I enjoy many of the articles by professors of the Goizuetta Business School of Emory University. Here are a few from this month (registration required).
Revisiting Sputnik: The Will to Invest in Competitive Advantage
Can America get its competitive groove back? President Barack Obama is proposing tax incentives as a way to lift American production back to the world-class leadership position it once enjoyed. The president cited the space race as an example of the country’s ability to come from behind and emerge victorious, but Emory professor Thomas M. Smith says the parallel only goes so far. And he questions whether Americans are once again willing to pay the price of short-term discomfort for long-term gains.
Why are U.S. Executive Salaries So High?
On February 18, the Associated Press reported that the base salary for David Nelms, chairman and CEO of Discover Financial Services Co, increased to $4.55 million in 2010, up from $1 million the year before. He was also awarded a $1.7 million bonus. Many observers wonder what’s driving the increases in executive pay, particularly given that the unemployment rate in the U.S. continues to hover around the 9 percent mark in most states. According to Shivaram Rajgopal, a professor of accounting at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School who studies executive pay, this suggests that something is wrong with the compensation-setting system. In particular, he sees two problems: Wall Street’s preference for short-term profit over long-term investment, and cozy corporate boards.
Blackboards or Basketballs: The Future of American Education?
Does the U.S. have the willpower to return to its historical commitment to funding excellence in education? President Barack Obama wants to reignite the education system, but in a country that has fallen demonstrably behind their counterparts in Asia, and where science and math often take a backseat to sports, is significant change possible? Emory University professor Jag Sheth, who is founder of the India China America Institute (ICA), addresses these and other education questions, noting that while parents need to step up their game when it comes to helping educate their children, more government action is also necessary if the U.S. wants to regain its place at the head of the class.
Brainsteering: The Art of Asking the Right Questions
What do companies that go from zero revenue to a billion dollars in four years have in common? According to Kevin Coyne, senior teaching professor in organization & management at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, companies like Google, eBay, or Groupon were built around a single, powerful idea. In an interview with Knowledge@Emory, Coyne discusses his new book, “Brainsteering: A Better Approach to Breakthrough Ideas,” due out Tuesday, and the process that goes beyond brainstorming to jumpstart success by “steering” idea generation.
