Business Commons^™

The Olive Tree, Volume 22 Issue 2

The Olive Tree

The Olive Tree, published twice each year by Fogler Library at the University of Maine, features articles about library projects, collections, technological innovations, and events. The hallmark of the Fogler Library Friends, an ancient engraving of an olive tree, was adopted from the title page of La Cosmographie Universelle by André Thevet. The two volume encyclopedia, which was published in Paris in 1575, is shelved in the Library's Special Collections Department. One of the longest living trees, the olive tree parallels the development of civilizations.

2014 University Of Maine System Financial Report, University Of Maine System

General University of Maine Publications

University of Maine System (“the System” or UMS) management has prepared the following unaudited Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) to provide users with a narrative and analysis of the System’s financial position and activities based on currently known facts, decisions, and conditions. This discussion includes an analysis of the financial condition and results of activities of the System for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2014 and prior years. This presentation includes highly summarized information and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying basic financial statements and related notes.

Guidelines Regarding Consenting Relationships, University Of Maine System

General University of Maine Publications

University of Maine System Guidelines Regarding Consenting Relationships

University Of Maine Inclement Weather Policy, University Of Maine

General University of Maine Publications

University of Maine Inclement Weather

University Of Maine Students' Family Income And Its Relation To Alcoholism, Vincent Loconte

Honors College

This study was designed to address the issue of alcohol abuse among University of Maine students’ families and to look for correlating factors, mainly income. The project used an online, anonymous survey of on-campus students at the University of Maine to examine a possible correlation between (a) having a family member with alcoholism and (b) their family’s social economic status. One purpose of this research study was to find if there is accurate, adequate education or counseling for students who have alcohol abuse problems or family members who are alcoholics. A non-research byproduct of the survey was that, for students …

Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac: What's Next?, Zachary D. Porter

Honors College

The purpose of this research was to explore the mortgage market in the United States and determine an effective plan of action moving forward. The US experienced a major housing crisis in 2007-2008. As a result, the market has been under significant scrutiny. At the heart of this debate are the two major lending institutions, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The crisis has caused many politicians to call for an overhaul of the US mortgage market, a phasing out of the two agencies, and a shift in the market toward the private sector. A bipartisan proposal in March 2014 addressed …

Muckrakers Vs. Public Relations: Analytical Case Studies, Maria Necastro

Honors College

The purpose of the three independent case studies in this thesis is to examine the complex relationship between investigative journalism and corporate public relations. By examining the journalistic works written by three of America’s best-selling authors and the following corporate communications responses, it becomes possible to understand the importance of strategic communication. Ultimately the dynamic relationship between investigative reporting and public relations is one that produces visible change, within both society and corporations.

The Olive Tree, Volume 22, Issue 1

The Olive Tree

The Spring 2014 Olive Tree features articles about library projects, collections, technological innovations, and events at Fogler Library, University of Maine.

Workforce Investment Act Of 2013, Kimberly Davis, Laura Valencia

Policy Analysis

Senator Murray (D-WA), Senator Isakson (R-GA), Senator Harkin (D-IA), and Senator Alexander (D-TN) introduced the Workforce Investment Act of 2013. The Workforce Investment Act amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) to revise requirements and reauthorize appropriations for funding core employment programs including Section 511 of Title V of the Rehabilitation Act in the State of Maine. We would like you to vote in support of the Workforce Investment Act.

Growing Ideas - Caring For Young Children - Business Matters, University Of Maine Center For Community Inclusion And Disability Studies

Early Childhood Resources

Caregivers or business owners? Family child care providers are both. Paying attention to the business aspects of running a family child care home is an important component to having the income and working environment needed for program success.

Planning Accessible Meetings And Conferences: A Suggested Checklist And Guide, University Of Maine Center For Community Inclusion And Disability Studies,, Speaking Up For Us Of Maine

Community Living

This checklist was updated in November 2020 to include information for online meetings and conferences.

This checklist is designed to help any person, group, or organization plan a meeting or conference that is inclusive and welcoming for everyone. It offers helpful suggestions in many areas of event planning, including choosing a location, using respectful language for registration questions about accommodations, and tips on refreshments and meals. Its purpose is to provide practical recommendations that promote meaningful participation for everyone.

Minerva 2014, The Honors College

Minerva

This issue of Minerva includes an article on newly expanded and renovated Honors spaces; a spotlight on student research collaboratives; a celebration of renowned Honors faculty members, Steve Cohn and Tina Passman; and a discussion of Honors student travel and volunteerism.

Maine Sea Grant Annual Report 2014, Maine Sea Grant

Maine Sea Grant Publications

Globally, seaweeds represent an $8 billion industry, which presents several opportunities to fishermen and sea farmers in Maine’s coastal environment, especially given the continued restrictions in several major state and federal fisheries. With support from her partners and other Marine Extension Team (MET) members, Sarah Redmond is leading the effort to bring local sea vegetables to market through research, education, and outreach. New nursery cultivation techniques for native species are under development with Sea Grant support, and funding from the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center provided for transfer of seaweed cultivation technology to industry. In 2014, Sea Grant provided approximately 5,600 …

Economic And Technological Innovation In Maine Before The Twentieth Century: Complex, Uneven, But Pervasive And Important, Howard P. Segal

Maine Policy Review

Maine had a long history of economic and technological innovation which began long before it became a state in 1820. Over the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, woolen mills, shoe factories, paper mills, hydroelectric power and utilities, and other components of mainstream America’s industrial and commercial revolutions became key parts of most Mainers’ daily lives. This article argues that the blue highway signs one passes on entering Maine—Maine: The Way Life Should Be—conceal much of Maine’s actual past and present, especially its rich and complex history of innovation.

Interview With Doug Hall On The Role Of Training In Innovation, Margo Lukens, Doug Hall

Maine Policy Review

In this interview, Doug Hall gives his current thinking on the teaching of innovation and the urgency for doing so. Hall has been working in the field of innovation for most of his career. He has served as partner and mentor in the University of Maine’s program which offers an Innovation Engineering minor open to undergraduate students in any major and a certificate for graduate students. Hall says that “the world of the guru is done” and that “companies, colleges, and countries need to empower their people to lead the transformation from the inside out.”

Maine’S Innovation Prospects: What The Research Can Tell Us, Linda Silka

Maine Policy Review

The innovation literature suggests Maine faces a number of challenges. This overview article discusses this literature, noting how recent findings about boundary spanning point to the importance of both individual skills and group collaboration in innovation. It highlights the implications for policies that could jumpstart innovation, noting the importance of looking to history, looking across topics, looking across disciplines, looking to other states, and looking to other countries to avoid becoming too short-sighted and parochial in approaches.

Natural Advantages Are Key To Achieving A Vibrant Innovation Ecosystem In Maine, David J. Kappos

Maine Policy Review

No abstract provided.

An Emerging Model Of Innovation For Maine, Renee Kelly

Maine Policy Review

The state of Maine began making significant investments in research and development in the late 1990s, aligning those investments with industry sectors that drew upon the state’s traditional strengths as well as emerging industries such as biotechnology. This strategy was largely built upon the cluster theory of economic development, which can be challenging to implement in rural areas, in part because of their less dense social networks. This paper suggests that developing more efficient social networks will build stronger clusters and make rural areas more successful in innovation, and presents the Blackstone Accelerates Growth initiative as an emerging model for …

Transforming Maine’S Economy: Innovation And Entrepreneurship Policy, Catherine Searle Renault

Maine Policy Review

Innovation and entrepreneurship are major drivers of economic growth. Support for them is a primary role of state government in order to increase the well being of its citizens through the provision of well-paying jobs that cannot be easily exported. Today, the state’s role is described as “enhancing the innovation ecosystem,” with the goal of increased productivity, innovation and competitiveness. Policies to build the ecosystem include: (1) building and supporting a state’s research and development capacity; (2) encouraging a state’s entrepreneurial community, (3) increasing the productivity of a state’s economy though the commercialization of new products, services, processes, business models …

R&D: Cornerstone Of The Knowledge Economy, Evan Richert

Maine Policy Review

Maine has made progress toward achieving the goals set out 13 years ago in the State Planning Office’s publication “30 and 1000.” That publication projected that if 30 percent of the state’s adults had at least four-year degrees and if businesses, academia, and government were spending $1,000 per employed worker on research and development, Maine’s per capita income would reach the national average. The state still has a ways to go. Today it is estimated that the R&D threshold is about $1,600 per employed worker. Business will need to nearly double its effort to reach its share of the goal. …

Research, Innovation, And Commercialization At The University Of Maine, James S. (Jake) Ward Iv

Maine Policy Review

This paper presents the University of Maine’s accomplishments through its use of state R&D funds.

State Investment In University Research And Commercialization: What Is Measurable And What Is Meaningful?, Kris Burton

Maine Policy Review

There are serious challenges in measuring the impact of universities on their state economies and in measuring the return on investment in universities by state legislatures. This article discusses the metrics currently used in looking at societal investment in research and the commercialization of research results. It asks if more meaningful metrics are needed, and if so, are they possible to obtain?

Innovation Engineering, Brianna Hughes, Kathryn Smith

Maine Policy Review

A graduate and an undergraduate student reflect on their experiences in the University of Maine’s Innovation Engineering program.

Finding Untapped Opportunities In Forests, Linda Silka

Maine Policy Review

Opportunities for innovation in forests in Maine and elsewhere are discussed, including forest bioproducts research at the University of Maine.

Farming’S Future Depends On Continued Innovation, John Piotti

Maine Policy Review

Farming is on the upswing in Maine, with many innovative practices and institutions described in this article.

Do We Have The Workforce Skills For Maine’S Innovation Economy?, John Dorrer

Maine Policy Review

A convergence of economic and demographic forces is shaping a set of formidable challenges for Maine. This article describes how a workforce with superior skills is the key to economic growth and innovation. Over the last five decades, skill requirements have changed dramatically for most workers with the shift from goods-producing to service industries. While much has been done in reforming K-12, post secondary, and adult education systems to accommodate the changing Maine economy, it is not enough More innovation and adaptation will be required from policymakers, institutional leaders, employers and Maine people themselves.