The Economic Recovery by Charts-Technology vs. Service

The New York Times is getting sophisticated with their online news reporting and interactive media. It seems as though they are following some of the trends displayed within the report. The article “How the Recession Reshaped the Economy, in 255 Charts” highlights industry changes over the past decade providing some great and not-so-great news. The mapping of economic data helps provide a greater understanding and analysis of market trends.

A Mixed Recovery: Jobs in the middle of the spectrum shrunk while the periphery grew. Employment in healthcare and energy grew while jobs in construction and real estate declined. 

Different Kinds of Jobs: The low end service industry and the high end technology sector experienced increases. 

Home Prices: Home prices have rebounded but new construction has not. 

U.S. Manufacturing: Manufacturing has seen a reemergence in the export laden sectors such as aerospace and medical equipment but less in labor intensive industries such as clothing.

Energy and Oil Rebound: Energy and oil industries have moved upwards.

Digital Revolution: Traditional publishers declined but those industries relying on data such as online sales, online content, and software skyrocketed.

Grooming: Nail salons, pet services, and cosmetic products moved upward.

The report doesn’t provide deep explanations as to why certain industries were successful in the new market and others were not so successful. The service industry is growing and providing more jobs to those who are entering the labor market, have been displaced, or have not gained enough knowledge to move into higher skilled jobs. Low skilled and labor intensive sectors are declining in the U.S. while being displaced to low labor cost countries. However, high technology and analytical markets that include biotechnology, cutting edge manufacturing, and digital services are gaining. 

The report helps highlight how new skills and greater education will be needed for high paying jobs in the new economy. Many of these industries are scientific, information technology reliant, and require higher levels of critical thinking to operate effectively. It is difficult for countries to easily copy this knowledge and the U.S. is gaining traction in attracting, retaining and growing these industries. 

Housing isn’t as important to the aging Baby Boomer demographic. Many are either selling their homes, remodeling them, or leaving them as part of their wills. The Millennial Generation is just starting to purchase homes and due to budget and financing constraints is optioning to purchase existing homes versus building new ones.  They have learned to do more with less-fixer uppers in descent neighborhoods are great. 

People also want to feel good even though they don't have a lot of money. They are taking their dogs to the parks, groomers, and trainers. They are getting their hair done and polishing their nails. Even though some money is being spent the process is generally more psychological. Spending a little money looking good and feeling good increases positive feelings. Household wealth appears to be slowly climbing again.

The market is continuing to transition from the Industrial Age to the Information Age. Highly technical skills are needed to ensure that new products and services are effective in competing on the global market. Those being rewarded within the economy have gained sufficient skill, education, and knowledge to move into growing sectors. Some are being displaced and taking jobs where they can find them. The service industry is growing and appears to be filling this need with greater job growth. The economic recovery is split into a camel hump gain.

 Ashkenaws, J. & Parlapiano, A. (June 5^th, 2014). How the Recession Reshaped the Economy, in 255 Charts. New York Times. Retrieved June 5^th, 2014 from http://nyti.ms/1mX3dd7

Will Technology and the Sharing Economy Adjust the Market?

The sharing economy is upon us as a direct result of the Internet and its ability to move information around the globe quickly. The lean years since the Great Recession has further fueled an entrepreneurial spirit that tries to hedge income and opportunities through micro-businesses. Large companies are adjusting their structures to reduce costs and improve upon operational functioning. Will the sharing economic and Information Age adjust the way we think, interact, and conduct business?

Things don’t often change quickly and it takes time for people to understand and develop methods of realizing goals.  The sharing economy encourages people to interact with each other by using technology on an economic, ecological, and sociological level (Dubois, 2014). They connect together and share resources to create opportunities.  On a micro level this collaboration builds new possibilities.

Companies are finding benefit in working with other companies and stakeholders to generate higher levels of efficient and effective operations. Excess capacity can be sold during the slow times or purchased during the growth periods without enduring large outlays of capital expenditures. This creates flexible economic growth that better fills in the gaps between the larger economic pieces.

Building a stronger economy requires the connecting of people through collaborative and cooperative participation (Schultz, 2013). Information transference and understanding of the environment encourages effective economic decisions to create better market adjustments. Helping individuals connect to the system, voice their opinions, share information, further their skills, and find opportunities to create growth momentum. Consider four likely adjustments:

New Business Structures: The way in which people view business and new technology is changing the way business and work is conducted. For example, a company called Loconomics is owned by the employees who are employed there (Said, 2014). Virtual companies are sprouting, traditional companies are become flatter, and concepts like crowdsourcing are becoming a powerful business development tool. 

Renting Excess Capacity: Company’s naturally have slack in their capacity or may need additional production abilities at certain times of the year but do not have enough of a need to expand or build new facilities.  For example a company called Floow2 is developing an online site to encourage sharing of excess capacity such as vans and rental equipment in similar geographic locations (Schiller, 2014). Small businesses are lowering costs and improving capacity for growth without as much long term risks.

An Entrepreneurial Class: Using new technology makes a higher level of sharing possible. The transformation in the way people think about selling, buying, and sharing is transforming the way in which entrepreneurial activity occurs (Said, 2014). A person can hold a job and work part-time on a business without major disruption in their lives. Hedged skills and abilities can be used to foster the economic engine and encourage market adjustment.

Pressure on Governmental Structure: There are inherent risks associated new technology and ways of thinking about economic participation. As new business structures and models form they will naturally put pressure on government to adapt. There will be years of negotiation, legal and social interaction that will occur before a happy medium is found. We can think of the ride-share program and the need to define the business while ensuring safety (Weidner, 2014). A proper balance will need to be found to protect stakeholders and the public while still encouraging the testing of new ideas.

The sharing economy is a collaborative one. As people find information, market position, and share resources they are better able to adjust to market realities and see emerging trends. Sharing is not something that is beneficial for only people but also helps companies to buy, sell, and lease capacity to adjust with the market without expensive outlays that create sticky markets. More finite pieces help to create smoother economic transitions and market efficiencies within the capitalistic perspective.

Duboise, et. al. (2014). Connected consumption: a sharing economy takes hold. Rotman Management. 

Schultz, R. (2013). Adjacent opportunities: the collaboration economy. Emergence: Complexity & Organization, 15 (4). 

Said, C. (May 24^th, 2014). Cooperatives give new meaning to sharing economy. SF Southgate. Retrieved May 28^th, 2014 from http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Cooperatives-give-new-meaning-to-sharing-economy-5502879.php?cmpid=hp-hc-jobs

Schiller, B. (May 27, 2014). The Sharing Economy Isn't Just For Consumers: Now Small Businesses Are Getting In On The Game. Fast Co Exist. Retrieved May 28^th, 2014 from http://www.fastcoexist.com/3030860/the-sharing-economy-isnt-just-for-consumers-now-small-businesses-are-getting-in-on-the-game

Weidner, D. (May 23^rd, 2014). The unique risks of ‘sharing economy’ companies. Market Watch. Retrieved May 28^th, 2014 from http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-unique-risks-of-sharing-economy-companies-2014-05-23

The Navy Turns Science Fiction into Modern Technology

What does the Navy of the future look like? New technology has changed the fundamental development pattern of one of the world’s strongest military organizations. The navy ship of the future will be difficult to detect by radar, equipped with lasers, powered by ocean water, and able to launch projectiles with electromagnetic waves. It is no longer science fiction but is currently being run and adapted to modern warfare.  The wave of the future is one of constant development and transformation.

This week the Navy will christen its most advanced destroyer called the USS Zumwalt (1). The canopy of the ship is built on angles which make it difficult to spot on radar. Its impact and detection would look more like a fishing boat to the electronic eye. It will also carry the Advanced Gun Systems (AGS) which fires computer-guided and self-propelling shells that can reach three times the distance of an ordinary destroyer. 

In addition, over the next few years lasers (LaWs) will be installed on some ships. They will afford the ability to shoot aircraft and small water vessels at a price of a dollar. Unlike other small craft defense mechanisms, it can be used to pinpoint the engine, specific location, or even person (2). This creates the ability to handle smaller objects with precision and cost effectiveness.

Let’s not forget that in 2016 an electromagnetic gun will be tested on fast paced seafaring ships. The gun cuts expenses of projectiles to $25,000 from $1 million (3). The ships will store more projectiles, shoot faster, and do it cheaper than conventional methods. With a simple electromagnetic pulse a projectile is launched seven times the speed of sound and carry the strength of missiles.

Of course we cannot forget the development of perpetual fuel made from sea water. A new catalytic converter can transform carbon dioxide and hydrogen from seawater into a liquid hydrocarbon fuel (4). Navy researchers will be working over the next few years to produce the fuel in quantity on land and then make it commercially available to its ships. This cuts cost of fuel to $3-$6 per gallon. 

The military of the near future will be cheaper, pinpoint resources better, conserve costs and do more with less. It will be powerful and unmatched in the waters. Ships will sail to the furthest ends of the earth without needing to refuel and micro-manufacturing will ensure they can do more with less space. It will be a military that uses science to enhance its mechanical and human abilities. Robotics and miniaturization will become the name of the game. None of this is possible without the fundamentals of STEM oriented education, the scientific mind, and the human capital to make it all possible. Cheers to the American Military!

Call for papers: 11th International Conference on Technology, Knowledge and Society.

University of California at Berkeley
Clark Kerr Conference Center
Berkeley, California, USA 23-24 February 2015

Deadline: November 11^th, 2014

Proposals for paper presentations, workshops, posters, or colloquia are invited for the Eleventh International Conference on Technology, Knowledge, and Society at the University of California at Berkeley, in Berkeley, California, USA, from 23-24 February 2015. We welcome proposals from a variety of disciplines and perspectives that will contribute to the conference discourse. We also encourage faculty and research students to submit joint proposals for paper presentations or colloquia.

SPECIAL CONFERENCE FOCUS:

"Big Data and the Politics of Participation in a Digital Age"

CONFERENCE THEMES:

Proposals are invited that address technology through one of the following categories:

Theme 1: Technologies for Human Use
Theme 2: Technologies for Learning
Theme 3: Technologies in Community
Theme 4: Technologies for Common Knowledge

Website: www.techandsoc.com/2015-Berkeley

Call for Papers: EDULEARN14 (6th annual International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies)

July 7th-9th, 2014, Barcelona, Spain
Deadline  April 3rd, 2014 
Abstract submission: http://edulearn14.org/online_submission
http://edulearn14.org

OVERVIEW
You are invited to participate in EDULEARN14 (the 6th annual International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies) that will be held in Barcelona (Spain), on the 7th, 8th and 9th of July, 2014.

This conference will provide the ideal opportunity to present your projects and experiences to an international audience. Also, it will offer participants an overview of the current situation of education and new learning technologies. You will be able to listen to experts from different countries, representing all continents.

If you wish to learn more about how technology is influencing the learning/teaching experience and how education is changing in the world, then do not miss the opportunity to come to EDULEARN14.

A TRULY INTERNATIONAL EVENT
After 6 years, EDULEARN has become an annual meeting point for lecturers, researchers, professors, educational scientists and technologists. Every year, EDULEARN brings together more than 700 delegates from 75 different countries.

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION:
There will be 3 presentation formats: Oral, Poster or Virtual.
You can submit your abstracts proposals until April 3rd, 2014 (included)
Abstracts should be submitted online at:
http://edulearn14.org/online_submission

OBJECTIVES
- Present and disseminate projects about education and new teaching and learning technologies
- Share best practices and promote international partnership and cooperation among lecturers and professionals from all over the world.
- Create an international forum to discuss and exchange ideas about the latest innovations in education and research, applied to all fields and disciplines

IMPORTANT DEADLINES
- Abstract Submission Deadline: April 3rd, 2014 (included)
- Notification of Acceptance/Rejection: April 29th, 2014 (included)
- Final Paper Submission Deadline: May 22nd, 2014 (included)
- Registration deadline for authors: May 22nd, 2014 (included)

More information is available at http://edulearn14.org/tourism