Addressing a mixed audience recently at the W. P. Carey School of Business, U.S. Treasurer Anna Escobedo Cabral breezed through an economic update before plunging into the controversial issue of illegal immigrant workers.

When an employee underperforms, supervisors must decide whether to fire that person or wait to see whether performance improves. In the balance are the transition costs of finding a replacement and getting that person up to speed mdash; costs could be saved if the original employee improves.

Knowledge Management (KM) systems have provided companies with a tool that allows them to collect and provide access to the collective expertise of their employees. The appeal is obvious: Sharing experiences and lessons leads to efficiency and innovation.

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, insurance coverage for commercial property and casualty loss in the event of terrorism became hard to find and prohibitive to purchase. Congress responded in November 2002, enacting the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act.

Europe and the U.S., which had been clamoring for a free-floating Chinese currency in the hopes of addressing growing trade deficits, got their wish this summer when China announced a limited float for the Yuan.

As prices soar in many real estate markets around the country, observers are eagerly waiting to see to see what will happen next. One of the subplots of the unfolding drama is the imminent retirement of the baby-boom generation.

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights, also known as TABOR, is shaping up as a powerful movement in the continuing battle to control government spending. But whether it is a grassroots phenomenon or a grass fire depends on your point of view.

In tomorrow's economy, "jobs will go to the best-educated work force, where there is a strong IT infrastructure, innovation and a supportive government," says John Chambers, the dynamic CEO of Cisco Systems Inc.

When Wharton professor Karl Ulrich began thinking about ways to compensate for the pollution he caused in everyday life — including auto emissions — he came up with a novel idea, which he eventually pitched to the 41 students in his "Problem Solving, Design and System Improvement" class.

In 2007, Arizona's economy will continue to expand even as the state begins to face the consequences of the 2004-2005 housing frenzy.