The Sparks Bureau of Business and Economic Research/Center for Manpower Studies of the Fogelman College at the University of Memphis provides data and analyses of economic, demographic, and business trends in the Mid-South and conducts applied research on topics affecting the state, regional, and local economies. Areas of concentrated research include economic development, welfare reform, gaming, education, economic impact studies, labor market analyses, revenue forecasting, and survey research. Research results are available in printed and electronic formats.

Memphis CIBER

Established in 1989, Memphis CIBER is the only CIBER located in the Lower Mississippi Delta region-an area encompassing most of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana and parts of Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee. Characterized by serious limitations on human and economic resources and a provincial mindset wary of change, the Delta region contains some of the poorest counties in the United States

Since its inception, Memphis CIBER has systematically worked to develop a continuum of programs designed to globalize the thinking and activities of students, faculty, and business in the Lower Mississippi Delta while contributing to national competitiveness goals. Core programs are continually refined to respond to emerging needs and growth opportunities while maintaining their focus on the region's unique needs.

CIBER began its efforts focused on affecting institutional change at The University of Memphis. Results include the development and implementation of an International MBA Program that significantly advanced institutional collaboration, resources, and strategies for further internationalization efforts across academic disciplines.

The Center for Economic Education

The Center for Economic Education at the University of Memphis promotes economic literacy through the public and private school systems and to the community at large. The CEE provides resources, training and support to K-12 educators to better equip teachers and students with functional economic and financial education. The CEE also provides opportunities for improved adult economic literacy through outreach programs. The CEE offers a variety of workshops and for-credit classes for teachers in the Memphis region.

Center for Supply Chain Management

The FedEx Center for Supply Chain Management, which is part of the FedEx Institute of Technology at The University of Memphis, is a leader in applied supply chain management research.  A primary focus of the FedEx Center’s research is the critical role of information technology in SCM.  The FedEx Center for Supply Chain Management received the 2003 Academic Excellence Award by the Tennessee State Board of Regents in recognition of its accomplishments.

FedEx Center for Supply Chain Management activities include:

• Research – Conducts scientific investigations into supply chain management issues using case studies, surveys, field experiments, and computer-based modeling that result in client reports, working papers and journal articles.

• Educational Programs – A wide range of supply chain management educational programs are offered.  Customized and certificate programs are available.

• Presentations – Provides presentations on leading practices in supply chain management by nationally prominent practitioners and scholars.

The Center for Healthcare Economics

In March 2003, Methodist Healthcare and Le Bonheur Systems, Inc. gave the University of Memphis a donation of $1,000,000 to establish The Center for Healthcare Economics in the Fogelman College of Business & Economics. The purpose of the Center is to address complex healthcare issues of efficiency, effectiveness and equity with a focus on emerging healthcare issues that affect Memphis, Shelby County, and the State of Tennessee.

The Center provides a physical and administrative structure to facilitate the study of health care and its economic impact. Through a variety of research, internship, instruction, and public services programs, the Center works closely with entities both internal and external to the University to accomplish its mission. In the near term, the key policy areas emphasized by the Center include, among other topics:

• Study of the impact and applicability of regional and state health economics trends

• Evaluation of government health care programs such as TennCare and development of strategies and methods for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of these programs

• Generation of scientific information concerning the costs and benefits of various wellness and health promotion programs for employers and their employees

• Assistance to stakeholders such as patients and employers in the promotion of cost effective dissemination of new health technologies and pharmaceutical products