Management (Anderson School of). UCLA Anderson Forecast. Administrative files and publications., 1952-2012

Collection context

Summary

Title:
Anderson School of Management. UCLA Anderson Forecast. Administrative files and publications.
Dates:
1952-2012
Abstract:
Record Series 806 documents the creation and evolution of the UCLA [Anderson] Business Forecast, begun in 1952. Records include published copies of each Forecast (national, state, regional, and world), copies of all Proceedings, administrative notes for the annual and quarterly conferences, photographs of participants, and an interview with Robert M. Williams, founder of the Forecast, from 1976.
Extent:
10 linear feet (10 cartons)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Anderson School of Management. UCLA Anderson Forecast Administrative files and publications (University Archives Record Series 806). UCLA Library Special Collections.

Background

Scope and content:

Record Series 806 contains records and publications of the UCLA Anderson Business Forecast, an economic analysis of national conditions first presented for the year 1953. As the Forecast evolved, it focused on local analyses as well as national predictions, then later offered world-wide outlooks.

The UCLA Business Forecast was one of the first to accurately analyze business and political conditions to predict the near future of employment and business growth. The Business Forecast Project pioneered the use of econometrics and computer models for analysis, rather than the opinions of faculty or other experts.

The first printed Forecast was in 1958. Printed regional Forecasts ceased in 2012, replaced by electronic versions only. This collection includes each printed Forecast, but does not include the later electronic editions.

In addition to official Forecasts and related notes, contents include an interview of Robert M. Williams by Edward V. Sedgwick (ASM faculty/lecturer 1969-1980, Visiting Lecturer 1980-1988). Interview materials include the original audio cassettes and typed transcriptions, as well as Historical Data 1952-1968 [v. 1], a Chronology [v. 3], and notes by the interviewer [v.3].

Administrative files include data and research used in the Business Forecasting Project and UCLA/Anderson Business Forecasts, but not directly linked to specific quarterly seminars/conferences.

The collection also includes Chronological files compiled by Robert M. Williams: data and research used in Business Forecasting Project and UCLA/Anderson Business Forecasts, but not directly linked to specific seminars/conferences. Also included are speeches, presentations, and writings by Robert M. Williams, Donald Ratajczak, Larry J. Kimbell and others, as well as works in which any of these assisted or referenced.

This is an inactive record series; additional University records are not expected to be added.

Biographical / historical:
Forecast Timeline
Date Event
1952
Robert M. Williams holds the first annual meeting (not public) and releases the first consensus forecast for the nation, for 1953.
1960
First annual and public Forecast Conference
1963, December 12
Forecasting Conference: first forecast of Southern California business conditions
1963-1964
Regional Business Forecasting Project established
1968
Donald Ratacjzak joins Forecast to create econometric models and transition away from consensus (faculty) forecasts
1969, September
First UCLA Business Forecasting Seminar (quarterly). Also marks the beginning of the use of econometric models to forecast.
1968, November
Mentioned the use of surveys to gather data for the forecast, transitioning away from faculty analyses.
1970, March 25
First mention of a UCLA econometric forecasting model
1971
Forecast begins releasing quarterly forecasts
1971, March
Publication of "Proceedings" of conferences, containing forecasts from the UCLA Econometric Models for "the Nation, California, and Southern California"
1973, June
Larry J. Kimbell replaced Donald Ratajczak
1973, April 9-10
First International Business Forecasting Conference
1976, January 8-9
First "World Economic Outlook" Conference
1978
Larry J. Kimbell pioneers effort away from mainframe technology to forecasting on personal computers, as the first Forecast on PC is released
1997
The Business Forecasting Center was renamed the UCLA Anderson Business Forecasting Project, and the quarterly publication was renamed the UCLA Anderson Forecast
1998
The UCLA Anderson Forecasting Project was renamed the UCLA Anderson Forecast, aligning with the UCLA Anderson Forecast [publication]
Acquisition information:
These records were transferred from the UCLA Anderson School of Management in December 2013.
Processing information:

Processed by Hilary S. Henkin in 2014. Processing of this collection was generously supported by Professor Arthur M. Geoffrion.

Collections are processed to a variety of levels depending on the work necessary to make them usable, their perceived user interest and research value, availability of staff and resources, and competing priorities. Library Special Collections provides a standard level of preservation and access for all collections and, when time and resources permit, conducts more intensive processing. These materials have been arranged and described according to national and local standards and best practices.

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Arrangement:

The records in this collection have been arranged in the following series:

  • Series 1: Official Forecasts (1958-2012)
  • Series 2: Forecast Proceedings (1961-1988)
  • Series 3: Forecasts Conferences and Seminars (1952-2012)
  • Series 4: Administrative files (1960-1990)
  • Series 5: Past Presentations
  • Series 6: Robert M. Williams Chronological Files (1950-1986)

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Hilary S. Henkin, 2013 December; machine-readable finding aid prepared by Katharine A. Lawrie.
Sponsor:
The processing of this collection was enabled by a donation from Arthur M. Geoffrion, Emeritus Faculty of the UCLA Anderson School of Management.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-05-08 13:26:04 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Terms of access:

Copyright of portions of this collection has been assigned to The Regents of the University of California. The UCLA University Archives can grant permission to publish for materials to which it holds the copyright. All requests for permission to publish or quote must be submitted in writing to UCLA Library Special Collections.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Anderson School of Management. UCLA Anderson Forecast Administrative files and publications (University Archives Record Series 806). UCLA Library Special Collections.

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
310-825-4988