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Reports that many business managers view the inability of Congress and the administration of President Bill Clinton to pass a law granting the president's board authority to negotiate trade deals could have an adverse effect on companies and the American economy. How trade battle has caused some executives to rethink their strategies for promotions; Who executives blame for dooming the trade measure.

Discusses the growing disillusionment of leaders of the American business community with President Bill Clinton. Earlier popularity of Clinton; Frustration over Clinton's economic plans; Importance of confidence for business decisions; Clinton's performance as a manager; Taxes and spending in Clinton's budget; More.

Gives the results of a poll which shows that the great majority of the nation's top executives are lining up against President Bill Clinton's plan--particularly his insistence that companies insure all their workers and pay most of the cost. The fear of mixing `big government' and medical care; Preferences on health care; Views on Clinton and his health plan. (Short item on page A1: Health plan is opposed.)

Discusses the results of a poll on corporate America's views on the economy. Executives' optimism; Their complaints that they can't get the price increases that many say are needed to keep their businesses thriving; Conflicting attitudes; Views on jobs and expansion; Views on the Federal Reserve Board and the administration; How the poll was conducted.

Relates that many top executives in the United States still support Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole in the 1996 campaign. Results of a `New York Times'/CBS News Poll; Their views on the national economy, President Bill Clinton's economic performance, and the part of the government most responsible for the economy's condition. INSET: How the poll was conducted.

Tells that United States industrial leaders are expressing concern that the dollar's strong rebound may undermine American competitiveness against foreign rivals. Graph of the dollar against the yen from 1994 to 1996; Possibility that the dollar could move higher if the Federal Reserve were to increase interest rates later in summer 1996.

Debates over the issue of excuses offered by business executives to evade accountability and its effect as a coping mechanism. Changes in the work environment; Attitude towards errors; Views of analysts. INSET: Excuses, excuses..

Informs that United States executives are not showing their usual enthusiasm for the Republican Party in the 1996 presidential campaign. President Bill Clinton's apparent inroads into what appears to be weak support for Bob Dole; Charts of executives who are supporting Clinton and Dole, respectively; Reasons for Dole's weak support.

Profiles Richard D. Nanula. His June 1998 appointment to the position of chief executive of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide; The challenges facing Nanula; Overview of his career; His relationship with Barry Sternlicht, chairman of Starwood; Nanula's operative style.

Looks at the differences between Sanford I. Weill and John S. Reed and the importance of them working effectively together. Their positions as head of the Travelers Group and Citicorp, respectively; Impact on their jobs by the merger between the two corporations.

Says that United States President Bill Clinton is being surprisingly well received in corporate board rooms across the country. Attitudes may change as more details of his economic program come out, or as executives have a better chance to weigh consequences. But for now, many executives say that any dissatisfaction they have is outweighed by Clinton's leadership in addressing problems like the federal budget deficit and health care.

States that a number of business executives say that, even before President-elect Bill Clinton moves into the White House, the Clinton expansion may have arrived. But they are quick to add that the pace of the economic rebound will continue to be far slower than in past recoveries and that too few jobs will be created to bring unemployment down quickly. Consumer spending; Better sales at Ford Motor Company; Improvement in hiring plans; Tracking the markets.