With the rise of information and communication technologies in today's world, many regions have begun to adapt into more resource-efficient communities. Integrating technology into a region's use of resources, also known as smart territories, is becoming a trending topic of research. Understanding the relationship between these innovative techniques and how they impact social innovation is vital when analyzing the sustainable growth of highly populated regions. The Handbook of Research on Smart Territories and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems for Social Innovation and Sustainable Growth is a pivotal reference source that provides vital research on the global practices and initiatives of smart territories as well as their impact on sustainable development in different communities. While highlighting topics such as waste management, social innovation, and digital optimization, this publication is ideally designed for civil engineers, urban planners, policymakers, economists, administrators, social scientists, business executives, researchers, educators, and students seeking current research on the development of smart territories and entrepreneurship in various environments.

This impressive Handbook provides a dynamic perspective on the international entrepreneurial strategies of SMEs, including the role and experience of their founders, as well as the collaboration of these SMEs in networks with larger firms. The expert contributors from all over the world and the editors explore the origin and evolution of internationalizing SMEs, the changing history and the future outlook of this sector. They study the effects of different cultures on the origin and growth of entrepreneurship and SMEs. The Handbook also outlines the various types of Born Globals that emerge from different parts of the world. This book will prove essential reading for researchers and students of international business, entrepreneurship and SMEs. Founders of internationalizing SMEs will also learn about novel management practices, while educational institutions and governments will find invaluable insights on how to foster and support SMEs in their internationalization efforts. Contributors: P. Belyo, F. Celikel Esser, N.F. Crespo, K. Efrat, M. Fontes, S. Freeman, M. Gabrielsson, P. Gabrielsson, V.V. Geldres, G. Gripsrud, B. Hagen, A. Hunneman, S.H. Jang, M.V. Jones, S. Julkunen, J.S. Kim, S. Kimiagari, O. Kuivalainen, M. Lazaris, L.C. Leonidou, N. Li, I. Mandl, I. Martins, I. Molnar, B. Montreuil, N.E.M. Ngasri, A.Z. Nowak, J. Ohn, K. Puumalainen, M. Raatikainen, A. Rialp-Criado, S. Saarenketo, S. Samiee, R. Shneor, V.C. Simoes, C.A. Solberg, M.C. Stoian, L. Torkkeli, Y. Vaillant, A. Zucchella

"Getting the best employees on board and weeding out the worst--without getting slapped with expensive lawsuits--are two of the most crucial and difficult jobs of human resources professionals and general managers. Now there's quick, reliable information on how to do it right. Written by employment expert Paul Falcone, "The Hiring and Firing Question and Answer Book" contains over 100 commonly asked questions ranging from basic to sophisticated, including: * Does my company need an Affirmative Action plan? * Why should I conduct an exit interview? * How do I find the best Web sites for recruiting employees? * How do I protect my company from negligent hiring claims? * How do I terminate a long-term employee with a history of positive performance evaluations? Each question is followed by a short answer and a longer ""Tell Me More"" section, making the book perfect both as a concise overview and as a practical reference." 'Paul Falcone (Valencia, CA) is Director of Human Resources at Platinum Equity in Beverly Hills, and was previously Director of Employment and Development for Paramount Pictures in Hollywood. He is the author of several best-selling books, including: 96 Great Interview Questions to Ask Before You Hire, 2600 Phrases for Effective Performance Reviews, and 101 Sample Write-Ups for Documenting Employee Performance Problems.

Universities and public research institutes play a key role in enabling the application of scientific breakthroughs and innovations in the marketplace. Many countries - developed and developing alike - have implemented national strategies to support the application or commercialization of knowledge produced by public research organizations. Universities and public research institutes have introduced practices to support these activities, for instance by including knowledge transfer to promote innovation as a core part of their mission. As a result, a vital question for policymakers is how to improve the efficiency of these knowledge transfer practices to help maximize innovation-driven growth and/or to seek practical solutions to critical societal challenges. This book aims to develop a conceptual framework to evaluate knowledge transfer practices and outcomes; to improve knowledge transfer metrics, surveys and evaluation frameworks; and to generate findings on what works and what does not, and to propose related policy lessons. This book is also available as Open Access.

Celebrating Entrepreneurs is a first-hand account of the past, present, and future of entrepreneurship at MIT from the man who has led those endeavors since the beginning.Edward B. Roberts has created a history of the seminal role of MIT's faculty and alumni in transforming entrepreneurship into a discipline worthy of rigorous academic study; and forming and building the many organizations that constitute the 'MIT entrepreneurial ecosystem'. They in turn nurtured the founding and investing in thousands of start-up companies that pioneered new industries. MIT spinoff firms annually generate multiple trillions of dollars of global revenues, employing several million people worldwide!Structured in two parts, the book first showcases how the unique atmosphere at MIT encourages its innovative entrepreneurs to thrive. Then, with in-depth coverage of the founders and companies that pioneered four industries - biotechnology, the Internet, from CAD-CAM to robotics, and modern finance - plus many other successful firms, Professor Roberts analyzes how MIT's most successful entrepreneurs have capitalized on that environment and culture to build companies that have lasted for decades. Both internal and external to MIT, the founders of these organizations and companies tell their own stories, describing their motivations, challenges, and outcomes.