and quality of life in China, the U.S., Japan, and other
nations?
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| Environmental
Policy: U.S., Japanese, International
How do interest groups influence environmental policy in the U.S., Japan, China,
India, Sweden, England and other nations? What
insights does a global perspective provide to the search for sustainability?
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| Solid
Waste
What are the advantages and disadvantages of
'state-of-the-art' waste
reduction, reuse, recycling, and treatment practices used in the U.S.,
Japan, and Germany?
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| Environmental
Values, Policy and Globalization
How are values changing, and how do these changes affect policy?
How is environmental expertise defined in different cultures, and how does this affect
policymaking?
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| Environmental
Education
What environmental education techniques are most effective
in the U.S., Japan and China?
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| Natural
Areas, Biodiversity, and Sustainability
How
can we conserve biodiversity while maintaining sustainable lifestyles of
rural peoples in the developing world, Japan, and U.S.?
What new programs would help accomplish this?
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| Environmental
Risk
What risks are associated with landfilling waste incinerator
ash, and dioxin emissions from waste incinerators?
How serious are health risks from pesticide residues?
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II.
Research Approaches
| Case Studies
Clients agree that the case study is an effective tool
to capture complexity and attain
in-depth understanding.
Here are a few examples of our case study research:
 | Printing companies in the U.S.:
analysis of firms’ environmental practices and thinking to understand
why some did not join a groundbreaking environmental program;
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Well-known international nonprofits:
analysis of approaches to biodiversity conservation and comparison of
effectiveness;
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| "Who won, and why” in environmental
controversies around the world: cross-cultural analysis of state-of-the-art advocacy, strategic recommendations to interest groups;
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| Integrated
Analysis
Hoffman and Associates takes a comprehensive,
integrated view of environmental, sociopolitical, and international issues.
In an increasingly complex world--where information is power--integrative analysis expands
thinking in crucial ways. This holds true across nonprofit, business, academic, and
government sectors. Consider these
examples:
| We assisted a nonprofit organization to take
steps to increase international presence and influence, based on
comprehensive analysis of needs.
The organization expanded networking activity, enlisted new board members,
and took a position at the forefront of its field;
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| Based on careful assessment of collaboration among Japanese,
Indian, Chinese, and U.S. professionals, we developed new methods
to facilitate collaboration among researchers,
dramatically improving the quality of an important project;
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| By unearthing new information about solid waste treatment and
bringing it to Wisconsin policymakers, we helped catalyze passage
of innovative legislation;
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| We developed an innovative exchange program,
enabling Japanese students to be immersed in field studies of U.S. natural areas and
environmental controversies.
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| Qualitative/Quantitative
Combinations
Contemporary issues are multifaceted, often demanding that analysis is deepened by combining
qualitative and quantitative approaches. At
Hoffman and Associates:
| Team members possess both qualitative and
quantitative skills;
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| Teams can use tools ranging from sophisticated geographic information system (GIS)
analysis to interviews with ordinary people;
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| We employ all appropriate research tools to
provide results of the highest quality.
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| Collaborative/International/Interdisciplinary
Investigations
As
environmental and social issues become increasingly global and complex, collaborative,
interdisciplinary, and international research are of increasing value in devising sustainable solutions. Our
network can be mobilized quickly to meet your needs.
| Associates possess diverse
specialties and expert networks;
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| We have ongoing collaborative
relationships with top professionals the world over.
This includes experts in environmental policy, business, sociology,
intercultural relations, advocacy, pollution prevention, waste reduction, conservation, environmental engineering,
preventive medicine, environmental psychology, and many other fields;
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| We have engaged in collaborative research with Japanese
environmental, social, and business experts since 1989:
e.g., environmental politics, citizen participation, solid waste,
environmental conservation, water pollution, air pollution, environmental consulting, market research, environmental sociology,
and other experts.
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| Field Assessment
We emphasize research of the real-world. To date, we have done field research in the following
nations: the United States, Canada, Japan, China, Finland, Sweden, and
Estonia.
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| Market Analysis
| Hoffman and Associates maintains working relationships
with top market experts in the United States and Japan.
Businesses hoping to enter Japan or other Asian nations, as well as
those hoping to enter the U.S. or other Western nations from Asia, can benefit
from this network;
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| We
offer priority treatment to organizations that plan to introduce innovative
and useful environment-related technologies, products, services, and/or ideas.
"If we ask the important
questions;
If we
listen keenly to the informed and experienced;
And if we persist in applying all that we
know;
Together we arrive at excellent answers."
--Steven M. Hoffman, Hoffman and Associates
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