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The most recent online survey showed the overall index rising to 577 from 461 in July.
This gain was due to more positive perceptions of the current economy, increasing optimism about the future economy, and improving expectations regarding business/firm performance, reported Tim Graeff, MTSU professor of marketing and coordinator of the index through the Jones College's Office of Consumer Research.
The overall index score is totaled from four sub-indices measured in the 17-question survey: current economic situation, future economic expectations, business/firm performance and employment outlook. Find the full survey report and previous reports at http://www.mtsu.edu/consumer/reportsbarometer.php.
Other report highlights:
• The Current Situation Index rose from 219 in July to 273 currently. A strong majority of respondents (66 percent) said economic conditions in the U.S. are "good."
• Perceptions of the Tennessee economy are even more positive, as the percent who said economic conditions in Tennessee are "good" climbed to 83 from 73. In addition, perceptions of economic conditions for individual firms improved.
In response to concerns from business leaders that college graduates lack "soft skills" such as professionalism, colleges and universities such as MTSU are seeking to identify ways to incorporate training in these skills into their degree programs and integrate professional mentoring into the curriculum, Graeff reported.
The majority of respondents did not have a professional mentor when they were in college. But of those, a strong majority (almost three-fourths) wished they had a professional mentor as a college student.
The current Tennessee Business Barometer online survey of 81 business leaders from across Tennessee was conducted between Oct. 5-13 in partnership with the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The sample of respondents included business owners, vice presidents, senior managers, and managers/others at firms of various sizes.
The inaugural survey in July 2015 registered an index of 325. The next survey is planned for January.
