Category Archives: Economics

Be Thankful for Lean Thinking

Posted on November 22, 2005 by John Hunter

Topics: Management Improvement and Economics The Dallas Federal Reserve white paper, Supply Chain Management: The Science of Better, Faster, Cheaper [the broken link was removed] by Thomas F. Siems provides a macroeconmic view of what to be thankful due to … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Lean thinking, Management, Six sigma | Tagged Economics, lean management, Lean thinking | 1 Comment

Innovation and Research and Development

Posted on November 20, 2005 by John Hunter

Innovation and R&D by John Hagel: From a competitive viewpoint, what matters is the relative rate of productivity improvement. R&D spending and patent filings will matter little if they do not translate into faster productivity improvement -– in fact, they … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Innovation, Management | Tagged Innovation, research | Comments Off

Government Lean Six Sigma

Posted on November 9, 2005 by John Hunter

Topic: Management Improvement Deep Thinkers by Kimberly Palmer, GovExec.com: “This is not a fad that will die out. It’s been tried, it’s been tested, it’s true. If you look at the best-run companies in industry, this is part of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Management, Public Sector, quote, Six sigma | Tagged government, leadership, Public Sector | 3 Comments

Manufacturing and the Economy

Posted on October 30, 2005 by John Hunter

In Global Market, Iowa Manufacturers Fight for Survival: The conventional wisdom has been that expanded trade would result in the United States losing low-pay, low-skilled manufacturing jobs, said David Swenson, an economic scientist at Iowa State University. But “a lot … Continue reading →

Posted in Data, Economics, Management, Manufacturing, Popular, quote | Tagged China, commentary, curiouscat, economic data, economy, Europe, Germany, Japan, John Hunter, Manufacturing, UK, USA | 3 Comments

Science and Engineering

Posted on October 13, 2005 by John Hunter

Broad Federal Effort Urgently Needed to Create New, High-Quality Jobs for All Americans in the 21st Century [the broken link was removed], news release on a report from the National Academies Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy – Rising … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Science | Tagged Economics, economy, engineering, jobs | Comments Off

30 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Rates

Posted on October 9, 2005 by John Hunter

Fairly frequently I am asked, by friends, for investing advice. One topic I am asked about frequently is mortgages (locking in rates, etc.). Often they are concerned about what a Federal Reserve decision to raise or lower rates will effect … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Investing | 1 Comment

Innovation and Creative Commons

Posted on October 2, 2005 by John Hunter

Creative Commons is a license that lets the creators of intellectual property clearly define how that property may be used by others. Partially this license is a reaction to the poor way copyright law is being viewed today (see links … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Economics, Innovation | Tagged copyright, deadly diseases, Economics, Innovation | 4 Comments

Healthcare Costs Spike Again

Posted on September 14, 2005 by John Hunter

Healthcare Costs Spike Again by Jeanne Sahadi, CNN/Money: The premium growth rate this year – 9.2 percent – outpaced by miles both the growth in wages (2.7 percent) and inflation (3.5 percent) … since 2000 premiums for family coverage have … Continue reading →

Posted in Deming, Economics, Health care, Management, Systems thinking | 2 Comments

Science and Engineering Macroeconomic Investment

Posted on August 10, 2005 by John Hunter

I posted to the Curious Cat Science Blog on the Science and Engineering Doctoral Degrees being granted around the world. Why do I post this here as a Economic post? I believe, as do some countries that have made significant … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, quote, Science | Tagged Economics, government, Science | Comments Off

Deming’s Seven Deadly Diseases

Posted on August 7, 2005 by John Hunter

Topic: Management Improvement Dr. Deming noted seven deadly diseases in chapter 3 of Out of the Crisis, 1986. Below his words from pages 97-98 are bolded. As with Deming’s other thoughts, his list of deadly diseases was continually modified as … Continue reading →

Posted in Deming, Economics, Management | 2 Comments