The COVID-related financial market decline and economic recession have raised new concerns regarding the financial sustainability of retirement plans for state and local government employees, the largest group of whom is public school teachers. Using data from the Public Plans Database and the National Income and Product Accounts, I analyze…

Theory suggests that strategic compensation can not only serve as a powerful motivational incentive to increase worker performance, but also improve the composition of the workforce through the attraction and retention of high performers and discouragement of lesser performers from entering or staying in the profession. This study tests the…

The economy's need for workers originates in the demand for the goods and services that they provide. So, to project employment, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) starts by projecting the gross domestic product (GDP) for 2018. GDP is the value of the final goods produced and services provided in the United States. Then, BLS estimates the…

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the Great Recession began in December 2007 and ended in June 2009. With a duration of eighteen months, this recession was almost double the length of the average post-World War II economic downturn. Although the worst recession since the Great Depression is now technically over, this analysis…

In 1981, the unemployment rate rose, propelled by cutbacks in housing, auto, and related industries; the employment-population ratio was at a four-year low. Most leading economic indicators were pointing toward further deterioration and industrial production was still heading downward. (Editor/CT)

Productivity, as measured by output per employee hour, grew in 1984 in about three quarters of the industries for which the Bureau of Labor Statistics regularly publishes data. (A table shows productivity trends in industries measured by the Bureau, including mining, transportation and utilities, and trade and services.) (CT)

Data from 506 private and public colleges and universities concerning endowment performance in fiscal 1998 are presented. Each responding institution is ranked, with the market value of its endowments given for June 30, 1997, and June 30, 1998, and the percentage change noted. (MSE)

Employment declined and unemployment rose in the second half of 1990; job losses were particularly acute in construction and manufacturing. (Author)

Manufacturing productivity, as measured by output per hour, rose in 1984 in the United States and 11 other industrial countries studied. (Statistics are presented in the following areas: productivity trends, employment and hours, hourly compensation, unit labor costs, and relative productivity and labor cost trends.) (CT)

Higher Education expenditures and common economic indices are charted: Consumer Price Index and Higher Education Price Index (1958-79); U.S. Gross National Product (GNP) in current and 1972 dollars (1946-79); general and higher education expenditures as a percentage of the GNP (1949-79); and total and per student voluntary support of higher…

Discusses trends that will shape the last years of the twentieth century: (1) the U.S. economy should grow at a steady pace; (2) service industries will dominate the economy; (3) the work force will grow slowly, becoming older, more female, and more disadvantaged; and (4) new jobs will require higher skills levels. (JOW)

An annual survey reveals that private giving to 992 colleges rose 10.3% in 1993-94, 7.6% when adjusted for inflation, the sharpest increase since 1986-87. The trend is attributed to improvement and increasing confidence in the economy. The greatest increase in giving was at public, master's-granting institutions. Alumni provided 28% of total…

In this paper we argue that the primary force behind the large drop in real exchange rates that occurs after large devaluations is the slow adjustment in the prices of nontradable goods and services. Our empirical analysis uses data from five large devaluation episodes: Argentina (2002), Brazil (1999), Korea (1997), Mexico (1994), and Thailand…

A weak stock market has resulted in lowered returns on college endowment investments. Many institutions had funds tied up in American stocks and bonds, which performed poorly. Although most institutions say their endowed programs or scholarships are not adversely affected, some programs are being reduced or eliminated as a result. (MSE)

A ranking of 495 colleges, universities, and related foundations by endowment fund value provides information on the market value of endowments on June 30, 1996 and June 30, 1997. Data are derived from a comparative performance study by the National Association of College and University Business Officers. (MSE)