Recently Completed Assignments

Innovation & Information Consultants, Inc.’s work spans numerous industries and employs an assortment of analytical tools. We are pleased to share with you news about some of our most recent work.

Role of Speculation on Oil Prices

IIC, Inc. has recently completed a comprehensive analysis of the reasons that led to the rapid increase and consequent decline in crude oil and refined product prices last year. We found that the devaluation of the dollar and the role of speculators have the greatest impact on the rise in crude oil prices, and these same factor also contributed to the decline as did the recession. Fundamental supply and demand factors did not play a role in the 380 percent increase in crude prices in 2008, and indeed we find that these factors should have led to a price decline, not a price increase. The impact of speculation on gasoline prices likely cost consumers $27 billion last year. Read more

Analysis of the New §1.482 Services Regulations

The Internal Revenue Service revised service regulations that provide new transfer pricing methods for controlled service transactions and include a revised cost safe harbor called the Services Cost Method (SCM). This brief presentation provides a helpful overview to the regulations for tax planners and examiners.
To download PDF version of a Powerpoint document, click here.

Federal Minimum Wage Increase

The federal minimum wage increased in July 2008 to $6.55, an increase of 70 cents from the previous standard of $5.85. This was the second of three increases which will take place over a three-year period. The initial July 2007 change, which raised the minimum wage from $5.15 to $5.85, was the first increase in almost 10 years, dating back to September 1997. The next increase will be enforced beginning in July 2009, raising the federal minimum wage to $7.25. [Click here for historical minimum wage statistics] Amidst the various changes in the federal minimum wage standards, IIC has embarked upon a research study on behalf of the Small Business Administration which aims to define the characteristics of low wage workers. Our research is investigating the industries and types of firms where low-wage workers are employed, and looking at whether increases in the minimum wage requirement and changes in health care coverage have had a disproportional impact on small business owners who employ these workers.

Antitrust and Small Business

IIC recently published a report on behalf of the Small Business Administration (SBA) entitled “Analyzing the Impact of Antitrust Laws and Enforcement on Small Business.” The study investigated how antitrust laws impact small firms with case studies focusing on the retail grocery and timber industries. Dr. Chad Moutray, Chief Economist for the SBA Office of Advocacy, noted that the report indicates, particularly through the case studies, that “FTC enforcement of antitrust legislation may not necessarily be helpful for small competitors in affected geographic areas.” The report has gained interest by many small business and industry trade groups, including the National Small Business Association, Microbusiness News, and the Engineered Wood Products Association.
To view the full report, click here.

28th Annual USAEE/IAEE North American Conference

IIC principal Lee O. Upton, III presented a paper at the 28th annual North American Conference of the United States Association for Energy Economics (USAEE). The paper, entitled “Assessing the Impact of High Resource Prices and Alternative Royalty Regimes on Offshore Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Activity,” outlines the use of differential analysis in measuring the expected value of simulated offshore Gulf of Mexico exploration, development and production activity under various economic and regulatory assumptions.
To view the paper abstract, click here. To view the presentation, click here.

Massachusetts School Building Authority Enrollment Projection Model

IIC assisted the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) in the development of a computer-based enrollment projection model available for use by all of the school districts in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Based on various inputs, the model will predict enrollment for the next ten years allowing each respective school district to make informed, critical decisions relating to the construction of school buildings.


What’s New Recently Completed Assignments Press Releases You are surrounded by simple, obvious solutions that can dramatically increase your income, power, influence and success. The problem is, you just don’t see them. Jay Abraham		Recently Completed Assignments Innovation & Information Consultants, Inc.’s work spans numerous industries and employs an assortment of analytical tools. We are pleased to share with you news about some of our most recent work. Role of Speculation on Oil Prices IIC, Inc. has recently completed a comprehensive analysis of the reasons that led to the rapid increase and consequent decline in crude oil and refined product prices last year. We found that the devaluation of the dollar and the role of speculators have the greatest impact on the rise in crude oil prices, and these same factor also contributed to the decline as did the recession. Fundamental supply and demand factors did not play a role in the 380 percent increase in crude prices in 2008, and indeed we find that these factors should have led to a price decline, not a price increase. The impact of speculation on gasoline prices likely cost consumers $27 billion last year. Read more Analysis of the New §1.482 Services Regulations The Internal Revenue Service revised service regulations that provide new transfer pricing methods for controlled service transactions and include a revised cost safe harbor called the Services Cost Method (SCM). This brief presentation provides a helpful overview to the regulations for tax planners and examiners. To download PDF version of a Powerpoint document, click here. Federal Minimum Wage Increase The federal minimum wage increased in July 2008 to $6.55, an increase of 70 cents from the previous standard of $5.85. This was the second of three increases which will take place over a three-year period. The initial July 2007 change, which raised the minimum wage from $5.15 to $5.85, was the first increase in almost 10 years, dating back to September 1997. The next increase will be enforced beginning in July 2009, raising the federal minimum wage to $7.25. [Click here for historical minimum wage statistics] Amidst the various changes in the federal minimum wage standards, IIC has embarked upon a research study on behalf of the Small Business Administration which aims to define the characteristics of low wage workers. Our research is investigating the industries and types of firms where low-wage workers are employed, and looking at whether increases in the minimum wage requirement and changes in health care coverage have had a disproportional impact on small business owners who employ these workers. Antitrust and Small Business IIC recently published a report on behalf of the Small Business Administration (SBA) entitled “Analyzing the Impact of Antitrust Laws and Enforcement on Small Business.” The study investigated how antitrust laws impact small firms with case studies focusing on the retail grocery and timber industries. Dr. Chad Moutray, Chief Economist for the SBA Office of Advocacy, noted that the report indicates, particularly through the case studies, that “FTC enforcement of antitrust legislation may not necessarily be helpful for small competitors in affected geographic areas.” The report has gained interest by many small business and industry trade groups, including the National Small Business Association, Microbusiness News, and the Engineered Wood Products Association. To view the full report, click here. 28th Annual USAEE/IAEE North American Conference IIC principal Lee O. Upton, III presented a paper at the 28th annual North American Conference of the United States Association for Energy Economics (USAEE). The paper, entitled “Assessing the Impact of High Resource Prices and Alternative Royalty Regimes on Offshore Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Activity,” outlines the use of differential analysis in measuring the expected value of simulated offshore Gulf of Mexico exploration, development and production activity under various economic and regulatory assumptions. To view the paper abstract, click here. To view the presentation, click here. Massachusetts School Building Authority Enrollment Projection Model IIC assisted the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) in the development of a computer-based enrollment projection model available for use by all of the school districts in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Based on various inputs, the model will predict enrollment for the next ten years allowing each respective school district to make informed, critical decisions relating to the construction of school buildings.