When United and Continental merged, the new combined company pushed ahead of Delta to become the biggest carrier in the airline industry. This after Delta assumed the position from rival American two years ago. Another rival, Southwest, is poised to increase its size in a proposed acquisition of Air Tran. The industry is becoming less… Read more »

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced the promotion of three high-level company executives last week. The moves were made in response to two key departures from the high tech giant. Kurt DelBene, Don Mattrick, and Andy Lees will run the Office, interactive entertainment, and mobile communications divisions. QUESTIONS: M1. High technology organizations rely heavily on innovation…. Read more »

In recent years, there have been several cases of widespread illness associated with food contamination. There is growing concern about the quality of our food supplies and how these are processed. Monitoring of food processing facilities is limited. The present article suggests that audits themselves are tainted because the companies being audited pay for the… Read more »

When customers Twitter about their experiences, businesses are “listening.” At least restaurants are beginning to pay more attention. Some owners are strategically interacting with customers that Tweet about their restaurants. QUESTIONS: M1. Think about Tweets like the one made by Mr. Bosco. Is it data or information? How much does it really matter to a… Read more »

Earlier this month, Japan arrested a Chinese fishing boat captain after his boat slammed into a Japanese coast guard vessel in the East China Sea. The arrest led to a standoff in which China made a number of threats and demands. Japan eventually acquiesced and is now making overtures to the United States. QUESTIONS: M1…. Read more »

The author suggests that seven countries with lands in the far north of the globe are in a position to capitalize on ecological and demographic shifts that will have the rest of the world looking north by 2050. He offers that these countries meet the requirements necessary for a new civilization to grow. The article… Read more »

The Cuban economy is on life support. Eighty-five percent of the island nation’s workers are employed by the government and President Raul Castro says this is no longer sustainable. The country plans to lay off half a million workers in short order, but more than four million workers will still remain on the government payroll…. Read more »

While the economic recession is global, some countries have been hit harder than others. Following the Cold War, Russia embraced capitalism and experienced considerable growth in its economy. Now that growth is being reversed and Russia’s status as an economic power is being eclipsed by other emerging nations. Russia needs a partnership in order to… Read more »

The slow economy forced many businesses to trim staff to bare-bones levels. Remaining employees wanted their usual end-of-summer vacation time and this left companies shorthanded. Two companies – Quality Buildings in Norman, Oklahoma, and David’s Soundview Catering in Stamford, Connecticut – handled the shortages through job shifting and overtime. The strategy worked but was not… Read more »

Johnson & Johnson CEO William Weldon would like to retire next year. Yet a series of recent product quality problems has him concerned. Insiders say Mr. Weldon is very competitive and would not leave the company with lingering problems. So Weldon is working on plans to take corrective action. Johnson & Johnson’s board of directors… Read more »