Category Archives: Economics

Vacation: Systems Thinking

Posted on August 4, 2006 by John Hunter

There’s more vacation time on tap for you (in the USA) by Chris Taylor: U.S. employees are taking less time off than ever: Not only is the average number of annual vacation days granted to them a mere 12.4 – … Continue reading →

Posted in Deming, Economics, Management, Systems thinking, Toyota Production System (TPS) | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Countries Which are Easiest for Doing Business

Posted on August 2, 2006 by John Hunter

World Bank report on doing business in countries worldwide [the broken link was removed]. Top 10 countries, based on the ease of doing business: 1 New Zealand 2 Singapore 3 United States 4 Canada 5 Norway 6 Australia 7 Hong … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics | 2 Comments

IT Outsourcing Slowing

Posted on July 15, 2006 by John Hunter

Outsourcing bubble getting Busted: What should India do? – commenting on the 2006 Global IT Outsourcing Study Essentially the study says the outsourcing IT will continue to grow though more slowly than it has. It also states the benefits of … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Economics, India, IT, Management | 2 Comments

North American Manufacturing

Posted on July 6, 2006 by John Hunter

Can North American manufacturers thrive again? [the broken link was removed] by David Hogg I once again feel compelled to point out that the USA is still manufacturing more than ever and its share of Global manufacturing is either not … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Manufacturing | Tagged | 1 Comment

New Look American Manufacturing

Posted on June 30, 2006 by John Hunter

The New Look American Manufacturing [the broken link was removed] by Dale Buss: The evidence shows that American manufacturers that revise their processes and integrate technology in ways that allow them to stay close to customers can survive the onslaught … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Lean thinking, Management, Manufacturing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Innovation Needed to Keep USA Manufacturing?

Posted on June 29, 2006 by John Hunter

ICAR touted as example of innovation needed in U.S. [the broken link was removed] “Our ace in the hole is innovation, and that’s why intellectual property is so important to develop,” Graham said. “How do we protect that advantage within … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Innovation, Management, Manufacturing, Systems thinking | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Gas Tax

Posted on June 29, 2006 by John Hunter

An Increase in the Gas Tax Would Hurt Consumers and Slow the Economy [the broken link was removed] Gross Domestic Product would decline by $6.5 billion per year, in real terms, from 2005 to 2014. In other words, this $131 … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Thinking About the Future

Posted on June 15, 2006 by John Hunter

In Thinking About the Future Russ Ackoff does his usual great job of providing insightful ideas while not being afraid to be controversial. In this speech Dr. Ackoff discusses his thoughts on the issue of global development at the occasion … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Management, Systems thinking | Comments Off on Thinking About the Future

Energy Future

Posted on May 6, 2006 by John Hunter

Interesting chart from: The Oil Age Poster [the broken link was removed] . There are all sorts of opinions on the future price of oil. My view is based in the capitalist/market model – I believe that if it becomes … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Investing | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Energy Future

China’s Manufacturing Economy

Posted on April 15, 2006 by John Hunter

Brad Setser posts on manufacturing comparisons: Have China’s manufacturing powers been exaggerated? [the broken link was removed] I am all for pushing against over-generalizations that get repeated so often that they become conventional wisdom. The oft-stated argument that France isn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Economics, Manufacturing, Popular | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments