Kenneth E. Stone is a Professor Emeritus of Economics and Extension Economist at Iowa State University. He is best known for his studies on the economic impact that discount mass merchandisers, specifically Walmart, have on host cities and surrounding communities. Stone gave numerous talks around the world to help retail businesses adapt to the increased competition Walmart brings to the community. This collection includes biographical information and papers by Stone related to business management practices and retail sales studies. Several of his papers examining the economic effects Walmart has on host communities are included.

Kenneth Eugene Stone received his B.S. (1958) in agricultural engineering from the University of Illinois. He went on to serve nine years (1959-1968) active duty in the United States Army as an Engineer Officer and Aviator, including two one-year tours in Vietnam as an aviator for which he received the Silver Star. He then attended Texas Christian University where he received his M.M.S. (1971) in management science. During this time he was also employed as an Operations Analyst and Flight Test Engineer (1968-1972) for General Dynamics Corporation and Bell Helicopter Company. Stone later returned to the University of Illinois and earned his Ph.D. (1976) in agricultural economics.

Stone joined the faculty at Iowa State University as an Assistant Professor (1976-1980) in the Department of Economics. He was promoted to Associate Professor (1980-1985) and Professor (1985-2007). He also served as Extension Economist. Stone retired in 2007 and was named Professor Emeritus.

Stone's primary research interests included retail sales migration, rural revitalization, and business management. He is most recognized as the first in the United States to study the economic impact of shopping centers and discount mass merchandisers on host cities and surrounding communities. His reports on the negative impact that Walmart has on local businesses gained national media coverage. In an effort to help retail businesses adapt to this increased competition, Stone made numerous presentations across the country, in Canada, and around the world. He received several awards for his work, including the College of Agriculture Outstanding Applied Research and Extension Award (1989), the Regents Faculty Excellence Award (1995), and the Distinguished Individual Extension Program Award (1996) from the American Agricultural Economics Association.

In addition to writing dozens of papers, reports, and extension publications Stone is also the author of two books. Directly related to his work on mass discount retailers, he authored Competing With the Retail Giants: How to Survive in the New Retail Landscape (call number HF5429.3 S76 1995). The other book is a more personal work. Coauthored with his wife, Janis, the book is titled My Darling Wife: Letters from Vietnam 1962-63 & 1966-67 (call number DS559.5 S76x 2007).

Stone is married to Janis Finley Stone, a Professor Emerita of Textiles and Clothing. They have two children, Eric and James.

This collection (1978-2012, undated) includes biographical information and papers by Stone related to business management practices and retail sales studies. Several of his papers examine the economic impact that Walmart, shopping malls, and other mass merchandizers have on host communities, especially in rural areas. In other papers, Stone analyzes the state of business and retail activity in Iowa communities. Some of his papers on business management practices were published by the Iowa State University Extension Service as part of its outreach efforts to Iowa businesses.

Janis Finley Stone Papers, RS 16/3/62

The collection is organized chronologically.