Research is emerging on the social implications of smart (cellular) phone usage. This research along with revelations by Apple that iPhones catalog phone usage along with location is raising ethical concerns. While firms such as Google and AT&T claim that any data gathered is done so anonymously, research clearly indicates that the level of knowing… Read more »

Shawn Bravender is an avid cyclist and cycling is his preferred method of commuting. Naturally, riding a bike to and from work causes a few concerns (e.g., hygiene, appropriate business attire), so when Bravender’s employer gave him the task of figuring out how to make it work, he did. The move may become more common… Read more »

Retail giant Wal-Mart is testing home delivery in California. The move is in response to similar tests by Amazon and Sears. Wal-Mart already has a successful home delivery business in Europe and recently brought a top-level executive from that subsidiary to the United States. In addition, the company purchased Kosmix to help develop a new… Read more »

Truckers in Shanghai have mounted three days and counting of protests and work stoppages over rising costs and fees. China’s inflation hit 5.4% in March, which is its fastest pace in 32 months. The truckers contend that rising fuel costs and other expenses are making it impossible for them to be profitable. China’s level of… Read more »

Gold continued on its upward trajectory last week and closed above $1,500 per ounce for the first time on Thursday. Gold closed at record highs every day last week and it has gained 5.8% so far this year. Investors are turning to gold as a safe haven investment. Many of the major currencies have issues… Read more »

Rumors indicate that medical giant Johnson & Johnson is once again looking to acquire a medical equipment manufacturer. The suspected target is Swiss-based Synthes. Johnson & Johnson’s medical equipment sales appear to be at a plateau, so the company would like to acquire a company that offers some protection against competition. QUESTIONS: Should Johnson &… Read more »

Recent events in the Middle East and North Africa offer many lessons, including the role of emerging technologies (e.g., social media) in dissent, conflict and negotiation, and even ethical issues. The rebellion against Col. Moammar Gadhafi’s Libyan government offers another case – that of how an emerging alternate government organizes itself. Members of the Transitional… Read more »

This article is an excellent case in ethics and decision making. For more than a decade, Kenneth Robinson played the odds, gambling that he could make a fortune (he did) and not get caught (he did as well). Robinson was the middle man between lawyer Matthew Kluger, who would pass along information about potential mergers,… Read more »

The digital workplace puts more pressure on employees to attend to multiple tasks at the same time. Research shows that this can be counterproductive because employees are more error prone. Switching between tasks can lead to 20 minutes of lost time for each switch. The solution is focus. Managers have to create a culture where… Read more »

Finance officials from the G-20 economies met on Friday to develop plans on how to measure if nations are causing imbalances that could pose a risk to the global economy. Among the concerns are large government budget deficits and debt, high personal saving rates and debt, and large trade surpluses or deficits. The ministers also… Read more »