The past twenty years have seen two waves of research on currency unions, prompted by the early experience of the European Economic and Monetary Union and by the existential crisis experienced by the euro area as a strand of the global financial crisis. The authors explore crucial themes and topics such as optimal currency area theory, the central banks and new views on policy choices, providing a comprehensive and influential review of currency unions.

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. This Advanced Introduction presents the modern theories of corporate finance. Its focus on core concepts offers useful managerial insights, bolstered by recent empirical evidence, to provide a richer understanding of critical corporate financial policy decisions. Key features include: A modern approach to corporate financial theory and evidence Key research presented in a structured manner Concepts explained in an intuitive, example-filled manner that does not require a strong mathematics background Detailed references for those wishing further reading on particular topics. Within business programs, the book offers an insightful introduction for courses on corporate finance, but also can be employed as a supplementary text in broader business courses. Experienced managers in financial functions will find the book a useful review and update of material developed since earning their degrees. Given the increasing use of cross-functional teams within the business community, the book provides a richer understanding of corporate financial policy choices for managers across a broad array of business functions.

No single-volume publication brings together as many diverse and stimulating perspectives on secured financing law as does this EE Research Handbook. Its great strengths are asking hard questions and recognizing how difficult reform is. Contributors report on what works (and what doesn't), drawing on evidence from legal systems less often studied in this context (e.g., Brazil, Morocco). I cannot imagine a researcher in the field who would not be intrigued by analysis of such issues as access of women to secured financing, constraints Shari ah places on use of security devices, and reasons for Russia's meandering path to modernization.' - Peter Winship, SMU Dedman School of Law, USThis cutting-edge Handbook presents an overview of research and thinking in the field of secured financing, examining international standards and best practices of secured transactions law reform and its economic impact. Expert contributors explore the breadth and depth of the subject matter across diverse sectors, and illustrate the choices and trade-offs that policy makers face via a number of illuminating case studies. The book explores groundbreaking research across a comprehensive range of sectors and countries, including new, original analysis of Shari'ah compliant collateral regimes and improved access to finance for women. A diverse group of experts offer cutting-edge points of view as well as case studies from England and Wales, Morocco, Russia and Romania. The result is a unique and wide-ranging examination of secured transactions reform across the world and a valuable resource for researchers, government and development agencies, banks, and law firms. Contributors: J. Armour, S. Bazinas, N. Budd, A. Burtoiu, R. Calnan, F. Dahan, M. Dubovec, L. Gullifer, I. Istuk, T. Johnson, O. Lemseffer, C. de Lima Ramos, J. Lymar, C. Manuel, M.J.T. McMillen, A.P. Menezes, M. Mourahib, E. Murray, N. Nikitina, V. Padurari, J.-H. Roever, M. Uttamchandani, K. van Zwieten, P.R. Wood