The economic process of financialization is defined by many as the development of the dependence and subordination of the productive sector to the financial sector. Leading to an emphasis on maximizing shareholder value above all else, the financialization of the economy and production has an enormous impact on the everyday life of ordinary people including the erosion of employment right, the rise of precarious work, and rising inequalities. Using multicase study research and an exploratory approach, this book analyzes the financialization process in the ten companies with the highest market capitalization worldwide including tech firms, oil companies and banks. This book analyzes indicators of financialization in large corporations including a comparison between profitability sources; shareholding structure, acquisitions and sales of shares; mergers and acquisitions; the origins of directors; payment of compensation to executives; dividend payments to shareholders and stock repurchases; employee salaries; and employment levels. The data demonstrates that what would once have been considered non-core business activities have become more profitable than core business activities in many of these companies. In some cases, these companies are responsible for large investment funds and financial-type institutions which already surpass the largest banks in terms of assets under management. Meanwhile, the average salaries at some of these companies have been falling in real terms due to the rise of outsourcing and the use of cheap or precarious labour. Adopting an economic sociology approach, this book marks a significant contribution to the literature on financialization in economics, sociology and business.

There are few contemporary studies on the finances of unions. Indeed, little research exists on the internal operations of unions in the U.S. This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the financial resources and performance of the largest national unions. It discusses the theoretical and practical relevance of the topic, which goes directly to the formation, maintenance, and potential advancement of labor organizations. Financial capacity and performance create incentives for unions to mobilize at the grassroots level and launch major drives to improve their position in society. Understanding how unions raise and spend money provides insight as to their administrative orientation and organizational capacity. Given its topical breadth and depth, the book stands apart from the extant literature on unions in society. It is unique in the range of financial information presented, how data are analyzed, and its treatment of such important matters as compensation and benefits; operating budgets; political activism as measured by expenditures from treasury-based funds and political mechanisms funded by members through voluntary donations. The authors show not only the scope of union financial wherewithal and how it varies across labor organizations but also how such indicators compare to corporate entities who employ the rank-and-file. The book provides a wealth of information on how to analyze the finances of unions and to use this information to prepare for collective bargaining and other aspects of labor-management relations. It informs employers and other observers about how unions are able to represent members and their ability to withstand strikes.

For two centuries the linen industry provided the economic warp for the fabric of social life in Ulster. Until now, the central importance of the linen industry to key themes in Irish history and society has received little scholarly attention. In an unprecedented, multifaceted collection, The Warp of Ulster's Past gathers top scholars from the fields of history, sociology, and anthropology to put forth their perspectives on various themes and issues connected to this single industry. Exploring the relationships between the linen industry and capitalist development, economic class, social life, and religious and gender stratification, the essays combine to offer a truly comprehensive look at Irish history. A unique and engaging book of reference, The Warp of Ulster's Past moves beyond rigid disciplinary boundaries and reveals how deeply linen shaped Ulster's heritage.

How to Succeed in the Enterprise Software Market describes enterprise-level information systems that businesses use to support their processes. This book provides a clear and simple framework to help software companies understand this experience, and help them build software products compatible with organizations, humans, and complex customer environments. How to Succeed in the Enterprise Software Market combines leading research on how technology affects humans and organizations with industry experience and case studies on enterprise software companies. It includes the inside story from case studies on emerging companies including OpenMarket, Inc, E-Docs, ObjectStore, NewRiver, Inc. and BBN Communications and major buyers of IT services in the financial services industry. This book is a practical guide to results that bridge gaps between hard and soft science views of systems development, academic research, and actual practice.

This book presents selected papers from the 32nd Eurasia Business and Economics Society (EBES) Conference - Istanbul. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the conference presentation mode has been switched to "online/virtual presentation only". The theoretical and empirical papers gathered here cover diverse areas of business, economics and finance in various geographic regions, including not only topics from HR, management, finance, marketing but also contributions on public economics, political economy and regional studies.

This book describes official statistics as a tool to hold up a mirror to society - but also as an instrument for those who can manipulate this mirror. It addresses the precarious interaction of politics, official statistics, and ethical principles. Three sets of themes can be derived from this relationship, which are the focus of this book: Political systems and guiding principles, official statistics as a science of the state, and ethical issues arising from them. Ultimately, the determining factor is the political system that exists in each case. The book contains eleven chapters. The first three focus on the key concepts of the book: power and morality, official statistics and policy making, and ethical principles for statistical work. Three further chapters focus on episodes that illustrate, as "drastic" examples, the misuse of official statistics over the past hundred years, covering the situation in the Soviet Union, the Third Reich and Greece. The remaining five chapters take up current topics that pose particular challenges to official statistics. These are the phenomena paraphrased by digitalisation, globalisation, happiness research, overpopulation, migration, the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change. The book is primarily aimed at statisticians working in national and international statistical institutions, but also at readers interested in statistics, national accounts, economic and statistics history, and ethical issues.

New Work and Industry 4.0 have matured and this book takes a practical, experience-based approach to project management in these areas. It introduces methods and covers the practical aspects. It critically examines existing approaches and practices and shows their limitations. The book covers appropriate methods as well as human and social aspects. It contributes to the ongoing discussion of business practices and methods. It also aims to stimulate dialogue in the professional community. Digital Project Practice for New Work and Industry 4.0 begins by introducing basic concepts in the context of Industry 4.0 and discussing how they might influence organizational communication and impact the work environment. After examining the possibilities and challenges of remote work and collaboration in distributed teams all over the world, the book looks at a company's fundamental changes related to New Work from a practical business perspective as well as legal and ethical perspectives. It reviews the case of the VW emission scandal and recommends ways to improve corporate culture. Legal issues include New Work and hybrid forms of collaboration as well as liability for automated decisions (i.e., the potential need for an 'electronic person'). Other implications for the workplace include how: Industry 4.0 might influence the potential demand for "Digital Unions" Industry 4.0, and lean production, and their applications can change industrial practices Open Banking presents new approaches and new business models Work structures and systems can empower employees' work self-management This book also looks at how New Work effects individual workers. It addresses digital stress, introduces strategies for coping with it, and discusses related topics. It also explores the benefits of meditation and the economics of mind, body, and spirit. In essence, this book cover appropriate methods along with human and social factors. It also covers practice, different perspectives, and various experiences from all around the globe. Contributing to the ongoing discussion on business practices and methods, this book will nourish and stimulate dialogue in the professional community.

New Work and Industry 4.0 have matured and this book takes a practical, experience-based approach to project management in these areas. It introduces methods and covers the practical aspects. It critically examines existing approaches and practices and shows their limitations. The book covers appropriate methods as well as human and social aspects. It contributes to the ongoing discussion of business practices and methods. It also aims to stimulate dialogue in the professional community. Digital Project Practice for New Work and Industry 4.0 begins by introducing basic concepts in the context of Industry 4.0 and discussing how they might influence organizational communication and impact the work environment. After examining the possibilities and challenges of remote work and collaboration in distributed teams all over the world, the book looks at a company's fundamental changes related to New Work from a practical business perspective as well as legal and ethical perspectives. It reviews the case of the VW emission scandal and recommends ways to improve corporate culture. Legal issues include New Work and hybrid forms of collaboration as well as liability for automated decisions (i.e., the potential need for an 'electronic person'). Other implications for the workplace include how: Industry 4.0 might influence the potential demand for "Digital Unions" Industry 4.0, and lean production, and their applications can change industrial practices Open Banking presents new approaches and new business models Work structures and systems can empower employees' work self-management This book also looks at how New Work effects individual workers. It addresses digital stress, introduces strategies for coping with it, and discusses related topics. It also explores the benefits of meditation and the economics of mind, body, and spirit. In essence, this book cover appropriate methods along with human and social factors. It also covers practice, different perspectives, and various experiences from all around the globe. Contributing to the ongoing discussion on business practices and methods, this book will nourish and stimulate dialogue in the professional community.

First published in 1989, The Competitiveness of European Industry helps in developing our understanding of the process of improving and measuring industrial competitiveness. The contributors focus on the competitiveness of European industry. Three main topics are discussed: the concept of competitiveness itself; what can be learned about competitiveness at the level of an individual national economy; and processes and strategies in forms which might contribute to improved competitive performance. The first two papers critically assess concepts and measures of national competitiveness and review the performances of the economies of Britain, France, and the Federal German Republic. Then follow accounts of industrial competitiveness in three smaller economies (Belgium, Switzerland, and Sweden), which develop a series of methods and techniques for the analysis of industrial structures and indicate significant policy implications. The three concluding papers look at the competitiveness of British industry at the firm level, focusing on the strategic changes, the competitive process, and technical innovation. This book will be of interest to policy makers, business school teachers, and researchers in the area of strategy, industrial economics, organization behaviour, and innovation management.

Although the trade and budget deficits, foreign purchases of U.S. corporations, and generally negative economic reports have received much attention in the press and business literature, Losman and Liang argue that the facts demand a more balanced perspective and that the economic future of the U.S. is far less troubled than public discussions imply. In this volume, they both provide a framework for an alternative analysis of American industry and present the supporting economic data. Focusing primarily on the manufacturing sector, the authors examine the effects of such influences as increased foreign competition, technological advances, mergers and acquisitions, and the changing position of the United States in the world economy. They reveal that although the once unchallenged preeminence of the United States economy and its industrial capabilities is clearly a thing of the past, American industry has been unduly maligned. It still exhibits major strengths and vibrance, with positive changes currently taking place.

The study is divided into three parts. The authors begin by describing the nature of the industrial sector and offering a profile of U.S. industry. Individual chapters are devoted to the relationship between government and industry, technology developments, productivity issues, international influences, and the performance of U.S. industry. Part Two consists of two in-depth case studies. The first, on the U.S. steel industry, explores both its international position and the contributions made by the industry to our national defense capabilities. In the second study, the status and condition of the machine tool industry, a sector in serious trouble, is examined. The final chapter dispels some widely held fears about the future of American industry while pointing to the challenges which must be met if the manufactring sector is to remain a viable competitor in the global economy. Students of management and economics as well as policymakers concerned about America's future economic prospects will find this book enlightening reading.

Second in a two-volume set, this book discusses the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in global transportation infrastructure, specifically focusing on roads, bridges, and parking. To provide vital services in an era of shrinking government budgets, public-private partnerships have become an increasingly important part of travel infrastructure worldwide. This book describes and analyses the structure of various models of PPPs in several countries, evaluating their effectiveness, and drawing policy implications for future use. The chapters were written by leading international researchers and practitioners in the transportation field where each chapter is a case study on the adoption, implementation, and outcome of transportation services. Taken together, these diverse case studies provide an integrated framework for evaluating, using PPPs, and suggesting policy implications to both the public and the private sectors in transportation. Providing rigorous empirical analysis of PPPs in transportation, this volume will be of interest to researchers in public administration, political science, public choice, and economics as well as practitioners and policymakers involved in establishing and monitoring PPPs in transportation.

This guidebook, aimed at those interested in studying media industries, provides direction in ways best suited to collaborative dialogue between media scholars and media professionals. While the study of media industries is a focal point at many universities around the world - promising, as it might, rich dialogues between academia and industry - understandings of the actual methodologies for researching the media industries remain vague. What are the best methods for analysing the workings of media industries - and how does one navigate those methods in light of complex deterrents like copyright and policy, not to mention the difficulty of gaining access to the media industries? Responding to these questions, Industrial Approaches to Media offers practical, theoretical, and ethical principles for the field of media industry studies, providing its first full methodological exploration. It features key scholars such as Henry Jenkins, Michele Hilmes, Paul McDonald and Alisa Perren.

The selective, thematic, policy oriented approach of Economics for Business, combined with its strong emphasis on market structures, monetary policy and interest rates, business fluctuations and globalisation, makes it especially suitable for MBA and other executive programmes, as well as for post-experience conversion courses. Economics for Business focuses on three essential branches of modern economics: competition and the market system; macroeconomics and the economics of openness and globalisation, including the analysis of international trade, foreign investment and exchange rates. The book has a very strong business focus and has been used in the UK on many MBA courses as well as short, often one semester post experience executive courses. It has also proved popular for undergraduate business economics courses. The book examines economics from a business perspective and is selective in its coverage, focusing on setting out the big picture and including topics on the basis that they throw light on issues relevant to business. It has a strong policy perspective. Economic issues are analysed in a policy context, which helps students see the relevance of economics to business decisions. The book adopts a modern approach to macroeconomics, as appropriate for business students, and pays special attention to globalisation, trade liberalisation, economic integration and exchange rates.

As domestic and worldwide petroleum reserves dwindle, America's energy situation continues to worsen. Farming for Fuel offers a major investigation into producing methanol from biomass to replace reliance on petroleum fuels. Dovring's treatment of the topic is thorough and well-reasoned. He suggests that current problems facing the U.S.--vulnerable oil imports, farm surplus production, soil erosion, and air polution--could be eradicated by methanol production on a large scale. The proposed solution, if adopted, would also bring about profound changes in the national economy, including more decentralized industrial location. Dovring's conclusions are revolutionary, challenging general agreement on methanol use, future energy supplies, and energy policy. His innovative work will supply policy-makers and academics with a unified perspective on energy problems and an up-to-date summary of recent data.

This book examines the diffusion of digitalization and industry 4.0 technologies in Malaysia by focusing on the ecosystem critical for its expansion. The chapters examine the digital proliferation in major sectors of agriculture, manufacturing, e-commerce and services, as well as the intermediary organizations essential for the orderly performance of socioeconomic agents. The book incisively reviews policy instruments critical for the effective and orderly development of the embedding organizations, and the regulatory framework needed to quicken the appropriation of socioeconomic synergies from digitalization and industry 4.0 technologies. It highlights the importance of collaboration between government, academic and industry partners, as well as makes key recommendations on how to encourage adoption of IR4.0 technologies in the short- and long-term. This book bridges the concepts and applications of digitalization and industry 4.0 and will be a must-read for policy makers seeking to quicken the adoption of its technologies.

This book examines the diffusion of digitalization and industry 4.0 technologies in Malaysia by focusing on the ecosystem critical for its expansion. The chapters examine the digital proliferation in major sectors of agriculture, manufacturing, e-commerce and services, as well as the intermediary organizations essential for the orderly performance of socioeconomic agents. The book incisively reviews policy instruments critical for the effective and orderly development of the embedding organizations, and the regulatory framework needed to quicken the appropriation of socioeconomic synergies from digitalization and industry 4.0 technologies. It highlights the importance of collaboration between government, academic and industry partners, as well as makes key recommendations on how to encourage adoption of IR4.0 technologies in the short- and long-term. This book bridges the concepts and applications of digitalization and industry 4.0 and will be a must-read for policy makers seeking to quicken the adoption of its technologies.

Against a background of crises experienced in both the First and Second World Wars, M. Doughty assesses the performance of British bureaucracy in planning for the organisation and control of merchant shipping in wartime.

Attention to the issue of disabilities has intensified in recent decades, prompting States and organizations to respond with appropriate measures to promote inclusion of persons with disabilities in all social environments. This book's thesis is that the seeds of this inclusivity were planted by the development of tourism for people with disabilities in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The book explores the development of tourism for people with disabilities in Italy during this time period. It adds an important tessera to the mosaic of international literature that has rarely considered the history of tourism and the history of disabilities in a unified manner. While certainly of great interest to an Italian audience, the discussion of the various responses taking form in Italy to the needs of persons with disabilities, and the role these responses have played in the development of mass tourism generally, is also quite pertinent to international contexts. This book is based largely on unpublished sources. The authors' hope is that the presentation of these new materials combined with the innovative approach of a historical study of tourism through the lens of disabilities will open up international scholarly debate and discussion drawing in contributions from all disciplines.

This book investigates cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) conducted by Chinese enterprises seeking to evaluate the pivotal factors that influence the results of this dominant form of China's outbound direct investment. In contrast to previous studies, the author places a particular focus on the provenance of the supply side as a determinant of overseas M&A, comparing acquisitions where target companies originate from developed and developing countries. Other major indices identified include cultural and industrial differences between targets and buyers, enterprise ownership, deal payment forms, types of consolidation and the market environment. Based on investment theories, quantitative analyses and several in-depth case studies, the book elucidates how these factors synergistically determine the success or failure of an acquisition attempt and the short- and long-term performance of Chinese companies' M&A undertakings. This work will be a practical reference for M&A practitioners as well as academics interested in transnational corporations and mergers, capital market and international investment.

In revisiting the forty year history of reforms to China's state-owned enterprises (SOE), the book assesses the experiences of this process of reform and scrutinizes how this has helped advance the country's economy overall. The author finds that China's SOE reform not only commits to institutional innovation within the corporation in terms of operating mechanisms, management structure, legal organization and the economic system of the enterprise; but that it is also underpinned by a series of policies that highlight an increasing market orientation. The measures have given rise to a benign interaction between enterprise reform and market development, while switching the SOE's role from appendages of government organs under a planned economic system to more autonomous entities that integrate public ownership and the market economy. In this regard, SOE reform's success in constructing a modern enterprise system serves as the micro-foundation and core of an improved socialist market economic system. The book will appeal to academics and students interested in political economy and the Chinese economy, with particular reference to SOE reform and the recent economic transition in China.

1. An important contribution to the growing field of 'Economics of Innovation', 'Systems of Innovation' and the broader fields of 'Evolutionary Economics' and 'Development Economics', the volume looks into different facets of the nature, structure, growth and impact of innovation on different entities. 2. Will be of interest to departments of industrial economics, international economics, political economy, economics of innovation, institutional economics, public economics, industrial organization, evolutionary economics, and international trade across the US/UK.

Social science theorists from various scholarly disciplines have contributed to a recent literature that examines how the finance industry has expanded and now wields increasing influence across a variety of economic fields and industries. In some cases, this tendency towards a more sizeable and influential finance industry has been referred to as "the financialization" of the economy. This book explains how what is referred to as the finance-led economy (arguably a more neutral and less emotionally charged term than financialization) is premised on a number of conditions, institutional relations, and theoretical propositions and assumptions, and indicates what the real economic consequences are for market actors and households. The book provides a theoretically condensed but empirically grounded account of the contemporary finance-led economy, in many cases too complicated in its design and rich in detail to be understood equally by insiders-empirical research indicates-and lay audiences. It summarizes the relevant literature and points at two empirical cases, the construction industry and life science venturing, to better illustrate how the expansion of the finance industry has contributed to the capital formation process, and how the sovereign state has actively assisted this process. It offers a credible, yet accessible overview of the economic conditions that will arguably shape economic affairs for the foreseeable future. The book will find an audience amongst a variety of readers, including graduate students, management scholars, policymakers, and management consultants.

Why and how will the fourth industrial revolution impact great power politics? Here, Glenn Diesen utilizes a neoclassical, global approach to great power politics to assess how far the development of AI, national and localized technological ecosystems and cyber-warfare will affect great power politics in the next century. The reliance of modern economies on technological advances, Diesen argues, also compels states to intervene radically in economics and the lives of citizens, as automation radically alters the economies of tomorrow.

Evaluates innovation policy and actions and considers real-world examples. Looks to the future of innovation and the role of future technologies. Provides an overview of recent policy trends in innovation and how they contribute to the creation of technology hotspots. Identifies how governments, industry, the research community and local communities can work together to craft individualised approaches to increasing innovation at a local level and building new industries.