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Wisdom via iTunes: Understanding the booming podcast market and what’s worth a listen

February 21, 2016December 4, 2014 by Chris Weinberg

Chris Weinberg dissects the rise, fall, and rise again of podcasts.

Dealing at arms-length: sinking dubious tax havens

November 6, 2019May 20, 2014 by ESSA Writers

The global reputation of many behemoth multinationals has been tarnished by their dubious international tax arrangements. Among the worst offenders are Apple, Google and Starbucks. From 2009 to 2011 Apple alone managed to avoid taxes on $44 billion of its global profits. An Australian Financial Review investigation reveals since 2002 Apple has only paid $193 million in Australian tax, whilst recording $27 billion of sales over that period. It begs the question: how can such a well-known multinational, like Apple, engage in blatant tax avoidance within Australia’s sophisticated tax system?

Editors’ Picks – March 30, 2014

February 29, 2016December 31, 2013 by ESSA Publications

Each week the ESSA Editors pick out the best articles from the latest in the world of economics, politics, and everything in between.

When should you upgrade your phone?

February 16, 2016September 26, 2013 by Lachlan Walden

The annual release by Apple of yet another ‘must-have’ iPhone – or in this case possibly two depending on your definition of ‘new’ – is an occasion that conduces many to reflect on whether it’s time they upgraded their mobile device.

Planned Obsolescence: Competition Against Longevity

February 16, 2016September 26, 2012 by Clement Wong

Last time, I shared with you the story of Phoebus – a 20^th century cartel that sought to fix light bulb prices as well as harm product innovation with reduced longevity. Doing so would mean strong demand for replacement products, and fortified sales volumes. Since those early days though, some economic literature has surfaced to formally analyse the rationale behind planned obsolescence in imperfectly competitive markets. With this understanding in mind, we find that there are plenty of remarkable examples of planned obsolescence today.

How to eat an Apple

February 16, 2016September 9, 2012 by Thomas Wu

The technology sector- what’s a firm to do?

Hot off the heels of the recent Apple vs. Samsung trial in the U.S. there has been heated discussion over what implications this ruling will have on the future of technology companies. While Apple walked away from the trial with a definitive victory and another $1.05 billion to add to its already overweight piggy-bank, could this triumph actually be a curse in disguise?

The Profitable Orientation

February 16, 2016June 24, 2012 by Hanbo Li

“It is no longer economically viable to continue manufacturing here.” These are words which we have become increasingly desensitized to, and now expect from large companies in many industries. Resentment towards the faceless foreign factory workers who stole our jobs has largely died down, and has been replaced by arguments over how best to protect those remaining jobs (think, car subsidies).