Search

An outlook of global economic cycles is presented, with focus on forecasts of growing disparities amongst industrial countries. The details of the economic growth factors and policies implemented in financial markets provided by the German Institute for Economic Research are discussed.

Political and economic forecasts related to business on an international level are provided, based upon research performed by 85 teams of analysts. The six major predictions for 1987 are: (1) tensions between the US and the USSR will relax slightly, (2) trade and economic sanctions against South Africa will increase, (3) protectionist trade policies by the US and the EEC could increase, (4) economic growth in OECD countries should average 2.9 percent, (5) oil prices should hover around $16 per barrel, and (6) prices for agricultural and mineral prices should remain weak. The importance of individual factors to these and other forecasts are related, including analyses of: regime stability; corporate security threats; territorial and maritime disputes affecting industry; and risks related to financial transfers, direct foreign investments, and export marketing activities.

The fall of communism has laid the groundwork for explosive economic growth. Down the road, cheap oil may kick the boom into overdrive. Political instability and conflict are everywhere. The […]

Social and economic changes of late have increased the awareness of many African governments of the importance of labor market efficiency, improved training programs, and better use of human resources. The International Labor Office (ILO) evaluated manpower planning experiments in francophone nations. French-speaking nations in Africa were surveyed as to public service and state company requirements for trained personnel. Employment trend outlooks through 1980 were published in 1982. The Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) funded the research, which involved more than twenty long studies. Labor markets are assessed as to migration trends, urban informal employment, skilled and unskilled manpower and the effects of manpower planning help of developed nations over the past two decades. Two employment forecasting methods, which are most prevalently used are the survey-questionnaire approach, and the manpower balance sheet approach. Micro-economic planning is seen as the best approach at present.