About the author of right-to-work study: Hari Singh

Hari Singh.jpgStudy author Hari Singh
Hari Singh holds a doctorate in economics from the University of Illinois at Chicago and is director of assessment for the Seidman College of Business, Grand Valley State University.

From 1995 to 2008, Singh chaired the GVSU economics department. He has been a consultant for the World Bank, National Science Foundation, U.S. Information Agency, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and American Express. Singh was also a Fulbright professor to Malaysia, where he taught forecasting and decision-making.

His book, “Framed! Solve an Intriguing Mystery and Master How to Make Smart Choices,” was published in 2006. Singh founded and is editor of the Seidman Business Review. He has published more than 25 articles in professional journals, with research on behavioral decision making, foreign direct investments to developing countries, and regional economic forecasting.

Singh also creates an annual Confidence Index for West Michigan, based on feedback from the region’s CEOs. Last year, Singh also completed research into the health care industry, writing “Health Check, Analyzing Trends in West Michigan.”

Q: What is happening to auto-industry wages and jobs in right to work and non-RTW states? What’s your projection for the future?

A: Typically wages tend to be higher and job losses more substantial in non-RTW states like Michigan compared to RTW states in the Southern belt. Both these trends have peaked. Job losses in the future are likely to be less. Wages in the RTW states are creeping up and beginning to converge with non-RTW states.

Q: Why should Michigan become an RTW state? Why shouldn’t it?

A: There are good arguments to be made on each side of the issue. Pro-RTW advocates frame it as a fundamental right to associate (not to be forced to join a union to get a job) and how it could increase employment and economic growth. Anti-RTW supporters emphasize how workers could be exploited, wages and benefits would be lower, and there could be more job-related injuries.

Q: Why did your study focus on auto-industry employment?

A: There has been a lot of anecdotal evidence about auto jobs going south. Our historic advantage in this industry is getting lost. Somehow, we have to reverse this trend.

Q: Why mull the whole issue? Isn’t it more political than academic?

A: No doubt politics play an important role in this controversy, particularly how different power groups line up on opposing sides of the issue. The role of academic research is to try to get better answers about the possible impact of these policies in a more objective manner. This is what I have tried to do. I encourage readers to review the full article on the website and try to make up their own minds on this controversial and important topic.

Read the complete right-to-work study commissioned by The Grand Rapids Press and Booth newspapers.