Binghamton University faculty members make predictions on 2011

VESTAL -- Wondering what might be coming in 2011?

Faculty members at Binghamton University have identified seven different issues, trends or events likely to make headlines in the coming year.

Here they are:

* David Campbell, assistant professor of public administration at BU's College of Community and Public Affairs: There will be a focus on philanthropy and technology in 2011. As nonprofit leaders continue to look for ways to identify and connect with new donors, mobile applications and the proliferation of marketing information gathered online will contribute to increased micro-targeting of potential donors, he said.

"Look for more partnerships between nonprofits and sites like Groupon and LivingSocial, which provide bargain shopping opportunities in cities around the United States and Canada," Campbell said.

* Eugene Krentsel, assistant vice president for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships: In 2011, Republicans and Democrats will agree the road to economic recovery begins with a return to the basic principle of promoting and incentivizing entrepreneurialism, Krentsel said.

"That concept has been, remains now and will remain the brilliance of the American dream," he said.

Innovation and entrepreneurship have always flourished during economic crises as many companies with what are today household names were born at those times, and in turn, have ultimately contributed to job creation, he said.

* David Cingranelli, professor of political science at BU's Harpur College of Arts and Sciences: In the next few years, there will be continued decline in government protection of the rights of workers around the world, including freedom to collectively bargain, strike and join unions, Cingranelli said.

"The downward pressure on governments to weaken labor protection laws and/or enforcement is due to the increased global competition for foreign investment and the desire by most, if not all, governments to produce goods for export at the lowest possible cost," he said.

Worker rights are eroding as factory jobs are moved to countries with lower labor costs, he said.

(source:pressconnects.com)