In the global financial crisis, competitiveness gaps between Euro area countries caused additional strain. This book discusses the various dimensions of competitiveness, with a special focus on emerging Central, Eastern and Southeastern European countries. For Europe to proceed with convergence and to resist global competitive pressures, it argues that policies to boost productivity and innovation are vital. With products becoming ever more technically sophisticated and global interconnectedness on a relentless rise, it also demonstrates that quality, customer orientation and participation in global production networks and global value chains are at least as important as relative costs and prices. This book delves into the literature and dissects the complexity of competitiveness, aiming to offer tangible policy advice focussed on how well the European economy is performing and how it could improve. The key findings of the book, from a mix of academics and policymakers, constitute a state-of-the-art assessment of competitiveness that may change traditional perceptions of how economies can return to a path of sustainable growth. Comprehensive and forward-looking, this enlightening book will appeal to academics, researchers and policymakers with a particular interest in European economies and economic integration. Contributors include: D. Andrews, B.B. Bakker, I. Begg, M. Belka, K. Benkovskis, Z. Darvas, A. de Serres, M. Gradzewicz, D. Hanzl-Weiss, B.S. Javorcik, A. Kosior, K. Krogulski, M. Landesmann, E. Nowotny, B. Pinto, D. Ritzberger Grunwald, M. Rubaszek, P. Samecki, M. Silgoner, P. Sinclair, K. Vondra, B. Vujcic, J. Woerz, L. Yueh

While characteristically 'Austrian' themes such as entrepreneurship, economic calculation, tacit knowledge and the temporal structure of capital are clearly relevant to the business firm, Austrian economists have said relatively little about management, organization, and strategy. This innovative book features 12 chapters that all seek to advance the understanding of these issues by drawing on Austrian ideas. Building on existing research in transaction cost economics, agency theory, evolutionary economics and the resource-based theory of the firm, the authors cover a wide range of theoretical and applied topics. These include knowledge management, authority and hierarchy, modularity, corporate restructuring, telecommunications regulation and competitive advantage. They clearly show how Austrian ideas can usefully engage, challenge and extend more mainstream perspectives on economic organization. There are many books on Austrian economics and many more on the theory of the firm, but virtually none that integrate these two bodies of literature. Scholars of Austrian economics and academics interested in strategy, organization and the theory of the firm will draw great value from this insightful book.

Global Capitalism, FDI and Competitiveness comprises 15 of John Dunning's most widely acknowledged writings on the changing characteristics of the global economy over the past three decades. In particular, it examines how these events have shaped, and been shaped by, the growing internationalization of all forms of business activity. The book is dived into five thematic sections, each of which illustrates a particular aspect of change and the author's analysis of it. The volume examines: * the main features of the new global economy, its origin, opportunities and challenges * the author's recent writings on the factors affecting the location of economic activity by international firms, and the implications for national and regional governments * the changing nature and form of the contribution of FDI and cross-border strategic alliances to economic development and to the restructuring of national economies * the relationship between FDI, the competitive advantages of international firms and the productivity and dynamic comparative advantage of the economies in which they operate. * an examination of the changing role and power of national governments as they seek to evaluate and influence the extent of both inbound and outbound FDI. This volume will be warmly welcomed by all scholars and researchers of international business and particularly those interested in globalization, regional economics and FDI.

The twin processes of integration and fragmentation have been the distinguishing features of contemporary globalization. Nowhere is this more strikingly evident than in the Asia Pacific. This first volume of a two-volume study concentrates on the geopolitical and economic transformation of Asia Pacific. It focuses on the complex relationship between the decline of ideological bipolarity, the rapid industrialization of East Asia and the tensions generated by the shifting balance of regional and global economic interests. Particular attention is devoted to the three major powers (the United States, China and Japan) and to a number of small and middle powers in particular Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Australia and Canada. Underpinning the entire analysis is the complex interplay of geopolitics, economy and culture. States, Markets and Civil Society in Asia Pacific is essential reading for scholars and researchers of Asia Pacific politics and economy. The coherent analysis will also ensure the books appeal to those in NGOs and government agencies affected by, or working in, the region.

Knowledge is fast becoming one of the main sources of wealth, yet it can also become a source of inequalities. The New Knowledge Economy in Europe attempts to determine whether it is possible to hasten the transition towards a knowledge-based economy and enhance competitiveness with increased employment and improved social cohesion across Europe. The book is an amalgamation of the scientific and political agendas which led to the European strategy for the knowledge-based economy adopted by the European Union. Its authors illustrate their own influence on European policy making with contributions on a broad range of subjects, including: * the potential for the growth of a knowledge-based global economy * new challenges for the welfare state * emerging trends in employment * the role of international benchmarking as a policy learning tool * the construction of European identity * the building of multilevel governance required to undertake reforms. The results of the European strategy for the knowledge economy have become apparent throughout the EU in policy areas including research, innovation, single markets, education and employment, amongst others. This is the new blueprint for economic and social modernisation in the EU. The New Knowledge Economy in Europe will be of great interest to academics, managers, public administrators and professional organisations involved in studies of Europe or innovation.

In this unique work, Jennifer Considine and William Kerr contend that while OPEC currently dominates the international oil market, Russia will be a key player in the future international energy market. Indeed, Russia's petroleum resources rival those of Saudi Arabia. More than almost any other industry, future performance is often determined by the influence of decisions made in the past. This book provides a detailed history of the development of the Russian oil economy in order to build up a comprehensive and discerning picture of its future role and significance in the global energy market of the 21st century. The authors of this path-breaking treatment of the Russian oil economy present: * an assessment of the effects of the political and macroeconomic development of the Russian Federation and former Soviet Union on the resources, reserves and infrastructure of the current oil industry * an economic evaluation of the contemporary policies and institutions in the Russian Federation, including policy recommendations and forecasts * detailed statistics on all aspects of the Russian oil industry, including reserves, production, five-year planning targets, government policy, and tax rates, from 1860-2001. The Russian Oil Economy will be of enormous interest to a wide-ranging audience, encompassing oil industry executives and analysts, investment bankers, energy consultants, energy policymakers, and those involved in the study, teaching and research of energy, Russian history and transition.

To deal effectively with transboundary environmental problems such as climate change, it is important to have an idea of the model for an 'efficient' and 'fair' policy. An understanding of the strategic interactions involved in the international decision-making process is also essential. Carsten Helm uses rigorous theoretical reasoning and applications to address these issues. * The first part of the book contains a normative analysis based on fair division theory and welfare theory. The empirical focus is on burden sharing in the climate change regime, for which a concrete proposal is derived. * The book then extends the perspective by taking into account the self-interest of sovereign states. Using cooperative game theory the potential for Pareto efficient cooperation is analysed. * Finally, Carsten Helm applies non-cooperative game theory to analyse issues such as environmental and welfare effects of emissions trading, the misuse of scientific uncertainties as a bargaining tool and the effects of discontinuities in environmental systems on cooperation. This highly topical book will be of great interest to economists and political and environmental scientists, as well as all those involved in the policy and decision making of international environmental agreements.

In the post-industrial network economy, international gateway regions are becoming increasingly important. These gateway regions are the nodes (defined as a city or a city region) that act as saddle points between a region and the global economy. While gateway regions have existed ever since inter-regional trade was first practised, new non-trade networks, and the wider global economy, have made these regions more complex. The book includes discussions of infrastructure networks such as the internet and air transport, as well as networking activities such as long-distance scientific cooperation, financial networks and direct investments. The contributors have expertise in fields such as regional economics, economic geography, institutional economics and business administration. The book offers in-depth analysis of both existing and developing gateway regions in three sections: * North America * Asia-Pacific * Europe Economists and researchers with an interest in regions, the knowledge economy and institutions will find this book of great value. It will also be of interest to economic geographers, regional planners and development agencies.

In the past, practical applications motivated the development of mathematical theories, which then became the subject of study in pure mathematics where abstract concepts are studied for their own sake. The activity of applied mathematics is thus intimately connected with research in pure mathematics, which is also referred to as theoretical mathematics. Theoretical and Applied Mathematics in International Business is an essential research publication that explores the importance and implications of applied and theoretical mathematics within international business, including areas such as finance, general management, sales and marketing, and supply chain management. Highlighting topics such as data mining, global economics, and general management, this publication is ideal for scholars, specialists, managers, corporate professionals, researchers, and academicians.

Globalization, Political Economy, Business and Society in Pandemic Times is a product of the 5th Emerging Markets Inspiration Conference (EMIC) at Stockholm University during May 14-15, 2020. The purpose of the book is to arrive at a holistic understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics, economies, business, and society in a globalized world. The scientific community acted swiftly to study COVID-19 and its various possible societal correlations. This edited collection contributes to the growing literature on COVID-19 through a multidisciplinary approach by addressing both macro and micro issues from both local and global angles in both critical and self-critical tones.

Korea has been at the centre of intense debate concerning the role of government in economic development. Taking an in-depth approach, this book analyses the path of Korea's industrial technology development. In contrast to many previous studies on Korea, the author argues that the role of foreign multinational enterprises has been significant while the government's was surprisingly limited in scope. The author addresses three main questions: * How was Korea able to develop so effectively despite the low inflow of foreign technologies and capital? * What is the role of multinational enterprises in 'teaching' technology to the firms from developing countries? * What has been the influence of public policy on Korea's technology development? The author demonstrates that the key to the Korean electronics industry's spectacular growth has been through its participation in and learning from an inter-firm arrangement called 'original equipment manufacturing' (OEM) arrangement, and a number of firm-level case studies support this argument. This book will be of special interest to scholars of industrial and development economics, innovation and Asian studies. It will also be of use to policymakers responsible for industrial policy development.

While integration in the modern world economy is quite different to its counterpart in the last century, national borders are still extremely significant as trade barriers, and the international discussion of globalisation is paramount. This volume centres on two broad themes: the desirability, or otherwise, of globalisation and the practical mechanics of, and prospects for, increased multinational international trade liberalisation. Progress on competition policy issues are discussed along with the future of financial institutions, national policies, the scope of possible future expansion of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and its dispute-settlement mechanism in light of recent trans-Atlantic disputes. With a diversity of opinions from contributors prominent in fields ranging from business and academia through to Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) such as the WTO and the British Commonwealth, this is a fascinating look at globalisation and trade. Both foreign policy and economics academics will find this book invaluable, along with policymakers and NGOs.

Intangible assets are of growing importance to corporate competitiveness and economic performance. They include R&D, human capital, innovation in products and in organisation, trademarks and patents, networking and software. This path-breaking book provides a theoretical and empirical analysis of intangible investment and its effect on public policy in Europe. The authors find that the growing importance of intangibles is transforming the direction of public policies in Europe, particularly industrial, R&D, competition and trade policies. They conclude that government policies must recognise the fact that intangible investment is becoming the key element in bringing about durable growth and accord at least the same priority to intangible factors as to physical investment. This work should be essential reading for students interested in this new field of economic analysis, national and international policymakers, and industrialists involved in the non-physical economy.

In this enlightening book, John Berdell addresses the widely-held belief that classical economics distanced itself from policy issues and public debates regarding the effects of international trade on economic growth in advanced economies. He argues, through a detailed consideration of the evolution and structure of Hume's, Smith's, Ricardo's and Malthus' analyses, that it is not only contemporary international economic theory which takes account of these issues.Berdell uses a series of non-linear dynamic models to illustrate and analyse important aspects of each author's discussion of the interactions between trade and growth. The findings are then extended to create a comparison of the classical models with recent empirical research in this area. Berdell suggests that John Stuart Mill's plan to synthesise and extend Hume's, Smith's and Ricardo's analysis of commercial society was rendered intractable by the limitations of Hume's associationalist psychology. This work will be of great interest to both historians of economic ideas and economists concerned with modelling the interactions between growth and international trade.

Economic Crisis Management discusses contemporary and economic policy and its application to major crisis economies in Asia. The book contains a collection of studies by international experts in economics and finance with special focus on major aspects of the economic management of the Asia crisis. Monetary and fiscal policies are analysed, and the implementation, outcomes and prospects of financial reform are considered. The contributors go on to discuss modern theories and practices of economic management and successes and failures in Asian crisis management. Initiatives to prevent or deal more effectively with future economic crises in the region are also evaluated. Economic Crisis Management will appeal to a wide-ranging audience including: students, researchers and academics with a special interest in economics and commerce, policymakers, government advisers, business and development economists, corporate planners and commerce analysts.

Globalizing Europe examines the involvement of the European Union in the deepening integration that results as trade and transnational production link markets and economic systems across the world. This process is posing a unique challenge to European decision-makers to implement measures that will maximize the benefits and reduce the costs of globalization. As Europe expands and becomes more integrated it is being obliged to assume greater control over the development of its external economic relations. To effect this, the authors propose that member states play a more active and constructive role in the global political economy. They advocate the planning and implementation of major initiatives that could ensure greater stability in the world economy. Because of the magnitude of the economic bonds developing between the EU and the USA, special attention is paid to the trends and issues associated with the evolution of Atlantic relations. One of the greatest challenges the authors highlight, and a theme implicit throughout the book, is that the EU's external problems may receive inadequate attention due to the complexities of its decision processes. EU-level decision-making may become more introspective, rather than global, in outlook. Combining firm, industry, regional and country levels of analysis with the diverse and provocative views of the authors, this book will be essential reading for scholars of international economics, international political economy, and international business and finance.

In the age of globalisation, goods, services, labour and capital are crossing international borders on a scale never before known. They are creating a nationless market. Governed by both the invisible hand of business and interest and the visible hand of authority and direction, a world market can be a free-for-all, but it can also be constrained by the national interest of countries that differ greatly in their social institutions and material circumstances. This book provides a lucid and comprehensive account of contemporary international political economy. Beginning with the ideological underpinnings, it examines the globalisation of trade in goods and services and labour and capital. It relates the free economic market to social consensus and political regulation, both within sovereign countries and at the supra-national level. The book is comprehensive and interdisciplinary, incorporating philosophical, political, social and economic insights on an international scale and applying them directly to the ongoing phenomenon of globalisation. Topical and non-nation specific, it covers the WTO, EU, the transfer of technology, the multinational corporation, the exchange rate, free versus regulated trade, the status of agreements and blocs, as well as contemporary issues such as populism, xenophobia and rapid economic growth in both rich and poor nations. Accessible to specialists, students and the informed reader alike, State and Trade offers wide-ranging analysis of the politics of trade in goods and services, international investment and the migration of labour across the globe.

The widespread capital market liberalisation has resulted in a massive surge in international capital flows and the development of a more integrated world financial system. At the same time, however, the volatility of capital flows has increased and the stability of this modern financial system has been called into question by a number of financial and currency crises. In this volume the editors assess the behaviour of international capital markets during this period, focusing on both the causes and the consequences of financial instability. They examine the origins of the Latin American and East Asian crises and the lessons that can be drawn from these, and they consider the proposals for reform of the international financial system which have followed. This collection of papers, written by both academics and practitioners, is addressed both to specialists and to a wider audience, and will provide insight into an extremely important global development.

The book analyses the evolution of research and innovation policies in the world's leading countries. The last decade has witnessed a radical transformation of the landscape shaped after World War II, as described in the seminal collection edited by Richard Nelson in the early 1990s. Even though national systems have inherited different institutional arrangements and trajectories, analyses show three major converging trends in their public policies. There has been a retraction from support to large firms and programmes and a shift toward small to medium enterprises and the innovation infrastructure; the focus on public research and training capabilities is growing; and there has been a redesign of public intervention with the growing role of regions and states on one hand and multinational authorities on the other, particularly in the European Union. The authors, all leading scholars in innovation research, provide thorough analytical descriptions of the national innovation system in their country and set that system in historical perspective. Each chapter is written so the reader can easily make comparisons between countries and regions. Six major issues are identified and addressed in each chapter: * the dynamics of universities and their relations with the economy * the evolving role of defence R&D and other large public programmes * the growth of technology policies and the innovative capabilities of SMEs * the changing rationale for government laboratories * the growing role of regions in fostering innovation * the capability of government to adapt to rapid changes in innovation systems. This essential book will be of interest to scholars and students of science, technology and innovation policy, management, institutional economics and managers of research and innovation policies at a national and local level.

This book traces the evolution of the highly integrated global financial system from 1750 to the present. It examines the corporate form of business organization in the eighteenth century that saw an explosion of growth in the nineteenth, which facilitated the international movement of capital. The author also deals with the parallel growth of financial markets and explains how the need to finance public debts paved the way for stock markets as well as outlining the role of private merchant bankers, who originated as international bankers with family-run offices across Europe. He charts the development of banks into public corporations and follows the evolution of modern paper money, explaining the emergence of institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. While tracing the development of foreign-exchange markets and the history of trading blocs, the book also examines how economic powers such as Britain and France used access to capital to wield power in less-developed parts of the world. Finally, an history of financial crises is presented, revealing how economic shocks reverberate from one country to another today through the global financial network.

This substantial book examines key economic, political and social aspects of Malaysia at the turn of the new century. It covers the years of rapid growth and dramatic structural change leading up to the 1997 financial crisis, and the subsequent adjustments which enabled the economy to resume its vigorous advance. The authors critically address affirmative action policies aiming to help Malays enter the modern economy and make income distribution more equitable while reducing poverty. They look at case studies of persisting poverty amidst economic progress, and also scrutinize the development of East Malaysia with its special problems away from the centre of power in Kuala Lumpur. The authors review the direction of politics after Prime Minister Mahathir, as well as exploring Malaysia's foreign, education, and labour policies. They canvass the idea of a 'new Malay' better adapted to modern society, investigate the position of the Chinese, examine the struggle for women's rights within the religious framework of Islam, and discuss the contributions of Malaysian NGOs to ongoing changes. They finally draw together crucial issues facing Malaysia in the 21st century. The contributors, who are leading scholars in their spheres, have produced a wide ranging and comprehensive guide to the economy and society of Malaysia. This book will be of great value and interest to students and scholars of Asian economics, development and social studies.

The globalisation of the world economy is one of the major concepts of our time and is likely to influence thinking and policy making well into the 21st century. Although officially welcomed as a major contribution to world welfare it is held by many to be responsible for low wages and mass unemployment. This book questions the seemingly inevitable progress of globalisation and the role of the state as a powerless institution in a globalised economy. Issues discussed include: * trade liberalisation and the role of the World Trade Organisation in providing global responses to global issues * the globalisation of finance; in particular the integration of capital markets * the role of EMU in limiting the social protection level in member states * the effect of globalisation on the structure of the modern nation-state * a challenge to the conventional image of globalisation, which is viewed as being far less widespread than we are led to believe This book will be of interest to scholars of the international economics, international political economy and international finance.

The legal, political and economic rationales that underpin trade policy are reflected in the establishment and implementation of EU trade relations with the rest of the world. This comprehensive Handbook provides readers with a multidisciplinary overview of the major perspectives, actors and challenges in contemporary EU trade relations. Changes in institutional dynamics, Brexit, the politicisation of trade, competing foreign policy agendas, and adaptation to trade patterns of value chains and the digital and knowledge economy are reshaping the European Union's trade policy. The authors tackle how these challenges frame the aims, processes and effectiveness of trade policy making in the context of the EU trade relations with developed, developing and emerging states in the global economy. This Handbook presents students and practitioners with an accessible introduction to the policy processes in the EU?'s trade policy. Policy-makers, especially those outside of the EU, will also gain key knowledge regarding the trade policies of the EU by reading this. Contributors include: J. Adriaensen, L. Choukrounel, P. De Lombaerde, F. De Ville, M. Eagleton-Pierce, J. Eckhardt, M. Filadoro Alikhanoff, C. Gammage, M.J. Garcia, T. Heron, W.A. Kerr, S. Khorana, L. Kuhnhardt, D. Martens, P. Murray-Evans, L. Nilsson, J. Orbie, L. Perdikis, N. Perdikis, G. Rosen, G. Siles-Brugge, A. Smith, M. Smith, N.R. Smith, M. Shu, L. van der Putte, S. Velluti, W.G. Voss

The world economy is in a crisis. From the United States to Europe to Africa, growing uncertainty exists over the future. In the midst of this, however, some nations are thriving. In "Out of the Rabble," author David Chiweza dissects the real causes of the financial crisis and presents likely scenarios for the future.

Based on Zimbabwe's past forty-five years of experience, Chiweza, a resident of Zimbabwe, relates his nation's economic fortunes to markets and establishes that all emerging economies have leveraged monopolistic domestic markets to overtake advanced economies. He sheds light on the causes of Zimbabwe's infamous economic crisis and details an industrialisation blueprint with universal strategies that have catapulted underdog nations to succeed against the odds.

A comprehensive and insightful exposition of the Zimbabwean and global economic crisis, "Out of the Rabble" proclaims that the free markets doctrine has benefited stronger economies. It not only reveals the factors influencing the current crisis but presents a sobering exposition of economic dynamics that mark the emergence of a new economic order.