CSB Commentary
Psychology and Economics
By Dr. Hassan Shirvani—Among the collateral damages of the recent global economic crisis has been the reputation of the economics profession whose members famously failed to anticipate the financial tsunami that rocked the world. Enmeshed in their complex mathematical models with their highly unrealistic assumptions, most economists were seemingly as stunned by the suddenness and the severity of the economic downturn as the average person on the street. Even Queen Elizabeth of England, on…
Read MoreSupply Chain Disruptions
By Dr. Elham Mousavidin–On April 23, 2016, the Cameron School of Business (CSB) hosted the Disaster Recovery Institute (DRI) International’s one-day regional collegiate conference at the University of St. Thomas. This conference covers important topics such as disaster recovery, business continuity and risk management. Even though the conference was planned months ahead, the timing of…
Read MoreBecoming a Leader in a Changing World
By Patricio Torres-Palacio, Ph.D.– “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other” (John F. Kennedy) There are so many things that have been said about leadership. How many times has the question been asked “is a leader made or born?” I believe that both cases are possible. Perception of Leadership Times and environments affect leadership…
Read MoreSchumpeter on Entrepreneurship
By Dr. Hassan Shirvani –Since the great Austrian economist Joseph Schumpeter (1883-1950) introduced the concept of entrepreneurship into economics almost a century ago, economists have struggled to systematically incorporate this concept into their models of economic development, with only limited success. As a result, the initial enthusiasm over the unique role of entrepreneurs as heroic…
Read MoreCommunication Opens Doors
By Ernesto Cedeño —As the saying goes, communication is key. Key meaning essential, but it is more than that; it is actually the key, that thing that opens up the door that leads us to knowledge, understanding, wisdom and progress. What happens when you can’t open that door? All you can do is imagine what…
Read MoreProcrastination and Earning Announcements
By Dr. Debby (Chih-Huei) Su—Procrastination is prevalent in human nature. Psychologists have conducted tons of surveys, experiments and research, looking for causes and cures for procrastination. Commonly mentioned causes of procrastination include, but are not limited to, the following: lack of motivation self-regulatory failure[1] stress, or physical illness[2] Cures for Procrastination Researchers and academic…
Read More“Free 2 Rock” : A Fresh Look at the Fall of the Iron Curtain
By Dr. David Schein–In January 2016, the World Affairs Council of Houston, (“WACH”), hosted something a little different for that organization. The documentary “Free 2 Rock” runs approximately 60 minutes and focuses on how rock and roll helped to bring down the USSR by showing the residents behind the “Iron Curtain” what life and freedom…
Read MoreThe Secret Advantage: Soft Skills
By Dr. Rebecca Dowden—Who couldn’t use a “leg-up” in today’s competitive job market? And that advantage can easily come from honing our Soft Skills. Whether you are currently employed or in the market for a job, Soft Skills can set you apart. What Are Soft Skills Soft skills are a set of qualities/traits people…
Read MorePuerto Rico: Is it America’s Greece? (Part II)
By Dr. Pierre Canac—This is the continuation of last week’s blog, and thus, it is advised to first read Part I if you haven’t done so. Remedies The ball is now in Congress’ court and the speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, indicated that he would push for a solution by March 2016. Commissioner Pierluisi…
Read MorePuerto Rico: Is it America’s Greece? (Part I)
By Dr. Pierre Canac—This is a two-part blog; the second part will appear next week. I usually write about international economics; however, this time I will let the reader decide whether this is what I am doing in this post. The Status of Puerto Rico Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth or a territory that belongs…
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