Goddard School Launches New International Business and Economic Blog
Goddard School Launches New International Business and Economic Blog
October 17, 2018
by Jeff Steagall, Dean and Professor of Economics
Welcome to a new blog from the John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics at Weber State University (WSU). This blog is sponsored by a generous gift from U.S. Translation Company, which was created in 1995, and is owned and operated by Goddard School alumnus David Utrilla. Listed on Inc. 5000, U.S. Translation helps companies transact business with non-English-speaking markets, focusing on industry, life sciences, high tech and industrial automation and manufacturing. David is also the Honorary Consul of Peru in Utah.
The internet already has a myriad of blogs and media that provide analysis of current issues of importance. Why does the world need another one?
Our goal is to provide insights from business scholars. When you read our blog, you can count on timely information from an outstanding group of faculty. We will provide a well-researched, balanced perspective that is devoid of partisan political rhetoric. Our authors might take one side of an argument but will give due respect to alternative ideas. Our goal is to cut through to the facts, so readers can consider the ramifications of an issue, rather than form opinion from biased statistics or non-representative anecdotes.
An important distinction of our contribution will be a careful analysis of long-term, perhaps unintended, consequences of various issues under consideration.
For instance, British citizens opted to leave the European Union through the so-called Brexit (British exit) vote. Many believed that parting economic ways with their European neighbors would allow strong new bilateral ties with the world’s largest economies, such as the United States and China.
The March 2019 date for splitting is fast approaching, and British politicians and citizens are learning the split comes with a host of complications. Must they reinstitute a border between sovereign Ireland and British Northern Ireland? If so, will that mark a return to trouble between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland? What about the huge European market? Will the United Kingdom (U.K.) stay in the customs union with the EU? A customs union means that the union, not individual member nations, negotiates all trade deals. Staying in means continued free trade with Europe, but also precludes new bilateral agreements for the U.K.
The world is an increasingly complex place. Our blog will help readers understand the subtleties and consequences that exist with every decision.
Naturally, Goddard faculty will focus on issues related to business and economics. When the American government makes a policy decision or a foreign firm makes an investment decision, there are real implications for businesses and consumers across the globe, including here in Utah. Given the inarguably global nature of business relationships, the blog will be inherently international in scope.
That global viewpoint is why I am thrilled to partner on this blog with U.S. Translation Company. My good friend David Utrilla will contribute quarterly, offering a business owner’s perspective on key issues.
For those who are not familiar with WSU’s Goddard School of Business & Economics, we are located on two lovely campuses in Ogden and Layton, Utah. Our accomplishments include decades of educating business and civic leaders, who continue to transform our companies and country. Our alumni include former CEOs of global companies, such as Black & Decker, ATK and T-Mobile USA. Our hometown in Ogden has been led by numerous mayors who wear WSU Wildcat purple with pride. Our faculty publish widely and are highly respected in both academic circles and in the business community.
Although we have our own interests, we invite you to suggest topics about which you would like to know more. You can make your suggestions by filling out a simple form here (https://www.weber.edu/goddard/BlogInquiry.html). Although we cannot address everything in a twice-monthly blog, we will certainly try to weave as many answers as possible into our articles.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about our new blog. I hope you will return to read David Utrilla’s inaugural contribution on October 31.