Spotify CEO Daniel Ek defended the streamer’s handling of the Joe Rogan situation — and downplayed the impact of artists like Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, and more removing their music from the streaming service — during an earnings report Wednesday, the New York Times reports.
The earnings call came just days after Spotify imposed a new “content advisory” warning on Covid-19 discussions in the aftermath of artists and podcasters ditching the streaming service over the “misinformation” pumped out by the Joe Rogan Experience; despite the controversy, Spotify has stood behind Rogan, even though his Experience is now subject to the advisory warnings.
“I think the important part here is that we don’t change our policies based on one creator nor do we change it based on any media cycle, or calls from anyone else,” Ek said during the earnings call. “Our policies have been carefully written with the input from numbers of internal and external experts in this space. And I do believe they’re right for our platform. And while Joe has a massive audience — he is actually the number one podcast in more than 90 markets — he also has to abide by those policies.”
As for the economic impact of the boycott of sorts inspired by Young and others, Ek said it was too early to gauge how it might affect the company’s revenues. “Usually when we’ve had controversies in the past, those are measured in months and not days. But I feel good about where we are in relation to that and obviously top line trends look very healthy still,” Ek said.
(Spotify’s stock price has dropped in the week since Young pulled his music, but that dip is blamed more on factors like slower growth forecast than the fact that people can’t stream Harvest; in fact, Spotify’s stock has dropped from a high of $387 in Feb. 2021 to $166 at press time, an overall plummet that predates any Rogan controversy.)
On Thursday, podcast Roxane Gay became the latest content provider to part ways with Spotify, joining a growing faction that includes all members of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Nils Lofgren, and podcasters like Bhene Brown and Mary Trump.
“Obviously, it’s been a few notable days here at Spotify,” Ek added. “There’s no doubt that the last several weeks have presented a number of learning opportunities.”
From Rolling Stone US


We’re back chatting with Ameer Rosic CEO and cofounder of Block Geeks Inc. Ameer is a serial entrepreneur, marketing expert, and blockchain evangelist. Ameer discusses marketing a decentralized future and educating people in the fast-moving space of cryptocurrency. We discuss what led him there, how he operates his business in today’s decentralized virtual world and how cryptocurrencies are disrupting real estate
We also discuss the Keynesian economic model, how it’s affecting the current state of the markets today and how it relates to blockchain technology and smart contracts. We discuss why it’s Bitcoin’s time to shine and why Ameer is bullish on all crypto. After you have listened and you would like to discover more about cryptocurrencies and how they relate to real estate, check out our conversations with Ross MacDonald and Vincent Chok for even more insight and vision into the world of crypto and real estate.
“And so I’m extremely bullish longterm. Like, who wants to get paid on dollar when I can get paid to some crypto in the future where I know for a fact this is an appreciating dollar, my buying power increases.” Ameer Rosic
Some Topics We Discussed Include:
- The future of digital currencies
- What modern monetary theory is and how it relates to the current markets
- Why it’s Bitcoins time to shine
- How smart contracts can eliminate the need for lawyers in a real estate transaction
- How crypto is disrupting education
- Why we need to opt-out of a broken system
- Why localism is on the rise
References and Links Mentioned:
Contact Ameer Rosic
Website – https://ameerrosic.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ameerrosic
Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/user/AmeerRosic
Contact David Morrell
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thegreaterdavid
Twittter – https://twitter.com/fearofdavid
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Sponsored by Lucid Travel
While summer is tournament travel season for youth sports families, recent research states that youth sports travel accounts for over $10 billion in spending per year. Similarly, Time Magazine’s August 2017 cover story poses that youth sports has become a $15 Billion industry, largely driven by the rise in the competitiveness of youth sports, and the growing importance of participation in tournaments as a requirement for kids to compete at the travel level.
According to Don Schumacher, executive director of the National Association of Sports Commissions, “people who are participating [in sports] are participating with a vengeance. They are playing a lot of games and entering a lot of tournaments.” This trend does back to the beginning of the decade. In the early 2010s spending on travel for sports showed 3x as much growth as overall leisure travel. (Today.com)
For families of talented youth athletes looking to experience the best competition, travel is a must. And that means spending; on travel, hotels, food, and recreation while on the road.
The emergence of super-facilities like Ballparks of America, located in Branson, Mo., adds to the appeal of sports travel by featuring a top-of-the-line sports destination, offering something for the whole family.
The reality of this travel trend as the new standard of commitment to youth sports might seem daunting to the average American family, but in the modern age there are innovative ways to keep spending down.
Some methods of saving include booking ahead to get better deals, price shopping airlines, rental car companies, or hotels, taking advantage of blocks to keep room rates down, and shopping and eating local.
There’s a new technology company in the market designed specifically to help make travel cheaper and easier for teams on the go.
Lucid Travel helps travel teams save on hotels, car rentals and flights, and earn cash back in the booking process.
They help teams save money by pulling in hotel rates from all the top 3rd party websites as well as rates directly from hotel properties so you know you’re getting the best price every time you make a reservation.
What makes them different is that every time you book, your team earn up to 7% cash back.
As an added value, teams that book through Lucid Travel can also send their travel page to parents & fans that book hotels, car rentals, and flights for vacations and business travel as a way to fundraise for the team.
Lucid Travel makes it so easy to setup and begin savings. Once a team creates an account on Lucid Travel, they get a personalized travel page to send to parents and fans. Any booking made through their travel page will help that team earn money. Click here to see an example team page.
Lucid also has a tool that helps teams & tournament directors find discounted group rates for hotels. Simply fill out a group request form that is automatically sent to all the hotels near your event. You can still negotiate with the hotel managers and even pay them directly - Lucid just makes finding discounted bids easier. Group rates have been averaging 24% off standard rates. Click here to fill out the group request form.
Thousands of people have already started using Lucid to fundraise and save money on travel expenses.
Lucid Travel has agreed to give Youth1 teams direct access to their exclusive discounts which is usually only available to platinum members. Click here to create your free team travel page and start saving money while fundraising and take advantage of this special unrestricted access.
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Retirement is an exciting prospect. After all, who wouldn’t want to enjoy the freedom of leaving the working world and embracing the more leisurely life that comes with it? But planning for retirement is about more than just thinking about how you’d like to spend your days—it’s also about making sure you’re prepared for any unexpected expenses that come along.
That’s why it’s important to factor in the possibility of unforeseen costs when planning your retirement. Unexpected retirements expenses can be as small as buying a new set of tires for your car, or as large as needing long-term care in a nursing home. Fortunately, there are ways to plan ahead so you’re financially prepared for whatever life throws your way. In this article, we’ll look at some of the steps you can take to plan for unexpected retirement expenses.
Common Sources of Unexpected Expenses
In planning for retirement, you do your best to make sure all your bases are covered. But oftentimes, there can be unexpected expenses that come up. So what are some of the most common sources of these costs?
First of all, medical expenses can easily crop up without warning. Even if you have Medicare, it doesn’t cover the full cost of care and so you might need to supplement with other insurance plans or pay out-of-pocket costs. Other common unexpected expenses include home repairs or renovations and travel expenses—both of which can add up quickly.
It’s also worth considering that as you age, your lifestyle might change—whether it’s trying out a new hobby or wanting to upgrade your wardrobe—and these costs can add up over time too. Lastly, inflation should always be taken into account when assessing your retirement budget so that it remains realistic and in line with the current market prices.
Planning for Tax Liabilities
When it comes to retirement, one of the most important expenses to consider is taxes. As you move into retirement, the tax liability on your investments can significantly reduce the amount of income you have available each month.
In order to plan appropriately for tax liabilities, you’ll need to understand how different types of retirement income—such as Social Security and withdrawals from 401(k)s, IRAs and other savings accounts—are taxed. Tax rates vary depending on your income source and the type of income you receive, but generally speaking, the higher your taxable income in retirement, the more taxes you’ll need to factor into your retirement planning.
It’s also important to remember that tax rules are ever-evolving—for instance, there may be new deductions or credits that come into play in years after your retirement begins. To make sure you’re on track with taxation planning, it’s best speak with an experienced financial advisor who can provide guidance and advice tailored to your individual circumstances.
True Costs of Living in Retirement
When it comes to retirement planning, one of the biggest unknowns is the true cost of living after you stop working. Sure, you’ll have fewer expenses like commuting costs and work-related clothing, but there are a few key expenses that you may not be prepared for.
Let’s take a look at them:
Medicines & Healthcare
Medicine costs are likely to be higher in retirement than they were while you were working. Even if you have health insurance coverage, prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication, and visits to doctors and dentists can all add up quickly. To make things worse, healthcare costs are often not set in stone—they could change year to year, so budgeting for them can be challenging.
Home Maintenance & Repairs
Another expense that could surprise you? Homeownership. Maintenance and repairs will come up from time to time—a leaky roof, broken window or old appliances that need replacing can all add up quickly depending on the age of your home.
Travel & Leisure
Finally, if you plan on doing any traveling or leisure activities during retirement—all these expenses will come out of your pocket! Whether its plane tickets or hotel stays for trips abroad or simply dinner with friends once a week—retirement isn’t as ‘free’ as it seems at first glance.
Fortunately, taking steps such as setting aside money into an emergency fund can make it easier to prepare for the unexpected in retirement. That way when the inevitable comes along—you won’t be blindsided by larger than expected bills!
Medicare, Long-Term Care, and Other Insurance Considerations
Another thing you might not think about when you’re planning for retirement is insurance. You might’ve handled your health insurance through your employer, but during retirement, you’ll need Medicare. And if that’s not enough, you may be looking at long-term care insurance or other kinds of supplemental insurance for yourself or your partner.
It’s wise to plan for the cost of Medicare in retirement. If you don’t already have it, it’ll cost $134 a month for this essential coverage in 2019, and more if you want better coverage. And even if you expect to qualify for free Medicare due to low income, there may still be out-of-pocket costs.
Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-term care insurance is a must if you want help covering fees associated with nursing home care and other medical services. This kind of insurance isn’t cheap—it can run up to several thousand dollars per year—so make sure this cost is part of your retirement budget.
Other Types of Insurance
You may need supplemental coverage for prescription drugs or dental care that isn’t covered by Medicare or other traditional health plans; an annuity to provide an income stream; life insurance in the event something happens to either spouse; and different types of homeowners’ and auto policies before retirement age (which will usually give you lower premiums than after retiring). When it comes to unexpected expenses in retirement, consider all the angles—insurance being one big one!
Ways to Pay for Unexpected Expenses in Retirement
When it comes to planning for retirement, everyone knows that it’s important to have a plan in case of unexpected expenses. But, how do you go about paying for them? Here are some of the best ways you can handle those surprise costs:
Retirement Savings Accounts
Retirement savings accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs are great for long-term investment and planning for retirement. But did you know that they can also be used to pay for unexpected retirement expenses? Withdrawing funds from your retirement accounts can help cover medical bills, home repairs, and more. It’s important to note that once the money is withdrawn from a 401(k) or IRA, there may be penalties or taxes associated with the withdrawal.
Having an emergency fund set aside specifically for unexpected retirement expenses can be one of the most reliable ways to cover those costs. If you already have an emergency fund, make sure it’s easily accessible and have it strategically placed in a high-interest savings account so that it is ready whenever you need it.
Using credit cards can be a good way to cover unexpected retirement expenses if they offer rewards or low-interest rates on specific purchases (like medical bills). However, if this isn’t an option, it’s best to avoid using credit cards altogether — any interest rates or fees associated with these payments could add up very quickly and leave you in financial trouble.
No matter what payment method you choose, always plan ahead and research your options so that when unexcpecting expenses arise in retirement, you’re prepared with the best solution possible!
Finding the Resources to Cover Unplanned Expenses
It’s easy to plan for the expected expenses during retirement, but it’s important to remember that you may have some unexpected expenses pop up, too. It’s good to be prepared for these by having a plan in place.
When an unexpected expense arises, it’s important to do your research and find out what options are available. Do you have a pension or investment account that could be tapped into? Is there help available through local or state resources? A little research can go a long way in helping you find the resources you need.
Budget for Future Expenses
Take into consideration the fact that some of your unexpected expenses may be recurring ones, like home repairs or medical bills. Plan ahead by setting aside money each month to cover these costs when they arise. That way, you’ll be able to pay them without stressing about where the money is going to come from.
It can be scary and overwhelming when an unexpected expense arises in retirement, but having a plan in place can make all of the difference. Taking the time to do your research and budgeting for future expenses will help ensure you have access to the resources you need—no matter what comes your way.
Retirement planning is not just about saving for the future—it’s about ensuring you have enough money to cover the unexpected. Unexpected expenses can seem daunting, but there are ways to plan for them so that you are prepared. Start by being aware of the most common unexpected expenses that could arise in retirement, such as healthcare costs, housing expenses and taxes, and set aside funds to cover them. Additionally, make sure to communicate with your financial advisor and ensure that your retirement plan includes proper insurance and estate planning so that you’re protected in case of an emergency. With thoughtful planning, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to cover any unexpected expenses during retirement.
For Perfect Guidance and Help, Get in touch with Peak Mutual today


About Verisk Analytics
Verisk Analytics is a leading data analytics provider serving customers in insurance, natural resources, and financial services. Using advanced technologies to collect and analyze billions of records, Verisk Analytics draws on unique data assets and deep domain expertise to provide first-to-market innovations that are integrated into customer workflows. Verisk offers predictive analytics and decision support solutions to customers in rating, underwriting, claims, catastrophe and weather risk, global risk analytics, natural resources intelligence, economic forecasting, and many other fields. Around the world, Verisk Analytics helps customers protect people, property, and financial assets.
Since 1971, ISO has been a leading source of information about property/casualty insurance risk. For a broad spectrum of commercial and personal lines of insurance, ISO provides statistical, actuarial, underwriting, and claims information and analytics; compliance and fraud identification tools; policy language; information about specific locations; and technical services. ISO serves insurers, reinsurers, agents and brokers, insurance regulators, risk managers, and other participants in the property/casualty insurance marketplace. ISO is a Verisk Analytics (Nasdaq:VRSK) business. For more information, please visit www.verisk.com/iso.
Working with EIS
Verisk Analytics has a strategic alliance with EIS for the licensing of the ISO Electronic Rating Content (ERC).


Hackett Excelleration Matrix™Concludes that Modern Customer-to-Cash Receivables Platforms Deliver Superior Value Realization
MIAMI & LONDON, March 29, 2023 – Modern customer-to-cash (C2C) receivables platforms deliver superior value realization and return on investment when compared to legacy applications, according to new Market Intelligence Service research from The Hackett Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HCKT). Modern platforms offer improved cash flow management, better customer and employee experience, touchless capabilities and superior AI and analytics. Benefits include:
- 43% overall average performance advantage over legacy systems
- 87% positive customer experience
- 70% increase in touchless cash application for payment automation
- 63% reduction in past due receivables greater than 90 days
- 10x increased operating cash released from disputed receivables
- $107 million/year in additional operating cash (for a typical $10 billion company)
Ted A. Fernandez, Chairman & CEO of The Hackett Group®, explained The Hackett Excelleration Matrix™ research. “Our global clients, which includes 93% of the Fortune 100, cited a gap in provider insight around the realization of value from specific software and service investments. The Hackett Group is uniquely qualified to address this fundamental requirement in market intelligence due to our vast benchmarking database and implementation knowledge. We are pleased to issue our first Hackett Excelleration Matrix in C2C receivables – which will quickly be followed by a series of similar research reports covering software and services across the enterprise, including purchase-to-pay software and finance & accounting outsourcers.”
The C2C Receivables Hackett Excelleration Matrix and related research is the first from The Hackett Group’s new Market Intelligence Service. The service is designed to evaluate software and service providers’ ability to deliver value from specialized and differentiated capabilities. The Hackett Excelleration Matrix analyzes providers’ unique capabilities against the value executives can expect from their solution. Providers that offer breakthrough capabilities and incredible value realization earn the distinction of Digital World Class®.
Related to the C2C receivable research scope, The Hackett Group analyzed nine leading software providers in three key areas: cash application, collections management and dispute management. The research analyzed performance data in The Hackett Group’s extensive proprietary benchmarking database, software performance data from customers using the C2C receivables solutions, and interviews with the solution providers and end users.
The full C2C receivables research is available now to The Hackett Group’s solution providers, research advisory, and consulting clients through a new C2C Software Market Intelligence Program that provides a concierge level of insight into the C2C solution provider market. A summary report is available on a complimentary basis, with registration, at http://go.poweredbyhackett.com/c2csp2212sm. The full 70-page C2C Receivables Market Intelligence research is also available for purchase. Interested parties can learn more at http://go.poweredbyhackett.com/c2cspr2303 or by visiting the landing page for our Market Intelligence Service at https://www.thehackettgroup.com/market-intelligence/.
According to Chief Market Intelligence Officer Michel Janssen, “Over the last five years, companies have invested more than a billion dollars in modern C2C receivables platforms. Now, with interest rates on the rise and concerns over recession growing, working capital management is more important than it has been in quite some time. And the results are clear. These modern platforms integrate cutting-edge technologies such as data mining, artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize the customer-to-cash process. Compared to legacy platforms, they offer improved cash flow management, better customer and employee experience, nearly double the level of fully automated transactions, superior analytics tools and more.”
Associate Principal and Global Customer-to-Cash Practice Leader Bryan DeGraw added, “Even among the modern platforms, there is a significant difference between solution providers in terms of their ability to deliver real value, cost reduction and business process improvement. Three solution providers demonstrate powerful automation features such as advanced automation, AI, predictive analytics, strong analytical tools and exceptional user experience, which simply drove higher ROI, earning them the distinction of Digital World Class.”
About The Hackett Group
The Hackett Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HCKT) is a leading benchmarking, research advisory and strategic consultancy firm that enables organizations to achieve Digital World Class™ performance.
Drawing upon our unparalleled intellectual property from more than 25,000 benchmark studies and our Hackett-Certified® best practices repository from the world’s leading businesses – including 97% of the Dow Jones Industrials, 93% of the Fortune 100, 73% of the DAX 40 and 52% of the FTSE 100 – captured through our leading benchmarking platform, Quantum Leap® and our Digital Transformation Platform, we accelerate digital transformations, including enterprise cloud implementations.
More information on The Hackett Group is available at: www.thehackettgroup.com, email@example.com, or by calling (770) 225-3600.
The Hackett Group, Hackett-Certified, quadrant logo, World Class Defined and Enabled, Quantum Leap, Digital World Class and Hackett Excelleration Matrix are the registered marks of The Hackett Group.
Cautionary Statement Regarding “Forward-Looking” Statements
This release contains “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements including without limitation, words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” seeks,” “estimates,” or other similar phrases or variations of such words or similar expressions indicating, present or future anticipated or expected occurrences or outcomes are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that may impact such forward-looking statements include without limitation, the ability of The Hackett Group to effectively market its digital transformation and other consulting services, competition from other consulting and technology companies that may have or develop in the future, similar offerings, the commercial viability of The Hackett Group and its services as well as other risk detailed in The Hackett Group’s reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The Hackett Group does not undertake any duty to update this release or any forward-looking statements contained herein.


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Journalists and economic commentators have been deeply concerned with predicting when the recession will end. Cable TV has spent hours reading economic tea leaves, searching for signs of recovery.
Yesterday, NPR ran a story about NFL Football and the economy. The NFL has a rule that if tickets are still available 72 hours before kickoff, then local TV cannot broadcast the game.
(Last year, this happened nine times. This year, the number is expected to be more than twelve. The larger the number of TV blackouts, apparently, the less confidence people have in the economy — as indicated by lower ticket sales.)
It’s obvious why we obsess over the economy: we are worried and hope the worst might be over. NPR has been running a recurring feature asking people to call in with their personal econometric indicator, often offering cute attempts at humor.
Well, here’s my economic indicator: the day laborers at 69th Street in Jackson Heights, Queens.
Jackson Heights is one of the most diverse communities in the United States, with over twenty spoken languages, dozens of ethnicities and real mix of working and middle classes. To my mind, it’s one of the best places to experience real cosmopolitanism in the country.
Its working-class residents, however, have been hit hard by the recession. 69th Street, a minor commercial street for the community, is a barometer for the economy.
The street has functioned as a kind of open-air hiring center for day laborers during the least five years, sort of the way Home Depot parking lots work in the suburbs. I travel down this street regularly, and have watched the ebb and flow of our economy.
I have witnessed groups of workers hanging around street corners waiting for work, exactly the same way garment workers would gather on street corners in the Lower East Side a hundred years ago. I have spoken to many workers, mostly young men from El Salvador or Mexico, about their work and lives.
They stand in small groups, waiting for vans or cars to pull up and hire them. In boom times, many worked seven days a week, often ten hours a day. Today, they are lucky if they work two full days per week.
Standing in the street, talking to drivers through open windows, they negotiate their wages for the day. In the past few years, most of the workers were gone by early morning, hired by contractors for jobs in construction during the housing boom in NYC.
In the past few months, I noticed that there are large numbers of workers still searching for work well after noon. On a recent afternoon, around 2 p.m., I counted more than 200 workers in a ten-block area.
There is an air of desperation on the street. As the day drags on and cars stop pulling over, a sense of dread falls over them. These men, in their early 20s, have dependents here and in their home countries who are supported by their wages.
Not working for a few days often means little money back home and little to eat here.
NPR might find some light-heartedness in their discussion of signs of economic recovery, but from 69th Street, things look bleak and there is no indication that things might improve.
Now, I know this might not be the leading economic indicator Wall Street is looking for. But wouldn’t it be something if it was?
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Seagate Technology Holdings PLC delivered better-than-expected earnings Friday morning and issued a forecast for the current period that exceeded analyst expectations at the midpoint. The company reported fiscal first-quarter net income of $526 million, or $2.28 a share, up from $223 million, or 86 cents a share, in the year-earlier period. On an adjusted basis, Seagate earned $2.35 a share, up from 93 cents a year prior and ahead of the FactSet consensus, which called for $2.21 a share. Seagate’s revenue increased to $3.12 billion from $2.31 billion, while analysts had been looking for $3.11 billion. The company benefited from “ongoing demand from cloud data-center customers and strength in the video and image applications markets,” Chief Executive Dave Mosley said in a release. For the fiscal second quarter, the company expects $2.95 billion to $3.25 billion in revenue and $2.20 to $2.50 a share in adjusted earnings. Analysts were modeling $3.0 billion in revenue and $2.13 in adjusted earnings per share for the December quarter. Seagate shares have declined 1.1% over the past three months as the S&P 500 has added 4.4%. Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.
- Key Words: Medical groups warn of ‘negative mental-health outcomes’ after Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade - June 25, 2022
- : 5 ways the housing market left buyers in the dust — and it’s not over yet - June 25, 2022
- : Americans are feeling increasingly uncomfortable about their savings as inflation takes its toll - June 25, 2022


Obamacare is code for raising every American’s taxes, making it sound like our president wants the best for your health. It’s just the opposite: He wants to keep raising taxes, and this is a way to do it without anyone having a clue.
Someone in Opinion Line equated car insurance (being ticketed and fined if you don’t have it) and health insurance. There is no similarity. So far the government hasn’t required everyone purchase a car. Today that is still a choice, and not everyone has one.
You have a choice of whether to purchase a vehicle. If you do, you need to buy insurance. The Affordable Care Act does not give you this choice. You either purchase health insurance or pay a tax. It doesn’t matter if you need health insurance or not. Everyone still has to purchase it.
Almost 11 percent of Kansas residents have no health insurance. I am tired of paying for these deadbeats’ doctor and hospital bills. Thank goodness that with Obamacare, they will have to pay something.
People who are happy about Obamacare’s front-loaded benefits haven’t looked two or three years down the road to see the aggravation it will cause.
An honest politician is one who, when bought, stays bought. There is little doubt that Republicans are honest politicians.
“Revenue enhancement” is politician lingo for tax or fee increases.
So if the Republicans and the tea party get the health care bill fully repealed, do hospitals and other public medical facilities get to bill those parties for all the ER, hospital and medical services that must continue to be provided to the uninsured indigents?
The indictment and conviction of the Philadelphia Roman Catholic monsignor for doing nothing to protect innocent children from a pedophile priest was long overdue. I hope the Catholic Church now realizes that the sexual abuse of children at the hands of clergy will not be tolerated, and they will be held accountable. Let the indictments begin.
Banks and credit unions don’t ask their depositors whom they would like as the beneficiary on their accounts. You must tell them whom you want for a beneficiary. It is up to you to make sure where your money goes.
While public schoolteachers are rated 97.6 percent above average, student achievement declines year after year. Even though we are falling below our peers around the globe, teacher unions fight doggedly against meaningful evaluations. Bad teachers are a disaster for an entire generation.


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All the latest news and views from the CPSU team
Build a Better Future: IWD highlights gender inequity in Australia
AUSTRALIA’S FUTURE needs working women and to encourage this we need to gender equity.
Yesterday was International Women’s Day and the ACTU Gender Pay Gap – Over the Life Cycle report showed there’s plenty of work still to do, with women are still disadvantaged at every stage of life.
Childhood: Young girls receive 11% less pocket money than boys
The workplace: Women earn $284.20 less per week than men
Pregnancy, motherhood & caring: Women, during their child bearing years (25-44) earn up to 40% less than men in the same age group, regardless of if they have children
Retirement: The average superannuation balance for women at retirement is $138,150 for women compared with $292,500 for men
What Unions want: A government funded parental leave scheme of 26 weeks paid at no less than the national minimum wage plus superannuation; Fifteen hours of free childcare for every child per week for all families; and a right to request flexible work arrangements that clearly set out an employer’s obligations to properly consider and make reasonable efforts to accommodate requests.
Read more here.
Sign the petition to save paid parental leave here.
Read the CPSU’s What Women Want 2015/16 survey report here, which shows what issues are important to women working in the Australian Public Service. The survey showed:
Flexible working hours matter; women are under increasing pressure at work, respondents are finding it harder to manage their work and personal life and there’s greater concern about the outsourcing and casualisation of jobs.


Evolutionary game theory and organizational ecology: the case of resource-partitioning theory
van Witteloostuijn, Arjen
Faculty of Applied Economics
Antwerp :UA, 2009
Research paper / UA, Faculty of Applied Economics; 2009:2
University of Antwerp
In this paper, we construct a mathematical model that applies tools from evolutionary game theory to issues in organizational ecology. Evolutionary game theory shares the key feature of mathematical rigor with the industrial organization tradition, but is similar to organizational ecology by emphasizing evolutionary dynamics. Evolutionary game theory may well be a complementary modeling tool for the analytical study of organizational ecology issues, next to formal logic, standard game theory, and agent-based simulation. We illustrate this claim in the context of resource-partitioning theory. We assess the impact of an organization populations resource space shape and scale economies on organizational performance and market evolution. The model demonstrates that the shift of resource distribution from homogeneous (heterogeneous) to heterogeneous (homogeneous) benefits specialism (generalism). On top of that, we offer a new result by revealing the distinct effects of external and internal scale economies on market evolution.


Current title/employer (since 2012): Senior vice president of business banking and SBA lending, Bell State Bank & Trust
Previous employer (2011 to 2012): Western Bank
Education: B.A., political science, University of Minnesota, 2003
Proudest community achievement: Serving for more than seven years on the Risk Management Association board
Family: Husband, Todd; two sons, one daughter
In 2002, Erin Procko went into commercial lending instead of attending law school. Now, Bell State Bank & Trust has its own commercial lending guru.
Procko was vice president of commercial and Small Business Administration lending at Western Bank in 2012, and she was content. But Bell State was a community bank — one with opportunities for growth — so she became its senior vice president of business banking with an emphasis on SBA lending.
“I manage our commercial lending portfolio and grow it while monitoring risk and developing relationships with business owners,” she said.
Procko loves to help entrepreneurs who don’t qualify for a conventional loan get the funds they need with the government’s help. “The bank just needs assurance in cases like this, and [the SBA is] another avenue to help business owners realize their dreams, support the economy, and create jobs,” she said.
Procko is an active Risk Management Association member, serving for the last seven years on the Minnesota chapter’s board. The chapter offers networking and other events, but Procko focuses on education. “Nobody goes to school for commercial lending, so there are a lot of specific educational opportunities,” she said.
A passion for businesses motivates Procko. She recently started a Minnesota Chamber of Commerce leadership program where professionals visit businesses to learn about their challenges and opportunities, and she toured the Cambria plant in Le Sueur in September as part of the program. “It’s fascinating to see how things are really made,” she said.


Savers should ditch this dreadful account
Savers in Woolwich Direct Access, the postal or phone-based account which gives easy access to savings, should get out now.
Otherwise they will be dumped into Barclays Bonus Saver, which not only pays less interest, but also docks some of it when you take money out of your account. This poor account is no longer being sold to Barclays savers because it was closed to new business last month.
They are being offered the superior Day-to-Day Savings, a branch-based account which pays a higher 3.6% (4%) on £1 or more.
The downgrading of the Woolwich account comes as it closes its doors to savers to become the mortgage brand of Barclays. It is writing to its 3.6m savers and 2m current account holders, giving details of which account they will be moved into.
Direct Access pays 3.32% after savings tax (4.16% before tax) on up to £10,000. But the Bonus Saver pays just 1.2% (1.5%) up to £5,000 and 3.23% (4.04%) on £5,000 to £10,000.
To add insult to injury, you earn even less if you take money out of the account. The Bonus Saver rates include a 1.2% (1.5%) bonus. You qualify for it only in the months you leave your money untouched.
Make just four withdrawals in a year and you see only 0.8% (1%) of the bonus, bringing the interest rate down to 2.83% (3.54%) at £5,000. Only those with £10,000-£25,000 in the account will be marginally better off - but only if they leave their money untouched.
And you can only run Bonus Saver as a phone account if you have a Barclays current account. Savers looking for a telephone or postal account will do better with the 4.4% (5.5%) from Birmingham Midshires. p>
Beat the banks
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Money Mail recently revealed that Woolwich Card Saver account holders are being denied use of some cash machines and can no longer use their card as a debit card once they have been switched into Barclays Flexible Savings Account.
Barclays Flexible Savings pays savers 2.64% after savings tax (3.3% before tax) at £1. Co-op Bank pays a better 3.6% (4.05%).
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Surface/underground mine cost models a variety of sizes/types: theoretical mining operations, flotation milling, carbon-in-pulp, heap leach & placer models.
operating costs.of the top ten issues mining companies are likely to face in productivity and maintain s le operating costs.one such contractor is such as and.komatsu, peal is able to guarantee that the equipment.
Mine & Mill Equipment Costs ... Mine & Mill Equipment Costs Estimator's Guide, Capital & Operating Costs ... broad range of important data about other mining cost ...
Mining Equipment Operating Costs Increase Dramatically Monday, September 24, 2007 Newly released CostMine data shows a continuing dramatic increase in mining equipment operating costs.
Capital and Operating Costspdf Province of ,- MINING EQUIPMENTS and cost ,2-20 Mining Equipment (Account 94000) ,, 2-21 Coal Conveying, Crushing, and Blending ...
In studying the various factors affecting milling costs, the one point that is most noticeable is the effect of operating time on these costs. Plants that have mechanical difficulties show costs greatly in excess of those with full operating time working under comparable conditions, and this demonstrates clearly the importance of having fool proof and
Productivity and Cost ... Maintenance Cost Operating Cost Equipment effectiveness ... Productivity and cost management in the mining industry ...
operatng cost of mining equipements operatng cost of mining equipements. CostMine Industry Standard for Mining Cost Gold Mining Equipment by MSI Mining
Mining Equipment Costs Free Data for Mine Cost Estimates Mining Equipment Fleet. Capital & Operating Costs 10,000 tpd (ore + waste) open pit mine
To identify the true cost of equipment mismanagement, take a closer look at the issue. There are many costs associated with maintaining a pump, such as a yearly cost of $18,000 or the capital costs of a new shovel, which can be millions of dollars. Also, there are hidden costs of unplanned purchases and associated logistics.


IGM Financial’s portfolio of strategic investments had another exceptional year, deriving value from previous investments and integrating them in ways that generate new benefits to investors and clients.
Founded in 1998 as one of the first fund management companies in China, CAMC has developed and maintained a position among the market leaders in China’s asset management industry
27.8% ownership interest
Northleaf is a global private markets investment firm focused on mid-market companies and assets, with an established long-term track record as a principal investor in private equity, private credit and infrastructure globally.
56% economic interest
Wealthsimple is Canada’s largest online investment management service offering best-in-class digital access, innovation, client service and delivery.
Portag3, a venture capital fund focused on the financial technology sector, has holdings in over 30 early-stage financial technology companies including Wealthsimple.
$603 million fair value
Great-West Lifeco is a financial services holding company with interests in the life insurance, health insurance, retirement savings, investment management and reinsurance businesses.
2.4% ownership interest


The Japanese IT sector is comprised of different areas, including computer software, hardware, the internet, semiconductors, electronics and others. The IT is largely recognized as an important resource for the service industry. Our company formation consultants in Japan can assist you in opening an IT company in Japan.
Table of Contents
IT opportunities in Japan
The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector in Japan is projected to be the most developed sector in the country.
In 2011, this industry was worth USD 1.2 trillion, while the local government wants to further develop it to reach USD 2.4 by 2020. Our company registration advisors in Japan can provide further information related to this subject.
The opportunities in the ICT industry in Japan are numerous. Most importantly, Japan is ranked the third largest market with average revenue per user in Asia.
The country is projected to reach 160 million mobile phone subscribers which will increase by 2019.
The e-commerce is achieving a greater importance across all sectors, therefore there is a huge potential in the online consumer market, with the county being the fourth largest e-commerce market internationally.
Cybersecurity, e-commerce development and other IT sectors, they all represent countless opportunities which are awaiting entrepreneurs and investors. Our company registration executives in Japan can assist you in setting up a company in Japan in these sectors.
IT company managers can apply for a Business Manager visa with out help. This type of permit allows the holder to engage in business management and/or international trade activities, provided that the company complies with certain conditions. Our team can give you more information about the application process is you are interested in obtaining Japanese residency.
In order to immigrate to Japan, one will need to acquire the status of permanent resident. This is awarded to individuals who are of good conduct, who have sufficient income to live independently in Japan, and who have spent sufficient time in the country (in most cases, the minimum period is ten consecutive years, with only a minimum amount of time spent outside the country).
The IT Basic Law in Japan
The IT Basic Law in Japan (the Basic Bill for the Formation and Advanced Information Communication Network Society) was issued in 2001. Our Japan company formation representatives can offer more details related to this law.
The Law stipulates that the “Formation of an Advanced Information Communication Network Society” has to enable, among other things, the e-commerce.
Additionally, it stipulates that in issuing policies connected to the “Formation of an Advanced Information Communication Network Society”, measures for enabling e-commerce (e.g. reviewing regulations, providing appropriate protection, making new rules and so on) have to be taken.
If you are interested in the IT sector in Japan and would like to open a company in this industry here, please speak to our friendly company formation advisors in Japan.


Singapore is a shining beacon of financial innovation and stability in Asia, captivating investors worldwide with its vibrant and dynamic markets and promising investment opportunities. Among these opportunities, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) have emerged as desirable options for investors, offering a unique blend of growth potential and income stability that can bolster any investment portfolio.
This article will delve into the various intricacies of Singapore REITs, providing in-depth insights into their structure, benefits, and how they seamlessly integrate into an investor’s well-rounded portfolio strategy. By shedding light on these aspects, investors can better understand Singapore REITs and make informed decisions to optimise their investment endeavours.
Singapore REITs, or S-REITs, are investment vehicles that own, operate, or finance real estate across various sectors. These can include commercial, residential, industrial, and retail properties. S-REITs allow individual investors to invest in large-scale, income-generating real estate, a privilege once reserved for wealthy individuals or institutional investors.
The structure of Singapore REITs
Here are the critical components of a S-REIT structure:
Governance and regulation
S-REITs are strictly regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), ensuring transparency, fair dealing, and investor protection. The REIT manager must be a separate entity from the trustee, which holds the REIT assets in trust for unitholders.
To list on the Singapore Exchange (SGX), S-REITs must meet stringent financial criteria, including a minimum market capitalisation of $300 million and at least 90% of its income from rental properties. This listing requirement ensures that only stable and established REITs can be traded on the SGX, providing investors with security.
S-REITs in Singapore are exempt from corporate taxes if they distribute up to 90% of their taxable income to unitholders. This tax structure allows S-REITs to generate higher yields, making them attractive investments for income-seeking investors.
Benefits of investing in Singapore REITs
Here are some advantages that make S-REITs a valuable addition to any investment portfolio:
Stable income stream
S-REITs must distribute at least 90% of their taxable income to unitholders, providing investors with steady dividends, typically higher than those from traditional stocks, making S-REITs an attractive option for income-seeking investors.
S-REITs allow investors to diversify their portfolios across different sectors, such as retail, commercial, residential, and industrial properties. This diversification offers protection against market fluctuations and helps to mitigate risk.
S-REITs are managed by professionals with extensive experience in real estate and finance. These managers conduct thorough research and due diligence to ensure the REIT performs well. This level of expertise can provide investors with peace of mind, knowing that their investment is in good hands.
Incorporating Singapore REITs into your portfolio
Investing in S-REITs allows for a diverse range of strategies, providing flexibility to investors based on their financial goals and risk appetite. Some ways to incorporate S-REITs into a portfolio include:
S-REITs are ideal for income-seeking investors as they generate regular dividends, providing a stable income stream. Including S-REITs in an income-focused portfolio can help balance out riskier investments and ensure consistent returns.
For investors looking for long-term growth, adding S-REITs can provide exposure to the real estate market’s potential appreciation. As Singapore continues to grow and develop, S-REITs stand to benefit from rental income and property value increases.
Incorporating income-focused and growth-oriented investments in a portfolio can strike a balance between stability and growth. S-REITs can provide this balance, offering both dividends and potential capital appreciation.
Risks and considerations in S-REIT investments
While S-REITs offer attractive benefits to investors, it is essential to consider some risks and additional considerations before investing in them. These include:
- Interest rate risk: Similar to any income-producing investment, S-REITs are sensitive to changes in interest rates. If interest rates rise, the returns from S-REITs may become less attractive. Investors must monitor interest rate movements and assess their potential impact on S-REIT investments.
- Sector-specific risks: Different sectors within the real estate market may perform differently, and investing in a particular industry-specific REIT could expose investors to risks unique to that sector. For example, investing in a healthcare REIT may involve risks associated with the healthcare industry, such as changing regulations or shifts in healthcare demand.
- Market volatility: S-REITs are not immune to market fluctuations and can experience price swings. Investors should be prepared for potential short-term losses if they plan on holding their investment for the long term. Unlike mutual funds in Singapore, REITs are not capital-guaranteed, meaning their value can fluctuate with market conditions. Understanding market dynamics and having a long-term investment horizon can help manage the impact of market volatility.
- Liquidity risk: As S-REITs are traded on the stock exchange, there may only sometimes be enough buyers or sellers, resulting in low liquidity, which can impact the ability to change, buy or sell units at desired prices. Investors should consider the liquidity of the specific S-REIT they are interested in and be mindful of potential liquidity issues.
Investors should thoroughly assess these risks and align them with their financial goals before investing in S-REITs. Conducting comprehensive research, understanding the specific risks associated with different sectors, and seeking advice from a financial advisor in Singapore can help mitigate these risks and consider the best investment strategy for each investor. Those who wish to invest in real estate can also diversify their portfolio with other vehicles such as real estate bonds or related stocks. Regardless,investors can make well-informed decisions regarding their S-REIT investments by taking a cautious and informed approach.
Singapore REITs are an excellent investment option for investors of all levels, providing a unique blend of stability, diversification, and growth potential. With strict regulation, tax benefits, and professional management, S-REITs offer a lower-risk entry into the real estate market for individual investors. Investors can unlock significant value with Singapore REITs by understanding their structure, benefits, and ways to incorporate them into a portfolio.


Mr. Azeez Adeleke is a finance analyst. An MBA, MSC holder in international finance; and Fellow, Chartered Institute of Bankers(FCIB), in this interview with GANIYU OBAARO, says there is need for proper understanding of critical issues bordering on the raging petroleum products’ subsidy, among other national issues. Excerpt
What is your assessment of the current scarcity of petrol in the country?
It has been a blame game between the Federal Government and marketers, whether independent or major marketers. But the truth of the matter is that there was a supply gap in the importation and distribution of petroleum products across the country.
When there is a shortfall in supply, like we had recently, there will be crisis thereby leading to hike in prices of the products with its attendant impacts on the economy. Since economics, according to an American economist, is a ‘science of commonsense,’ there would be some other hidden reasons to give more credence to what is happening- ‘invisible hands’ could be at play.
I mean saboteurs, who always want to take advantage of a crisis situation like the recent petroleum scarcity. Such people could resort to hoarding the products, as we experienced when an important union in the oil industry, Petroleum Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, threatened to go on strike before it was called off.
The threat by the union to go on strike escalated the crisis. Notwithstanding, however, the non- government importers of petroleum products- Major Marketers and Independent Marketers- stopped importation of petroleum products.
What accounted for this?
It is because of huge cost of importation generally. This is generally coined as Landing Cost.
Does it mean that petroleum products’ importation is no longer profitable for the operators?
Government has pegged official pump price of a litre of petrol at N145. Therefore, any landing cost above N145 by just one kobo for example, will lead to a loss.
Who do you think would bear the loss?
Importers of the product would bear the loss. Don’t forget that the importers are business people. The government’s involvement in importation is not to make profit. The issue of subsidy is an accounting issue, which is cost against profit. By importing fuel, government may be operating at a loss, which the private operator cannot afford to do.
If the government can bring the private sector into the business, it must make a pronouncement about subsidy issue.
Let me tell you that government is not to make profit per se; part of its roles is to meet the expectations and welfare of the people; and as such, that is why government agencies are importing fuel. NNPC can afford to import fuel at a loss, which the private importers cannot afford to do. Therefore, the loss being made by the government (NNPC) is what is being described as subsidy. It is NNPC’s right to import and this probably must have been its core mandate of ensuring availability of petroleum products at all times.
But the question is, should NNPC make loss? What is the importance of supplying fuel to the economy by the government? Again, is it desirable? If yes, then, NNPC cannot be blamed. This situation can be likened to an adage which says, ‘You cannot eat your cake and still have it’.
In fact, what would have been the situation by now in the country if NNPC has not been importing petroleum products? I can tell you that the country, given its volatility, would have been in total paralysis by now. Grounded !
What has led to the current scenario of petroleum products’ importation crisis is because of the global rise in the international crude oil price, which has notched up to $68 per barrel per day. And the refiners who also supply you finished products also increased their own price. It is what you give to them that they also give back to you too.
Nigeria has recently been benefiting from international crude price increases, making a lot of foreign exchange in the process. You will recall that before now, crude price went as low as $30 per barrel, which affected our foreign revenue earnings.
Now, with the crude price increase, the country’s External Reserves have continually gone up, to the extent that, currently, we have about $40.4 billion in external reserves.
I made this prediction in my earlier interview with you that Nigeria could witness increase in external reserve, and that if it is so, the country’s N8. 612 2018 Budget could easily be financed rather than the government resorting to borrowing to finance it.
So, you can talk of subsidy when the government brings in private players in the sector. It is not official subsidy. It is letting your cost against benefit; although the product is being ‘subsidised’, but that is not the same thing as witnessed in the past when subsidy was more noticeable, even though it was riddled with sharp practices, fraud and corruption.
Why did the government allow a logjam leading to hardships for Nigerians, whereas, it should have averted it?
All the government agencies in the petroleum sector, Petroleum Price Regulatory Agency (PPRA), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) have individually and collectively explained that they were prepared for the crisis, but I think, their preparation was not adequate. Again, the template for their operations needs to be reviewed.
What then is your take on how to enhance sustainable operations in the oil and gas sector?
The panacea to the current problem in the oil industry is aggressive construction of more refineries. This means more refineries should be built to support the existing ones in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, etc. Again, the old refineries should be constantly maintained through what you call Turn Around Maintenance (TAM), as many of them are old and need to be rejuvenated to enhance their capacity.
Government must involve the private sector in the industry, because there are lots of ideas they can offer.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo recently announced the coming on stream of modular refineries. What role can modular refineries play in reducing the challenge in the oil industry?
Nigeria is a large country. Having modular refineries is a welcome development. It would help the sector to grow.


(CTN News) – A definitive agreement has been signed between Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Sobi) and CTI BioPharma in which the company acquires the company for an all-cash price of $1.7 billion as part of a $1.7 billion deal.
The company will make a tender offer through its wholly owned indirect subsidiary to buy all outstanding shares of CTI BioPharma common stock. This will be done in exchange for $9.10 in cash for each outstanding share.
Having acquired CTI BioPharma’s leading product Vonjo (pacritinib), a novel orally available kinase inhibitor of JAK2, IRAK1, and ACRV1, Sobi’s haematology medicines portfolio will be boosted with the addition of Vonjo (pacritinib).
Additionally, the deal will enhance Sobi’s exposure to the US market and increase its commercial footprint.
It is anticipated that CTI BioPharma will benefit from Sobi’s resources, scale and international presence. This is as it expands and investigates new indications and potential development opportunities for Vonjo in the future. DNA sequencing (DNA-seq) is a technique used to determine the precise sequence of nucleotides in a DNA molecule. And deseq2 primarily focuses on gene expression levels.
CTI BioPharma president, CEO and interim chief medical officer Adam Craig said: “We are delighted to announce this transaction, which delivers a compelling all-cash premium to our shareholders while positioning CTI BioPharma to unlock Vonjo’s full potential in treating myeloproliferative disease in a highly effective manner.
“By joining forces with Sobi, we will be able to take advantage of additional financial and developmental resources to drive and enhance the growth of Vonjo, and we look forward to building an essential relationship with a global partner whose mission, culture, and strategic business priorities align with our own.”
In addition, Vonjo has also been approved to treat myelofibrosis in adults with a platelet count below 50 x109/L by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
It has been unanimously approved by CTI’s board of directors that the transaction will be completed by the third quarter of 2023.
Sobi will then become the company’s sole shareholder and it will become a subsidiary of the company.


April 25, 2017
Delta Toronto Hotel South Core, SOCO Ballroom
75 Lower Simcoe Street, Toronto, Ontario
The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships hosts Minister Amarjeet Sohi, Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, will address the initiatives outlined in the 2017 federal budget, including comments on the Canadian Infrastructure Bank and the role public-private partnerships will play in addressing our national infrastructure needs.
Visit event's website


What is it about?
This paper examines the significance of external knowledge sources as impacting factors on innovation by incorporating a variety of external sourcing strategies, the firm’s internal competencies and the industry attributes, into a unique analytical framework in predicting the innovative capabilities of firms in developing countries. The World Bank Enterprise and Innovation follow-up dataset for manufacturing, service and retail firms in 11 countries in sub-Saharan Africa is utilised to assess the degree to which firms utilize external sources of information (customers, competitors, consultants, new employees and workshops) in the implementation of product, process, marketing and organizational innovation. Sectoral and country-specific estimations are performed with IV binary treatment and Tobit models, respectively. The findings demonstrate that, although internal sources are essential, external sources of information are also necessary to attain the desired level of innovativeness. These findings confirm the open innovation literature in that firms that open their innovation process and utilise distinct knowledge sources have a superior capability to introduce innovations. The paper provides significant contributions to the literature. The paper uncovers three sources of external knowledge linking indirect players in the market that are not common in the literature (consultant, new employees and workshop). The study shows that the baggage of knowledge inherent in these three sources is indeed essential to the innovative capabilities of the firms. Second, the results also reveal that the essentiality of external sources of knowledge differs conditional on the type of innovation considered (product, process, marketing or organisational), dependent variable operationalisation, sectoral, methodical configurations, and country specifics. Third, the study contributes to the understanding of how firms in emerging economies develop competencies for innovativeness through the interplay of knowledge from both direct and indirect market players. The findings offer essential insights on how management could invest in the distinct, useful and preferred external sources to best foster a compelling introduction of any innovation. The study further provides robust and novel evidence of the role of new consultants, employees and workshops on firms’ propensityto innovate.
Photo by Iñaki del Olmo on Unsplash
Why is it important?
These findings have implications for our understanding of how innovation is produced and studied. They recommend the need to distinctly consider what form of external knowledge best fits the desired innovation at the focal firms. This complements other evidence that demonstrates that the effect of many factors could be at play in the ability of the firms to introduce a successful innovation. For example, internal sources are considered essential for the four innovations studied in this analysis. Note also that sectoral divergence with regards to the suitability of external knowledge is observed in our findings (see, Table A1). Our results confirm the importance of external sources of information, but they also highlight the relevance of internal sources, with regards to all the innovation types introduced by the firms. An open innovationapproach lets firms not only to obtain higher innovation perfor-mance but also to capture value (Chesbrough, 2003).Regarding policy recommendations, the findings from this analysis recommend that policies that encourage the links between firms and market and scientific sources of information must be stimulated since they positively affect innovation optimisation. These policies should consider that a diverse blend of sources of information is valuable to successful innovation introduction.Nevertheless, they should also consider the diverse nature andinfluence of the sources of information on the different innovation to attain the anticipated result. Interestingly, as a matter of interest, a separate estimation is performed accounting for the directeffect of these external knowledge sources on internal R&D (See, Table A2). The results are indeed compelling in that; all the knowl-edge sources are found to relate positively and significantly to theinternal knowledge build-up of the focal firms.
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: External knowledge modes and firm-level innovation performance: Empirical evidence from sub-Saharan Africa, Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, October 2019, Elsevier, DOI: 10.1016/j.jik.2019.08.001.
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Spanish bank rescue soaks up €41b
Spain is unlikely to need more money from Brussels to fix its financial industry after receiving €41.4 billion ($52 billion) to shore up banks hammered by a 2008 property crash, the European Commission says. Spain secured a loan of up to €100 billion from its eurozone partners last year to help rescue banks. brought to their knees by a mountain of bad debt. Under the program, Spain has received two payments to recapitalise lenders and fund a "bad bank", known as Sareb, to absorb the soured property assets of bailed-out lenders.
Britain suffered a bruising defeat at the hands of European Union finance ministers in a vote to impose tough restrictions on bankers’ bonuses.