Deciphering the Latest Business Research
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In this video interview, David M. Smith, PhD, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Economics at the Graziadio School of Business and Management discusses the impact of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act so far, the fate of female and older workers in this down economy, and which sectors of the California economy are likely to bounce back. Continue reading ‘The State of the New Economy’
This op-ed first appeared in the Los Angeles Business Journal and is reprinted with their permission.
Dave Smith, PhD
In recent weeks there hasn’t been much data supporting sustained economic stability, much less a recovery. However, it does appear the economy is no longer in a freefall, and we are likely experiencing the depths of this downturn.
Since the start of the recession in December 2007, 6.3 million people have lost their jobs in the United States. Hundreds of thousands more per month are likely to join the ranks of the unemployed for the next several months, and the national jobless rate is expected to reach as high as 10 percent. In California, unemployment hit 11.5 percent in May and will surely peak at more than 12 percent in the coming months. L.A. city’s unemployment rate was even worse at 12.5 percent.
There is little cheer for the currently unemployed, underemployed or those seeking better career prospects. However, looking ahead, there are some breaks forming in the gray cloud hanging over the economy, brightening the outlook for job seekers.
In reviewing a number of sources of information, I believe it is likely that several areas of the economy will lead the way for jobs and economic growth. It also is my opinion that near-term jobs created as an outgrowth of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will not be among them. Here’s how I see it: Continue reading ‘Learning on the Job’
Continue reading ‘What’s Next LA: The Road to Economic Recovery (A Preview)’
Owen P. Hall, Jr., PE, PhD, is Editor-in-Chief of the Graziadio Business Report and a professor of decision and information systems at the Graziadio School of Business and Management.
The ongoing dust-up about global warming has brought front and center a number of new opportunities and threats to California’s currently fragile economy. Whether man-made global warming is real or not, the debate is having a growing impact on business. California’s influence, as is the case with many issues, is at the forefront. The Golden State’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) initiative is receiving worldwide attention. One goal of this initiative is to cut industrial CO2 emissions by 25 percent by 2020.[1]
As a follow-up to the GHG initiative, the state of California sued six major automobile manufacturers for contributing to the global warming crisis by specifically failing to cut car and truck exhaust emissions.[2] Not resting on its laurels, the state followed up with a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for failing to act on California’s new limits on greenhouse vehicular gas emissions.[3] A number of other states have joined in the action. Most likely, there will be a protracted legal process—perhaps lasting many years. Interestingly, the proposed CO2 standards will have, at best, only a modest impact on California’s overall air quality due to continued regional and worldwide population growth.[4]
Voices from the business community argue that more stringent environmental and energy regulations will simply chase more businesses from the state at a time when the overall economy has cooled off and the state government is having an increasingly hard time balancing the budget. Continue reading ‘California Greening: Boom or Bust?’
The latest issue of the Graziadio Business Report is now online at
http://gbr.pepperdine.edu.
(Click on the links below to access individual articles)
High CEO Pay Could Draw Renewed Attention in Election Year
Whether justified or not, the corporate world is offering a likely target for criticism: very large pay packages for chief executive officers and other top executives.
By Larry Bumgardner, JD
High pay for good performance at successful companies draws some scrutiny. But especially infuriating to average-paid workers and investors, not to mention politicians, are huge severance packages paid to CEOs who have been forced out for poor performance.
Commercial Banking and Treasury Management in Mexico
How significant changes in the Mexican financial sector are impacting U.S.-Mexico business transactions.
By Dubos J. Masson, PhD, CTP, Cert ICM
Mexico is a key trading partner with the United States and a member of NAFTA, and as such, many U.S. businesses have significant dealings with Mexican suppliers, customers, or subsidiaries. While there are some similarities in commercial banking practices, there are other, very significant differences between the Mexican and U.S. environments, for example, prevalence of foreign-owned financial institutions, varying payroll delivery mechanisms, and levels of anti-money laundering compliance.
How often have you needed X to be done and had Y proudly delivered to you?
By Charles D. Kerns, PhD
Trybabies focus on tasks and actions they can do well, but that have little or no relation to their success within an organization. This article identifies the Trybaby Syndrome as a performance challenge and introduces a “Performance Influence – Importance Matrix” to help managers identify the differences between so-called Trybabies, Spinners, Pass-Timers, and Corperformers.
The current state of the law and economics of tie-in sales and the implications for the business manager.
By Paul Gift, PhD
A “tie-in” is an agreement to sell one product on the condition that the buyer also purchases a different product. This article explores the potential economic and legal ramifications of a “tie-in” decision, including maximizing revenue, lowering transaction costs, and dealing with potential antitrust lawsuits.
Empowering Employees to Success
Audio interview with Steve Bilt, president and CEO of Bright Now! Dental
By Nancy Dodd, MPW, MFA, Editor
Steve Bilt is president and chief executive officer of Bright Now! Dental, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiaries. In 2003, Steve was named Entrepreneur of the Year. In this interview, Steve talks about how his philosophy of empowering others—from dentists to operations management to patients—has helped him and his team build and sustain one of the largest and most profitable companies in the dental practice management industry.
California Greening: Boom or Bust?
By Owen P. Hall, Jr., PE, PhD, Editor-in-Chief
The ongoing dust-up about global warming has brought front and center a number of new opportunities and threats to California’s currently fragile economy. What should be called for is a long-term approach that balances growing environmental awareness along with increasing energy dependency from unreliable sources with the need to grow the economy and generate more jobs.
Recommendations from Graziadio faculty for:
