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Daily Archives: June 6, 2017

OECD Business and Finance Outlook 2017

“Globalisation has failed to create a level playing field in trade, investment and corporate behaviour, being one of the factors contributing to a backlash against openness in many countries and a decline in confidence in government institutions. Only by stepping up international co-operation and improving and ensuring global markets, companies and institutions play according to the same rule book can productivity growth be restored, excess capacity avoided and public confidence improved, according to a new OECD report. The OECD Business and Finance Outlook 2017 says that strengthening global governance and co-operation on corporate and financial issues involves establishing “rules of the game” which are both fair and perceived by all to be fair. The report argues that countries participating in globalised markets need to commit to a common set of transparent principles that are consistent with mutually beneficial competition, trade and international investment. This would reduce the problems left to be dealt with by domestic policy. It would also help improve resource allocation through promoting productivity growth and reducing the extraction of rents that harm consumers. “The backlash against globalisation has grown in many countries and too little has been done to help more people cope with the inter-related impact of trade, foreign direct investment and technological change,” said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría. “In addition to developing more effective domestic policies, it has become essential for all nations to work together to ensure a level playing field in trade, investment and corporate behaviour to better address the downsides of globalisation while preserving the benefits of economic openness. This will ensure that the growth it fosters is inclusive and sustainable, and that globalisation works for all.” Greater fairness in cross-border interactions reinforces policies to help workers affected by globalisation and technological change. These should include: increased infrastructure investment, structural reforms, safety nets, worker retraining and education, and kick-start adjustment support for trade-exposed workers..”

Importance of Individual Account Retirement Plans and Home Equity in Family Total Wealth

Importance of Individual Account Retirement Plans and Home Equity in Family Total Wealth, May 2017, Vol. 38, No. 7. Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2017 Executive Summary – “This EBRI Notes examines the level of assets held by families with a working family head ages 25-64 in individual account (IA) retirement plans (employment-based defined contribution (DC)… Continue Reading

Commentary by Barbara Fister – How Not To Fight Terrorism

Insider HigherEd – How Not To Fight Terrorism – Some thoughts on the role information plays in the response to recent attacks. Barbara Fister. June 5, 2017 [Snipped] “I suppose it’s inevitable, given that information-driven tech-centered global corporations dominate the list of Big Rich Companies, that information systems play a significant role in 21st century… Continue Reading

Non profit Knight First Amendment Institute threatens to sue Trump over blocked Twitter critics

Poynter – “The Knight First Amendment Institute, a nonprofit advocacy group based at Columbia University, threatened to take legal action against President Trump if he does not unblock critics on Twitter. The demand, made in a letter to President Trump, was sent on behalf of Holly O’Reilly and Joseph M. Papp, two Twitter users who… Continue Reading

Pew – The Internet of Things Connectivity Binge: What Are the Implications?

“Despite wide concern about cyberattacks, outages and privacy violations, most experts believe the Internet of Things will continue to expand successfully the next few years, tying machines to machines and linking people to valuable resources, services and opportunities.” “The Internet of Things (IoT) is in full flower. The expanding collection of connected things goes mostly… Continue Reading

WSJ – Colleges issued failing grades for teaching students critical thinking skills

Exclusive Test Data: Many Colleges Fail to Improve Critical-Thinking Skills: “Freshmen and seniors at about 200 colleges across the U.S. take a little-known test every year to measure how much better they get at learning to think. The results are discouraging. At more than half of schools, at least a third of seniors were unable… Continue Reading