Taiwan, once one of the world's leading manufacturing economies, is now transforming into a service economy, with an emphasis on knowledge-based services. This metamorphosis has not been easy. As well as major changes in the industrial sector, human resource and policy development have been required, the experiences and implications of which are addressed in this book. Although Taiwan is only in the initial stage of transition from a material- or capital-based economy to a knowledge-based economy, the process has already provided valuable lessons to be learnt. The ramification of transformations in manufacturing, agriculture, finance, services, and the information technology industry are examined and discussed. Tain-Jy Chen and Joseph S. Lee go on to reveal the problems and difficulties that Taiwan has encountered in creating itself a new knowledge based economy, including its outmoded service sector, the inability of businesses to pursue global production and services, and the lack of capacity to create knowledge and to innovate. Providing a discernible insight into the transformation of one of the most prominent newly industrialized countries into a knowledge-based economy, this book will greatly appeal to academics, researchers, and those with a specific interest in knowledge management or Asian economies, as well as to economic analysts.

Globalization, new technologies and evolving organizational and management models pose a significant challenge to industrialized countries. Instead of relying on the traditional techno-organizational paradigm, they have had to search for new development paths to ensure further growth and social welfare. Finland is one of the few nations that has been able to meet this challenge successfully and, as such, can be regarded as a model case study from which other countries can learn how to manage this fundamental transition process. In an astonishingly short period of time, Finland has developed into one of the world's leading knowledge societies whilst retaining a comprehensive welfare state. The book traces this rapid transformation from a resource-based to a knowledge-based society. The authors describe the country's strengths and weaknesses in the new economy and demonstrate how Finland has been able to catch-up with the leading industrial countries by exploiting new techno-organizational opportunities. Experts from different fields provide rich empirical material on Finnish industries, firms, regions and institutions, and the role they have played in the transformation process. The book also details the business and economic restructuring which was required, and explores new trends in the country's science, technology and innovation policy. Embracing the Knowledge Economy offers a comprehensive appraisal of the management of Finland's transition to a knowledge society. Business managers, policymakers and scholars in the fields of institutional economics, innovation management and political science will welcome this coherent description of Finland's successful search for a new development path.

This book investigates the ways in which global standardization organizations establish, negotiate, and maintain their authority and legitimacy, thereby inducing companies, states, and other organizations to adopt and implement the voluntary standards they produce. The book examines the structure and workings of two major standard-setters: the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC). Within ISO, the author studies Technical Committee 176, which is responsible for standards for quality assurance and quality management - the much-discussed ISO 9000 standards implemented by thousands of companies around the world. The IASC sets global accounting standards that are increasingly important in an era of rising demands for transparent, full-disclosure financial reporting. On the basis of extensive interviews and the analysis of documents produced by the standardization bodies, the author reveals the mechanisms, internal struggles, and variable logics of their globalizing efforts, showing how nominally voluntary implementation programs effectively produce widespread adoption and compliance with complex, highly technical standards. Kristina Tamm Hallstrom brings together organizational theory, discourse analysis, a global perspective, and an alert sensitivity to power relations to make sense of ISO TC 176 and the IASC. Theoretically nuanced and empirically rich, Organizing International Standardization offers much of value to scholars and practitioners in sociology, international relations, business, accounting, technical disciplines, organizational consulting, and related areas

Economic crime is, by definition, crime committed to gain profit within an otherwise legitimate business. Examples are illegal pollution, brand name infringement and tax evasion. The victims of such crimes may be private citizens, businesses and the state. The leading authors in this vital new book survey recent advances in the study of economic crime from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. The key areas examined are: * the economics of corporate crime * enforcing regulation * law and economics of environmental crime * corporate fraud and tax evasion * the history of economic crime This important volume will be of interest to scholars and policymakers involved in examining and regulating economic crime in both developed and developing countries.

Your guide to becoming the best Manager and Leader you can be. A actionable guide with tried and tested processes to help you understand what your team needs and expects from you, their leader. Case studies and quotes from the greatest CEO's, managers and Executive Coaches.

Transport continues to present considerable challenges for both policymakers and economists throughout the world. This book provides a rigorous analytical approach to transport economics and transport policy, showing how economic principles can be applied to problems and practical solutions derived. As well as providing detailed coverage on the conventional topics of demand, costs, market structure, externalities, investment appraisal and regulation, the book also examines the wider role of transport in the economy as a whole. In addition, the authors address the important link between transport and issues of location, urban and regional development, and economic growth. Throughout the book there are frequent references to policy issues at both the national and EU level, complemented by a comprehensive discussion on the different ways in which policy has evolved in various European countries. The concluding chapter draws together some of the problems encountered in moving from the theories and models developed in the book to the actual implementation of specific policy measures. The authors believe that only policies based on a thorough understanding of the economics of transport can help solve some of the pressing problems facing governments across Europe. This unique book addresses a wide range of issues and makes use of cutting-edge data to provide a set of universal tools to analyse and inform policy at all levels. It assumes only a basic knowledge of economics and will be essential reading for students at advanced undergraduate and postgraduate level following courses on transport economics, regional science, urban studies and geography. It will also prove a valuable source of reference for policymakers involved in the provision and regulation of transport and researchers interested in transport planning and policy.

This Book is aimed for everyone interested in projects; engineers, marketing and/or financial men. Feasibility of projects is first defined. Then we fly over the marketing and technical feasibility aspects before defining the financial feasibility. My preferences in term of formula are detailed as well as the variables in this formula; cash flows, interest rates, exchange rates, lifetime of the project. After collecting all prior figures from the marketing, technical, organizational and legal aspects, one may align these figures in a financial feasibility study. A few examples from a simple one to more complex ones are evoked.

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is a regional organization that formed during the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. It has few supranational powers, but aims to be more than a purely symbolic organization, nominally possessing coordinating powers in the realm of trade, finance, lawmaking, and security. As such, it is vital to examine this region and its economic and geopolitical impacts on the world. Economic and Geopolitical Perspectives of the Commonwealth of Independent States and Eurasia is a vital research publication that explores the importance and influence of the Commonwealth of Independent States and Eurasia in the twenty-first century. Highlighting a wide range of topics such as sovereign democracy, economic integration, and foreign policy, this book is geared toward business managers, economists, business professionals, entrepreneurs, business analysts, and researchers seeking current research on the effects of political organizations like the CIS on various regions.

WINNER 2013 INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER LIVING NOW BOOK AWARD GOLD MEDAL for the best new book in Finance/Budgeting. Do you have a credit card? Roughly 70% of adults in the U.S. do. In fact, Americans average 3.5 credit cards per person - that's a lot of plastic Even with all that buying power in their wallets, most consumers have no idea the ways that they use (or misuse) their credit cards can affect their health, their relationships, and their credit scores. Many factors go into mounting credit card debt: impulse shopping, health emergencies, the loss of a job, marriage, divorce, a death in the family. With this debt comes stress, arguments, loss of sleep, inability to pay other bills, worry, health problems, crumbling relationships... Does any of this sound familiar? Increasing credit card debt and a lack of knowledge about how credit cards really work have created a new social phenomenon called "The Plastic Effect." And if you have a credit card, The Plastic Effect can affect YOU. In this new book, internationally recognized credit card expert, Polly A. Bauer, CPCS and attorney Stephen Lesavich, PhD, JD, have selected 25 of the most common urban legends influencing the use and misuse of credit cards. The authors, as business leaders and credit card users, walk you through these urban legends about how credit cards are used and misused, explaining what is true and what is likely to cause you trouble. You'll get access to resources and additional information about each urban legend, tips from industry experts, and guidance that will help you use your credit cards more intelligently and effectively. You'll also learn how to understand your credit reports, improve your credit score and manage your debt in a way that puts the power back in YOUR hands. In short, this book will help you break free of The Plastic Effect.

The Handbook of Finance and Development provides a thorough assessment of the existing research on the relationship between the financial system and economic growth. Containing chapters on theory, empirical work and historic accounts, this is the first Handbook to provide a comprehensive overview of the fields of finance and development. As leading researchers in the field the contributors analyse the emergence of, and innovations in, financial instruments, markets, and intermediaries, providing commentary on how these components of financial systems shape resource allocation, poverty, income inequality and aggregate economic growth. They also explore the causes and consequences of financial fragility, the historic development of financial systems and the regulatory and supervisory underpinnings of financial sector development. Further chapters examine financial development at both the aggregate and country levels and assess the degree to which individuals and firms can access financial services. Recent literature on the financial inclusion of households and enterprises is also analysed. The Handbook will be of great value to scholars and researchers who are interested in the fields of finance, development and financial inclusion. Throughout the chapters the contributors highlight how insights drawn from research inform policy debates on the topics at hand making this work a useful resource for policy makers and regulators. Contributors include: F. Abraham, P. Aghion, F. Allen, M. Ayyagari, J. Barth, T. Beck, A. Berger, H. Bodenhorn, C. Burhop, J. Caprio, R. Cull, A. Demirguc-Kunt, S. Frame, X. Gu, T. Guinnane, P. Honohan, P. Howitt, L. Klapper, O. Kowalewski, T. Lambert, R. Levine, N. Loayza, V. Maksimovic, R. Morck, J. Morduch, A. Ouazad, A. Popov, R. Ranciere, R. Roman, S. Schmukler, D. Singer, M. Soledad Martinez Peria, W. Summerhill, R. Tilly, J. Verrier, P. Volpin, H.-J. Voth, B. Yeung

You have been trained for everything, except this. Managing a team for the first time can be extremely daunting. Responsibility for the performance, happiness and ambitions of each member now rests firmly on your shoulders. Are you ready for what is ahead? 'Nurture' is a practical guide to first-time line management. Packed with real-life lessons from an experienced manager and coach, 'Nurture' provides bite-sized tips to help you get the most from your new team. The information in this book will increase your chances of successfully navigating the journey from buddy to boss. Great managers are not born; they are nurtured.

Traditional financial markets are the most important lever of social and economic impact that can effectively regulate markets, industries, national economies, and international economic interactions, and form global and deeply integrated economic systems. Due to the global spread of financial instability and waves of financial crises, the problems of researching effective financial instruments to ensure national competitiveness becomes highly significant. Global Trends of Modernization in Budgeting and Finance is a pivotal reference source that provides vital research on the impacts of financial globalization in the context of economic digitalization and national financial markets. While highlighting topics such as entrepreneurship, international business, and socio-economic development, this publication explores modern conditions of rapid technological progress and financial market integration, as well as the methods of increasing regional intergovernmental organization efficiency. This book is ideally designed for policymakers, financial analysts, researchers, academicians, graduate-level students, business professionals, entrepreneurs, scholars, and managers seeking current research on new challenges and developments in national financial markets.

Presenting a selection of innovative research contributions written by some of the best-known academics in the field, The Economics of Copyright covers issues that are at the forefront of the implementation and management of copyright. The book touches on all aspects of copyright management including the effects of copyright piracy, optimal contractual arrangements between authors and publishers, copyright and antitrust issues, and collective management of copyright. This selection of papers not only shows how fruitful the study of copyright from an economic theory perspective has been, but they also clearly indicate the directions (and analytical tools) that will be of principal interest over the next few years, as research in this area flourishes. Both legal scholars specialising in intellectual property and applied economics scholars will find this book of importance, as will organisations dealing with the management and protection of intellectual property rights. The book will also be good reading for any advanced university course dealing with the economics of copyright.

To date, a plethora of companies and organizations are investing vast amounts of money on the latest technologies. Information technology can be used to improve market share, profits, sales, competitive advantage, and customer/employee satisfaction. Unfortunately, the individuals meant to use these technologies are not well equipped on how to effectively and efficiently use these tools for competitive advantage and decision making. The Handbook of Research on IT Applications for Strategic Competitive Advantage and Decision Making is a collection of innovative research relevant to the methodologies, theoretical frameworks, and latest empirical research findings in information technology applications, strategic competitive advantage, and decision making. While highlighting topics including agility, knowledge management, and business intelligence, this book is ideally designed for information technology professionals, academics, researchers, managers, executives, and government officials interested in using information technology for strategic competitive advantage and better decision making.

The first volume of the Eurasian Studies in Business and Economics, the official proceedings series of the Eurasia Business and Economics Society (EBES), includes selected papers from the 13th EBES Conference held in Istanbul in 2014. This volume covers theoretical and empirical contributions in the areas of innovation, entrepreneurship, HR, banking and finance. An eclectic set of methodologies and contributions from experts across the World makes this volume a valued work of reference. This volume also provides a timely opportunity to colleagues, professionals and students to catch up with the most recent studies in different fields and empirical findings on many countries and regions.