Cliff Waldman, director of economic studies
In the final report of his series on productivity growth, Cliff argues that the purchase and implementation of new technologies involves a larger and more complex set of decision factors beyond traditional ROI metrics. He provides a decision framework that includes the broad and far-reaching benefits and costs of new technology in addition to traditional ROI metrics. Special Report

Ernest H. Preeg, senior adviser for international trade and finance
Ernie assesses trade in manufactured goods with China and Mexico, noting that our relationships with the two countries differ in terms of trade composition and policy. In the first half of 2016, Chinese global exports of $935 billion were 68% larger than the $555 billion of US exports. Policy Analysis

Cliff Waldman discusses MAPI member reactions to the Brexit, London's status as a financial center, market reactions, changes in regulatory structure and the effects of monetary policy accommodation. Blog

October 19, Chicago
Join your peers at our 4th annual Conflict Minerals Forum, where Hagen Ganem of Skadden will provide a helpful overview of the legal aspects of conflict minerals compliance, including the litigation challenging the rule, possible changes by the SEC and the chances of repeal. Hagen spent four years working at the SEC and now helps manufacturers write their conflict minerals reports. Forum

The final-offer arbitration technique encourages fairness during disputes by giving an arbitrator the power to pick one or the other offer, but nothing in between. "The point of the challenge is to credibly signal that you believe your offer is fair and you won't improve on it unless the other side returns to the table with a far more reasonable proposal," write Max Bazerman and Daniel Kahneman.

Technology and personal connections are both needed for leaders hoping to develop the next generation, Thuy Sindell writes. Such leadership development must be available to all employees, not just executives.

President Barack Obama is pushing to get the Trans-Pacific Partnership passed in Congress, but it is looking unlikely as both presidential candidates are against it. If TPP does not pass, the US should form a free-trade agreement with Japan to gain some leverage in the region, especially if the proposed China-South Korea-Japan tripartite deal goes through, says Ernie Preeg, MAPI Foundation's senior adviser for international trade and finance.