Matsuda Economics Laboratory -MEL- © 2004-2010 Kazu Matsuda All rights reserved.

Matsuda Journal of Applied Economics

Issue 1: May 2007

• "Music Industry Piracy", Erica Mt.Castle, Nicole Muryn, David Neace, Chad Oakley

Abstract: The music industry has been hit hard in recent years when it comes to CD sales. CD sales have seen a steady decline over the years which have led The Recording Industry Association of America to blame the demise on file sharing through internet companies like Napster. Record Companies like Columbia, Capital, and Epic are trying to get copyright laws to be much stricter in punishments. While an increase in CD sales does not seem possible right now, record companies are trying to find other ways to bring in the loss revenues through concerts and other venues. Our world is very musically based no matter where you look people are listening to music whether on I-Pods, radios, or even cell phone ringers. With the increase in popularity, people are seeking out cost reducing ways of obtaining music. As a result of people trying to reduce cost many large record companies like Columbia, Capital and Epic have seen a decrease in CD sales. There has been wide speculation to the exact reason behind the fall, but among the most popular is through file sharing. Through the use of statistics and background history it will be easy to see that the music industry has evolved and continues to have to evolve with the times to find new profit making areas.

• "Apple", Sarah Libbe, Daniel Martone, Gallen Miller, Natalie Miller, Heather Powell

• "Google", Brendon Hansard, Bryan Lancaster, Carrie Lemert, Katie Kemper

• "Ethanol", Desirae Avery, Shelley Bednar, Brittney Blakely, Tony Boltz, Brooke Faber

Abstract: For our project, we decided to do an economic analysis of ethanol fuel.  This paper will confer what exactly ethanol fuel is, how it is made, and some historical facts about the fuel.  Also, the paper will discuss the current situation that ethanol fuel is undertaking, as it is a controversial topic.  Next, a SWOT analysis will explain the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that ethanol fuel provides.  And lastly, this paper will give an insight into what the future has in store for ethanol fuel.  The objective of this paper is to grasp the overall perspective of what ethanol fuel actually is and then to analyze how effective it could be on the economy if the fuel were to be established as the primary fuel over gasoline.

• "Only Paying the Minimum", Ashley Ewing, Britt Hafner, Bartley Hostetler, Zach Huffman

• "Microsoft Vista", Meagan Brennan, Phil Bruns, Jackie D’Angelo, Josh Derrickson

• "National Debt", Jonathan Sielschott, Nicholas Simoff, Ryan Stets, Rachel Waugh