Within the literature on industrial economics and innovation there have been surprisingly few attempts to build analytical frameworks that are based on the distinctive features and institutional characteristics of Europe, and especially of the European Union. This collection explains the organization and dynamics of innovative activities in Europe. Theoretical advances in the economics of technological innovation have been placed alongside empirical research relating to the interaction between the industrial structures of individual member nations and the linking regulations of the European Union. The team of distinguished international contributors includes Paul David and Nick Von Tunzelmann. The Organization of Economic Innovation in Europe is a significant addition to the literature on the economics of innovation and technology.

Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award recipient This workbook explains in simple, step-by-step terms how to introduce and sustain lean flows of material and information in pacemaker cells and lines, a prerequisite for achieving a lean value stream. A sight we frequently encounter when touring plants is the relocation of processing steps from departments (process villages) to product-family work cells, but too often these "cells" produce only intermittent and erratic flow. Output gyrates from hour to hour and small piles of inventory accumulate between each operation so that few of the benefits of cellularization are actually being realized; and, if the cell is located upstream from the pacemaker process, none of the benefits may ever reach the customer. This sequel to Learning to See (which focused on plant level operations) provides simple step-by-step instructions for eliminating waste and creating continuous flow at the process level. This isn't a workbook you will read once then relegate to the bookshelf. It's an action guide for managers, engineers, and production associates that you will use to improve flow each and every day. Creating Continuous Flow takes you to the next level in work cell design where you'll achieve even greater cost and lead time savings. You'll learn: * where to focus your continuous flow efforts * how to create much more efficient work cells and lines * how to operate a pacemaker process so that a lean value stream is possible * how to sustain the gains, and keep improving Creating Continuous Flow is the next logical step after Learning to See. The value-stream mapping process defined the pacemaker process and the overall flow of products and information in the plant. The next step is to shift your focus from the plant to the process level by zeroing in on the pacemaker process, which sets the production rhythm for the plant or value stream, and apply the principles of continuous flow. Every p

This book describes and analyzes how seven major high-tech industries evolved in the United States, Japan, and Western Europe. The industries covered are machine tools, organic chemical products, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, computers, semiconductors, and software. In each of these industries, firms located in one or a very few countries became the clear technological and commercial leaders. In a number of cases, the locus of leadership changed, sometimes more than once, over the course of the histories studied. The focus of the book is on the key factors that supported the emergence of national leadership in each industry, and the reasons behind the shifts when they occurred. Special attention is given to the national policies that helped to create or sustain industrial leadership.

Originally published in 1931 (this re-issues the 8th edition of 1953), this book gives students a comprehensive account of global climatic types and the impact of climate on economics, issues of race, health, meteorology and geography. Climate change is covered from earliest times up until the middle of the twentieth century. The material is supplemented with 82 black and white maps/diagrams.

Originally published in 1980, this book by a group of international lawyers and experts from the energy industries suggests ways in which the law may have to change to cope with developments in the oil and nuclear energy industries and the way they impact on marine pollution. Incorporating issues arising on an international and comparative basis, the book discusses the approaches made to marine pollution problems by the UK, EU and USA.

Originally published in 1974, was a pioneering study which summarized, within the pre-existing framework of atmospheric knowledge, the more significant findings that emerged from the first decade of climatological analyses of meteorological satellite data. It shows how these data complement and extend the traditional coverage of climatology. The book draws together in one volume research findings which were not previously available in book form and which significantly improve the understanding of climate, especially in regions that were conventionally data-remote.

Originally published in 1987, this volume examines the ideals and realities of river use in 19th Century Britain and the failure of legal and technological remedies for river pollution. It deals with the involvement of scientists, particularly chemists, in pollution inquiries and considers the effects on the normal workings of the scientific community of scientists' participation in the adversary forums in which water and sewage policy was made. It discusses 19th ideas of decomposition, disease causation and purification and examines the gap between the abilities of science and the needs of society that developed as the existence of water-borne disease became increasingly clear. It also deals with the politicization of water bacteriology and the emergence of a technology of biological sewage treatment from a political context.

Originally published in 1980, this book is an original approach to the study of the atmosphere at A Level and introductory undergraduate courses. A true understanding of the way the atmosphere works is only attainable on a firm basis of science and the book concentrates on this aspect in a clear and straightforward manner without introducing advanced mathematics. The book discusses the atmosphere in terms of a machine fuelled by the Sun and it deals with the energy involved in global circulations before looking at local processes and finally global patterns. With a clear recognition of the vulnerability of climate to our wellbeing on a global scale, this book remains as relevant now as when it was first published.

Originally published in 1974 this volume brings together contributions from lawyers, a nuclear physicist, a landscape architect, biologist, engineers and a former Inspector of the International Atomic Energy Agency. It covers technical and legal information on air, water, sea, land and noise pollution and provides a comprehensive guide, summary and introduction to the journal literature in separate but relevant disciplines. All of the contributors have specialised in studies in pollution control and contributed to the debate on use and management of the environment.

Oil pollution has been a major environmental concern since the 1920s. The search for a solution has ranged from prevention to partial measures coupled with compensation and remedial action. This book, originally published in 1987, offers a different assessment of the efforts of governments and the oil and maritime industries. It was also the first book to provide a comprehensive story of control policies and practices, using primary and secondary sources. The book identified numerous factor - personalities, state policies, developments in the oil and shipping industries, public agitation and scientific studies in a framework useful for analysing any environmental problem.

Originally published in 1994 this volume includes contributions from environmental scientists, consultants and research workers. The incidence and effects of the phenomenon of acid rain in the late 1970s, 80s and early 1990s , as well as certain remedies, are discussed at length. The roles of vehicles and power stations are examined in detail and legal aspects of curbing acid rain are considered.

Originally published in 1973 and based on papers published in The International Journal of Environmental Studies, this book discusses the impact of road vehicles on the environment. Particular stress is laid on the design of towns and vehicles, economic problems associated with these, the responsibility of planners and the integration of transport planning and environmental planning at local, regional and national levels. Subsequent sections cover the science of accident research and legislation, particularly dealing with global pollution control. Many of the problems discussed remain as pressing today as when this book was first published.

Originally published in 1973, this book has enduring relevance in the 21st Century. Asking difficult questions it encourages the reader to think about the individual and societal changes which are needed to protect the planet and the health and prosperity of future generations. Despite the title of the book, it covers air, water and land pollution, evolution, the industrial revolution, the growth of technology, climatology and meteorology, pollution legislation and the economics of a green economy.

Originally published in 1985, this volume of essays was compiled in honour of Gordon Manley, a major and distinctive twentieth-century figure in climatology. The range and scope of the topics covered reflect the eclectic interests of Manley, whose orientation was always towards the importance of climate and its impact on mankind. The state of the art of climatic change is considered at different scales by the contributors: from instrumental records on a local scale from Durham and Manchester to discussions on the regional and continental scale. Methodological problems relating to climatic change are treated. The effects of climate and climatic change on plant distribution, disease vectors and agricultural pests are also considered.

In order to effectively address global warming, many countries have significantly reduced the amount of carbon dioxide emissions that are put into the atmosphere. From the perspective of industrial structure, this volume examines the emission reduction potentials and abatement costs in China. By making an empirical analysis of the emission reduction, the author proposes some practical strategies. The book comprehensively summarizes related theories and research of contaminant disposal modeling, and estimates the shadow price of interprovincial CO2 emissions, the emission reduction potential of different regions, and the marginal emission reduction cost based on the parametric model. It finally puts forward the strategy to adjust the industrial structure in China. The book hence provides solid evidence for policy-makers to help mitigate CO2 emissions through industrial restructuring strategy.

This tenth volume of papers emanating from the annual International High Technology Small Firms Conference represents a full decade of research and policy relevant papers on innovation and growth problems of New Technology-based Firms (NTBf). Because this series has become the major vehicle for publication among the best international researchers working on the formation and subsequent growth problems of NTBfs, it represents an authoritative voice on NTBf development problems. Topics covered in this volume include strategy, spin offs - their contribution to NTBf growth and the problems they encounter during the traumatic spin off process, the current hot topic of clusters and their role in enhancing NTBf formation and growth, networking and global issues since many NTBfs are truly born global.

Part of a mini-series of Focus books on COVID-19 in Malaysia, the chapters in this book address the pandemic's impact on business and the economy in Malaysia. Covering a range of challenges and opportunities for business and the economy over a year-long period, starting from Malaysia's first pandemic lockdown in March 2020 to the state of the country as of May 1, 2021, the contributors highlight the impact of the pandemic on the Malaysian business and economy and how Malaysians are finding ways to adapt and rise above adversity. They illustrate how the pandemic has affected businesses and anticipate the prospects for the Malaysian economy going forward. This is also an opportunity to witness how researchers from multiple disciplines can join forces during challenging times to deliver insightful research with impact. More importantly, there are many lessons to be learned from the successes and failures in responding to the pandemic in this developing Southeast Asian economy. A fascinating read for individuals with an interest in crisis adaptation in non-Western contexts, especially those with a particular interest in Malaysia or Southeast Asia more generally.

This book looks at how Scandinavia was transformed from one of the poorest regions of Europe to one of the richest during the 19th century, through the acquisition of advanced technological capability from abroad.

This book connects political economy perspectives with scenario planning for mapping out future trajectories of digital ecosystems. The focus is purposefully on digital ecosystems as it encompasses economic, political and social contexts on a global, national and local level. The diversity of political economy approaches allows the author to explore alternative meanings of digital ecosystem development, which is particularly useful for envisioning alternative futures. Often visions about the future of digital ecosystems suffer from a lack of imagination and confirmation bias which is favorable to the extrapolation of current trends. A wide range of political economy perspectives applied through positivist theorizing in this book shows different interpretations of developments in digital ecosystems. Scenario planning teams around the world have applied a collective imagination to show how future trajectories can be radically different from the current trends. The book outlines meta-scenarios for alternative futures of the political economy of digital ecosystems by reviewing and synthesizing the work of foresight teams. These meta-scenarios served as insights for developing four scenarios for European digital ecosystems through the workshops with high-level executives and experts. The scenarios identified the nature of EU cooperation and the development of digital infrastructure as key drivers. These four scenarios developed in the workshops are further operationalized in a specific context by exploring the implications for Estonia as well as for Chinese investments in European platforms. This exercise shows how scenarios of digital ecosystems can be used for stress-testing decisions and strategies. Decision-makers, students, scholars and other stakeholders in a wide range of industries ranging from academia to ride-sharing can use the scenarios for reframing different development trajectories and future-proofing their strategies. The scenarios can be further developed and modified for specific purposes and contexts as they are not written in stone.

The economic crisis has brought about a watershed in institutional, political, and social relations, reshaping the labour market and the class structure in southern Europe. This book provides a critical comparative assessment of the dynamics of change in the employment field, focusing on Spain, Greece, and Cyprus. The book assesses how the liberalization and deregulation processes and the promotion of market-enhancing reforms progressed in three different national settings, identifying the forces, agents, contexts, and mechanisms shaping the employment and industrial relations systems. The comparative perspective used deciphers the interplay of external and internal dynamics in the restructuring of the labour field in Southern Europe, examining austerity and its contestation in connection with prevailing societal ideologies and class shifts. The first part of the book sets the theoretical and historical context, the second is comprised of three empirical national case studies, and the third discusses comparatively the handling of the crisis, its impact, and its legacy from the standpoint of a decade later. The book presents differences in industrial relations systems, trade union forms, and class composition dynamics, accounting for the development of the crisis and the reshaping of the employment field after one decade of crisis. It will be of value to researchers, academics, professionals, and students working on issues of employment and industrial relations, labour market and labour law, political economy and class structure, as well as those interested in the contemporary society and economy of southern Europe in general, and Spain, Greece, and Cyprus in particular.

This is a detailed archive-based study of the economic planning of the Attlee governments, in which the author seeks to analyse the interaction between the decisions of central planners and the micro-economic effects of these decisions. Throughout the book, Martin Chick pays particular attention to the level, pattern and quality of fixed capital investment. At the same time, there is a continuous concern with the struggle between politicians, economists and industrialists over the mix of pricing mechanisms and administrative orders which were to be used in this period. This struggle permeated all discussions over matters such as the organisation of nationalised industries, the monopoly structure of nationalised industries, the allocation of resources and the promotion of higher productivity. The author also asks what impact, if any, economic planning had on the productivity performance of the UK economy.

This book goes beyond traditional minimum wage research to investigate the interplay between different country and sectoral institutional settings and actors' strategies in the field of minimum wage policies. It asks which strategies and motives, namely free collective bargaining, fair pay and/or minimum income protection, are emphasised by social actors with respect to the regulation and adaptation of (statutory) minimum wages. Taking an actor-centered institutionalist approach, and employing cross-country comparative studies, sector studies and single country accounts of change, the book relates institutional and labour market settings, actors' strategies and power resources with policy and practice outcomes. Looking at the key pay equity indicators of low wage development and women's over-representation among the low paid, it illuminates our understandings about the importance of historical junctures, specific constellations of social actors, and sector- and country-specific actor strategies. Finally, it underlines the important role of social dialogue in shaping an effective minimum wage policy. This book will be of key interest to scholars, students and policy-makers and practitioners in industrial relations, international human resource management, labour studies, labour market policy, inequality studies, trade union studies, European politics and political economy.

Coping with complexities is an everyday reality for private, public and third sectors that face intricate, overlapping, obscuring and ever-changing challenges. Developments in technology and systems of value creation are driving a new need to understand, facilitate and manage complexity. The book proposes design and design research as a solution to respond to the complexities associated with the intensifying and rapid changes in societies, technological fields and environments. A four-step design process for managing complexities is introduced in the four parts of this book, spanning from design research in the field to practice-based contexts. This publication collates high-level research and the latest scholarship on this topic, while many of the case studies described herein draw on rich experiences and applications in practice. The ways designers work to overcome complexities through design, and the methods and frameworks presented in the chapters, provide critical insights and form an important scholarly contribution in this subject area.