Cowboy Economics News - March 2008 Archives

China's Top Priorities in 2008: Reduce Economic Overheating and Curb Inflation (3/31/2008)

China has declared reducing economic overheating and curbing inflation as its top priorities for 2008 ...> Full Article

Too much information? Study shows how ignorance can be influential (3/30/2008)

Researchers provide a challenge to the classic economic model of information manipulation, in which knowing more than anybody else is the key to influence ...> Full Article

Rich Terrorist, Poor Terrorist (3/29/2008)

Cause of terrorism may not be linked to poverty ...> Full Article

Production subsidies - the secret to China's success? (3/28/2008)

The secret of China's exporting success may lie in unfair production subsidies ...> Full Article

Corruption is Expensive, But Who Pays the Bills? (3/27/2008)

Professor finds corruption, political connections impact the bottom line ...> Full Article

Military action to influence oil-producing nations ineffective, expert says (3/27/2008)

There is another inconvenient truth about finite resources and human behavior on Planet Earth, an expert on international security and energy says. ...> Full Article

Housing and credit crisis sink Florida consumer confidence five points (3/26/2008)

Florida's consumer confidence fell five points to 68 in March, reflecting growing pessimism about the national economy in the midst of the housing and credit crisis ...> Full Article

Mortgage meltdown dampens state's commercial real estate outlook (3/24/2008)

Fallout from the subprime meltdown is now spreading from the residential to commercial real estate sectors, but the outlook for Florida remains stable because of the fundamentals of good climate and in-migration, according to the latest University of Florida survey. ...> Full Article

Indian economic miracle bypasses rural poor (3/23/2008)

A study of disadvantaged groups in rural India - which make up over 24 per cent of the population - has shed light on why the country' s economic success has largely passed them by. ...> Full Article

'Digital piracy' may benefit companies (3/22/2008)

Unauthorised copying of software, music or films, so-called digital piracy, may have benefits for the affected companies, an Oxford researcher has claimed. ...> Full Article

Tough economic sledding will get smoother by year's end (3/21/2008)

With the housing market still skidding, consumers tightening their belts and the job market clearly weakening, the first half of this year will continue to be tough for the U.S. economy. But it gets better later this year and next ...> Full Article

Biotechnology needs 21st century patent system: Expert (3/20/2008)

Biotechnology discoveries - like the method for creating synthetic life forms - are at risk of being unduly hindered or taken hostage by private corporations unless patent systems are brought into the 21st century ...> Full Article

Financial literacy can make, break money management efforts (3/19/2008)

When President George W. Bush cited the nation's subprime mortgage debacle in the formation of the President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy, he was the latest to acknowledge that Americans need to be better educated about financial and savings matters ...> Full Article

Tightwads outnumber spendthrifts (3/18/2008)

We all have a friend who can't seem to save, constantly splurging on new shoes or the latest gadgets. But, contrary to persistent media coverage of overspending and under-saving, a recent international survey of more than 13,000 shoppers suggests that chronic under-spending is far more widespread than originally thought. In fact, the study reveals that tightwads outnumber spendthrifts by a 3 to 2 ratio. ...> Full Article

The business of natural selection (3/16/2008)

Could a mathematical model predict the demise of a business? ...> Full Article

National Survey Finds Homeowner Situation Not As Bleak As Reports Indicate (3/15/2008)

Americans may own a larger share of their homes than is suggested by a recent Federal Reserve report, according to a new nationwide survey. ...> Full Article

'Click Fraud' a Legitimate Concern (3/14/2008)

Study suggests that advertisers create third-party groups to look at online actions that increase a Web site's search-advertising revenues. ...> Full Article

Climate change will have a significant impact on transportation infrastructure and operations (3/12/2008)

While every mode of transportation in the U.S. will be affected as the climate changes, potentially the greatest impact on transportation systems will be flooding of roads, railways, transit systems, and airport runways in coastal areas because of rising sea levels and surges brought on by more intense storms, says a new report from the National Research Council. Though the impacts of climate change will vary by region, it is certain they will be widespread and costly in human and economic terms, and will require significant changes in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of transportation systems. ...> Full Article

Chains that train new store owners help keep franchises afloat, study says (3/11/2008)

Fast-food restaurants and other chain outlets are less likely to fail when super-sized training programs prepare fledgling owners for the challenges ahead, according to a new study co-written by a University of Illinois business professor. ...> Full Article

Economic Stimulus Package Provides More than Just Rebate Checks (3/10/2008)

Expert explains rebate for consumers, businesses ...> Full Article

Study finds that maintenance, drivability of late-model vehicles not affected by 20 percent ethanol blend in fuel (3/9/2008)

The results of a 13-month study from the University of Minnesota show that E20 -- a blend of fuel containing 80 percent gasoline and 20 percent ethanol -- has no negative impact on the drivability and maintenance of late-model cars and trucks. ...> Full Article

Consumers want to do the right thing (3/9/2008)

Data suggest buyers willing to pay more to humane producers ...> Full Article

'Smart Money' Identifies Superior Mutual Funds (3/8/2008)

A new study published in The Journal of Finance explores the economic significance of "smart money" in the U.S. and U.K. mutual fund marketplaces. ...> Full Article

Certain Factors Influence Entrepreneurial Climate, Study Finds (3/7/2008)

Fair Treatment, Local Support and High-Speed Internet Foster Success for Small Business ...> Full Article

Imports from Latin America may help US meet energy goals, study finds (3/6/2008)

Latin American nations could become important suppliers of ethanol for world markets in coming decades, according to an Oak Ridge National Laboratory study released recently. ...> Full Article

Unusual brand logos and images work well (3/5/2008)

The world of branding is full of iconic characters, images and logos that help hawk a company's wares, but those that seem to have little in common with its product may be the most effective, says a University of Michigan researcher. ...> Full Article

World grain demand straining U.S. supply (3/4/2008)

Consumers usually reduce their purchases of goods and services if prices become too high. Buyers of United States corn, soybeans and wheat seem to be ignoring that economic principle, however, as the nation's grain stocks reach critically low levels, said Chris Hurt, a Purdue University agricultural economist. ...> Full Article

U.S. Should Worry About 'Morning After' Economic Stimulus Plans (3/3/2008)

Economists should be more worried about "the morning after" the tax-rebate stimulus package and Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts than whether to call the current slowdown a recession. ...> Full Article

Tax Rebates Versus Tax Bonuses (3/2/2008)

How the government characterizes tax windfalls can have a major impact on whether or not people choose to spend them to stimulate the economy ...> Full Article

How to retire without selling your small business (3/1/2008)

Business school has launched a consulting business helping small business owners restructure - so they can retire without selling up. ...> Full Article