The emergence of platforms is a novel phenomenon impacting most industries, from products to services. Industry platforms such as Microsoft Windows or Google, embedded within industrial ecosystems, have redesigned our industrial landscapes, upset the balance of power between firms, fostered innovation and raised new questions on competition and innovation. Annabelle Gawer presents cutting-edge contributions from 24 top international scholars from 19 universities across Europe, the USA and Asia, from the disciplines of strategy, economics, innovation, organization studies and knowledge management. The novel insights assembled in this volume constitute a fundamental step towards an empirically based, nuanced understanding of the nature of platforms and the implications they hold for the evolution of industrial innovation. The book provides an overview of platforms and discusses governance, management, design and knowledge issues. With a multidisciplinary approach, this book will strongly appeal to academics and advanced students in management, innovation, strategy, economics and design. It will also prove an enlightening read for business managers in IT industries.

Despite being challenged by authoritarian counter-revolutionary responses, the Coronavirus pandemic, and a complex (geo)political context, the uprisings that started ten years ago in many countries of the Middle East and North Africa are still very much alive. By adopting a comparative approach, this comprehensive volume investigates the ongoing protests on three levels of analysis (local, national, regional) and through seven case studies (Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia). Particular attention is also placed on the role of the European Union and its member states in this historical transformation.

Bridging the Prosperity Gap in the EU addresses the great social challenge currently facing the European Union. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, the authors invaluably pinpoint both overarching problems and possibilities associated with the social dimension of European integration. Prominent researchers of economics, law and political science tackle this complex issue, providing new solutions within their respective fields of expertise. The chapters cover crucial policy challenges and analyse fundamental mechanisms that limit, or otherwise affect, the evolution of a European social dimension. These insights clarify the far-reaching measures that will be needed to gradually restore the balance between market integration and social protection across the European Union. Illustrating the importance of cohesion, this book is vital for those interested in comparative European studies, from backgrounds in public and social policy, law and economics. Contributors include: U. Bernitz, N. Charron, A.-C. Jungar, A.-S. Lind, M. Ljunge, L. Magnusson, M. Martensson, S. Murhem, P. Nyman, L. Oxelheim, J. Paju, T. Persson, B. Rothstein, J. Ruist, J.J. Votinius

Contemporary research in the field of time-based currency has generally been unstructured and takes a retrospective point of view. In practice, approaches to this field commonly taken until now have shown that there can be as many points of view as there are researchers. Time Bank as a Complementary Economic System: Emerging Research and Opportunities provides a systemic study of a soft system called the Time Bank, a reciprocal service exchange that uses units of time as currency. This publication explores the contemporary context of Time Bank and describes the most recent research methodologies and results. Its content represents the work of business exchange, knowledge management, and soft systems, and it is designed for economists, managers, business professionals, social scientists, academicians, and researchers seeking coverage on topics centered on soft systems and their economic influence.

Research Without Tears provides a concise and fascinating guide for those starting their first research project and writing a paper, report or thesis. John Creedy, a widely published writer himself in both journals and books, argues that the process of planning and executing a research project, and producing a research paper which communicates results in a clear and succinct way, is far from self-evident even to those with extensive experience of writing other types of report or essay. This unique and invaluable book therefore sets down explicitly some of those points that even experienced researchers often take for granted. The book covers topics including: planning a first research project; writing a first research paper; writing a thesis and the relationship with a supervisor; the differences between journal and book publishing and what to expect from editors of both publishing formats. It also offers invaluable advice on structure, writing clearly and pitfalls to avoid as well as the processes involved in publishing. This highly interesting and valuable book will be essential reading for students and academics in economics and other related disciplines.

Applied Economics equips you with the skills and knowledge to apply economic analysis to the current economic problems happening in the world today. Highly praised for its clear presentation, broad coverage of topics, and unique blend of theory and application, Applied Economics brings the subject to life, helping you to understand the relevance of economics in the 'real world'

UK's referendum vote to LEAVE the European Union caught the Government, many Britons and the EU HQ in Brussels by surprise. Why? Lack of preparedness for the hugely complex task. Will Brexit threaten the unity of the United Kingdom? Will Scotland leave the UK? Will the shock of losing EU's second power shatter the EU? This book highlights a quite different potential. A Golden Age for Britain, for Europe and for the Planet! Brexit provides an extraordinary opportunity to relaunch Europe based on its founding principles. These brought the squabbling States of Europe their first real peace in more than 2000 years. A Golden Age for global trade, democracy and public happiness is possible. Will it happen? All this depends on starting discussions on the right basis, an ethical and moral one. This book shows how. Written by the Editor of the Schuman Project who has researched the origin, purpose and future of Europe's peace miracle, this book provides answers for success.

Real estate has become popular nowadays. More than just finding a place to call home, many people have looked into it as a vehicle for investment. It also offers amazing opportunities for huge investment gains that you can take advantage throughout the course of your life. In this book, you will be guided through three types of real estate properties namely: commercial, residential and recreational lands. Every person has a different need, and this book will help you identify what is right for you according to size, price, location and many important factors you need to consider. You will also learn the pros and cons of each type of property, and what's more convenient than getting to know two sides of the coin right? This will allow you to make sound decisions thus not wasting any money!

As various areas of discipline continue to progress into the digital age, diverse modes of technology are being experimented with and ultimately implemented into common practices. Mobile products and interactive devices, specifically, are being tested within educational environments as well as corporate business in support of online learning and e-commerce initiatives. There is a boundless stock of factors that play a role in successfully implementing web technologies and user-driven learning strategies, which require substantial research for executives and administrators in these fields. Handbook of Research on User Experience in Web 2.0 Technologies and Its Impact on Universities and Businesses is an essential reference source that presents research on the strategic role of user experience in e-learning and e-commerce at the level of the global economy, networks and organizations, teams and work groups, and information systems. The book assesses the impact of e-learning and e-commerce technologies on different organizations, including higher education institutions, multinational corporations, health providers, and business companies. Featuring research on topics such as ubiquitous interfaces, computer graphics, and image processing, this book is ideally designed for program developers and designers, researchers, practitioners, IT professionals, executives, academicians, and students.

Starting with a working definition, this comprehensive work defines the attributes of the population health model. It clarifies what population health is and is not. It discusses health disparities and the social determinants of health and illness and provides new ways of moving forward towards a more sustainable healthcare model in a changing society, thereby pointing out the importance of multi-sector collaboration for collective impact for community health improvement. The book takes this further by providing sources of data to support the population health model. As such, this book provides a must-read for students and anyone working, teaching or consulting in population healthcare.