Several senior natural resource analysts study the role played by innovation, particularly technological innovation, in the pursuit of heightened productivity. Increasing the output of a given input improves a firm's bottom line, makes it more competitive internationally, and reduces the potential for resource depletion and shortages. Thus, high productivity is a necessary ingredient of economic prosperity. This book illustrates the importance of technological innovation in achieving an acceptable level of output and efficiency.

In this important new offering, a team of resource scholars describes and chronicles the development of recent innovations in selected natural resource industries. The authors also reveal the causes, sources, and net effect of such innovation on productivity. In all of these sectors productivity has increased considerably since the early 1980s, although the level of improvement varies across industries. To what degree did technological innovation contribute to that increase?

Individual detailed case studies detail important innovations in America's coal, petroleum, copper, and forest industries. The primary focus is on extraction and production technologies, although the existence and importance of innovation in other areas such as management technique also enter the picture. For example, the combination of new technology with restructuring seems to have breathed new life into a floundering U.S. copper industry. The authors describe the origin and diffusion of important innovation, and the concluding chapter quantifies the net effect of such innovation on productivity.

The world arms market has been in continuous flux since the end of the Cold War. This volume provides a policy-relevant analysis of the complex web of contemporary economic trends, political developments and strategic considerations that are shaping the contours of the new post-Cold War world market for weaponry.

This book is a study on the so-called dirty-work occupations, the garbage worker. It presents the work of garbagemen as real and significant, examining their daily work activities and work problems as well as exploring how one's status and self-respect in such work might be protected and enhanced.

This book is devoted to the analysis of the three main tasks of China's tourism development: Firstly, the theory of tourism development since the initiation of reform and opening-up. Secondly, the practice and problems in infrastructure building. Thirdly, the mold and policy used in the course of development. The book pursues three major objectives: firstly, to portray the stage of development; secondly, to analyze the specific experience in China's case; thirdly, to review theory and try to put forward advice on investment and management.

Consumer Services have been viewed as parasitic activities, dependent on other sectors of the economy for their viability and vitality. Yet local economic policy is now looking towards consumer services to solve severe economic problems. The rapid expansion of the service sector is now a principal feature of contemporary global economic restructuring. Consumer Services and Economic Development evaluates the contributions that consumer services can make to local economic development and revitalisation. A broad range of consumer service industries are examined in turn: tourism, sports, universities, retailing and cultural industries. Detailed local case studies illustrate the role, impact and effectiveness of consumer services in economic regeneration in a number of different contexts: the global city, contrsting urban areas and rural localities. With many localities in the advanced economies suffering from severe deindustrialisation and weak producer service growth, this book highlights the need for a fundamental rethink of both the function of services and of economic development theory and practice in general.

This book is a comprehensive guide to buying and developing multimedia in the most cost-effective manner. Focusing on the human factors in producing multimedia, rather than just the software, Buying and Selling Multimedia Services is aimed at both buyers and sellers of multimedia services and draws on real-world anecdotes|war stories|from project diaries and first-hand experience, to provide examples of the key ideas delineated within the book. These are true stories culled from 25 years of working on both sides of the desk as a purchaser of creative services for a Fortune 500 company and as a producer and seller for one of the largest multimedia production shops in the country. This book helps the multimedia producer and buyer to recognize flaws in past performances and to anticipate situations in future projects in order to save money and eliminate boardroom confrontations. Accusations, altercations, and recriminations can be avoided and the bottom line enhanced with the production of an effective product targeted to a receptive audience. Souter examines the skills necessary to both the producer and the purchaser of multimedia, allowing each to see the others' problems and viewpoints. Viewing the multimedia project from both sides, as both buyer and seller, Souter highlights the issues which will allow for effective communication between parties, resulting in a better product and a more creative relationship among all involved. In the second part of the book, Souter provides a comprehensive guide to all the digital formats available, to help the buyer and the developer select the most appropriate for a given project.

The sales of organic products have increased significantly over the last five years in Europe and the USA. This, along with the EU's definition of organic in 1993, has prompted the publication of a practical guide which describes what is involved in the processing and production of organic food ingredients and products. This handbook emphasizes technological, economic and regulatory issues, and includes a directory of companies which sell and produce organic foods and ingredients. It should interest organic food manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, organic farmers and growers, and those in academic research institutions.

This book is concerned with the history of tourism at the Coranderrk Aboriginal Station at Healesville, northeast of Melbourne, which functioned as a government reserve from 1863 until its closure in 1924. At Coranderrk, Aboriginal mission interests and tourism intersected and the station became a 'showplace' of Aboriginal culture and the government policy of assimilation. The Aboriginal residents responded to tourist interest by staging cultural performances that involved boomerang throwing and traditional ways of lighting fires and by manufacturing and selling traditional artifacts. Whenever government policy impacted adversely on the Aboriginal community, the residents of Coranderrk took advantage of the opportunities offered to them by tourism to advance their political and cultural interests. This was particularly evident in the 1910s and 1920s when government policy moved to close the station.

Social capital is broadly conceptualised as consisting of resources and network ties embedded in the social structures and relationships that facilitate beneficial outcomes for the actors within those structures. Despite the number of research studies on social capital, there have been fewer attempts to examine social capital in the context of service-oriented firms, particularly in the Asia Pacific. This is surprising as the service industry plays an important role in the global services trade transactions and business activities. Social capital enables and maintains social relations for business transformation for service-oriented firms. Indeed, it would be unimaginable for any economic activity, particularly in service-oriented firms, to occur without social capital. This examination of social capital in the Asia Pacific region provides the context for recognising the cultural, social and economic opportunities and challenges of several Asia Pacific countries that can potentially enrich our knowledge and understanding of the region. Contributions are drawn from cases based in Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, China and Australia, for relevant application in the areas of social capital and service-oriented firms in the Asia Pacific. This book was originally published as a special issue of the Asia Pacific Business Review.

Historical research on the Olympic Movement is highly valuable as it displays processes of continuity and transformation by which knowledge building processes on the Olympic Movement, its structure and on Olympic sport can be expanded. The Olympic Movement can be addressed from multidisciplinary perspectives, including management, sociology, education, philosophy and history. This comprehensive collection examines the multifaceted profile of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement and presents new insights drawn from a variety of research projects. Historical and political dimensions of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement are addressed, along with educational, ethical, commercial and sociological perspectives. This book was originally published as a special issue of The International Journal of the History of Sport.

Sport governance no longer stirs public opinion only when scandals surface; it has become a persistent concern for a number of stakeholders, such as the media, sport followers, and corporates that produce and sponsor sport. Contemporary sport governance is characterised by tension between sport's potential for commercial benefit on the one hand and moral education and social development on the other. The perceived incompatibility of these two aspects has led to intense conversations in the media, administrative circles, and the public sphere about the need for ethics to be the key element of governance. The chapters in this volume explore the contemporary forms of governance that is structured by sport's extensive transnational networks, shifts in what the stakeholders mentioned above understand by 'ethics', and the emergence of new stakeholders. They identify as the two major directions of contemporary sport governance the growing significance of the non-West, especially in relation to event hosting, and the need for controlling the behaviour of emergent interest groups. The latter is a complex constellation of athletes, officials, supporters, lawyers, and politicians who share power and collectively determine corporate and non-profit governance, legal aspects, and regulatory mechanisms from within their subjective locations. The chapters in this book were originally published in a special issue in Sport in Society.

During the past twenty years, the field of nonprofit management has grown significantly in terms of the number of nonprofit organizations, number of people employed, and amount of funds raised. A key activity in nonprofit management has been organizing events, which are generally defined as "purposive gatherings of people." These purposes may include: increasing awareness about the nonprofit organization and its mission; raising funds to support programs and services related to its mission; engaging and developing individuals as donors, volunteers, and advocates; and enhancing the image of the organization and/or the broader community. Events in the modern era tend to be organized across the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. While a nonprofit organization may create and manage an event, corporations and businesses often contribute financial support and technical expertise in areas such as branding, marketing, and social media. Depending on the event type and size, a local government may provide the venue and public safety services, including police, fire, and ambulance. We can understand more about these mission-driven, cross-sectoral events by looking through the lens of social enterprise. Social enterprise has been defined as a venture that advances a social mission using business methods or market-based approaches. It is typically conceptualized as spanning sectors, particularly the nonprofit and private sectors. Social Enterprise and Special Events focuses on how market-based approaches can be used to help mission-driven gatherings achieve their purposes as efficiently, effectively, and sustainably as possible. These approaches include market research, brand development, cause marketing, gamification, liquidity, cash management, and clustering. The book also incorporates concepts important in the nonprofit and public sectors such as collaborative governance, social capital, political capital, community development, placemaking, and diversity.

Services dominate the modern economy. This controversial and important book reviews research into the development and future of the service economy. Professor Illeris synthesises not only English language research on the nature and function of services, but also introduces the lesser--known but equally important work done on services by researchers in other languages which often reaches surprising and challenging conclusions. While the emphasis is on producer services in the western world, due consideration is also given to the role and significance of personal and household services which have been frequently ignored in the literature. The approach adopted is geographical and macro--economic and among the topics discussed are the nature and classification of service activities, the role and importance of services in the overall economy and the increasing importance of services in regional development and international trade. The overall theme of the book is how our society has been transformed into a service economy and what this implies for individuals, institutions and states as both producers and consumers of services. This is a key text for students and researchers of economics, economic geography, planning, regional science and applied social science as well as of interest to planners, consultants and managers in service industries and government.

Sport has long been used as a tool for political gain and many major sporting events are now often framed as a panacea to help combat issues such as rising obesity rates, decreasing physical activity levels and wider urban decline. In reality though, fostering a temporary 'feel-good factor' is the most that many of these events can ever achieve even though a number are now sold on the popular rhetoric of legacy. Drawing upon a range of events and the work of international scholars from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds, this collection offers insights into the ways in which events outside of the big two are (re)positioned as part of the wider sporting landscape. The chapters originally published as a special issue in Sport in Society.

Humans spend more time in or on the water than ever before; we love the beach. But for many people, getting in the water provokes a moment's hesitation. Shark attacks are big news events and although the risk of shark attack on humans is incredibly low, the fact remains that human lives are lost to sharks every year. Shark Attacks explores the tension between risk and human fear and the need to conserve sharks and protect the important ecological roles they play in our marine environments. Marine biologist Blake Chapman presents scientific information about shark biology, movement patterns and feeding behaviour. She discusses the role of fear in the way we think about sharks and the influence of the media on public perceptions. Moving first-hand accounts describe the deep and polarising psychological impacts of shark attacks from a range of perspectives. This book is an education in thinking through these emotive events and will help readers to navigate the controversial issues around mitigating shark attacks while conserving the sharks themselves. FeaturesClarifies what is fact and what is fiction with regards to shark attack statistics and explains why the fear of sharks and shark attacks is so prevalent in modern society Discusses personal and regional mitigation devices and measures as well as the pros and cons of each of these Provides suggestions on how we can better manage the risk (real and perceived) of shark attack into the future Provides a range of personal accounts and public opinions on shark attack to round out our understanding of these events and to provide support for gaps in current policy

Since the 1930s, the Walt Disney Company has produced characters, images, and stories that have captivated audiences around the world. How can we understand the appeal of Disney products? What is it about the Disney phenomenon that attracts so many children, as well as adults? In this updated second edition, with new examples provided throughout, Janet Wasko examines the processes by which the Disney company - one of the largest media and entertainment corporations in the world - continues to manufacture the fantasies that enthrall millions. She analyses the historical expansion of the Disney empire into the twenty-first century, examines the content of Disney's classic and more recent films, cartoons and TV programs and discusses how they are produced, considering how some of the same techniques have been applied to the Disney theme parks. She also discusses the reception (and sometimes, reinterpretation) of Disney products by different kinds of audiences. By looking at the Disney phenomenon from a variety of perspectives, she provides an updated and comprehensive overview of one of the most significant media and cultural institutions of our time. This important book by a leading scholar of the entertainment industries will be of great interest to students in media and cultural studies, as well as a broader readership of Disney fans.

Designing the Olympics claims that the Olympic Games provide opportunities to reflect on the relationship between design, national identity, and citizenship. The "Olympic design milieu" fans out from the construction of the Olympic city and the creation of emblems, mascots, and ceremonies, to the consumption, interpretation, and appropriation of Olympic artifacts from their conception to their afterlife. Besides products that try to achieve consensus and induce civic pride, the "Olympic design milieu" also includes processes that oppose the Olympics and their enforcement. The book examines the graphic design program for Tokyo 1964, architecture and urban plans for Athens 2004, brand design for London 2012, and practices of subversive appropriation and sociotechnical action in counter-Olympic movements since the 1960s. It explores how the Olympics shape the physical, legal and emotional contours of a host nation and its position in the world; how the Games are contested by a broader social spectrum within and beyond the nation; and how, throughout these encounters, design plays a crucial role. Recognizing the presence of multiple actors, the book investigates the potential of design in promoting equitable political participation in the Olympic context.

This title was first published in 2000: An examination of how marketing concepts and practices can be applied to generate profitable growth in the high-tech service sector. Part One looks at the implications of becoming market-led. Part Two explains how to use the various methods of communication to best effect. Finally Part Three examines the role of business development, including research, innovation and planning. Along the way, Dr Sowter provides detailed guidance on key issues such as identifying your unique selling proposition, setting optimal prices, dealing with competition and ensuring the maximum impact from your promotional literature, proposals and exhibition stands. He proceeds by asking questions, and the answers he supplies are practical and often based on personal experience. The text is supported throughout by illustrations, "real life" examples, checklists and model formats. Each chapter includes exercises and action plans to help readers put the author's ideas to work in their own organizations.

This is a handbook for the cultural entrepreneur, offering some of the best examples on practice, franchises, research, innovation and business opportunities in the cultural sector. The key theme is the contribution and possibilities of the cultural economy as a business, with a strong supporting subtext on innovative practice. The book illustrates the theme by providing multiple practice-based and empirical examples from an international panel of experts. Each contribution provides an accessible and easily accessed bank of knowledge on which existing practice can be grown and new projects undertaken. It provides an eclectic mix of possibilities that reinforce and underscore the full innovative and complex potential of the cultural economy. Topics include a review of the global and regional economic benefits of the cultural economy, evidence-based analysis of the culture industries, and an outline of the top ten cultural opportunities for business. This collection transcends the space between theory and practice to combine culture and innovation and understand their importance to a wider economy. This is essential reading for researchers and practitioners interested in entrepreneurship, non-profit management, art and visual culture, and public finance.

This comprehensive handbook provides a solid foundation in helping skills related to successful funeral service practice.

Worldwide Destinations Casebook features 38 comprehensive case studies of international tourism destinations, 10 of them brand new and 28 updated. A companion to the core textbook Worldwide Destinations 5th edition, these cases contextualise the learning and provide real life illustrations of the theories covered. This new edition covers subjects such as climate change, eco-tourism, destination regeneration and social impact. Case studies are drawn from all regions of the world and include: London Docklands regeneration A tourism strategy for Morocco 'New World' tourism - Outbound tourism from China Antarctica: tourism or conservation? Re-visioning tired destinations: Australia's gold coast Tourism in New York The Way of St. James: the pilgrimage as a cultural resource Ecotourism in the Ecuadorian Amazon The casebook brings a range of benefits to the classroom and by encouraging active learning allows students to gain valuable experience in: Problem solving and decision making Focusing on key issues within a clearly defined situation The development or honing of critical thinking skills Recognising that there is no one 'correct' answer to a problem Judging the relevance of different types of evidence and techniques Worldwide Destinations Casebook is the ultimate resource for contextualizing theory and is essential reading for any tourism student.

It is vital for hospitality management students to understand key management concepts as part of the complex and intimate nature of the services industry. Principles of Management for the Hospitality Industry is designed specifically for hospitality students who need to be able to use management tools and techniques to become successful hospitality managers. By placing you at the heart of an imaginary workplace this book offers the opportunity to work through all of the items of discussion for each topic. The chapter begins with a scenario to prompt an exploration of a given topic, and concludes with the outcome of this scenario to reinforce the lessons learnt throughout the chapter. Highly practical in approach, this is an up-to-date and skilful integration of all core areas of management. It is packed with tools and techniques to aid learning and understanding, enabling you to: improve your professional management vocabulary with definitions in each chapter, and a complete glossary of terms visualize key concepts with over one hundred explanatory diagrams gain confidence by testing your understanding on the accompanying website practical applications of theory are illustrated in international case studies throughout the book discussion questions prompt an exploration of key concepts. This title also has a companion website for lecturers which includes an Instructors' manual, PowerPoint slides and quizzes to aid teaching and learning.

The Spirit of Hospitality takes readers on a journey of passion for purpose that empowers the missing ingredients of hospitality into a proven leadership style that works. Time has sped up to the point where technology has surpassed the last few thousand years by only a generation. What happened to kindness, humility and the human touch vs. having our face buried into a laptop or IPhone? A life dedicated to excellence does not come by chance, or with age, but by choice and commitment. Larry Stuart strives to give The Spirit of Hospitality to others who are called to a life of prosperity and significance. He provides the tools, attributes and real-life examples of what works when it comes to serving up a memorable guest service delivery and describes the necessary ingredients of hospitality. There is hope only if individuals bring back the missing ingredients of kindness, humility, integrity, encouragement, generosity, team and accountability. Only then is the spirit of hospitality empowered to provide the right leadership approach in building relationships to a new level of expectation, and allows those who embrace that spirit to accomplish whatever they strive to achieve.

The purpose of this book is to assess the changing nature of the industrial and business space property market which has developed out of the recession of the early 1980s. It also shows how business space development schemes can be implemented to revitalize urban areas. It covers the investment and development market, how schemes are financed and the different techniques used to appraise their financial viability, the layout and design characteristics of industrial workshop and business space developments of all sizes, the influences of central government's economic fiscal and planning policy, local authority iniatives to revitalize inner urban areas and the variety of methods used to implement new development including partnerships and negotiated solution.

The Practical Guide to Organising Events is a short, accessible and practical guide on how to successfully plan and organise a variety of event types in a wide range of contexts. The core sections of the text are logically structured around the key stages of event management - pre-event, on-site and post-event - offering essential practical insight and guidance throughout the whole process. Topics covered include proposal writing, budget, funding and sponsorship, health and safety, security and evaluation. This is a fundamental resource for all events management students running and organising an event as part of their degree programme. It is also a book for anybody who just happens to be tasked with organising an event such as an office party, a social networking event, Christmas party or family wedding. Based on experience, using real-life case studies and anecdotal examples, The Practical Guide to Organising Events ultimately makes the business of events management appealing, understandable and achievable.