Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

RS 13/9/73
Kenneth E. Stone
Papers, 1978-2012, undated


Descriptive summary

creator: Stone, Kenneth E.
title: Papers
dates: 1978-2012, undated
extent: 0.84 linear feet (2 document boxes)
collection number: RS 13/9/73
repository: University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

Administrative information

access: Open for research
publication rights: Consult Head, Special Collections Department
preferred citation: Kenneth E. Stone Papers, RS 13/9/73, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Abstract

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.

 

Biographical note

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.

 

Collection description

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.

 

 

Organization

The collection is organized chronologically.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

1

Biographical Information

2012, undated

1

2

Papers: "Credit Management for Business Firms"

1978

1

3

Papers: "The Effect of Shopping Centers on Downtown Business Districts and Outlaying Smaller Towns"

1982

1

4

Papers: "Academic and Professional Programs in Agribusiness" Discussion

1983

1

5

Papers: "Analyzing Retail Sales Potential for Counties and Towns"

1984

1

6

Papers: "Impact of the Farm Financial Crisis on Agribusiness Firms and Rural Communities"

1984

1

7

Papers: "Trade Area Analysis Extension Program: A Catalyst for Community Development"

1984

1

8

Business Management Newsletter

1984-1990

1

9

Papers: "A Guide to a Comprehensive Community Development Extension Program"

1985

1

10

Papers: "Effect of the Agriculture Recession on Communities and Business"

1985

1

11

Papers: "Improving Retail Trade in Iowa's Communities"

1985

1

12

Papers: "The Economic Condition of Rural Community in the Midwest: A Case Study of Iowa"

1985

1

13

Papers: "Retailing in Iowa: Past, Present and Future"

1986

1

14

Papers: "Impact of Farm Financial Crisis on the Retail and Service Sectors of Rural Communities"

1987

1

15

U.S. Small Business Administration: Field Hearing

1987

1

16

Survey from City Clerks

1987-1988

1

17

Papers: "An Analysis of the Des Moines Area Retail Structure to Determine Level of Saturation"

1988

1

18

Papers: "The Effect of Wal-Mart Stores on Business in Host Towns and Surrounding Towns in Iowa"

1988

1

19

Papers: "The Impact of Wal-Mart on Other Businesses in Iowa"

1989

1

20

Papers: "Pricing Your Goods and Services"

1990

1

21

Papers: "Determining the Market for Your Goods and Services"

1991

1

22

Papers: "Average Number Business Per Iowa Town"

1992

1

23

Papers: "Strategies for Co-Existing in a Mass Merchandising Environment"

1992

2

1

Papers: "Threshold Levels for Selected Iowa Retail Businesses"

1992

2

2

Papers: "The Impact of Wal-Mart Stores on other Businesses and Strategies for Co-Existing"

1993

2

3

Papers: "Competing Against the Discount Mass Merchandisers"

1994

2

4

Local Option Sales Tax Distribution

1996

2

5

Papers: "Threshold Levels for Selected Retail and Services Business in Iowa 1998-1999"

1998-1999

2

6

Papers: "Growing Business: Competing with Mass Merchandisers"

1999

2

7

Customer Relations Programs Blurb

undated

2

8

Papers: "Analysis of the Outmigration of Retail Sales from Rural Areas of the Region"

undated

2

9

Papers: "Avoiding Management Pitfalls"

undated

2

10

Papers: "Caring for Customers is Your Business"

undated

2

11

Papers: "Caring for Customers is Your Business"

undated

2

12

Papers: "Competing with Mass Merchandisers" (original)

undated

2

13

Papers: "Developing a Business Strategy"

undated

2

14

Papers: "Economic Condition of Communities in the Midwest: A Case Study of Iowa"

undated

2

15

Papers: "Effect of Shopping Centers on Host Towns and Outlaying Areas"

undated

2

16

Papers: "Guide to Using Sales Tax Data to Assess Business Risks in Community Development Extension Programs"

undated

2

17

Papers: "How Local Merchants Can Compete"

undated

2

18

Papers: "Identifying the Financial Stress of Rural Businesses and Methods of Assisting Them"

undated

2

19

Papers: "Importance of Retail in Rural Economic Development"

undated

2

20

Papers: "Retail Sales Migration in the Midwestern United States"

undated

2

21

Papers: "Retail Trade/Business Management: 'Think Piece'"

undated

2

22

Papers: "Salesmanship for the 80's"

undated

2

23

Papers: "Socio-Economic Conditions Affecting Small City: Downtown Revitalization"

undated

2

24

Papers: "Trade Area Analysis - A Catalyst for Community Development"

undated

2

25

Papers: "Why Customers Quit" packet

undated

2

26

Small Business Proposal Notes

undated