"Getting the best employees on board and weeding out the worst--without getting slapped with expensive lawsuits--are two of the most crucial and difficult jobs of human resources professionals and general managers. Now there's quick, reliable information on how to do it right. Written by employment expert Paul Falcone, "The Hiring and Firing Question and Answer Book" contains over 100 commonly asked questions ranging from basic to sophisticated, including: * Does my company need an Affirmative Action plan? * Why should I conduct an exit interview? * How do I find the best Web sites for recruiting employees? * How do I protect my company from negligent hiring claims? * How do I terminate a long-term employee with a history of positive performance evaluations? Each question is followed by a short answer and a longer ""Tell Me More"" section, making the book perfect both as a concise overview and as a practical reference." 'Paul Falcone (Valencia, CA) is Director of Human Resources at Platinum Equity in Beverly Hills, and was previously Director of Employment and Development for Paramount Pictures in Hollywood. He is the author of several best-selling books, including: 96 Great Interview Questions to Ask Before You Hire, 2600 Phrases for Effective Performance Reviews, and 101 Sample Write-Ups for Documenting Employee Performance Problems.

Develop business understanding through real-life examples and latest developments in the field Procurement and Supply Chain Management, 10th Edition, by Farrington is the most comprehensive and accessible textbook on procurement and supply chain management currently available. It is the ideal textbook for those aspiring to be leaders in the profession, and for those who are engaged in professional studies for the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply examinations (at both the foundation and professional stages). It is also of value to specialists in other fields who require understanding of the role and influence of this area of business performance. Using extensive real-life examples the subject matter has been brought to life throughout the book, and provides a truly international focus on procurement and supply chain. This fully revised edition covers new developments in the procurement and supply chain field, and offers new chapters on public sector procurement and socially responsible procurement. New to this edition: A new chapter on Public Sector Procurement, recognising the public sector's impact on the global economy A new chapter on Sustainability and Socially Responsible Procurement, recognising that this is a highly challenging global issue wherein procurement has great influence and more initiatives are needed Extensively updated throughout to reflect material changes in the procurement professio Dr Brian Farrington is the Managing Director of his specialist company, Brian Farrington Limited. They provide training and consultancy support to the public and private sectors of business. They work on major projects and high-value, high-profile and high-risk procurements. He has extensive experience in the USA, Canada, Southern Africa, Hong Kong and Europe. He has resolved major disputes and negotiated complex contracts, including outsourcing key business services. Pearson, the world's learning company. Dr Brian Farrington is the Managing Director of his specialist company, Brian Farrington Limited. They provide training and consultancy support to the public and private sectors of business. They work on major projects and high-value, high-profile and high-risk procurements. He has extensive experience in the USA, Canada, Southern Africa, Hong Kong and Europe. He has resolved major disputes and negotiated complex contracts, including outsourcing key business services. Pearson, the world's learning company.

Knowledge Management as a popular management movement is about 25 years old and unsurprisingly it has inspired many theories, practices and methods. So much so, that it is sometimes difficult to define what it stands for. The Handbook of Research on Knowledge Management is an interesting and innovative volume that has appealing features to add to the discussion. It is consistently interesting, has a very wide diversity of contributing scholars and practitioners and has several useful and informative chapters on actual knowledge practices and situations. It also offers historical reflections as well as its own contingency theory of how to best go about working with knowledge. All in all this Handbook is a fine and original contribution to the literature.' - Laurence Prusak, founder and Executive Director of the Institute for Knowledge ManagementThis innovative Handbook widens our understanding of knowledge management, a field that has risen to prominence in recent decades. It collects contemporary insights from more than 30 contributors into the rich tapestry of knowledge management practices across a broad landscape of cultures and socio-political contexts. The contributors offer authoritative analyses to inform practical applications of knowledge management, along with provoking reinterpretations of its developmental potential to guide future innovation and research in this field. The starting point for discussion centers around establishing a common definition for knowledge management, a concept that has remained nebulous since its inception. Expert contributions examine the relevance of this common definition within various contexts, such as Buddhist organizations, law firms, the army and indigenous organizations. The contributors explore how knowledge management could be effectively applied in these very diverse contexts. Some contributors analyze the universality of Ikujiro Nonaka s concept of knowledge management. Other contributors suggest alternative definitions of knowledge management. While previous literature has primarily focused on how knowledge management is practiced currently, this Handbook sets out alternative visions and conceptualizations of knowledge management in diverse settings and is, thus, focused on how knowledge management ideally should be practiced in various contexts. This Handbook of Research on Knowledge Management will appeal as a point of reference for academics and students of business and management, business administration, sociology and organizational behavior. Practitioners, managers and business-owners alike will also find this an invaluable resource. Contributors: C. Abrahamson Loefstroem, A. Ahmad, E. Antonacopoulou, D.A. Blackman, O. Chang, D. Coldwell, D.J. Delgado-Hernandez, J.S. Edwards, C. Filstad, A. Fried, T. Garavan, M. Glisby, P. Gottschalk, S. Harris, N. Holden, J. Hong, S.-W. Hsu, C. Mak, R. McDermott, D. McDowall, A. Mitra, K. Moon, E. Murphy, P.S. Myers, G. Neumann, P. Ngulube, F. O'Brien, A. OErtenblad, X. Ruan, A. Rynne, S.D Sarre, R. Snell, C. Stilwell, S. Talbot, E. Tandi Lwoga, E. Tome, J. Van Beveren

While researchers have commonly used event studies in other research areas, the use in supply chain management research is limited-but growing. However, there remain several important research design considerations that must be accounted for over the process of planning, executing, and writing event studies. Because of this, many issues and sources of uncertainty emerge among students and early researchers. There is a need for a comprehensive guide to these common issues and how to address them, delving into the nuances and steps to take. Applied Guide for Event Study Research in Supply Chain Management supports graduate students and researchers to understand how to develop, execute, and publish event studies, specifically in the area of supply chain management, with valuable support for wider management studies. This book anticipates many reviewer and editorial concerns and questions and explores how to design a study that addresses issues before they arise, or how to tackle the issue during the review process. Covering topics such as alternative study designs, event study methods, and interpreting research results, this premier reference source is an indispensable resource for students and faculty of higher education, business executives and managers, librarians, government officials, researchers, and academicians.

Drawing upon current cutting-edge theories, knowledge and research findings, this Handbook provides an analysis of the interaction between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurs and financial institutions globally. The contributors consider regional and international perspectives within and between Europe, North America, New Zealand, the Middle East, as well as South, Central and East Asia on a chapter-by-chapter basis. In so doing, they provide a contextualized, up-to-date snapshot of research into entrepreneurial finance across the world. This book is aimed at both established and emergent researchers, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students looking for avenues of future research into entrepreneurial finance. It will also be of use to policymakers and practitioners seeking a global perspective in their work. Contributors: M. Akoorie, H. Al-Dajani, R. Baldock, Z. Bika, T. Botelho, C.G. Brush, D. Deakins, D. Demirba , S. Demirba , L.F. Edelman, R.T. Harrison, S. Heilbrunn, J.G. Hussain, N. Kushnirovich, J. Li, C. Mac an Bhaird, S. Mahmood, T.S. Manolova, C. Mason, H. Matlay, M. Nitani, D. North, I. Peiris, A. Riding, N. Sandhu, J.M. Scott, P. Sinha, M. Subalova, S. Talbot, G. Whittam

Human resource management as a field of research is a broad church, with a wide variety of research methods in use. This Handbook focuses on qualitative research methods and explores the opportunities and challenges of new technologies for innovating data collection and data analysis. The editors have brought together 18 chapters, written by some of the world's leading researchers in their field. They begin with the importance of good project design and then move on to reflect on innovations and developments in data sources, such as netnographical methods, legal research methods, the use of news media, and historical research. They go on to outline innovations in data collection methods with particular pertinence to key HRM topics. Finally, the contributors explore innovative data analysis, looking at the importance of computer-supported qualitative research, causal cognitive mapping and deriving behavioural role descriptions from the perspectives of job-holders. This Handbook is an invaluable tool for students, researchers and academics in the field of human resource management. Contributors: P. Ackers, S. Branch, R. Cameron, C. Cassell, G. Clarkson, J. Cogin, J. Ewart, M.T. Hardin, M. Humphreys, R. Johnstone, M. Learmonth, D. Lewin, R. Loudoun, F. Malik, A. McDowall, J.L. Ng, W. Nienhueser, L.S. Radcliffe, S. Ramsay, J. Richards, C. Rojon, S. Sambrook, M.N.K. Saunders, K. Townsend, K.L. Unsworth, R. Winter

'The Editors have produced a tour de force on Middle Eastern human resource management (HRM). They brought together a vast array of regional and global experts to capture all that is worth knowing. The book has an innovative contextual-country-thematic structure. It sets the scene by laying out the cultural and societal issues that shape HRM in the Middle East. There is detailed and comparative coverage of eight of the major economies, followed by a superb set of discussions of thematic issues that range from localisation to expatriation, from public sector management to privatisation, and from employee relations to talent management.' - Paul Sparrow, Lancaster University Management School, UK The Handbook of Human Resource Management in the Middle-East provides evidence-based information regarding the dynamics of HRM in this important region. The book is organized into three parts: contextual and functional issues such as societal and cultural perspectives, performance management and talent management; country specific HRM covering the GCC, Levant and North African nations; and emerging themes such as HR issues related to domestic workers, labour localisation, expatriate management, corporate social responsibility, wasta, foreign and public sector firms. This systematic analysis highlights the main forces determining HRM systems in the region. Its 23 chapters move from a general overview of HRM in the Middle-East to a research-based presentation and discussion on the current status, role and strategic importance of the HR function in a wide-range of settings, before highlighting emerging themes in HRM models and discussing future challenges for research, policy and practice. The Handbook of Human Resource Management is invaluable reading for academics and students alike, especially those interested in international and comparative human resource management. Practitioners with interest in the Middle East will appreciate its up-to-date analysis and contextualisation of HRM issues. Contributors include: F. Afiouni, K. Al-Ajmi, R. Al Amri, F.B. AL-Husan, M. Al-Jahwari, R.E. Bateman, P.S. Budhwar, N. Cornelius, B. Covarrubias Venegas, A. El Dirani, G. El-Kot, A. Elamin, A. Giangreco, A.J. Glaister, C. Guermat, E.C. Harrison, W. Harry, A. Haslberger, A. Hassi, M. Hirekhan, D. Jamali, R. Mahmoudi, K. Mellahi, D.R. Murtada, S. Nakhle, P. Namazie, Y.A. Nasief, A.M. Pahlavnejad, E. Pezet, S. Raheem, B. Ramdani, S. Sayce, S. Singh, D.P. Spicer, M. Ta Amnha, H.A. Tlaiss, O. Tregaskis, J. Vakkayil, M.F. Waxin

Engaging and innovative, User Generated Law offers a new perspective on the study of intellectual property law. Shifting research away from the study of statutory law, contributions from leading scholars explore why and how self-regulation of intellectual property rights in a knowledge society emerges and develops. Analyzing examples of self-regulation in the intellectual property law-based industries such as collective management of copyrights and patent rights, open source licenses, domain name law and enforcement of intellectual property rights, this book evaluates to what extent user generated law is an accurate model for explaining and understanding this process. It also considers its interaction with the framework conditions of the statutory law upon which it is built and the subsequent redefinition of legal positions for affected parties. With its original stance on understanding and construing intellectual property law, User Generated Law will appeal to students and scholars studying in this area as well as in legal governance and legal theory. Its evaluative approach also lends itself to policy makers and practitioners. Contributors include: O. Kokoulina, B. Lundqvist, M.J. Madison, T. Minssen, C.S. Petersen, T. Riis, O.-A. Rognstad, J. Schovsbo, S.F. Schwemer, H. Udsen, E. van Zimmeren

Effective Security Management, Seventh Edition teaches practicing security professionals how to build their careers by mastering the fundamentals of good management. Charles Sennewald and Curtis Baillie bring common sense, wisdom and humor to this bestselling introduction to security management. For both new and experienced security managers, this resource is the classic book on the topic.

Generate Better, Faster Results-- Using Less Capital and Fewer Resources

" "The High-Velocity Edge"] contains ideas that form the basis for structured continuous learning and improvement in every aspect of our lives. While this book is tailored to business leaders, it should be read by high school seniors, college students, and those already in the workforce. With the broad societal application of these ideas, we can achieve levels of accomplishment not even imagined by most people."
The Honorable Paul H. O'Neill, former CEO and Chairman, Alcoa, and Former Secretary of the Treasury

"Some firms outperform competitors in many ways at once--cost, speed, innovation, service. How? Steve Spear opened my eyes to the secret of systemizing innovation: taking it from the occasional, unpredictable 'stroke of genius' to something you and your people do month-in, month-out to outdistance rivals."
Scott D. Cook, founder and Chairman of the Executive Committee, Intuit, Inc.

"Steven Spear connects a deep study of systems with practical management insights and does it better than any organizational scholar I know. This] is a profoundly important book that will challenge and inspire executives in all industries to think more clearly about the technical and social foundations of organizational excellence."
Donald M. Berwick, M.D., M.P.P., President and CEO, Institute for Healthcare Improvement

About the Book

How can some companies perform so well that their industry counterparts are competitors in name only? Although they operate in the same industry, serve the same market, and even use the same suppliers, these extraordinary, high-velocity organizations consistently outperform all the competition--and, more importantly, continually widen their leads.

In "The High-Velocity Edge," the reissued edition of five-time Shingo Prize winner Steven J. Spear's critically acclaimed book "Chasing the Rabbit," Spear describes what sets market-dominating companies apart and provides a detailed framework you can leverage to surge to the lead in your own industry. Spear examines the internal operations of dominant organizations across a wide spectrum of industries, from technology to design and from manufacturing to health care.

While he investigates several great operational triumphs, like top-tier teaching hospitals' fantastic improvements in quality of care, Pratt & Whitney's competitive gains in jet engine design, and the U.S. Navy's breakthroughs in inventing and applying nuclear propulsion, "The High-Velocity Edge" is not just about the adoration of success. It also takes a critical look at some of the operational missteps that have humbled even the most reputable and respected of companies and organizations. The decades-long prominence of Toyota, for example, is contrasted with the many factors leading to the automaker's sweeping 2010 product recalls. Taken together, these multiple perspectives and in-depth case studies show how to: Build a system of "dynamic discovery" designed to reveal operational problems and weaknesses as they arise Attack and solve problems when and where they occur, converting weaknesses into strengths Disseminate knowledge gained from solving local problems throughout the company as a whole Create managers invested in developing everyone's capacity to continually innovate and improve

Whatever kind of company you operate-- from technology to fi nance to healthcare-- mastery of these four key capabilities will put you on the fast track to operational excellence, where you will generate faster, better results--using less capital and fewer resources.

Apply the lessons of Steven J. Spear and gain a high-velocity edge over every competitor in your industry.