Business strategy is becoming increasingly "pluralist", drawing on the insights of different disciplines, and business practice in different parts of the world. This book brings together the work and ideas of leading international scholars working in the field under three main headings - technology, strategy and organization, and regions. The purpose of the book is to explore from different perspectives the dynamic interplay between the technology of a firm - its strategies, organizational choices and issues of place, region, and location. The contributors are Peter Hagstrom, Alfred Chandler, Takahiro Fujimoto, Richard Nelson, Nathan Rosenberg, Erik von Hippel, Cristiano Antonelli, Giovanni Dosi, Benjamin Coriat, David Teece, Gunnar Hedlund, Pari Patel, Keith Pavitt, Ikujiro Nonaka, Hirotaka Takeuchi, Lars-Gunnar Mattsson, John Cantwell, John Dunning, Michael Enright, Masahisa Fujita, Ryoichi Ishii, Allen Scott, Orjan Solvell, Ivo Zander, J-C Spender, and Michael Porter. Together they address the challenge of explaining the long-run competitiveness of firms in an ever more global world.

This title was first published in 2002. The concept of embeddedness refers to the social construction of inter-firm relationships and the enmeshing of economic relationships within broader social structures and relationships in particular places. Previous research has suggested embedding is the best way to generate local growth and social capital and has focused on SMEs in Europe and North America, although the existing model is being more widely adopted now. This volume is the first to examine the complex processes of embedding in this wider context. Bringing together a broad range of case studies from the developed and developing world which address the nature of embeddedness from various perspectives, it not only questions the universality of the current model and the policy initiatives it has spawned but also provides a much wider understanding of embeddedness . It does so by discussing the social dimensions more fully and by throwing light on the spatial and temporal ambiguity of the concept and its inadequate treatment of power.

This book, originally published in 1984 by a group of leading international commentators on the oil market and major corporate figures int eh market, investigates the underlying forces determining the oil market in the 1970s and 80s. It also discusses the important indicators which point to how the energy market was likely to develop with separate chapters on oil, coal and nuclear power.

This book discusses the extent to whcih differences exist in the approach to energy management by different types of firms: large multidivisional firms at corporate headquarters level and division level and independent firms, energy intensive and non-energy intensive firms and growth and non-growth firms. Although originally published in 1984, the significance of the study is reflected by the continued timeliness and urgency of many of the issues covered such as the need for a national energy policy and the potential for improvement in industrial energy efficiency and conservation.

Originally published in 1985 by a group of international experts and oil industry officials, this book surveys the dramatic changes which took place in the oil industry in the second half of the twentieth century. It discusses the role of OPEC and the long term impact its decisions had for both producers and oil consumers and examines possible future trends in the oil industry structure and stability, together with the possible consequences for North Sea oil and gas development.

This title was first published in 2003.During the 1990s research and technological development policies moved from a 'problem-solving' approach towards a wider one focusing on the systemic nature of the innovation process. This change can be featured as the transition from a technology policy towards an innovation policy. 'Innovation Policies in Europe and the US: The New Agenda' provides a comparative analysis of eleven highly industrialized countries' innovation policies in the 1990s, and addresses the nature, dynamics, causes and effects of this transition. By combining the analytical skills of sociologists, economists and political scientists the book sets up a novel framework for studying the evolution of this particular policy area by examining institutional change from a broader perspective.

Originally published in 1991, this comprehensive volume provides not only technical information regardig the global nuclear power industry, but also discusses the economic, social and political issues which have an impact on the industry. There are specific chapters on the nuclear industry in the USA & Canada, Western Europe, the former USSR and Eastern Europe and East Asia which examine in detail the particular set of geographical and economic conditions which affect each area. Including an extensive glossary, figures and tabulated information, this book remains one of the most accessible, impartial and thorough studies of the global nucelar industry.

Originally published in 1984, this volume examines the consequences of increasing energy prices on agricultural production. It discusses whether it is possible to use agriculture to produce energy without endangering the food supply for the highly populated areas of the devloping world. Analyzing the global consquences of the 'food energy nexus' at the turn of the millenium it asks whether there will be a good crisis in those same developing countries which have suffered from the energy crisis. The editors and contributors are high-level specialists of global modelling in energy and agriculture and decision makers involved in food and agriculture planning in the developing world.

Investment is the engine of growth. In consequence, the social welfare of the populace depends on the expectations of uncertain profitability as understood by the agents of a wealthy few who decide upon levels of investment. As private wealth is intimately tied to the investment process, the importance of wealth concentration goes far beyond considerations of equity. In recent years, private economic power has become increasingly concentrated as more of the population has become dependent upon an elite pursuing private ends. In this context, this book examines the role of capital accumulation in various historical contexts. Over seventy years ago, Michal Kalecki derived the mathematical relationship between government deficits, the external trade account and free cash-defined as the gross profit over and above that portion ploughed back into new investment. Since then, the free cash literature has remained largely within an industrial organizational context where free cash theory has helped to explain mergers. In contrast, this book, revisits Kalecki's free cash construction at the macro and global level and explores the various causes and effects of free cash on the economy. As part of this examination, the author highlights the historical uses of free cash in imperialist adventures, mergers and speculative endeavours. In addition to developing a new relative valuation measure of capital accumulation, he also utilizes a neo-Kaleckian model to help explain the U.S. slowdown in investment since the late 1960s, the increasing inequality of wealth and income and the recent speculative episodes associated with the spillage of free cash. Finally, based on these models the book argues for heightened taxes on the wealthy and an increased role for government investment in health care and energy. Free Cash, Capital Accumulation and Inequality offers an explanation as to how wealth and income inequalities have fashioned, and been fashioned by, various historical episodes right up to the present. It will be of great interest to those studying and researching in the field of economic analysis.

Japan's postwar success in the assembly industries is frequently attributed to innovative approaches to the organization of production. Rather than relying on full-scale vertical integration, or arm's-length market transactions, Japanese assemblers have tended to forge intricate networks of long-term interfirm business relationships that have afforded them a host of advantages. As a result of global industry dynamics, such pyramidal production networks have come under mounting pressure and begun to give way to an increasing diversity of networks arrangements. This book's findings show how Japanese network arrangements have adapted in the Japanese electronics industry in order to cope with profound changes in the competitive environment and how the traditional production pyramids have begun to unravel. Japanese Interfirm Networks is the first book of its kind to focus wholly on analyzing the changes in production networks in the Japanese electronics industry and will be of enormous interest to those working in the areas of Japanese studies, Japanese business and industrial organization.

This title was first published in 2000. Illustrated by a wide range of international case studies, this volume elaborates, extends and critiques one of the key models of local growth, which emphasizes learning, networking and 'embeddedness' in relation to the role of small and medium-sized firms (SMEs). In doing so, it provides a comprehensive understanding of the changing role of SMEs in an era of globalization.

This title was first published in 2000: Administration, Ethics and Democracy is concerned with the disciplines of philosophy, political science and sociology. A~jvind Larsen's book provides a deeper analysis of the relations between administration, ethics and democracy. In modern society, it is no longer sufficient to be the obedient administrator Max Weber speaks about. The time is ripe to re-evaluate the overriding responsibilities of the administration. Today, responsible administration demands an independent position to be taken. A~jvind Larsen views the administration from the continuous complex demands it is required to meet and proposes that the professional role is not exempt from personal responsibility or position. Therefore it is crucial that the administrator has freedom of expression and the opportunity to discuss his problems with others. Ethics are a common concern and also a political problem in democratic society. This is why there is a close connection between administration, ethics and democracy.

The development of Nigeria's oil industry is examined comprehensively in this book, originally published in 1984. It charts the changing course of her economy and examines the dramatic effect oil has had on Nigeria's domestic and international policies. Oil has enabled her to command a powerful position in African affairs and within OPEC itself, but at the same time, has held back other forms of economic development. Nigeria's future in the oil industry, as well as in related fields such as gas, is assessed both in the light of her former policies and in the changing world economy. This book will be of interest to all concerned in the oil industry, international finance or world power politics.

Title first publishedin 2003. This comprehensive book focuses on the prevailing conditions in Asia and Africa under various macroeconomic and sectoral themes in order to provide in depth explanations for the divergent development experiences of the two regions. Seeking to go further than the simple comparison of policies, the book carefully examines the institutional context for policy implementation within which growth and development have proceeded in the regions.

This title was first published in 2002. Examining cluster development policy in Europe and outlining its distinctive features, this innovative text places it within the national context of regional policy-making. It also identifies the features supporting the successful development of industrial clusters and provides a clear overview of cluster theory and policy practice followed by seven key case studies on the history and operation of different cluster policies in Europe. While there has been a number of books on the theory of cluster development little research has been published on policy. By filling this gap, this book will be of interest to a policy-making audience as well as students and researchers of regional economic development throughout Europe.

Originally published in 1972, this volume, supplemented extensively with maps and tables, and employing sophisticated institutional and empirical analyses, discusses a number of important issues relating to the viability of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and the natural environment. The author concludes that exploiting North Slope oil was justifiable as a calculated risk, although an alternative route and transport mode to the Midwest of eastern market would be more attractive than TAP.

This book, originally published in 1974, examines the changes that took place in the market position of the coal industry in the twentieth century. It examines in detail the position of the industry during the two World Wars, the problems of the inter-war years, the effects of nationalisation and the coal shortage after the Second World War, the decline of the markets in the 1960s and the consequences of the energy crisis of the early 1970s. The book analyses what problems the changes caused, and what measures were taken to try to overcome them. Looking in detail at the industrial disputes of 1971/2 and 1973/4 the book shows how the miners' actions fitted in closely with their past experiences and behaviour patterns.

This book, originally published in 1978 concentrates on the structure and growth of the North Sea oil industry in Scotland. Drawing on relevant areas of economic theory, it examines the structure of the offshore Scottish oil industry, the employment generated by the industry, technological change created by oil and its impact on rural areas of the Highlands. For each subject discussed future developments are discussed which remain as pertinent today as when the book was first published, particularly given the issues surrounding Scotland's economic in relation to possible Scottish independence.

The nature of corporate governance is a key determinant of corporate performance, and thereby of a country's overall economic performance, and corporate governance is therefore particularly important for China as it reforms, and grows, its economy. This book, based on extensive original economic analysis, examines key questions relating to corporate governance in China, including the relationship between ownership structure and corporate performance, the determinants of capital structure, and the nature of contemporary governance structures. It concludes - interestingly and controversially - amongst other things that corporate performance is positively related to ownership concentration, but negatively related to state ownership, and that contemporary corporate governance structures are heavily dependent on previous structures in the centrally-planned economy and on the path of transition to the market economy.

This book is a study on the Japanese city gas industry, which has been rapidly liberalized in recent years. Especially, it focuses on the background, reasons, methods, and effects of the privatization of publicly owned city gas utilities in Japan. In Japan, after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the liberalization of the electric power and gas business has progressed rapidly. There are a number of studies on the reform of Japan's electricity market, but there are few studies on city gas business. This book describes the state of Japan's public city gas utilities and the necessity of their privatization. And it explains the role of concession as a method of privatization. Then it verifies that the effects of past privatization cases are insufficient. The book also covers deregulation of public utilities in Europe, which triggered Japan's liberalization of its energy and other public utility sectors, and privatization of electricity and gas businesses in India, a developing country in Asia. Finally, this book explores future regulation and business of city gas industry. Pipeline network should be regulated to comply with future unbundling starting from 2022, and gas business altogether with electricity and water businesses need more digitization.

This book tells the story of what might have been considered an unlikely source of dynamic change in Russia - formerly state-owned manufacturing enterprises and their managers. Based on interviews conducted over a six-year span with managers at 47 manufacturing, light industry, consumer durable, and food processing firms in four Russian cities, the study documents the real world challenge of turning hidebound, often dysfunctional manufacturing operations into thriving companies. With analytical rigor and theoretical creativity, this work will dispel some common misconceptions about the Russian economy and make a contribution to the literature about management, company strategies, and corporate governance.

This title was first published in 2000: The first book which brings together and interprets both the theoretical concepts associated with the study of networks in the business world, and the policy applications being applied to the practical building and development of such networks. It maps the changes in the culture of economic development policy that occurred in the UK during the 1990s, incorporating a detailed assessment of the contribution that the Training and Enterprise Councils made to business support policies. The book is published at a time when network and cluster building has risen to the top of economic development agendas not only in UK, but in many countries throughout the world. It offers the most detailed insight so far available into the structure, motivations and processes involved in developing business networks through institutional intervention. The book is relevant to anyone with an interest in business policy and theory.

It is often assumed that privatization leads to profit, and that well-delineated property rights and a strong private sector will help boost an economy. This book investigates the property rights in Chinese enterprises in the reform era, finding that distinction between the public and the private are blurred, that national reform policies are implemented unevenly across the country, and that enterprises owned by local governments, in Shanghai, for example, are actually extremely profitable.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203456114

The Industrial Reorganisation Corporation was created by a Labour Government in 1966 and dissolved by the incoming Conservative Government in 1971. It might have faded into oblivion had it not been for the controversy generated by its highly unusual constitution which gave control of public spending to private sector industrialists and bankers. The IRC used both its influence and its cash to direct or even to thwart market forces in the 'national interest'. It was involved in the key industrial issues of the time, such as the mergers of GEC-AEI-English Electric and the formation of British Leyland. It defeated Rank in its bid to take over Cambridge Instruments, and stopped the Swedish SKF from buying the UK's leading ball-bearing manufacturer. It also moved towards a development bank role, and its small executive team went on to play further leading roles in UK business. This book, first published in 1983, provides the first comprehensive analysis of the IRC.

This book, first published in 1936, analyses the then-recent phenomenon of industrial combination. Concentration was new. Industrial combination was new. The interlocking of finances was new. The role of banks in regard to industry was new. The domination of financial capital over large sectors of industry was new. The author examines the new industrial system as it was, on the cusp of new world-economic conditions, resulting from and manifesting themselves in a revolution in transport, the creation of concentrated mass supply and mass demand, changes in the distribution of raw material supplies and the adaption of the technical and economic structure of the industrial unit to these new conditions.