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 Cycle Time Research, a division of the Fogelman College, was formed in 1993 as the Center for Cycle Time Research, a strategic alliance between The University of Memphis and FedEx. The purpose of the Center is to conduct research concerning ways of reducing time in organizational processes -- that is, the amount of time it takes to complete a task -- in a way that reduces cost and/or increases customer service. Much of the Center's work focuses on finding new ways of using information technology and organizational change to speedthe flow of information, thereby reducing paperwork and needless activity.

The Center operates from a grant provided by FedEx Corporation. Three-fourths of the money supports research projects requested by FedEx. These projects may address FedEx internal activities or those of key FedEx customers. The remaining funds are used by the University to enhance its information technology, academic and research programs.

Representatives from FedEx and the Center comprise a Steering Committee which meets regularly to review the progressof current studies, discuss proposed future studies, and address other Center-related activities.

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