As the twenty-first century begins, significant changes are occurring in the way that services and goods are produced and consumed. One of the key drivers of this change is information and communications technology (ICT). It has transformed the role of space and time in patterns of economic development, in the rise of globalisation and in the scale and structure of organisations. ICT has therefore accelerated the process of continual change and evolution that is the hallmark of both the capitalist economy and of organisations.
A student-friendly account is given of the diversity of theoretical perspectives for understanding the evolving economic geography of advanced capitalist economies. A series of detailed firm and employees' case-studies from Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific, are used to inform the theoretical case-studies. These also highlight and examine the significance of the increased blurring of the distinction between services and manufacturing functions in the production and consumption process.

As the twenty-first century begins, significant changes are occurring in the way that services and goods are produced and consumed. One of the key drivers of this change is information and communications technology (ICT). It has transformed the role of space and time in patterns of economic development, in the rise of globalisation and in the scale and structure of organisations. ICT has therefore accelerated the process of continual change and evolution that is the hallmark of both the capitalist economy and of organisations.
A student-friendly account is given of the diversity of theoretical perspectives for understanding the evolving economic geography of advanced capitalist economies. A series of detailed firm and employees' case-studies from Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific, are used to inform the theoretical case-studies. These also highlight and examine the significance of the increased blurring of the distinction between services and manufacturing functions in the production and consumption process.

The Eighth Edition of the standard engineering economy text and reference explains the principles and techniques needed for making decisions about the acquisition and retirement of capital goods by industry and government, as well as alternative types of financing and other applications. Arranged in four parts: basic concepts, principles, and mathematics; procedures and methods for evaluating alternatives; techniques for handling special situations; and special applications. Introduces the use of computers and spreadsheets in evaluating engineering alternatives. Includes up-to-date coverage of federal tax legislation, extensive discussions and problems dealing with personal finance, and material on handling multiple alternatives by rate of return and benefit/cost ratio methods. Contains numerous examples and 476 problems, many entirely new. Accompanied by a complete solutions manual for the instructor.

In recent years the understanding of the cognitive foundations of economic behavior has become increasingly important. This volume contains contributions from such leading scholars as Adam Brandenburger, Michael Bacharach and Patrick Suppes. It will be of great interest to academics and researchers involved in the field of economics and psychology as well as those interested in political economy more generally.

The book focuses on three main themes:
*Overpopulation associated with low productivity, unemployment, persistent poverty and weak savings and investment capacity.
*The post-1950 development strategies and their outcomes
*The institutional structures that are constraining economic and political progress. Egypt in the Twenty First Century is a much needed investigation into the long-term economic reform and restructuring and examines the challenges ahead for the country. It provides authoritative analyses from a collection of respected academics and a wealth of new data. It will appeal to all those interested in the political economy of contemporary Egypt. agriculture, industry and political systems.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203710533

"The Logic of Industrial Organization" discusses key themes in industrial relations, manufacturing, employment and investment and education for business administration. The book contains chapters on: the structure of industry; the efficiency of large-scale operation; planned and free consumption; forecasting and market research; competition; rationalization and nationalization; investment and employment; incentives to work and mobility; and stimulus to enterprise and administration.

The first part of the book is devoted to an historical survey of what has been written regarding Britain's policy problems since 1946: problems such as full employment, the sources and methods of controlling inflation and the measures to promote economic growth. At an international level, issues such as economic relations with Europe and the question of devaluation are considered. The subsequent part of the book considers how far economists' recommendations regarding policies have been derived from well-tested theories, or how far they have been based on speculation, guesswork or judgement.

The Beatles are considered the most influential popular music act of the twentieth century, widely recognized for their influence on popular culture. The inability of other bands and artists to imitate their fame has prompted questions such as: How did the Beatles become so successful? What factors contributed to their success? Why did they break up? The Beatles and Economics: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and the Making of a Cultural Revolution answers these questions using the lens of economic analysis. Economics provides the prism for explaining why their success-while legendary in scale-is not mythic. This book explores how the band's commercial achievements were intimately tied to the larger context of economic globalization and rebuilding post-World War II. It examines how the Beatles' time in Hamburg is best understood as an investment in human capital, and why the entrepreneurial growth mindset was critical to establishing a scalable market niche and sustaining the Beatles' ability to lead and shape emerging markets in entertainment and popular music. Later chapters consider how the economics of decision making and organizational theory helps us to understand the band's break-up at its economic peak. This essential text is of interest to anyone interested in the economic dynamics and social forces that shape cultural change.

This authoritative book from Cristiano Antonelli provides a systematic account of recent advances in the economics of innovation. By integrating this account with the economics of technological change, the book elaborates an understanding of the effects of the introduction of new technologies.
The innovation economics community will appreciate this excellent, comprehensive account, provided by a respected expert, and it is also a book that must be read by all those with an interest in Economic Theory.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203217438

In the context of Makassar, on the eastern Indonesian island of Sulawesi, the book explores the socioeconomic and cultural relationships that make life for small entrepreneurs in Makassar so distinctive. Using a new framework for the study of small enterprises - the 'small enterprise integrative framework' - this book gives us a greater understanding of the organization and operations of small enterprises in developing countries, at both the micro and macro levels. The application of this new framework for research reveals the diversity of labour flexibility, networking and cluster styles amongst the enterprises studies, and the constraints they face for growth. Whilst the recent Southeast Asian economic crisis has been heralded by certain commentators as a new era for small enterprises in the region, the book concludes that local realities for the small enterprises in Makassar mean that, whilst for some it has been a time of shifting fortunes, others have continued trading on the margins.

This book can be used as a way of introducing business and management students to economic concepts as well as providing economics students with a clear grasp of how to use the skills they will need in the world of business.
Topics covered include:
*product differentiation
*price discrimination
*hiring and training workers
*labor-management relations
*international trade
A host of key features are employed to add colour to the text including case studies, examples and discussion questions. Scenarios presented centre upon a diverse range of subjects and firms including Eurostar, NHL hockey equipment, Chevrolet, Philips and pension plans.

Measuring quality of life has been identified as fundamental in assessing the relative progress of societies and as having relevance for both monitoring and policy-making purposes. Self-reported measures of well-being, referred to as subjective well-being, have become increasingly topical given the growing awareness of the limitations of existing measures of well-being including gross domestic product (GDP). In the UK, the ONS's 'Happiness Index' was launched in 2010 by Prime Minister David Cameron. This book aims to improve our understanding of well-being through an analysis of time-use in a post-industrial society, the UK, drawing on empirical data from large-scale surveys such as Understanding Society and smaller-scale case study evidence. It uses a plurality of theoretical perspectives to explore the relationship between our use of time and our reported levels of satisfaction, and considers the policy lessons that we can take from our organization of time.

This title focuses on one aspect of migration, namely its ethnic competition. Rather than observe population movements in general, the study is limited to the movements of specific ethnic groups. It explores the role played by ethnicity in determining which groups move and which groups stay.

Universal basic income is a controversial policy which is causing a stir amongst academics, politicians, journalists and policy-makers all over the world. The idea of receiving 'money for nothing', with no strings attached, has for a long time appeared a crazy or radical proposal. But today, this policy is being put into practice. With more and more trials and experiments taking place in different countries, this book provides both the theory and context for making sense of different basic income approaches, examining how the policy can be best implemented. Unlike many other texts written on this topic, the book provides a balanced account of basic income, weighing up the pros and cons from a number of different positions. The book provides a theory chapter, enabling readers to grasp some of the complex philosophical ideas and concepts which underpin universal basic income, such as social justice, equality and freedom. It also provides an examples chapter, which examines both historical and contemporary basic income studies to have taken place from around the globe. The book also features chapters on the environment and the work of women, as well as an 'against' universal basic income chapter, which specifically draws on the criticisms of the policy. This volume is an essential resource for anyone who wishes to get to grips with universal basic income.

Over the last two decades, Routine Dynamics has emerged as an international research community that shares a particular approach to organizational phenomena. At the heart of this approach is an interest in examining the emergence, reproduction, replication and change of routines as recognizable patterns of actions. In contrast to other research communities interested in those phenomena, Routine Dynamics studies are informed by a distinctive set of theories (especially practice theory and related process-informed theories). This Handbook offers both an accessible introduction to core concepts and approaches in Routine Dynamics as well as a comprehensive and authoritative overview of research in different areas of Routine Dynamics. The chapters of this Handbook are structured around four core themes: 1) Theoretical resources for research on the dynamics of routines, 2) Methodological issues in studying the dynamics routines, 3) Themes in Routine Dynamics research and 4) Relation of Routine Dynamics to other communities of thought.

In recent years, the European Commission has attached increasing importance to the use of financial engineering instruments rather than traditional grant-based financing for the microcredit sector, considering these to be the most efficient option available. This book presents a study of capacity building and structural funds in public managing authorities for the microcredit sector. It presents two surveys to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the managing authorities' capacity building. The first survey investigates the authorities' need for and interests in capacity building activities, assessing the areas in which capacity building support is needed, and explores the different types of support offered. The second survey analyses the results of the microcredit and microfinance programming activity, investigating its target groups and other operational features. It examines the key monitoring and reporting issues involved in this activity, before analysing the regulatory framework of the microcredit and microfinance sector. This book presents an in-depth analysis of structural funds and their management by policy-makers in the European convergence regions. It explores the interests of managing authorities, microcredit institutions, operators and other financial intermediaries involved in microcredit programming activities, and offers some core strategic and operational recommendations for the use of structural funds in the microcredit sector.

This volume gathers together key new contributions on the subject of the relationship, both empirical and theoretical, between economic oscillations, growth and structural change. Employing a sophisticated level of mathematical modelling, the collection contains articles from, amongst others, William Baumol, Katsuhito Iwai and William Brock.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203164830

This book, first published in 1971, reports on the first detailed study of pricing decisions ever made in the UK. Based on case studies, it shows precisely how thirteen pricing decisions were taken. In doing so, it reveals the objectives pursued by these firms and how conflicts between these objectives were resolved. The assessments of the pricing decisions show the strengths and weaknesses of the procedures used by the firms, and the relative importance of economic and organizational elements in such decisions.

Contents:
Part I. Gains from Regionalism and Multilateralism
1. Regional regionalism Wilfred J. Ethier
2. Multilateralism vs. regionalism: tariff co-operation and interregional transport costs Eric Bond
3. The 'gains' from preferential trade liberalization in the CGE models: where do they come from? Arvind Panagariya and Rupa Dutta-Gupta
4. The anatomy of multilateral trade policy reform Arja Turunen-Red and Alan Woodland
5. Regionalism and illegal immigration in North America: a theoretical analysis Helena Gaytan-Fregoso and Sajal Lahiri
Part II. Regionalism and Globalization for the Developing Countries
6. Regionalism for developing countries: assessing costs and benefits L. Alan Winters
7. Multilateral trade reform, regionalism and the developing countries David Greenaway and Chris Milner
8. Trading with the enemy: a case for liberalizing Pakistan-India trade Ijaz Nabi and Anjum Nasim
9. Foreign Direct investment and globalization V.N. Balasubramanyan and M.A. Salisu
Part III. Globalization and the Capital Markets
10. Financial liberalization and the globalization of financial services: two lessons from the East Asian experience Philip Arestis, Panicos Demetriades and Bassam Fattouh
Part IV. Globalization via Unilateral Actions
11. Unilateral liberalisation in an multilateral world Martin Richardson
Part V. Regionalism: Monetary, Fiscal, and Industrial Policy Co-ordination
12. Regional integration and the development of tax systems in the European Union Andreas Haufler
13. Regional approaches to cross-border competition policies P.J. Lloyd and Kerrin Vautier
14. Multiple steady states with unemployment and the exchange rate co-ordination Yoshiyasu Ono

This textbook provides a one-semester introduction to mathematical economics for first year graduate and senior undergraduate students. Intended to fill the gap between typical liberal arts curriculum and the rigorous mathematical modeling of graduate study in economics, this text provides a concise introduction to the mathematics needed for core microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics courses. Chapters 1 through 5 builds students' skills in formal proof, axiomatic treatment of linear algebra, and elementary vector differentiation. Chapters 6 and 7 present the basic tools needed for microeconomic analysis. Chapter 8 provides a quick introduction to (or review of) probability theory. Chapter 9 introduces dynamic modeling, applicable in advanced macroeconomics courses. The materials assume prerequisites in undergraduate calculus and linear algebra. Each chapter includes in-text exercises and a solutions manual, making this text ideal for self-study.

Focusing on the service economy, and designed especially for non-economics majors, this practical text establishes a new and enduring blend of topics for courses in consumer economics and consumerism. Consumer Economics develops useful perspectives and rules of thumb to guide decision making. As it introduces the fundamentals of markets, consumer choice, financial assessment, risk avoidance, etc., it presses students to appreciate the world of markets and to clarify their personal priorities for decision making in such a world.

Boxed sections throughout the text illustrate concepts and provide examples, and each chapter includes a summary, consumer workshop, questions for study, and suggested readings.

CONTENTS

I. Getting Started

1. Introduction -- 2. Consumers -- 3. The Marketplace 4. Negotiation -- 5. Household Accounts

II. Priorities and Choices

6. Routine Shopping -- 7. Buying Durables -- 8. Borrowing 9. Risk and Uncertainty -- 10. Saving and Investing 11. Gains from International Trade

III. Consumer Rights and Protections

12. A History of Consumer Protection

13. Today's Consumer Protection System

14. Economic Footings for Consumer Policy

IV. Momentous Decisions

15. Housing -- 16. Cars -- 17. College -- 18. Kids 19. The Green Way -- 20. Health Care 21. Retirement -- 22. Death: Planning and Perspective

V. Consumers and the National Economy

23. National Consumption Its Measurement and Determination

24. Consumption and National Prosperity

25. Consumers and Government Spending

First published in 1943, this work contains five interconnected essays presenting the author's renowned additions to the business cycle theory. Written by one of the most distinguished economists of the 20th century, this work will be essential reading for students and scholars of the history of economic thought, monetary theory and macroeconomics.

Contents:
Part One: Causes and Correlates 1: The Twin Crises: The Causes of Banking and Balance of Payments Problems; 2: The Asian Financial Crisis: A Fait Accompli?; 3: Financial Crisis in the MIT Countries; 4: Japanese Banking Problems: Implications for Southeast Asia; Part Two: Cases and Caveats 5: Indonesia: The Long Road to Recovery; 6: The Malaysian Currency Crisis: Capital Flows Policy Responses and Macroeconomic Vulnerability; 7: Speculative Attack Theory and Currency Crisis in Korea; 8: Banking Crisis in Mexico; 9: Capital Flows and Economic Policy in Brazil; 10: The Yen that is too Strong: A Note on Japanese Crisis; 11: The Lessons from the Asian Financial Crisis; Part Three: Crisis Management and Reforms 12: The Asian Model, the Miracle, the Crisis and the Fund; 13:Financial Crises and Reforms: Towards an Assessment of the Emerging International Financial Architecture; 14: Sustainability, Vulnerability and Risk Management; 15: Should Capital Controls be Banished?

This concise and comprehensive introduction to economics offers readers at all levels a more realistic approach to understanding the elements of resource and product markets, including the role of business decisions; technological change; product differentiation; uncertainty; and the optimal location of activities. With the book's easy-to-use software package for computations, even non-economists will become strongly motivated and can gain a proficiency in economic analysis as well as in practical and professional decision-making skills. End-of-chapter problems, computer exercises, programming examples, and numerous diagrams further enhance the book's usefulness.

What do business organizations do? The results of business behaviour can be observed and experienced in the form of the goods that are produced. However what goes on within organizations is often hidden from the outside world. This reader enables the student to make sense of business behaviour by offering an understanding of what organizations do. The book is underpinned by a systems perspective and takes a process view of organizations. This enables it to demonstrate that any business is a number of interrelated business processes and that success is determined by the extent to which these activities add value whilst minimising cost. Specifically the book focuses on: activities through which the organization interacts with its customers including marketing and sales; how organizations process materials including purchasing and manufacturing; and forms of business organization, with a critical account of new paradigms including business process re-engineering. The book features articles by leading business gurus including Michael Porter, Philip Kotler and John Kay.