Motivated by both the growing economic significance of Asia in the global economy and the pivotal role played by Asia-focused research in the enrichment of the subject of development economics, the author has provided a timely and valuable review that provides a comprehensive picture of policy making and economic performance of these countries over the entire post-Second World War era.

In light of the tremendous growth of frugal product and process innovations in both emerging markets and economies in the Global North, this book offers a clear understanding of this new direction of technological change within a Schumpterian analytical framework. Characterising frugal innovation as a new technological paradigm, it illuminates the relationship between frugality and sustainability. Using important case studies from around the globe, Christian Le Bas explores the key characteristics of frugal innovations: products with fewer artefacts, decreasing technological complexity and design simplification. Chapters systematically synthesise economic knowledge on the topic, mapping the environmentally positive consequences of frugal innovation and identifying the crucial socio-economic and ecological contemporary issues that frugal innovation can help resolve. Concise and timely, this book will be a useful resource for economics and management scholars and students. The tools for understanding the nature and scope of frugal innovation, as well as insights on sustainable innovation, also make this an important read for managers, decision-makers and stakeholders.

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. In this thoroughly revised and updated second edition, Mariana Mota Prado and Michael J. Trebilcock offer a succinct and readable introduction to the main concepts and debates in the field of law and development. They examine the role of legal systems and institutions, investigate perceptions around what laws and legal arrangements encourage and facilitate development, and probe the issues arising in both private law and public law as well as in international economic relations. Key features of the second edition include: Discussion of the role of technology in promoting development Analysis of the potential impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on developing countries A brand new chapter investigating the role of health and education in development Written with the insight of two top experts in the field, this Advanced Introduction covers the most recent trends in law and development research and highlights areas that remain underexplored. It will be essential reading for students, practitioners and policy-makers looking to gain a clear understanding of the core principles of this multifaceted topic.

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. This insightful Advanced Introduction provides an in-depth review of current U.S. technology policy, tracing the legislative history of policies such as the Economic Recovery Tax Act, the Small Business Innovation Development Act and the National Cooperative Research Act. The critical elements of the ecosystem in which technology policy exists are also discussed, with a particular focus on U.S. patent policy and U.S. investments in infrastructure technology. Key features include: Historical trace of U.S. technology policy ideas over the past 75 years Comparison of U.S. technology policies to those in other nations Agenda for future thinking about U.S. technology policy Integrated discussion of U.S. technology policy Economic rationale for U.S. technology policy This Advanced Introduction will be invaluable for international business leaders and policymakers, in addition to scholars in economics, public administration, business and public policy.

Providing an overview of industrial development using a variety of different approaches and perspectives, the Handbook of Industrial Development brings together expert contributors and highlights the current multiple and interdependent challenges that can only be addressed using an interdisciplinary approach. Chapters discuss the existing issues faced by industry following both the digital and environmental transitions, highlighting their regional roots and the interplay with the wider institutional framework. Investigating the necessity for companies to design new products and production processes and also re-think their corporate responsibilities, this Handbook illustrates the need for a much broader vision taking into account historical, social, political and cultural viewpoints at all governmental levels. Furthermore, it takes an analytical look at further research, including insightful directions for future industrial development policies. Answering complex policy questions for today, this crucial Handbook will be invaluable for policymakers looking for insights into sustainable industrial development as well as practitioners who are seeking an up-to-date comprehensive overview of the topic. Economic development and innovation scholars and researchers will also find the future research ideas interesting and informative.

Lean thinking involves more than just eliminating waste; through its five guiding principles-value, value chain, continuous flow, pull production, and perfection-its successful applications are commonly found in the manufacturing sector. Although its application and benefits to companies is no longer contested, it is rare to find works that consolidate applications of lean thinking in sectors that are unconventional, such as healthcare and government. Cases on Lean Thinking Applications in Unconventional Systems allows readers to broaden their view on lean thinking applications and visualize insights for research. It presents case studies and applications of lean thinking within several different industries. Covering topics such as emergency care units, standardized work, and national humanization policy, this case book is an essential resource for engineers, hospital administrators, healthcare professionals, IT managers, government officials, students and faculty of higher education, researchers, and academicians.

Following the positive contribution of microfinance to economic development in some parts of South East Asia and Africa, a huge amount of time has been devoted by researchers to understand this concept for sustainable development in Africa, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The concept of microfinance also has significant positive relationship with microbusiness development. Though there are a few books on the relationship between microfinance and poverty reduction in Africa and some developing countries across world. There is no specific book that explores the relationship between microfinance and sustainable development in Africa. Certainly, the use of microfinance for poverty reduction and economic development in the developing world is growing. However, this concept needs to be expanded to ensure its application with the view to achieving sustainable development in developing countries, particularly in Africa. Therefore, this book seeks to explore how the provision of microfinance to individuals, groups and business organisations facilitates economic growth and sustainable development in Africa. In this regard, this book hopes to examine the complex relationship between receipt of microfinance, poverty reduction, economic growth and microbusiness development, focusing on the provision of small credit facilities as a driver of sustainable development in Africa. This book aims to examine and bring on board the various views and perspectives on the relationship between microfinance and sustainable economic development in Africa through industry experts, experienced researchers and policymakers. The concept of microfinance and its relationship with sustainable development in Africa will be explored by these experts and contributors from different perspectives with the view to forming an opinion on the problems, processes and prospects of microfinance in Africa. The focus here is Sub-Saharan Africa, which has witnessed growing activities of microfinance institutions. Theoretical and empirical insight to be provided in this book will be a priceless resource to microfinance institutions, policymakers, state institutions, managers and non-governmental organisations working in developing countries particularly in Africa. This book is envisaged to also benefit financial institutions that are looking to expand their product portfolio and outreach. The book will offer great insight into theoretical, policy-oriented and practical ways to address some of the challenges of using microfinance for sustainable development in Africa. Given the focus of this book on the nexus between microfinance and sustainable development, there will be a broadening of ideas on how the provision of microfinance can aid sustainable development in Africa.

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing a radical change in both the economic and business paradigms that have ruled countries for decades. Emerging models are leading to a new world economic order predictably led by China and the United States. New forms of organization, new ways of working remotely, the strengthening of some industries to the detriment of others, and the supremacy of technology to be able to work are going to change the economies as we know them today. Emerging Business Models and the New World Economic Order offers strategies, economic policies, social, economic, and political trends that will affect organizations to increase their efficiency and labor productivity and change the world's business and financial structures. This book forecasts future business changes and prospective models, structural or not, for guiding the survival of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), multinationals, family firms, entrepreneurs, and NGOs in the post-COVID-19 era. Covering topics such as business model creation, global sustainable logistics 4.0, and social and solidarity economy, this text is essential for economists, entrepreneurs, managers, executives, family firms, SMEs, business professionals, policymakers, students, researchers, practitioners, and academicians.

Governments across the world are increasingly relying on tourism as an instrument of development. As tourism continues to grow globally, the prospect of irreparable damage being done to some of the world's most cherished destinations is becoming real. The need to balance the ever-growing demand for tourism with planning and management strategies that protect and preserve both tourism resources and the environment for future generations is unquestionable. Introduction to Tourism planning and development: igniting Africa's tourism economy provides African students and development stakeholders with an opportunity to study and understand tourism in the context of their surroundings and heritage. Introduction to Tourism planning and development: igniting Africa's tourism economy is an introductory text that explains basic concepts and the unfolding of the tourism phenomenon on the African continent. Adopting a comprehensive and practical approach, it uses local examples and case studies to illustrate the implementation of tourism development principles and capture the essence of the African tourism space. Introduction to Tourism planning and development: igniting Africa's tourism economy is aimed at tourism students and development stakeholders.

This book seeks to address critical issues and challenges in Africa and the emerging trends for the future. Authors from varied disciplines will examine and offer insight into what knowledge already exists in a specific topic area and what that may mean for the future of Africa. Despite several idealistic efforts towards a united Africa, the term remains a hypothetical concept symbolizing a desired federal state on the continent. This book plays an important role in shaping policies on the future of Africa through a deconstructive interrogation of present trends. It provides a valuable resource in varied fields of study and is highly relevant to the emerging contexts in Africa. The audience of this book includes students and policymakers, key players in Africa, political parties, trade unions, NGO's, and general audiences looking to examine and understand the future trends in Africa.

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. How can financial services, such as credit, deposit accounts, financial transfers, and insurance be provided to people in need? This challenging and complex issue has been a topic of interest for the international aid community for decades. Drawing on renowned experts in microfinance and financial inclusion, this Research Agenda sheds much-needed light on this multifaceted challenge and points the way ahead for future research. Providing a critical and multidisciplinary approach to research in microfinance and financial inclusion, the authors provide a state-of-the-art overview of current scholarly knowledge on the provision of financial services to disadvantaged populations worldwide. Reviewing the literature on the subject from the fields of economics, management science and development studies, they discuss the limitations and challenges of current research and chart avenues for future developments. With its fascinating insights, this Research Agenda will be of interest to students of finance and economics, development, and business and management, as well as researchers with a specific interest in microfinance and financial inclusion. Contributors include: J. Bastiaensen, A. Cozarenco, B. D'espallier, K.O. Djan, M. Duvendack, A. Garcia, J. Goedecke, I. Guerin, V. Hartarska, B. Hathaway, N. Hermes, F. Huybrechs, R. Lensink, R. Mersland, J. Morduch, S. Morvant, D. Nadolnyak, T. Ogden, J.-M. Servet, T.W. Sommeno, A. Szafarz, G. Van Hecken, B. Venet, L. Weill, T. Wry, S. Zamore

In contrast to neo-classical mainstream approaches to economics, this innovative Modern Guide addresses the complex reality of economic development as an inherently uneven process, exploring the ways of theorizing and empirically exploring the mechanisms with which the unevenness manifests itself. Advancing experience-based theories in the debate of economic development, this Modern Guide provides a qualitative, holistic and nuanced understanding of economic inequality by uniquely combining explanations from a large number of academic fields. It covers a wide array of issues influencing wealth and poverty, technological innovation, ecology and sustainability, financialization, population, gender and geography, and considers the dynamics of cumulative causations created by the interplay between these factors. By looking at falling real wages, world income distribution, and refugees and migrants in poorer regions, it ultimately explains why wealth and poverty are so unevenly distributed globally. The cutting-edge discussions in this Modern Guide will prove invaluable for students and scholars from a range of disciplines including economics and development studies. In today's world of 'single-issue management', the alternative theories of mutual influence in this book will prove useful to policy makers working across a variety of economic fields.

Providing a broad overview of the impact of COVID-19 on economic development, this timely book closely examines the macroeconomic aspects of economic development and the design of monetary policies including under extreme crises. Raghbendra Jha expertly introduces the subject, highlighting the links between economic growth and macroeconomic stability and illustrates a snapshot of economic development. Thoughtful discussions on measurements and limitations of the Human Development Index as well as the role of institutions and the design for monetary policy are also thoroughly reviewed. Furthermore, the book considers the open economy aspects of economic development and the challenges experienced following the global COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The insightful overview of this evolving subject will be crucial reading for scholars interested in economic development, undergraduate and graduate students of economics, as well as economics scholars more broadly. Policymakers, both nationally and internationally, will find the discussions surrounding the design of monetary policies informative and illuminating.