Ernest Solvay, philanthropist and organizer of the world-famous Solvay conferences on physics, discovered a profitable way of making soda ash in 1861. Together with a handful of associates, he laid the foundations of the Solvay company, which successfully branched out to other chemicals, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. Since its emergence in 1863, Solvay has maintained world leadership in the production of soda ash. This is the first scholarly book on the history of the Solvay company, which was one of the earliest chemical multinationals and today is among the world's twenty largest chemical companies. It is also one of the largest companies in the field to preserve its family character. The authors analyze the company's 150-year history (1863 2013) from economic, political, and social perspectives, showing the enormous impact geopolitical events had on the company and the recent consequences of global competition."

In 1964, amidst a climate of oppression and intimidation, arose an entity that would become a giant of Black South African empowerment – the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NAFCOC). In the 1940s, with the need for an organisation for informal black traders, the Orlando Traders Association was formed. However it was not until, after the Sharpeville uprisings, that NAFCOC was formed despite vehement objections by the government to the formation of a multi-ethnic chamber of commerce in South Africa. NAFCOC, as the voice of black business, became a vehicle for economic prosperity for a generation relegated to the sidelines of economic development by an unjust apartheid government. Black people were so marginalised that they were limited to operating subsistence-type businesses outside the mainstream of the economy. It was only in 1979 that black businesses were allowed to operate in designated black areas only, due to concerted efforts by NAFCOC. At the very core of NAFCOC ‘s existence is the creed “Rise in Faith” and this most certainly held true for those pioneering, founding fathers of NAFCOC. They held out for and held onto a vision where one day Black people would enter the mainstream of the economy of the country. This book is not just a celebration of 50 years of NAFCOC. It is also tracks the fight for political and economic freedom, long before the reality of a democratic government in 1994. It tells how NAFCOC enabled black business; how black business not only survived, but thrived against a backdrop of an unequal racist society. There are not many organisations that remain standing after 50 years – that NAFCOC has not only managed to do this, but continues to play a significant role for a new generation of black businessmen and women assures it of a continued relevance.

'A fascinating page-turner... An indispensable guide to modern innovation and entrepreneurship.' Walter Isaacson, no. 1 bestselling author of Steve Jobs Perfect for readers of Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance and Zero to One by Peter Theil Out of PayPal's ranks have come household names like Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Max Levchin and Reid Hoffman. Since leaving Paypal, they have formed, funded, and advised the leading companies of our era, including Tesla, Facebook, YouTube, SpaceX, Yelp, Palantir, and LinkedIn, among many others. Yet for all their influence, the incredible story of where they started has gone largely untold. In The Founders, award-winning author Jimmy Soni narrates how a once-in-a-generation collaboration turned a scrappy start-up into one of the most successful businesses of all time. Facing bruising competition, internal strife, the emergence of widespread online fraud, and the devastating dot-com bust of the 2000s, their success was anything but certain. But they would go on to change our world forever. Informed by hundreds of interviews and unprecedented access to thousands of pages of internal material, The Founders explores how the seeds of so much of what drives the internet today were planted two decades ago.

Der Band untersucht die Auswirkungen des Bilanzrechtsmodernisierungsgesetzes (BilMoG) auf den gesellschaftsrechtlichen Kapital- und Glaubigerschutz. Das BilMoG verfolgt das Ziel, den Informationswert von Jahresabschlussen unter Beibehaltung des Glaubigerschutzniveaus zu steigern. Der Gesetzgeber fuhrte eine ausserbilanzielle Ausschuttungssperre ein, die unsichere Vermoegensgegenstande bei der Ermittlung des ausschuttungsfahigen Vermoegens eliminiert. Trotz dieser minimal-invasiv wirkenden Massnahme wurde ein Paradigmenwechsel eingelautet: Der ausschuttungsfahige Gewinn ist fortan nicht mehr aus der Bilanz ersichtlich, sondern nur noch in Zusammenschau mit Angaben im Anhang ermittelbar. Das Vorsichtsprinzip hat zulasten der Informationsfunktion eine Schwachung erfahren.

Nach der Einfuhrung der 2015er-Novellierung der DIN EN ISO 9001 mussten Bildungsanbieter prufen, ob diese Norm fur ihre Tatigkeit relevant ware. Fraglich ist dabei, ob die demokratisch nicht legitimierten Dokumente privater Normungsorganisationen zur Grundlage von Gesetzen oder Verordnungen werden sollten. Der Autor betrachtet kritisch die DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 auf Grundlage einer Dokumentenanalyse. Die Bezugnahme auf die Norm in der Vertragsgestaltung birgt die Gefahr, dass es weniger um die Qualitat der Bildungsmassnahmen als um den organisatorischen Rahmen geht. Dieser wird mit der Realisierung von Lerneffekten gleichgesetzt, um Vertrauen in den Bildungsanbieter zu ermoeglichen. Damit wird die Problematik der Vertrauenswurdigkeit des Bildungsanbieters auf die Vertrauenswurdigkeit des Bewertungssystems verlagert.

The story of Oxford University Press spans five centuries of printing and publishing. Beginning with the first presses set up in Oxford in the fifteenth century and the later establishment of a university printing house, it leads through the publication of bibles, scholarly works, and the Oxford English Dictionary, to a twentieth-century expansion that created the largest university press in the world, playing a part in research, education, and language learning in more than 50 countries. With access to extensive archives, The History of OUP traces the impact of long-term changes in printing technology and the business of publishing. It also considers the effects of wider trends in education, reading, and scholarship, in international trade and the spreading influence of the English language, and in cultural and social history - both in Oxford and through its presence around the world.

Imagine if you could see the playbook that returned a struggling tech empire to the top of the tech leaderboard. The Microsoft Story will help you understand and adopt the competitive strategies, workplace culture, and daily business practices that enabled the tech company to once again become a leading tech innovator. It wasn't so long ago that Microsoft and its Windows operating system dominated the tech industry so much so that they faced antitrust charges for what was perceived by many to be predatory, monopolistic practices. Less than a decade later, the tide had turned and Microsoft lost its dominance in the personal tech marketplace amidst the launch of the iPhone, the rise of Google, and the cloud computing phenomenon. But, now, Microsoft is back on top. The company's value is soaring and once again Microsoft is being recognized as a tech leader once again. What changed? Since Satya Nadella took over as CEO, the company has gone through significant changes. The company culture has become one of creativity and innovation, no longer requiring that all products revolve around Windows. The company has reevaluated their business lines, getting rid of underperforming initiatives such as smartphones, and focused on the area of growth where the company excelled:the cloud. Through the story of Microsoft, you'll learn: How to build a nimble company culture that supports innovation and growth. How to return a forgotten brand to the spotlight. How to recognize and build upon successful business lines, while letting go of underperforming initiatives. When to change the entire way you do business. And much, much more.

Eine Ausbildung zum Beruf ist meist die Grundvoraussetzung fur eine erfolgreiche Berufsbiografie. Fur Jugendliche werden jedoch auch oft Ausbildungsangebote geschaffen, die sich zwar an Berufskriterien orientieren, jedoch nicht immer zu gesellschaftlich anerkannten Berufsabschlussen fuhren. Unter anderem werden zeitlich verkurzte Formen der Berufsausbildung entwickelt, um bestimmten Zielgruppen den Berufseinstieg zu erleichtern oder Beschaftigungsfelder mit geringeren Qualifikationsanforderungen zu erschliessen. Der Band stellt empirische Untersuchungen und theoretische Diskussionen aus Deutschland, OEsterreich und der Schweiz zu verkurzten Berufsausbildungen vor, um Wirkungen und Effekte der Konzeptionen zu erschliessen und zu bewerten. Die Buchbeitrage gehen insbesondere der Frage nach, welche Formen der Berufsausbildung als Ausbildung zum Beruf angesehen werden koennen.

Der Autor untersucht mittels eines kontrolltheoretischen Simulationsmodells das strategische Verhalten neu gegrundeter Unternehmen (Innovatoren), die einen Branchenwettbewerb mit etablierten Unternehmen (Imitatoren) erwarten. Als Steuerungsvariablen dienen dem Innovator der Absatzpreis der Produktinnovation und die Werbeausgaben je Periode. Beide Groessen fungieren als Signal fur die angebotene Produktqualitat und reduzieren in Verbindung mit der interpersonellen Kommunikation die Unsicherheit der potentiellen Konsumenten. Die Untersuchung berucksichtigt verschiedene Marktkonstellationen. Der Imitator kann aus Sicht der potentiellen Konsumenten bekannt oder unbekannt sein. Im Ergebnis werden fur den Innovator optimale Preis- und Werbestrategien ermittelt und Handlungsempfehlungen abgeleitet.

The story of Moto Guzzi is a story of survival. As one of Italy's oldest, and most legendary marques, Moto Guzzi had seen the height of success during the 1930s, and then the 1950s when they dominated 250 and 350cc Grand Prix racing. Their withdrawal from racing coincided with a period of stagnation until the company was sold to De Tomaso in 1973. During the 1970s the V7 Sport and Le Mans were at the forefront of the new superbike era, and later, with Dr John Wittner's help, embraced contemporary technology with the 1000cc Daytona. If one aspect characterises Moto Guzzi it is continuity. The great 500cc Falcone single ran from 1950 until 1976, and the V7, originally seeing the light of day in 1967, continued well into the 2010s. This continuity breeds loyalty, and Guzzi owners are a fiercely proud breed. Guzzis are not like other motorcycles, even Italian ones, and to qualify as a Guzzi owner requires a dedication and individuality that will be rewarded in a long term relationship.

Die Schienenfahrzeugindustrie steht vor der Herausforderung, die kunftige Entwicklung ihres Personals zu gestalten. Eine Massnahme, um Mitarbeiter zu qualifizieren, ist eine betriebliche Weiterbildung. Die Autorin untersucht Einflussfaktoren auf die betriebliche Weiterbildungsbereitschaft des Projektkernteams. Als Grundlage fur die empirische Studie eines Schienenfahrzeugherstellers dienen verschiedene theoretische Ansatze. Die Studie zeigt auf, dass externe Kontextfaktoren und institutionelle Rahmenbedingungen im Umfeld der Schienenfahrzeugindustrie permanenten Veranderungen unterliegen. Diese werden beispielsweise durch die steigende technische Komplexitat der Fahrzeuge hervorgerufen. Die betriebliche Weiterbildungsbereitschaft der Mitarbeiter steht in Abhangigkeit zu dem Verhalten des Vorgesetzten, beispielsweise im Umgang mit auftretenden Schwierigkeiten.

Diese Studie verknupft die Kapitalanlageentscheidungen privater Haushalte im internationalen Rahmen mit der Konvergenz von Rechnungslegungssystemen. Hierzu betrachtet der Autor zunachst die Investitionsentscheidungen privater Investoren aus einer mikrooekonomischen Perspektive, um darauf aufbauend die Rechnungslegungskonvergenz und ihre positiven Effekte auf internationale Investitionen oekonometrisch mittels des Gravitationsmodells zu untersuchen. Hierbei senken sowohl eine Konvergenz im Bereich des Disclosures als auch des Enforcements die landerubergreifenden Informationskosten und foerdern so internationale Investitionen. Die Untersuchung macht deutlich, dass Disclosure und Enforcement in einer interdependenten Beziehung stehen: So ist die Wirkung der Disclosure-Konvergenz umso starker, je mehr das Enforcement konvergiert.

Millions have sat under the "big top," watching as trapeze artists glide and clowns entertain, but few know the captivating stories behind the men who shaped the circus. Battle for the Big Top is the untold story of the battles of the three circus kings--James Bailey, P.T. Barnum, and John Ringling-all vying for control of the vastly profitable and widely influential American Circus. New York Times bestselling author Les Standiford recreates a remarkable era when a community-without regard for gender, creed, or nationality--would be captivated by the spectacle created by three diversely talented individuals who transcended the ordinary. Ultimately, the rivalry of these three men resulted in the creation of an institution that would surpass all intentions and, for 147 years, hold a nation spellbound. Filled with details of their ever-evolving showmanship, business strategies, and personal magnetism, this Ragtime-like narrative will delight and enchant circus-lovers everywhere.

Die Autorin befasst sich mit dem UEbergangsmandat des Betriebsrats gemass 21a BetrVG und dessen Gestaltungsmoeglichkeiten. Nach der Darstellung des Anwendungsbereichs des UEbergangsmandats zeigt sie die im Hinblick auf dessen Rechtsfolgen denkbaren Gestaltungsmoeglichkeiten auf. Sie geht der Frage nach, ob im Vorfeld einer Umstrukturierung die Moeglichkeit besteht, durch bestimmte Gestaltungsmoeglichkeiten das Entstehen eines UEbergangsmandats zu verhindern. Neben der Bildung eines gemeinsamen Betriebs gemass 1 Abs. 1 S. 2, Abs. 2 BetrVG untersucht sie die Bildung von betrieblichen Organisationsstrukturen gemass 3 BetrVG und 117 Abs. 2 S. 1 BetrVG. Im Mittelpunkt stehen dabei die vereinbarten Betriebsratsstrukturen durch Tarifvertrag gemass 3 Abs. 1 BetrVG.

Norges Bank has been an integrated part of Norwegian economic development from the complicated birth of the new nation-state after the Napoleonic wars to the present nouveau-richness of the Norwegian oil economy. This book traces its 200-year history, focusing on its relations with political institutions that have shaped and reshaped the bank's role since its establishment in 1816. In the first fragile years of the new nation, Norges Bank took centre stage in the discussion on how to reconstruct a collapsed monetary system, and how trust and resources should support the core financial function of the State apparatus. The financial and political role of the bank came to the fore from the late 1800s and peaked during the turbulent interwar years of the 1920s, after which the bank became the foremost defender of the monetary order and the gold standard, in bitter conflict with the emerging Labour Party. The blow that the Second World War delivered to central bank independence left the bank firmly subordinated to the Ministry of Finance. Not until 1986 was larger autonomy in monetary policy granted, and since then the bank's weight and responsibilities have continued to expand with its position as manager of the Norwegian oil fund. The bank's role has been largely defined by perceptions of what kind of financial services Norway needed, how economic policy was coordinated, and how discretionary power was distributed between the elected bodies, the executive branch, and underlying institutions with a defined mandate. The central aim of this book is to trace and explain these changes over the past two centuries.

Since the 1990s, global academic publishing has been transformed by digitisation, consolidation and the rise of the internet. The data produced by commercially owned citation indexes increasingly defines legitimate academic knowledge. Publication in prestigious 'high impact' journals can be traded for academic promotion, tenure and job security. African researchers and publishers labour in the shadows of a global knowledge system dominated by 'Northern' journals and by global publishing conglomerates.

This book goes beyond the numbers. It shows how the Ghanaian academy is being transformed by this bibliometric economy. It offers a rich account of the voices and perspectives of Ghanaian academics and African journal publishers.

How, where and when are Ghana's researchers disseminating their work, and what do these experiences reveal about an unequal global science system? Is there pressure to publish in 'reputable'. international journals? What role do supervisors, collaborators and mentors play? And how do academics manage in conditions of scarcity?

Putting the insights of more than 40 Ghanaian academics into dialogue with journal editors and publishers from across the continent, the book highlights creative responses, along with the emergence of new regional research ecosystems. This is an important Africa-centred analysis of Anglophone academic publishing on the continent and its relationship to global science.

Das Buch "Marketing fur Handelsmarken. Leitfaden fur erfolgreiche Handelsmarkenentwicklung im Lebensmitteleinzelhandel" von Joachim Hurth und Hermann Sievers gibt den aktuellen Stand der Handelsmarkenforschung im deutschen Handel wieder. Die Autoren gehen nach den Grundlagen der Handelsmarkenpolitik auf die Marktbedeutung und auf die Perspektiven von Handel, Hersteller und Konsument ein. Die Konzepte, die von den Akteuren angewendet werden, bilden einen weiteren Schwerpunkt des Buches. Dabei geht es um vorhandene Marketing- und Markenkonzepte und um die Instrumente, mit denen man die Konzepte beurteilen kann. Den Schluss des Buches bildet ein Ausblick auf die kunftige Entwicklung der Handelsmarken.

Robert Greifeld was CEO of NASDAQ for over a decade, during which time it was named Company of the Year, ranked one of the best performing companies in the U.S., included in Fortune's annual list of 100 fastest growing companies and shares of the company's stock rose a whopping 800%. In Market Mover, Bob looks at the headline-making events that took place while he was at the helm from the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the financial crisis of 2008, to Facebook's disastrous IPO and the Bernie Madoff scandal. He takes you exclusively behind the headlines using them as jumping off points for lessons that can be applied to any business, including jumpstarting change, working with technology, finding the best people, and adapting to globalization.

Thirty years ago when Sir Richard Branson called up Boeing and asked if they had a spare 747, few would have predicted the brash entrepreneur would so radically transform the placid business of air travel. But today, Branson flies airlines on six continents, employs hundreds of jets and, in 2014, was predicting that his spaceship company - Virgin Galactic - would soon open the space frontier to commercial astronauts, payload specialists, scientists and space tourists. With more than 600 seats sold at $250,000 each, what started off as a dream to send people just for the excitement to look back and marvel at Earth, was on the cusp of finally being turned into a business. Then, on October 21, 2014, tragedy struck. SpaceShipTwo was on its most ambitious test flight to date. Seconds after firing its engine, Virgin Galactic's spaceship was breaking through the sound barrier. In just the three seconds that it took for the vehicle to climb from Mach 0.94 to Mach 1.02, co-pilot Mike Alsbury made what many close to the event believe was a fatal mistake that led to his death and the disintegration of SpaceShipTwo. Miraculously, the pilot, Peter Siebold, survived the 16-km fall back to Earth. Soon after the event Branson vowed to continue his space tourism venture in spite of this. Already a second SpaceShipTwo is being built, and ticket-holders eagerly await the day when Virgin Galactic offers quick, routine and affordable access to the edge of space. This book explains the hurdles Virgin Galactic had and still has to overcome en route to developing suborbital space travel as a profitable economic entity, and describes the missions that will be flown on board SpaceShipTwo Mk II, including high-altitude science studies, astronomy, life sciences, and microgravity physics.