Debt and “the” consumer Alan P. Murray The often-repeated statement that the U.S. consumer is overburdened with debt conveys the notion that the average household’s financial condition differs only in degree from that of those well-publicized few who are unable to meet their debt service obligations. We contend that such a generalization is unwarranted and […]
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference Edmund A. Mennis The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference By Malcolm Gladwell. 2002. Boston: Back Bay Books. Pp. 304, $14.95, paperback. Also, three abridged compact discs through Time Warner Audio Books, narrated by the author. This book is one […]
A guide to organizational productivity and quality improvement Carl G. Thor Business organizations need to improve to meet the challenge of world competitiveness. Productivity and quality improvement is most effective when it is done in a balanced manner to include managerial, behavioral and technical initiatives. Organizations need to introduce a much more data-driven orientation, facilitating […]
The statistics corner: measurement issues in the U.S. information technology sector as it moves to future migration paths Martin Fleming My guest columnist for this issue is Martin Fleming, who is well known to readers of Business Economics for his many contributions, including former Editor of The Statistics Corner — Maurine Haver, Editor, Statistics Corner. […]
Factor Proportions, Trade and Growth. – book reviews Gerald L. Musgrave In most of the world, International Trade is economics, rather than being a subspecialty as in America. Increasingly, business economists are involved in trade issues, but they received little or no professional education in the subject in graduate school. Moreover, it is very difficult […]
Economic Growth in the Third World, An Introduction. – book reviews Lloyd G. Reynolds THIS BOOK OFFERS a useful map through the maze of literature on the economic growth experiences in the so-called third world, a term the author rejects in the light of his findings about the diversity of the development process. Professor Reynolds […]
Forecasting unemployment: a small business-survey model; Small business plans and expectations provide accurate and timely forecasts of national employment William C. Dunkelberg The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has surveyed its membership (numbering over 600,000 member firms) since 1973 about economic decisions and expectations. In this paper, responses to questions about plans to create […]
Mergers and acquisitions in the global chemical industry J. Fred Weston POWERFUL FORCES OF CHANGE LEAD TO A HIGH RATE OF M&A Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) have performed a significant role in the adjustment processes of the chemical industry. This industry illustrates patterns of restructuring and M&As similar to those in industries generally (Weston, Chung, […]
What’s Next for Consolidation in Banking? John C. Soper FUTURE M&A ACTIVITY WILL POSE NEW AND SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES FOR REGULATORS Repeal of many provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act and structural changes in banking imply that many banks will either consolidate with other banks or converge with non-bank financial firms. Although merger and acquisition activity has […]
Fed Policy and the Effects of a Stock Market Crash on the Economy – Federal Reserve Board unable to offset effects of market crash Ray C. Fair IS THE FED TIGHTENING TOO LITTLE AND TOO LATE? Businesses face the risk at the current time of a stock market crash. Profits will undoubtedly suffer if there […]