...Macroeconomics, 10thed. Cases: From HBS online: http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/access/16750635 Or available at the bookstore Course Description: Building off the principles of macroeconomics course, this course is concerned with the behavior of key economic aggregates including the unemployment rate, inflation rate, productivity growth, interest rates, government budget imbalances, foreign trade imbalances, et. al. We want to learn how these macroeconomic variables are determined, the causes and consequences of their variations, how they interact with each other, and how they respond to government interventions. As a member of the business community, a journalist, educator, government official, or a stay-at-home mom, you will make decisions that should be influenced by our economy. This course endeavors to give you tools to fully interpret what is happening in the economy based on available information and an understanding of how the economic indicators influence the future. The course tries to do all of this while looking at the evolution of modern economic thought to understand how we have arrived at the conclusions and models we currently employ. This course is for economics majors…those of you who understand why economics is the key to making good decisions. We will focus on the ability to interpret, explain, and communicate. Approach: The main approach is analytical, but we will incorporate a variety of learning activities to demonstrate the analysis. We will...
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...INSTITUTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT By Mary M. Shirley 1 1. THE CHALLENGE OF DEVELOPMENT Developed countries are the exception, not the rule. Billions of dollars of aid and countless hours of advice notwithstanding, most countries have not been able to foster sustained growth and social progress. Increasingly research has shown that weak, Cross-country missing or perverse institutions are the roots of underdevelopment. regressions persistently demonstrate large and statistically significant correlations between institutional variables and growth, and in horse races between variables, an index of institutional quality “trumps” geography or trade as an explanation for growth (Rodrik, et al. 2002). To meet the challenge of development countries need two distinct and not necessarily complementary sets of institutions: (i) those that foster exchange by lowering transaction costs and encouraging trust, and (ii) those that influence the state to protect private property rather than expropriate it. 1 The first set of institutions includes contracts and contract enforcement mechanisms, commercial norms and rules, and habits and beliefs favoring shared values and the accumulation of human capital. Among the second set of institutions are constitutions, electoral rules, laws governing speech and education, and legal and civic norms. Today’s underdeveloped countries must acquire these institutions under particularly difficult conditions -- in a global market competing with already...
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...in Russia in an attempt to catch up with the more advanced west. As Stalin said 'We are fifty or a hundred years behind the advanced countries. We must make good this distance in ten years.' The focus of the first five year plan on heavy industry made huge strides in modernising industry and increasing output, in that 'Coal, iron, and the generation of electrical power all increased in huge proportion’s and Russia felt it could compete again on a scale with its western rivals. However, despite overarching economic development, many of the targets set by central panning didn't consider the quality of products or waste of materials and on reflection, highlight a number of fundamental flaws in the measurement of success of the first five year plan. Stalin's idea of collectivisation forced the peasants to move to a commune, share the livestock and equipment whilst having to give the government their share of the revenue. 'The government figured that new technology and new farming machines, would allow mass production of food without the large amount of workers that was needed before'. Collectivisation was therefore introduced to increase efficiency and introduce mechanization. This added urgency to increase output meant that high targets were set which were met by use of the carrot and the whip, incentives but also punishments, pushing the economy towards its maximum potential making the essential contribution to the transformation of the Russian economy....
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...reign will build itself and keep itself going without government or state control. The best way to do this is to promote entrepreneurship to make state owned industries private own, and redo the labor markets by making states at will or Right to Work by reducing the union power. The free-market approach, where markets alone are assumed sufficient to generate maximum welfare. The public-choice approach, which is an extreme New-classical model which emphasizes that all government is ‘bad’ and leads to corruption and the gradual confiscation of private property. The market-friendly approach, which suggests that, while markets work, they sometimes fail to emerge, and a government has an important role in compensating for three main market failures: missing markets, imperfect knowledge and externalizes. (Econ online) CLASSIC TRUMPS KEYNESIAN In the 1970 Classical, school started popping up everywhere because of the failure of Keynesianism to explain Stagflation. This is where unemployment and inflation are both high at the same time. (New Classical) The wage rate is what...
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...Market failure is a concept within economic theory describing when the allocation of goods and services by a free market is not efficient. That is, there exists another conceivable outcome where a market participant may be made better-off without making someone else worse-off. (The outcome is not Pareto optimal.) Market failures can be viewed as scenarios where individuals' pursuit of pure self-interest leads to results that are not efficient – that can be improved upon from the societal point-of-view.[1][2] The first known use of the term by economists was in 1958,[3] but the concept has been traced back to the Victorian philosopher Henry Sidgwick.[4] Market failures are often associated with information asymmetries,[5] non-competitive markets, principal–agent problems, externalities,[6] or public goods.[7] The existence of a market failure is often used as a justification for government intervention in a particular market.[8][9] Economists, especially microeconomists, are often concerned with the causes of market failure and possible means of correction.[10] Such analysis plays an important role in many types of public policy decisions and studies. However, some types of government policy interventions, such as taxes, subsidies, bailouts, wage and price controls, and regulations, including attempts to correct market failure, may also lead to an inefficient allocation of resources, sometimes called government failure.[11] Thus, there is sometimes a choice between imperfect outcomes...
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...There is a simple saying” the challenges and opportunities are co-existed”. As a new manager, he shall find out what the major challenges and the most valuable opportunities in the chaos, to lead the company into an industry from the right road towards the right direction. Since 2008, the finance crisis has made the whole world economy completely different. The rate of unemployment keeps quite high in most of developed countries, the price of real estate dropped to the historical low in America. Then the following Euro debt crisis again pushes the weak world economy into an unprecedented difficult situation. The fallout from the Greek debt crisis will definitely impact the still weak recovery in Europe, Said Hong Pingfan, the head of the global economic monitoring center of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affaire (DESA) And the a massive aid package and unclear American economy will keep leading to a weaker euro and weaker US dollar in the medium to longer term. So the entire economic environment is not so optimistic, all different industries are being influenced more or less. Comparatively speaking, in fashion marketing, the power of purchasing is relatively reduced since Finance Crisis all over the world. According to the statistics, the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) has been kept relatively stable in the low level since finance crisis, especially in European countries and America, mainly in the developed countries (Isabella 2010). At same time, it shows the...
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...and Summary of the Current Conditions in Chile and Its Geographical Situation Stephanie McFearin HUMN 305-Q3WW A Short History and Summary of the Current Conditions in Chile and Its Geographical Situation Geography and Background Chile is a country situated on the west coast of South America. It is also known as The Republic of Chile. The size of Chile is 289,112 square miles with a width of less than 100 miles. It is basically a little larger than Texas. Chile is divided into three main parts, mainland and two territorial islands named Isla Sala y Gomez and Easter. Chile has an interesting history and it has seen many ups and downs in its economic development (Hudson, 1994). A description of the history of the 20th century of Chile and its current economic and political situation is presented below. The history of the 20th century of Chile is mainly focused on its entrance to the parliamentary system and thus it saw the changes in its political situation. In the beginning of the 20th century, Chile was stable despite of having lesser power in the hands of presidents. During this time, congress selected the president for the country. The presidents of this century mainly includes: Germán Riesco Errazuriz, Pedro Montt, Ramón Barros Luco, and Juan Luis Sanfuentes. During the 1920’s, there was an increasing gap between the middle class and lower class of society (Bizzarro, 1987). Due to this gap, the masses were dissatisfied and they called a new leader, Arturo Alessandri...
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...Executive Summary Costco is one of the most profitable retail stores in the United States at the moment. This is in spite of the prevailing tough global economic times and stiff competition from stores such as Wal-Mart and Target. Costco, a members’ wholesale retail store, was founded in 1983 in Washington by Jeffrey Brotman, who serves as the current Chairman of the board of directors and James Sinegal, the current company president. Costco has not been spared by the current global economic conditions. They have affected it in a number of ways that have made the company’s management respond in a manner that is meant to ensure that the business not only survives but grows even stronger. First, Costco has taken strong measures to keep enough employee numbers. Customers are better served by employees who are in good health. Employees are not going to be in good health if they work long hours and cannot visit a doctor when sick. Costco employees work normal hours since there are enough employees to serve the company’s customers. While other stores such as Wal-Mart have seen it fit to downsize their workforces, Costco has moved to ensure that employees are of the right numbers all over its stores within and without the United States. Secondly, the current tough global economic conditions have driven Costco into extending good salaries to its employees. The good compensation has ensured that employees are well motivated and ready to serve customers in a better manner. As counter...
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...with specifics about Verizon Wireless network, which is vital in this technological savvy industry. In this business proposal, the author will identify the market structure for Verizon Wireless network, identify elasticity of the product, and discuss how pricing will relate to the Network as a whole. The author will also discuss how changes in the quantity supplied as a result of pricing decisions affect marginal cost and marginal revenue, suggest some nonpricing strategies that Verizon will use to increase barriers to entry, and how the changes in operations may alter the mix of fixed and variable costs. And finally, the author will go in depth about the current global economic conditions and their effect on local macroeconomic indicators for Verizon, the local economy's stage in the business cycle, and describe how current credit market conditions affect the planning or operating decision for Verizon Wireless. Optimistically after reading this business proposal, the audience will have a better understanding on how important it is, to apply...
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...between a firm’s internal resources (strengths and weaknesses) and its external situation (opportunities and threats).” This paper will analyze some external and internal forces and trends that could affect a new TruHealth Restaurant and Bakery. This will be determined from a created SWOTT table provided below. Each discussed force and trend will include one primary strength, weakness, opportunity, threat, and trend included in the table. The paper will also analyze at least seven forces and trends and how they pertain to TruHealth. Last the paper will discuss technology and competitive analysis, how TruHealth’s adapts to change, supply chain operations, and any significant issues and/or opportunities for this company. SWOTT ANALYSIS TABLE Factors |Strength |Weakness |Opportunity |Threat |Trend |External Factors | |Legal and Regulatory | Open and effective |Limited knowledge on |Gaining extensive |Violations of regulations |Laws are become more |knowledge of current regulations and laws |strict and implemented |community leaders |food laws that could close or suspend business | |regulations |licenses |Economic |Exceptional growth|...
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...There has arisen a contentious discussion over whether the property market in New Zealand has an up trend or not, people hold diverse attitudes towards it. The property market have discussed for long time in the past years, the market change diversification, people cannot get an absolutely answer for the different period of different area, “The market is continuing to soften, with more listing and fewer buyers leading to reduce demand. While some properties or localities are selling below previous expectations, other areas continue to hold up well.” (Blue Hancock, QV Property Information, 2008) For the current market of Albany, some people have the opinion of the current market is becoming drop from the last few months, with the reason of inflation and the high mortgage rate. However other people have a statement with the current market is still going up as the past few years, because of the growth of population and many foreigner investors want invest on New Zealand property, it is wise to take a clear look at both sides before I present my view of the current state of Albany property market with which I am familiar. Supporters of the current state of Albany property market is going up, believe that Albany is new area both for business and residence, the shopping centre of Westfield has opened around the beginning of 2008, and it brings lots of business and customers. Another good advantage for Albany is Massey University Campus located in this area, students and their...
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...will use. Finally, I will illustrate the significance of my study and the anticipated findings as result of my research endeavor. Assignment 7.1 This detailed analysis will provide both depth and breadth vis-à-vis my research topic utilizing various research techniques and approaches. My research problem focuses on how implementing a differentiation and cost leadership strategy in parallel will facilitate mortgage companies to design a competitive advantage making industry conditions irrelevant within San Bernardino County. My research topic is designed to uncover the current strategies real estate companies are using to remain profitable and increase market share within San Bernardino County. This research problem will indentify generic strategies and uncover how focusing on both differentiation and cost leadership can create new market space or a blue ocean, thereby making rivals and economic conditions within the industry immaterial. Research Topic and Research Problem I chose this as my research problem because of the cyclical behavior surrounding the mortgage industry. The mortgage industry constantly goes...
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...Economic Advisement Paper Team C ECO/372 September 9, 2013 Robert Freita Jr. Economic Advisement Paper The total value of the services and goods that are produced in a country, also the value of goods imported that decrease value of exports is Aggregate supply. Aggregate demand is the sum of all demand in an economy, and will be calculated investment, services and not exports. In this paper team C will discuss the economic recovery from the prospective of Unemployment, Consumer income, Interest rates, and Expectations respectively of the U.S. This information will be summarized and recommendations made to the president regarding government spending and taxes based on the aforementioned economic factors. Unemployment The easiest way to understand how aggregate supply and demand affect unemployment is to think about unemployment in its simplest form. The rise and fall of the nation’s unemployment rate is at best a simple matter of supply and demand. The numbers of people who want jobs at necessary wages (labor supply) exceeds the number of people firms are willing to hire (labor demand) (Beggs, 2012). The most fundamental of economic model suggest that when supply exceeds demand the price in that market will fall; in the labor market this means that wages fall. It stands to reason that falling wages should encourage employers to hire more workers. Moreover, if wage fall firms production cost will decline this will induce competitive firms to reduce their price...
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...Can innovation solve the economic crisis? Loh Hu 2/18/2013 In this paper, I examine how the theory of technological innovation waves could contribute to solving the ongoing economic crisis. Primarily, my stance remains that innovation in itself is insufficient to solve the economic crisis unless there exists a matching techno-economic paradigm where national, supranational and global efforts are coordinated for a full deployment of technological revolution. Can innovation solve the economic crisis? Background There has been a wide international debate on the causes and possible solutions to the economic crisis that emerged in 2007 – 2008 (Ranga and Etzkowitz 2012). The economic crisis sweeps across the global financial system rapidly and furiously as markets are globally integrated (Gore 2010). Hence, the responses to the global economic crisis are not only enclosed within a nation’s or a coalition government’s approach. Rather, a global coordinated response is warranted as well. Economic stimulus packages addressing short-term and long-term problems have been adopted in most countries as well as the European Commission (Ranga and Etzkowitz 2012). Internationally, the United States of America and European Union have recently been discussing on a free-trade agreement to remove trading barriers between the two important economic powers and boost the economies (BBC News Business 2013). Globally, the G-20 group of major economies have considered proposals on international...
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...any other major newspaper or weekly publication and select a single article or articles that (1) either report on interesting economic news that can be analyzed by the concepts or models taught in this course or (2) discusses one or more economic issues related to the concepts or models taught in this course. It is OK to use an online economics news article. Write a three to four page essay analyzing the topic or critique the article from economic perspectives. Essay must be typed and double-spaced, (Times New Roman, font 12). The questions that you may address in this essay may include, but are not limited, to the following: * What is the main economic issue? * How is the economic issue related to the concepts or models that you have learned from this course? * What sorts of arguments/opinions have been discussed? * Do you agree or disagree with the analyses/opinions? Why? * What argument would you, as an economist, make? The following is a suggested list of topics. This list is not exhaustive. INDUSTRY STUDY. For a specific industry, choose a current issue such as deregulation, foreign competition, and the impact of new technologies, mergers/takeovers, changing methods of competition, labor problems, or financial changes. COMPANY STUDY. Study the recent growth or decline of a particular company or its current position. This topic might include such points as the market structure within which the company grew and now operates, the elasticity...
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