Adhesives Mag logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Adhesives Mag logo
  • NEW PRODUCTS
  • NEWS
    • Adhesives & Sealants Headlines
    • Mergers/Acquisitions
    • Market Trends
    • TOP 20
  • TOPICS
    • Finished Adhesives and Sealants
    • Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives (PSAs)
    • Coatings
    • Raw Materials and Chemicals
    • Materials Handling/Processing
    • Meter/Mix/Dispense
    • Curing
    • Testing/Quality Control
    • Packaging of Adhesives & Sealants
    • Converting/Packaging
    • Composites
    • Sustainability
  • EVENTS
    • MAX
    • Events Calendar
  • COLUMNS
    • European Perspectives
    • Strategic Solutions
    • Supply Chain Strategies
    • Tape Talk
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars
    • eBooks
  • EXPLORE
    • Adhesives in Action
    • Blog
    • ASI Store
    • Industry Links
    • Market Research
    • Classifieds
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Buyers' Guide
    • Global Adhesives & Sealants Directory
    • Raw Materials, Chemicals, Polymers and Additives Handbook
    • Equipment Handbook
    • Distributor Directory
  • EMAGAZINE
    • EMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVE ISSUES
    • ADVERTISE
      • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • CONTACT
  • SIGN UP!

Business Barometer

July 1, 2007
New Global BusinessTM Confidence Index provides an economic indicator for international trade.



The Global Business Confidence Index, a newly developed indicator of confidence among international business decisionmakers, may become a useful forecasting tool for business leaders involved in international trade, as well as international investors, supply-chain managers, policymakers, money managers, and financial analysts.

The index, based on the results of a survey of 1,667 international business leaders, assesses current confidence levels among international business leaders, documents recent trends in confidence levels and forecasts future changes. The inaugural report indicates that current confidence in world markets is strong and growing, but that perceptions of confidence vary among U.S. and non-U.S. respondents.

One of the survey’s key findings is that American respondents are more confident in today’s market (37.7%) than their non-American counterparts (28%). More respondents from non-U.S. companies (33.9%) said their confidence was lowest during the past five years compared to their American counterparts (25.5%).

Stephen Coelen, managing director of the World Institute for Strategic Economic Research (WISER), developed the algorithm used to create the index. “We formulated the survey questions in order to measure both current levels of confidence and changes in confidence over time,” he said. “The result is a new and unique perspective on global business confidence as it relates to key economic factors.”

“The Global Business Confidence Index survey is designed to measure the business ‘confidence’ of U.S. exporters, as well as importers of products and services from the United States,” said Gregory Sandler, president of ThinkGlobal Inc., publisher of the index. “The survey data will be updated quarterly, and the results will allow us to gauge global business perceptions about the current condition of the world economy, as well as historical trends and anticipated changes.”

According to the index, the overall confidence in the world economy increased by 35 points during the past two years, and is projected to continue increasing before leveling off in 2009.

More than one-third of survey respondents (34.5%) said their confidence in world markets is higher today than it has been during the past five years, and 43.6% said their confidence in the market was lowest three to five years ago.

Both U.S. and non-U.S. respondents ranked the U.S. exchange rate as the most significant factor affecting confidence.

In addition to measuring levels of confidence, The Global Business Confidence Index also measures key factors that affect changes in confidence over time and identifies variations in perceptions between U.S. and non-U.S. respondents.

“Knowing what influences confidence is not the same as knowing what factors make the level of confidence grow or shrink,” said Coelen. “We analyzed what factors influenced the increase or decrease in confidence to see the relative importance of various potential influences. While the exchange rate is an important factor in the level of confidence, it does not appear to be an important factor in determining the movement of the index.”

Overall, the index shows that U.S. business confidence in the global economy increased more rapidly than non-U.S. confidence during the past five years. Conversely, non-U.S. confidence is projected to increase more rapidly during the next five years.

The index is designed to become, over time, a valuable indicator for joint venture, supply chain and international investment opportunities. The value of confidence indices has been recognized by experts worldwide. In particular, a report published by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) noted that “significant changes in growth (are) unlikely to be sustained if not rapidly accompanied by a large change in confidence.”

The index is published by ThinkGlobal Inc. in partnership with WISER, the Center for International Business Education Research (CIBER) at the University of Connecticut, and Commercial News USA.

For more information, visit www.globalbusiness.info.

Links

  • Global Business Confidence Index

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • mouse in hole

    Using Foam Sealants for Pest Prevention

    According to the National Pest Management Association,...
    Adhesives and Sealants Topics
    By: Kevin Corcoran
  • linked network nodes

    Using the Power of AI for Adhesive and Sealant Formulation

    With the help of software solutions, adhesive formulators...
    Finished Adhesives and Sealants
    By: Karen Parker
  • top20-hero.jpg

    2024 ASI Top 20: Leading Global Manufacturers of Adhesives and Sealants

    ASI's annual ranking of the top 20 global adhesive and...
    Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives (PSAs)
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Issues
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Popular Stories

ASI top 20 global manufacturers

2025 ASI Top 20: Leading Global Adhesives and Sealants Manufacturers

Image of scrabble pieces with pictures of people

Sika Purchases Construction Chemicals Company in Qatar

image of a graph representing markets

H.B. Fuller Reports Results for Second Quarter and Updates 2025 Guidance

ASI Top 20 website

Events

January 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Structural Adhesives: Properties, Characterization and Applications

Structural Adhesives: Properties, Characterization and Applications

See More Products

ASI CASE EBOOK

Related Articles

  • image of a graph representing markets

    2023 Business Barometer Report Finds Manufacturers on Track to Invest in Improving Efficiency

    See More
  • generic chemicals

    Chemical Activity Barometer Shows Third Monthly Gain in May

    See More
  • graph trending up

    Chemical Activity Barometer Drops in September

    See More
×

Keep the info flowing with our eNewsletters!

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey & Sample
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Youtube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing