No. 130, June

KOF has been involved in a study investigating the concerns and future hopes of managers worldwide. The results show differences between Swiss and international executives, for instance where the impact of new technologies on businesses is concerned.

In May, the KOF Business Situation Indicator lost further ground (See G 6). The indicator is thus declining for the sixth consecutive month. Although it only dropped in small increments in some of these months, the negative trend is clearly visible over the whole six-month period. The Swiss economy is losing steam.  

Knowledge capital generated abroad can contribute to the innovative capacity and productivity of Swiss businesses, as shown by a new study by KOF researchers. However, the effects depend on the size of the business, amount of sales and staff qualifications.  

The number of overnight stays by visitors from the USA increased by more than 10% last winter. The trend of the past few years is therefore continuing. Lucerne, Bern and the mountain regions, in particular, are feeling the benefits.  

New technologies pose a challenge not only to companies but also to vocational training. A survey among graduate business economists, (higher technical colleges, HF), has shown that digitalisation has significantly changed their everyday working life in a short period of time.