This book provides an integrative analysis of creativity and strategic practices, particularly strategic problem formulation and strategic decision making. It examines the decision and not the individual as a unit of analysis, which leads to a deeper understanding of creative outcomes. It draws a correlation between strategic intent and creative outcomes, both positive and negative, and provides an integrated framework for understanding creativity. Finally, the book develops a creative strategic framework and draws conclusions for the practice of management and for future research.

This book offers critical insights into the thriving international field of community indicators, incorporating the experiences of government leaders, philanthropic professionals, community planners and a wide range of academic disciplines. It illuminates the important role of community indicators in diverse settings and the rationale for the development and implementation of these innovative projects. This book details many of the practical "how to" aspects of the field as well as lessons learned from implementing indicators in practice. The case studies included here also demonstrate how, using a variety of data applications, leaders of today are monitoring and measuring progress and communities are empowered to make sustainable improvements in their wellbeing. With examples related to the environment, economy, planning, community engagement and health, among others, this book epitomizes the constant innovation, collaborative partnerships and the consummate interdisciplinarity of the community indicators field of today.

Despite its often mismanaged economy, Africa remains the third largest continent in land mass and population. It continues to offer unexploited business opportunities for entrepreneurs, global corporations, and institutions. Emerging Business Opportunities in Africa: Market Entry, Competitive Strategy, and the Promotion of Foreign Direct Investments presents the basic business modelling for developing appropriate strategies in exploiting these business opportunities in the emerging economy in Africa. This book offers insight into the challenges and successes aiming to encourage researchers and students of business in creating a value for doing business in Africa.

Learn valuable leadership lessons and organizational "survival" tactics through the eyes of one of the world's most industrious and successful creatures, the honey bee. Survival of the Hive takes the lid off a beehive and provides a fun, relevant and reflective look at the tiny, purposeful inhabitants inside. Through the leadership experiences of Zync, a queen-in-waiting, we are taught seven important leadership lessons by her mentors, Vision, Belief and Strategy including The Front Porch Philosophy of accountability, Bee-2-Bee Waggle Dance of communication, the all-important P-Factors: Footprint, Resourcing, Calming, and Unity, and the Perfect Product Honey System. Deborah Mackin and Matthew Harrington, in a creative yet practical way, use the bee colony and specifically Zync, as an entertaining fable to illustrate leadership in an organized community. Throughout the book, the hive provides a working illustration of cultural complexity, leadership clarity, and the importance of trust as a foundation for excellence. Included at the end of each chapter is Reflections for Today's Leaders, as well as Group Discussion Questions to help facilitate a "Survival of the Hive" philosophy within your own organization.

In this book, an expert in business strategy shows how to create and evaluate a strategic plan and execute that plan successfully. When it comes to strategic planning, B. Keith Simerson knows from experience what works and what doesn't. Strategic Planning: A Practical Guide to Strategy Formulation and Execution weaves that knowledge into a roadmap for anyone charged with creating a strategic plan, evaluating a strategic planning process, or executing resulting strategies in an effective and efficient way. Not a one-size-fits-all solution, the book offers a menu of information and options based on a broad view of strategic planning and offers correspondingly broad applicability. The guide focuses on two major aspects of the planning process: the multitude of factors contributing to an effective strategic planning framework and the multitude of drivers and enablers of successful execution. Armed with concrete information, readers will learn to create and execute a business strategy, a personal strategic action plan, or strategies for any kind of for-profit or nonprofit organization. Specific methodologies, tools, and techniques will guide readers to successful strategy formation-and execution. Concrete examples and case studies Templates and samples of materials used in various public- and private-sector strategic planning efforts A bibliography of resource materials about strategic thinking, strategy formulation, strategic planning, and strategy execution

A business model basically describes the way a company makes money. Yet, often we use digital services for free (e.g. Facebook, Google or WhatsApp) or for what seems to be a relatively minor price (e.g. Blablacar, Airbnb, and Amazon). Digital business models are different to traditional business models. Digital Business Models explains the key challenges and characteristics of the various business models that are used by digital businesses. These companies can be a source of inspiration for traditional bricks-and-mortar companies that aim to go digital and/or revamp their traditional business model. Most businesses rely on some form of digital technology for their marketing communication, customer relationship management, supply chain or distribution, yet digital transformation entails a complete reassessment of the way value is created and captured. Digital Business Models details the successful customer acquisition tactics and the development of business ecosystems by digital players. Using the relevant academic and managerial body of knowledge, the authors define the concepts, describe the various ways digital businesses create and capture value and propose some useful tools for managers to analyse a situation, formulate or implement a strategy. Different digital business types are evaluated, such as multisided platforms, digital merchants, subscription-based model, freemium, social media and sharing economy. Each chapter is illustrated with several examples and the appendix comprises four full-length case studies.

An internationally focused text which explains strategic management, analysis and implementation specifically in the tourism industry. Fully revised and updated, this second edition covers strategic management in a variety of tourism contexts.

This book examines the well-covered subject of leadership from a unique perspective: history's vast catalogue of leadership successes and failures. Through a collection of highly compelling case studies spanning two millennia, it looks beyond the classic leadership parable of men in military or political crises and shows that successful leadership cannot be reduced to simplistic formulae. Written by experts in the field and based on rigorous research, each case provides a rich and compelling account that is accessible to a wide audience, from students to managers. Rather than serving as a vehicle for advancing a particular theory of leadership, each case invites readers to reflect, debate and extract their own insights.

This work critically examines diversity, discrimination, and inclusion in the English-speaking Caribbean nations, with a specific emphasis on persons with disabilities. The chapters include an evaluative analysis on the extant theoretical and empirical literature on persons with disabilities in employment, exploring the nature of their disability, the role of information technology in gaining and retaining employment, and an analysis of the laws and relevant policies which prohibit the discrimination against persons with disabilities in the Caribbean region. Though the enactment of legislation outlawing the discrimination of persons with disabilities is not widespread in the Caribbean, a few select territories have taken positive steps towards recognition of the need to achieve inclusion of persons with disabilities and accept the diversity of the Caribbean populace. After exploring the general state of disability and discrimination in the Caribbean region, the authors analyze workplace accommodations provided to persons with disability, particularly as relations to IT and assistive devices, before focusing on workplace stigmas related to mental health disability and employment law. In addition to literature-based analyses, the book includes qualitative case studies, with the goal of providing benchmarks in organizational responses to employees with disabilities. Further, the authors highlight lessons to be learned from other countries in addressing inequality in the workplace for disabled persons. With its analysis of employment as well as socio-economic and legal issues, this interdisciplinary text will serve as a useful resource in not only understanding the organizational challenges faced by persons with disabilities in the region but also the necessary legislation needed to address discriminatory practices on a wider scale.

Through John Canavan's unique insights into the day-to-day office/work challenges that effect leaders and potential leaders alike you are given an opportunity to grasp the potential pitfalls of not managing and/or assessing situations correctly that may hinder your professional growth. Navigating these challenges is critical in your ability to approach for the benefit of your growth and fulfillment. In this new economy with generations X, Y - Millenniums, baby-boomers and up and coming Z generation all vying for their part... this requires a prospective and preparation for the competitive work challenges ahead for all. Managing and dealing with these challenges is critical to not only success, but fulfillment in that success.

Green technology plays an important role in the achievement of environmental sustainability. Tax incentives, carbon taxes, and rising fossil fuel costs are motivating increased growth and development of 'green' products and services, many of which are the result of innovative discoveries in biotechnology and nanotechnology. Green Technologies and Business Practices: An IT Approach is an international platform that brings together academics, researchers, lecturers, policy makers, practitioners, and persons in decision-making positions from all backgrounds who ultimately share new theories, research findings and case studies, together enhancing understanding and collaboration of green issues in business and the role of information technologies and also analyze recent developments in theory and practice.

Current modern companies, which are also the key factors of a global economy, are subject to increasing pressures to conduct their business in an environmentally responsible manner, due to social and environmental problems. Improving long-term environmental performance can bring economic benefits to those companies that are innovative and environmentally sensitive, especially by integrating environmental information into their business strategies. Considering all the changes, sustainability reporting, management, and financial accounting becomes a powerful information tool for executives, managers, and employee teams to gain insights and make better decisions. Along with concepts such as ethical, controlling, auditing, management, and financial accounting, reporting provides value with the decision-making process. All these debates underline the major responsibility of users when configuring accounting and finance models and thereby in modelling business information. Sustainability Reporting, Ethics, and Strategic Management Strategies for Modern Organizations proposes an interdisciplinary perspective and explores various theoretical and practical approaches of ethical standards, management accounting, and their impact in the 21st century on different areas of activity. It contrasts external financial accounting for government regulators and the investment community with internal management accounting for managers to leverage for decision making. In addition, the book examines the role of management accounting and sustainability reporting from other points of view such as ethical standards, corporate social responsibility, creative accounting, green accounting, environmental indicators, e-accounting, KPI, lean accounting, controlling, auditing, reporting, etc., offering a number of new insights into management accounting. It is intended for chief financial officers, financial controllers, business analysts, financial planners, financial analysts, budgeting managers, executives, managers, academicians, researchers, and students.

A comprehensive study of the power of differentiation as a key component of any business model, this book includes a step-by-step process to help leaders discover, achieve, express, and sustain their own authentic position. For the first time in recent history, trust is as important to corporate reputation as quality of products and services, according to the 2010 Edelman Trust Barometer. Still, nearly 70 percent of people say that organizations will revert to "business as usual" once the economy recovers. Moreover, U.S. job satisfaction is at a 22-year-low, according to a 2010 Conference Board report, and by most every measure, the consumer outlook is bleak. The good news? Organizational authenticity is attainable, declares Morin in Better Make it Real. However, it isn't the goal, she says, but the result of providing, consistently and continuously, an authentic "total experience" to your stakeholders-workers, customers, vendors, and other business partners. In other words, Morin affirms, authenticity isn't a destination-it's an ongoing journey that will serve to differentiate any organization in its marketplace, which too often is littered with fakes. Morin's recommended roadmap is Kahler Slater's Total Experience Design-a specific, step-by-step process for designing stakeholder experiences that are "authentic, intentional, and wholly integrated." In Better Make It Real, Morin offers a comprehensive guide to implementing Total Experience Design inside organizations of all types and sizes. She also shares behind-the-scenes stories from Kahler Slater projects and clients, including Google, Robert Redford's Sundance Cinemas, Monster.com, and numerous entrepreneurial enterprises. Bottom line: Organizational authenticity is sorely lacking-and urgently needed. On the heels of the Great Recession, Morin rolls out a roadmap to "real"-helping executives and entrepreneurs find their way forward. Provides anecdotes and illustrations from companies and organizations of all sizes and a wide variety of types Offers a step-by-step process leaders of any organization can apply and benefit from Draws directly from Kahler Slater's case files

With the importance of knowledge as the basis for economic development, the issue of Research & Development (R&D) as a source of knowledge and of innovation is under discussion. One of the major activities in support of economic development includes setting a network of national support R&D programs. Supporting Innovation Through National R&D Programs: Emerging Research and Opportunities is a critical scholarly resource that examines the basic rational for national support programs and the financial, legal, and strategic aspects that are involved. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics such as origins of conflict, translational research, and competing trends, this book is geared towards professors, students, researchers, developers, and other industry experts.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) studies have evolved as one of the mainstreams in business strategy. This book presents a comprehensive perspective on the motivations behind the studies, the effects of FDI, and how it can be utilized and extended to other areas of studies. Written with a global perspective, this book not only touches upon business strategies but also covers government policies toward promoting and attracting FDI for industrial and economic development. The author, with his vast experience in consulting and research projects for multinational companies, international organizations and governments, examines real world business practices of Eastern firms and how they relate to their Western counterparts, thus making this book a valuable and practical reference not only for students, but for practitioners, too.

As leading enterprises increasingly recognize the need for global strategy in the face of a continually competitive business environment, they also need to assess a greater heterogeneous range of possible paths to growth. This accomplished book offers an empirical analysis of some of these possibilities.Drawing on a large database of multinational firms, it investigates, for the first time, a series of important issues within an internally consistent ideological framework. It tests the determinants of the internationalization of sales by analysing overseas production ratio, parent export ratio, overseas sales ratio and sourcing ratio. It also analyses industrial diversification as an alternative route to growth. The Growth and Evolution of Multinational Enterprise will be of great interest to researchers and professional economists specializing in multinational companies, industrial economics and international business.

Corporations accumulate a lot of valuable data and knowledge over time, but storing and maintaining this data can be a logistic and financial headache for business leaders and IT specialists. Uncovering Essential Software Artifacts through Business Process Archaeology introduces an emerging method of software modernisation used to effectively manage legacy systems and company operations supported by such systems. This book presents methods, techniques, and new trends on business process archaeology as well as some industrial success stories. Business experts, professionals, and researchers working in the field of information and knowledge management will use this reference source to efficiently and effectively implement and utilise business knowledge.

This book addresses the fundamental development status and provides the systematic analysis of Zhongguancun Listed Companies, from different perspectives of financial statistics, comparisons among different regions and company structures. Zhongguancun, the origin and the representative of Chinese modern innovation, has collected over 300 Listed Companies so far. The book also offers an illustration that how Zhongguancun Listed Companies developed in 2017, including the market performance, the profitability, the debt paying capacity, the conditions of operating, innovation, investing and dominant industries, with the proposal of the existing difficulties and developing suggestions in depth. The book aims at objectively presenting the competitiveness characteristics and development status of Zhongguancun Listed Companies. Whether you're a global investor, an economic researcher, or ordinary people, this book will be an important way to understand China's scientific and technological innovation achievements and Zhongguancun outstanding enterprises.