The Japanese philosophy of kaizen offers opportunity for industrial development in Africa
By Jin Kimiaki, Keijiro Otsuka, Tetsushi SonobeThere is a consensus among economists that for economic growth to be sustainable in the long run, it must be driven by productivity gains. While it is true that productivity can be improved using new machinery, technology does not improve productivity unless operators use and maintain it properly. Good…
The coming digital divide: What to do, and not do, about it
By Blair Levin One of the few bipartisan agreements in Washington, D.C. these days is that our country needs to bridge the digital divide and guarantee that no area is bereft of the broadband infrastructure necessary to thrive in the 21st century information economy. Despite that consensus, the digital divide is about to get worse,…
Figures of the week: Africa’s business potential
By Payce Madden On January 11, the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings released Foresight Africa: Top priorities for the continent in 2019, focusing on six key priorities for the region in 2019. The fifth chapter, Africa’s untapped business potential, focuses on the massive opportunities that exist for the private sector in African markets that could…
Debt management in a challenging environment: Lessons from Côte d’Ivoire
By Adama Koné Côte d’Ivoire’s objective is to reach the status of an emerging country by 2020, a goal that will require a debt management strategy that enhances economic performance over the coming years while preserving macroeconomic stability. While debt issuance is necessary to help finance capital expenditure and the broader economic agenda, the government…
Job openings reach a record high
The U.S. economy posted 7.3 million open jobs in December despite trade tensions and a partial government shutdown
Reddit raises $300 million in finance round led by China’s Tencent
The investment, which values the social media service at $3 billion, comes as Reddit is blocked in China
Wall Street jumps on optimism over U.S.-China trade talks
Investors are watching for progress in U.S.-China trade talks and in negotiations to avert a second government shutdown
Corporate tax cuts were supposed to boost worker pay — they aren’t
Despite a healthy U.S. economy, most businesses plan to offer employees only a modest raise this year
Toys R Us plots a 2nd act with new look, new name
The children’s brand is planning to return as Tru Kids, with smaller stores and a stronger e-commerce presence
These new Barbies come in a wheelchair and have a prosthetic leg
Mattel says it’s making iconic toy line more diverse after adding two dolls with disabilities
$1,000 monthly in universal basic income gets put to a test
Presidential candidate Andrew Yang will pay two families that much for a year to promote his free income proposal
Toys R Us plots a second act with new look, new name
The children’s brand is planning to return as Tru Kids, with smaller stores and a stronger e-commerce presence
CBD fans want edibles, but some states are cracking down
States are cracking down on cannabidiol-infused food over safety concerns — some in the industry say it’s warranted
Where’s my tax refund? The IRS has a tracker for that
Now you can easily find out when your check will arrive, but you’ll also have to allow yourself to be tracked
How companies are also flunking retirement planning
Few employers offer phased-retirement plans, which can help both workers and companies plan for retirement
Denver teachers to strike for first time in 25 years
Educators are planning to strike Monday after failed negotiations with the school district over base pay
How to right some common financial wrongs
CBS News business analyst and certified financial planner, Jill Schlesinger, joins “CBS This Morning: Saturday” to discuss some key financial tips from her new book, “The Dumb Things Smart People Do with Their Money: Thirteen Ways to Right Your Financial Wrongs.”
“You feel so overwhelmed”: Fed reports $1 trillion increase in debt
The Federal Reserve reports that since 2013, there has been a $1 trillion increase in the amount of debt American are carrying
Fed reports $1 trillion increase in Americans’ debt
The Federal Reserve reports that since 2013, there has been a $1 trillion increase in the amount of debt American are carrying. Jericka Duncan reports.
Rubies: The real rock stars
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but blood-red gemstones are a cut above the rest. Serena Altschul examines what qualities make rubies the new gold standard for romantic gifts
Gucci and Prada aim for outrageousness, get outrage
Upscale fashion designers spur backlash with racist designs — are they as clueless as they seem?
Valentine’s Day: Fewer love it, more leave it
A record low number of people plan to mark the commercial occasion, but those who do are spending more than ever
“Fiji Water Girl” is countersued by Fiji Water over Golden Globes photos
The countersuit claims Kelleth Cuthbert, who went viral for her Golden Globes photobombing, wants “to extort” money from the water company
Wells Fargo outage: Customers say direct deposits aren’t showing up
Banking customers complained about problems accessing their accounts, while the bank vowed to reverse fees
So far, tax refunds this year are smaller than in 2018
Average refund dropped by $170 from this time last year, leaving some taxpayers fuming
Spike Lee boycotts Gucci and Prada over blackface items
His boycott was a powerful message to fashion houses
3 tips for entrepreneurs with late-paying customers
More than two-thirds of small business owners can’t pay themselves and nearly one-fifth can’t invest in their businesses as a result
Homebuying in 2019: Prices dipping, but other problems linger
While it may not be as strong of a seller’s market, higher mortgage rates and lack of inventory could stymie buyers
Target updates app after TV station reveals in-store price hikes
The TV station randomly picked 10 items and found four of them jumped in price when they approached a store
Amazon could scrap New York City HQ2, report says
Ecommerce giant faces fierce local resistance to its plan to build a second headquarters in borough of Queens
FTC busts “phantom debt” collection scheme
Consumers were allegedly duped out of millions of dollars by debt collectors masquerading as lawyers
Trump says U.S. has the world’s “hottest” economy — he’s way off
While other economies are stronger, America’s is no slouch, but it is noticeably slower than just a few months ago
CBD fans want edibles, but some states are killing their buzz
States are cracking down on cannabidiol-infused food over safety concerns — some in the industry say it’s warranted
Automakers recall 1.7 million cars over air bag fears
Subaru, Tesla and five other car manufacturers will replace potentially lethal inflators from Takata
Instagram changes rules on self-harm postings after suicide
The change comes after a father blamed the social-media service for contributing to his daughter’s decision to take her life
Cashless trend worries lawmakers: “If it’s not discrimination, it’s elitism”
Cash is no longer king at many businesses, but a lawmakers across the country are trying to protect consumers’ options
Millionaire (and billionaire) taxes: An idea whose time has come?
Proposals to jack up taxes on the richest Americans are back on the political map, and still popular with the public
Court OKs Eddie Lampert’s bid to buy bankrupt Sears
Investor says his plan would keep more than 400 stores open and save tens of thousands of jobs
Walgreens tops list for illegal cigarette sales to minors
FDA says the drugstore chain has racked up nearly 1,800 violations for selling tobacco products to children
Stakes are high for cities and regions ahead of an unsettled 2020 census
By Alan Berube A little over one year from now, the United States will participate in a democratic tradition that stretches back to the founding of the republic: the once-a-decade census of its population. From 1790 (U.S. population: 3.9 million) to 2010 (U.S. population: 309 million), the decennial census has changed alongside the nation itself….
Ikea exploring first foray into renting furniture
Housewares giant will test rental program this spring as it looks to attract new customers and adapt to changing habits
Woody Allen sues Amazon over scuttled four-movie deal
The director is seeking $68 million from the tech giant, which refused to distribute Allen’s latest film
Medicare patients face surging costs for some life-saving drugs
Participants in the federal health program often struggle to afford treatments for cancer and other diseases