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Two central bank chiefs compared- Draghi at the European Central Bank and Shirakawa at the Bank of Japan
01/30/2012
A cautious Shirakawa compared to a vigorous Draghi and Bernanke from the MIT School of Economics.
Linked Articles
Bernanke's Imprint on Fed Not Easily Erased
Wall Street Journal 01/30/2012
Key Excerpts: Mario Draghi Says ECB ‘Ready to Do Whatever It Takes’Wall Street Journal 07/26/2012
A smaller Wall Street in New York as the culture shifts towards emphasis on technology and other fields.
12/27/2011
The culture at Goldman Sachs and on Wall Street and the growing feeling that a shift to growth in other fields is a healthy development for New York and the U.S.
Linked Articles
Public Rebuke of Culture at Goldman Sachs
New York Times 03/14/2012
Wall Street Meets RealityNew York Times 12/27/2011
A cultural shift in job choices on U.S. campuses away from investment banking and finance to technology and other fields
11/22/2011
Shift in choices by graduates during U.S. campus recrutiing by companies.
Linked Articles
Wall Street' Latest Campus Recruiting Crisis
New York Times 03/15/2012
A Blow to Pinstripe AspirationsNew York Times 11/22/2011
Missteps by H-P's Board and the risk-averse nature of the Board at Microsoft- two tech companies and the transition to new information technologies
08/28/2011
Linked Articles
Microsoft Board Shows Little Taste for Bold Choice in CEO
Wall Street Journal 09/02/2013
H-P's One-Year PlanWall Street Journal 08/28/2011
The cost of the electric battery in electric cars and building a viable electric car industry
07/02/2011
Major advances in battery technology and cost are needed for electric cars to take off. Gasoline needs to be higher than $4.50 a gallon in the U.S. for electric cars to be economically attractive. This includes a rebate of $7500 towards the higher cost of the electric cars. Battery cost is a major component of the extra cost.
Linked Articles
Ford CEO: Battery Is Third of Electric Car Cost
Wall Street Journal 04/18/2012
Long and Winding Road for Electric VehiclesWall Street Journal 07/02/2011
The Elop memo in 2011 and the sale of Nokia's mobile phone business to Microsoft in 2013- the startling change of fortunes for Nokia
02/09/2011
Nokia was a pioneer in the development of mobile phones in an earlier era when fixed lines were the norm. It dominated the mobile phone business in the period before 2009 for 2 decades before the coming of smartphones. The change in Nokia's market came quickly and suddenly with the advent of the iPhone and Nokia was unprepared for this development. This is a classic case of obsolesence and disruptions caused by innovation and new technologies. Other companies from the previous era before cloud computing and the internet, H-P, Oracle, IBM, and Microsoft, face the continuing challenge to adapt or lose to new competitors.
Linked Articles
Microsoft in $7 Billion Deal for Nokia Cellphone Business
Wall Street Journal 09/03/2013
Full Text: Nokia CEO Stephen Elop’s ‘Burning Platform’ MemoWall Street Journal 02/09/2011
How a services-led consumption based economy has failed America through a loss of jobs, prosperity and prestige.
01/21/2011
Jeffrey Immelt, CEO of GE, says the concept that the US could transition from a technology based export-oriented economic powerhouse to a services-led consumption based economy was fundamentally wrong. Mathew Slaughter of the Tuck School, Dartmouth, in a WSJ op-ed piece argues for a textbook principle of comparitive advantage, without considering the way it operates in a real the real world situation facing America as it struggles for economic renewal.
Linked Articles
Comparative Advantage and American Jobs
Wall Street Journal 01/26/2011
Jeffrey R. Immelt - A blueprint for keeping America competitiveWashington Post 01/21/2011
Maternity leave and technological progress- catchup tasks for Japan and the U.S.
01/17/2011
Linked Articles
Paid Leave Encourages Female Employees to Stay
New York Times 07/28/2014
At Toshiba, a Pioneer for Women in Japan's Work ForceNew York Times 01/17/2011
Bringing peace to Kashmir- the elections in 2014 with a 70% turnout as ordinary Kashmiris turn to development and infrastructure building
01/01/2011
Weary of conflict a whole region turns to economic development and infrastructure building plans as the next step to a brighter future. South Asia makes a new beginning as it catches up with its neighbors in East Asia. A billion plus market extending from South Asia to Indonesia makes a new beginning in 2014. Even the Kashmir Valley hears the message- the synergy of technology, capital, human resources and good governance can pave the way to a better future that is within the reach of today's young generation of South Asians and Indonesians.
Linked Articles
Modi’s Campaign Stop in Kashmir Is Notable for Lack of Unrest
New York Times 12/08/2014
Kashmir's troubles: Shaking the mountainsEconomist 01/01/2011
The threat posed by China's local government debt to China's banking and financial system
07/29/2010
Because of the opaqueness of the financial system the estimates of the local government debt varies from 27% to 42% of GDP. Prof Shih of Northwestern University, an expert on this subject, now estimates this to be $2.6 trillion or 42% of GDP. Other estimates from the National Audit Office put this at 27% and from China's central bank put this at 30%. Prof Shih's earlier estimate was 34%. Because of the large number of local government entities and the lack of transparency the figures may actually turn out to be higher as China's regulators and other analysts improve their estimates. The 42% estimate is $2.6 trillion in local government debt. China's large foreign exchange reserves of $3 trillion and low interest rates will give China some space for addressing the problem with another round of injection of capital into the banking system.
Linked Articles
Wall Street Journal 06/28/2011
Where China Hides Its DebtBusinessWeek 07/29/2010
The Project on Government Oversight Report in 2013 and the revolving door at the S.E.C. in the U.S.
04/24/2010
Robert Khuzami was enforcement chief at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in the critical period following the 2008 financial crisis. He was also a lawyer at Deutsche Bank during the period when the problems at Deutsche Bank happened which resulted in legal settlements. The revolving door has affected the way the S.E.C. carried out its enforcement responsibilities.
Linked Articles
S.E.C.'s Revolving Door Hurts Its Effectiveness
New York Times 02/11/2013
SEC's Top Cop Oversaw Deutsche CDOsWall Street Journal 04/24/2010
Hatoyama fails to implement his vision for Japan.
12/23/2009
Perceived as indecisive over issues related to cutting wasteful spending and reducing the deficit, and the shift of an American base out of Okinawa, Hatoyama's popularity drops to 25%. He resigns (teary- eyed) after only 8 months in office. It shows how difficult it has become to find aleader since Mr Koizumi left office.
Linked Articles
Japanâs Premier Will Quit as Approval Plummets
New York Times 06/01/2010
Harsh Realities Stand in the Way of a Leader’s Vision of a New JapanNew York Times 12/23/2009
The Congressional Budget Office's Elmendorf and Orszag on how the escalation in healthcare costs works havoc on the U.S. deficit (1)
06/17/2009
Linked Articles
Obama's Health Plan Needs Spending Controls, CBO Says
Washington Post 06/17/2009
Obama's Health Expert Gets PoliticalWall Street Journal 07/24/2009
Kodak's slow struggle to reinvent itself since 2000, and the succesful effort at reinventing itself of Fuji Films in Japan
01/20/2012
Kodak Labs scientists continue to look for new applications for its patents and technologies at Eastman Kodak Park in Rochester, New York. A more successful effort at reviving the company in the face of technological obsolescence was made by its rival Fuji Films in Japan since 2000.
Linked Articles
At Kodak, Clinging to a Future Beyond Film
New York Times 03/20/2015
Fujifilm Thrived by Changing FocusWall Street Journal 01/20/2012
Technological change and America's future
12/26/2011
Linked Articles
Wall Street Journal 01/30/2012
Behind I.B.M.'s Big PredictionsNew York Times 12/26/2011
The beginning of a negotiated settlement of the Afghan conflict through direct talks with the Taliban in 2012
11/13/2011
America's veteran diplomat, Richard Holbrooke- who is known for the Dayton Accords that settled the conflict in Yugoslavia-initiated the early efforts for a negotated settlement with all the warring factions including the Taliban, the ISI and the Pakistan military. After his death in 2010, these efforts were continued by Marc Grossman, a former ambassador to Turkey. The Taliban's willingness to open an office in Qatar and the willingness of all sides to talk directly opens the path to a negotiated settlement.
Linked Articles
Against Odds, Path Opens Up for U.S.-Taliban Talks
New York Times 01/11/2012
Book review: ‘The Unquiet American: Richard Holbrooke in the World’ - The Washington PostWashington Post 11/13/2011
Congressional Budget Office projections and difficult choices facing the U.S. in 2012-2013
08/25/2011
Linked Articles
Deficit Is Again Set to Top $1 Trillion
Wall Street Journal 02/01/2012
Forecast Clouds Debt-Cut OutlookWall Street Journal 08/25/2011
Microsoft officially embraces open-source software for the first time to keep its influence in the software community
06/27/2011
Linked Articles
Microsoft Dips Further Into Open-Source Software
Wall Street Journal 04/16/2012
Microsoft Challenges Itself in the CloudsWall Street Journal 06/27/2011
Transfer of American technology to China
02/02/2011
China's new policy is to require transfer of technology by American and European manufacturers as price of access to the Chinese market. This is affecting industries from aerospace to automobiles.
Linked Articles
The Roadblock in GM's Route Through China
Wall Street Journal 04/20/2011
U.S. Firms, China Are Locked in Major War Over TechnologyWall Street Journal 02/02/2011
GE transfer of aerospace technology to China in joint venture
01/17/2011
New policies require transfer of technology for access to the Chinese market.
Linked Articles
U.S. Firms, China Are Locked in Major War Over Technology
Wall Street Journal 02/02/2011
G.E. to Share Jet Technology With China in New Joint VentureNew York Times 01/17/2011
How Samsung jumped ahead of Sony in the smartphone market- the dismal failure of the Sony-Ericsson joint venture
01/07/2011
The glaring weaknesses of the Sony-Ericsson mobile joint venture was the slow decisionmaking and the inability to take advantage of Sony's strengths in manufacturing and its companywide technological capabilities. As late as 2011 Samsung was struggling behind other competitors. A key advantage was the quick decisionmaking and marshalling of resources within the company for the smartphone effort in Samsung. The joint venture proved to be a disaster for Sony.
Linked Articles
Samsung Moves in Smartphone Race
Wall Street Journal 01/07/2011
Sony Stakes Recovery on New SmartphoneWall Street Journal 03/01/2013
The experience of Kawasaki in high speed rail and transfer of technology to China
11/17/2010
The transfer of technology to Chinese partners as a price of access to the Chinese market.
Linked Articles
The Roadblock in GM's Route Through China
Wall Street Journal 04/20/2011
Train Makers Rail Against China's High-Speed DesignsWall Street Journal 11/17/2010
Apple products at manufacturing plants in China and at retail stores in the U.S.- low worker pay and lack of future prospects
05/29/2010
The high margins for Apple achieved through a combination of keeping costs low- even at the risk of providing poor wage and working conditions for the majority of employees employed in the retail stores in the U.S. and in supplier Foxconn plants in China- and by a grasp for innovation and technology. The paradox of a well deserved image for pioneering in technological innovation and the indifference to working conditions and prospects for employees who add value in manufacturing and customer interface. This model of growth is a recent development, put in place after 1997. In 1995-1997 Apple was nearing collapse under Michael Spindler and Gil Amelio, as documented by WSJ technology reporter Jim Carlton in his book- "Apple- The Inside Story of Intrigue, Egomania, and Business Blunders." Steve Jobs returned as CEO in 1997 and set the future course and this model in place emphasizing design, his ability to grasp technologies that would appeal to customers, and hired Tim Cook to set up the manufacturing which had high rate of defects and higher costs. The model was as full of paradoxes, of genius combined with mediocre behavioursas the man Steve Jobs. Tim Cook has responded to criticism in 2012 by having the Fair Labor association audit Foxconn plants in China. Foxconn increased wages in 2012, shifted plants to the interior of China, and increased use of robotics.
Linked Articles
Wall Street Journal 05/29/2010
Apple Stores Army, Long on Loyalty but Short on PayNew York Times 06/23/2012
Resignation of Japan's Hatoyama on the Okinawa issue and the Obama administration.
01/07/2010
Senior foreign policy expert Joseph Nye, Jr. called for patient approach to Japanese Premier Hatoyama on the Oknawa issue. This did not happen as Obama kept Hatoyama at arms-length and no compromise was reached. The implications of all this as the Democratic party is still only 8 months in office.
Linked Articles
Ties to U.S. Played Role in Downfall of Japanese Leader
New York Times 06/02/2010
An Alliance Larger Than One IssueNew York Times 01/07/2010
World Bank chief Zoellick on the global economy and how to prepare an effective long tem policy
10/02/2009
Zoellick sees the short term Stimulus and central bank monetary easing policies of 2008, as not appropriate to the long term problems of debt reduction and energy price volatility. He emphasizes the need for bridge financing for Spain and Italy though he accepts the German view that credit cannot be provided freely and reforms need to be undertaken. A partial euro bond solution is a step in the right direction.
Linked Articles
World Bank Chief Urges Euro Bonds
Wall Street Journal 05/31/2012
2010 Looks 'Highly Uncertain,' Zoellick SaysWall Street Journal 10/02/2009
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