Business Forum articles from June 1996

Business Forum archives from June 1996

What is this "productivity" thing, anyway?
June 22, 1996... Jeffery Madrick, author of "The End of Affluence," summed up the meaning-in its broadest sense-in a Washington Post Weekly Edition commentary: "Productivity is the amount of goods and services the economy produces for every hour of work."(1)...

The legacy of downsizing: putting the pieces back together.
June 22, 1996... Although the pace of downsizing has slowed considerably, its consequences are still being felt in organizations today. The obvious victims-those who have lost their jobs-have been given considerable attention in the popular press. But the other...

Will employee meltdown mean a "contingent" work force?
June 22, 1996... Imagine that you're scanning through the want ads in your local newspaper, and your eyes spot the following advertisement: Position Available: Only those With God-Like Qualities need Apply Wanted: Individuals with a wide backgroung of...

Individualism, global thinking, and economic development: a polemic.
June 22, 1996... Using cultural variables to explain political or economic development has been popular for a long time. It began long before World War II with studies on the national character. Later, European fascism prompted scholars to work on authoritarian...

Should your firm operate as a LLC? (Limited Liability Company)
June 22, 1996... During 1994, the wave of legislation that had swept the United States for the previous two years peaked with the adoption of Limited Liability Company statutes by such economic powerhouses as New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, California, and, most...

Auditors beware: key factors can lead to lawsuits.
June 22, 1996... The number of lawsuits and the dollar amount of damages awarded in proceedings against accountants have increased significantly in the past two decades. One researcher reported that between 1962 and 1987, more lawsuits were filed against...

U.S. free trade - only when it's convenient.(Column)
June 22, 1996... Those who contend that America can raise its standard of living, preserve jobs, and maintain its position as the most productive nation in the world by restricting imports are naive to the point of being simple-minded. Not only is such a policy...

Some enduring myths about marketing.(Column)
June 22, 1996... "If 50 million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing." - Anatole France The field of management has been criticized for promulgating the so-called "management idea" of the month. It seems to me that the field of marketing,...

Reality check on the Russian economy.(Column)
June 22, 1996... The breakup of the former Soviet Union and the collapse of communism caused a major shift in the balance of power and a complete change in the global political landscape. These developments also lessened the danger of a significant military...