Division of Research

Outlook Conference: Woodward Presentation. Shunk Presentation.

Commentary from Latest Indicators:

As of November 2009, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for South Carolina remained, at 12.3 percent, the third highest in the country. Michigan with 14.7 percent and Rhode Island with 12.7 percent were the two other states with higher unemployment rates. Since the last recession of 2001, South Carolina has been consistently ranked as one of the states with the highest unemployment rate. However, many analysts have questioned the accuracy of the official unemployment rate, and its ability to capture the phenomena of unemployment. more

About Us

The Division of Research (Division) at the Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina, supports the research programs and facilitates the research efforts of the School's faculty. The Division also reaches beyond the academic environment into the public and private sectors of the state of South Carolina. By conducting applied practical research on timely business and economic topics, the Division has become a recognized center of expertise on issues associated with the state's economy. Some of the Division's work is summarized in its studies.

Basic Functions

Publish the S.C. Economic Indicators
  • a monthly analysis of key state economic variables
  • assessment of current and expected economic trends
Archive the B&E Review 
  • an award-winning quarterly magazine
  • contemporary business and economic issues
  • distributed throughout the state, region, and nation
Provide current data and information
  • on topics related to South Carolina's economy
  • for individuals, businesses, and public agencies upon request.
Maintain a bank of statistics
  • comparison of South Carolina and its neighboring states
  • wide variety of data
Sponsor the Annual Economic Outlook Conference
  • state's business and governmental leaders
  • overview of South Carolina's short-term economic future
  • information on current economic and business issues
Facilitate faculty research

Research Support

The DOR provides research functions not easily performed by individual faculty, such as collaboration with other global institutions and organizations. Such research efforts focus on economic impact studies and survey research. Click here for some examples of recent studies.

The Division of Research also provides assistance to faculty of the Moore School so that maximum advantage can be taken of their research strengths. This assistance is two-pronged. First, the Division helps faculty develop proposals for funding by external agencies. Second, it coordinates internal research funding through such activities as the Research Fellows Program and USC-Business Partnership Foundation Research Grants.

Expertise

The Division expertise draws on the research talents of the Moore School faculty from all areas of business and economics:
  • Economic impact analysis: international business; state and local; real estate
  • Economic trend analysis: forecasts; industry studies
  • Market surveys and analysis: telephone or mail surveys (businesses and consumers)
  • Focus groups: facilitate (moderate), analyze, and interpret