Perfect for fans of Portia MacIntosh, Milly Johnson and Sophie Kinsella. Daisy's life is going nowhere, but that's just how she likes it. Unable to move on from the tragic accident that killed her parents ten years ago, she's living each day as it comes. After all, what's the point of plans and dreams if one random event can rip them all from you? She's quite comfortable with her dead-end job and her lacklustre love life, thank you. When she and her sister inherit a run-down cafe from a distant relative, her first instinct is to sell it. She doesn't know anything about running a business, so the idea of taking it on and trying to turn it around is way too much of a risk. However, chef Matt has other ideas, and it's not long before his infectious passion for the place starts to rub off on her. Will she be able to save the cafe, or will the cafe end up saving her?

Over the past few decades, alliance and networks have been generally examined individually. This Handbook sheds new light on this research by combining the two topics and focuses on highlighting their similarities. The expert contributors discuss topics surrounding the state-of-the-art in alliance and network research such as organizing opportunities in international entrepreneurship; transaction costs in alliances and joint ventures; diaspora networks; and national culture and international alliances. They go on to look at conceptual developments relating to born globals; subsidiary performance; internationalisation; and knowledge transfer and organisational learning. Finally, they present empirical evidence of international alliances and networks. They combine diverse types of studies including literature reviews, conceptual papers and empirical studies in order to provide the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the topic. Researchers with an interest in joint ventures and alliance and networks, along with students and academics of international business will find this book to be a valuable resource. Contributors: S. Andersson, U. Andersson, A. Arslan, G.B. Awuah, P Ekman, M. Elo, C. Erixon, N. Evers, P.N. Ghauri, M. Hilmersson, M. Hsia-Wen Ho, M. Johanson, V. Kaartemo, J. Larimo, C. Lopez-Duarte, H. Lundberg, T. Mainela, H. Makkonen, M. Marinov, S.T. Marinova, L.-G. Mattsson, H. Merchant, K.E. Meyer, N. Mirc, N. Nummela, R. Olkkonen, U.F. Ott, S. Papaioannou, E. Pernu, V. Puhakka, P.A. Ryan, S. Saarenketo, A. Salmi, P. Servais, A. Smith, A. Thyr, L. Torkkeli, P. Very, M.M. Vidal-Suarez, Y. Wang

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

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Chinese multinationals have grown in size and increased their global presence dramatically over the last decade. They have emerged as formidable competitors for western incumbents. These firms have instigated profound changes, such as displaced trade and investment flows, new business models, and the emergence of a new geography of global innovation. In a single volume, The Era of Chinese Multinationals captures the forces driving the disruptive growth of Chinese multinational corporations. Following a presentation of the surge of Chinese companies, the book turns to corporate characteristics of those firms and how they compare with western multinationals in terms of revenues, profits, branding, and business strategy. The book uses data and case studies to depict the relevant issues with the goal of providing insights to global executives on collaborating and competing with Chinese companies.

Recognizing how the lines between digital and traditional forms of entrepreneurship are blurring, this forward-thinking book combines digital technology and entrepreneurship perspectives to advance knowledge on this paradigm-shifting typology of entrepreneurship. Kisito Futonge Nzembayie and Anthony Paul Buckley explore how in the digital age, the micro-level activities of digital entrepreneurs in new venture creation continue to digitally transform and disrupt economic systems at macro-levels. As digital entrepreneurship and other typologies of entrepreneurship in the digital age become increasingly conceptually fuzzy, the book sets out to define the digital entrepreneurship domain; what it is and why it is distinctive and disruptive. It concludes by offering a pragmatic framework for digital entrepreneurship implementation and demonstrates how the authors have put this into practice in their own work. Placing digital entrepreneurship in its conceptual and historical context, the book provides a clear understanding of the mechanisms driving the digital entrepreneurial process and practical tools to help nurture and develop new digital ventures. It will be valuable reading for business scholars and students interested in the role of technology in their field. Business managers and practitioners will also benefit from the book's guidelines and analytical tools.

Network industries such as electricity, gas, rail, local public transport, telecommunications and postal services are recognised by the EU as crucial for fostering European social and territorial cohesion. Providing an overview of key policy reforms in these industries and an empirical evaluation, this thought-provoking book offers a critical perspective on the functioning of the networks that provide vital services to EU citizens. Key features include: analysis of policy reforms and their effects on the welfare of citizens as users an innovative focus on the neglected topic of the role of state-owned or state-invested enterprises assessment of changes in policy framework reform from the consumer's point of view a comparative country analysis evaluation of cross-cutting issues related to reform including privatisation, unbundling, performance and impact. The Reform of Network Industries will appeal to academic researchers in the fields of industrial economics, policy and regulation and the economics of European integration, as well as students of business and law. Policymakers, regulators and public administrators will also find this book a stimulating read. Contributors include: P. Bance, R. Cardinale, P. Castelnovo, A. Chassy, S. Clo, A. Cosic, L. Diestelmeier, J. Doleschel, S. Drufuca, G. Esposito, M. Florio, S. Groenblom, R. Hirsch, T. Holvad, T. Kaloud, M. Lampropoulou, A. Maxim, A. Negrelli, T.A. Nguyen, N. Rosetto, A. Roukouni, R.P. Sanchez, S. Thomas, J. Urban-Kozlowska, J. Willner