'An important and timely book' from the Foreword by Stanley Johnson 'A complete and absorbing history of a decade of intense international politics offers many insights for future negotiators of sustainable solutions' Stephen Bass, International Institute for Environment and Development 'Skillfully navigates the jungle of forest politics, leaving us in no doubt that the verbal commitment to save the world's forests has yet to be translated into action on the ground. The way forward must clearly lie in political commitments and international cooperation if forests are to continue to preserve life on Earth' Francis Sullivan, World Wide Fund for Nature Global deforestation and its attendant processes - including soil degradation, climate change and the loss of biological diversity - emerged as international political issues during the 1980s, prompting politicians to seek consensus on programmes and policies for the conservation and sustainable management of forests. Yet global initiatives have been bedevilled by tensions between the North and South and between governments, industry, local communities and indigenous peoples. Meanwhile, rates of deforestation in the tropics are increasing, and international political efforts are demonstrably failing. Forest Politics carefully traces the evolution of international cooperation on forests, from the inception of the controversial International Tropical Timber Organization and the failed Tropical Forestry Action Programme in the mid-1980s, to the creation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests in the mid-1990s. The book also provides a detailed analysis of the negotiating stances of the parties involved in the divisive negotiations that rook place prior to the 1992 'Earth Summit' in Rio de Janeiro and the equally factious negotiations for the International Tropical Timber Agreement of 1994. It provides a fascinating insight into the nature of such processes, illustrating the difficulties that arise when concepts such as 'global commons' come into conflict with national sovereignty. Complete with annexes of important political documents, and making extensive use of primary source material and interviews with participants. Forest Politics presents case studies of all the major forest negotiations over the last 13 years. It is an essential reference point for policy makers, environmental campaigners and students, and required reading for all those who care about the future of the world's forests. David Humphreys is Research Fellow in Global Environmental Change at the Open University. Originally published in 1996

This book aims to present specific complicated and puzzling challenges encountered for application of the Finite Element Method (FEM) in solving Structural Engineering problems by using ABAQUS software, which can fully utilize this method in complex simulation and analysis. Therefore, an attempt has been to demonstrate the all process for modeling and analysis of impenetrable problems through simplified step by step illustrations with presenting screenshots from software in each part and also showing graphs. Farzad Hejazi is the Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University Putra Malaysia (UPM), and a Senior Visiting Academic at the University of Sheffield, UK. Hojjat Mohammadi Esfahani,an expert on Finite Element Simulation,has more than 10 years of experience in the teaching and training of Finite Element packages, such as ABAQUS.

In an era of globalization, private markets are expected to dominate the distribution of goods worldwide. Yet surprisingly little empirical work is conducted on them. The sensitive and secret nature of trading information, the complexity of real markets and the lack of official data other than that on price can all cause problems. This book seeks to overcome these in examining arguably the most difficult markets of all - agricultural markets under conditions of underdevelopment. Case-studies from nine countries covering all three underdeveloped continents offer a comprehensive overview of the lessons to be learnt from field experience.

Plant Factory: An Indoor Vertical Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production, Second Edition presents a comprehensive look at the implementation of plant factory (PF) practices to yield food crops for both improved food security and environmental sustainability. Edited and authored by leading experts in PF and controlled environment agriculture (CEA), the book is divided into five sections, including an Overview and the Concept of Closed Plant Production Systems (CPPS), the Basics of Physics and Physiology - Environments and Their Effects, System Design, Construction, Cultivation and Management and Plant Factories in Operation. In addition to new coverage on the rapid advancement of LED technology and its application in indoor vertical farming, other revisions to the new edition include updated information on the status of business R&D and selected commercial PFALs (plant factory with artificial lighting). Additional updates include those focused on micro and mini-PFALs for improving the quality of life in urban areas, the physics and physiology of light, the impact of PFAL on the medicinal components of plants, and the system design, construction, cultivation and management issues related to transplant production within closed systems, photoautotrophic micro-propagation and education, training and intensive business forums on PFs.

This book provides an up-to-date assessment of sustainable agri-food systems and rural development in the Mediterranean countries. It examines and reviews the impact of EU and national policies on environmental and trade issues in agricultural and rural organizations in the southern and eastern Mediterranean region. The book also reflects key socio-economic and political issues such as resource management, income distribution, employment and migration trends, and sustainability aspects. It demonstrates technical and methodological tools used for the analysis and explains their application. The book presents the collective work of a research consortium funded by an EU (FP7) project.

The depletion of the tropical rain forests has attracted considerable attention in recent times, and the serious consequences for the global biosphere are widely acknowledged. Yet deforestation continues apace, and in some areas (for example, southeast Asia) the very existence of the forests is seriously threatened. Contrary to popular belief, evidence suggests that local economic and living conditions are more significant in this than timber exploitation for exports to the Northern countries."Tropical Deforestation: A Socio-Economic Approach" offers a new perspective on the economic imperatives which encourage indigenous populations to encroach upon their own forests, and shows how action against deforestation must form part of a wider movement to improve both the living conditions of the local inhabitants and the durability of their national economies.Part One offers an overview of the processes surrounding deforestation, and an assessment of the current situation. Part Two analyses the land-use issues, and explains the socioeconomic imperatives in the affected regions. In an absorbing conclusion. Part Three guides the reader through a series of hypothetical policy scenarios, using a specially adapted economic computer model, to predict which combinations of policies and trade arrangements might bring about a more beneficial state of affairs.

This book highlights various methods of quantifying sustainability indicators in the food sector, highlighting the environmental indicators in the meat chain and agri-food wastes from a bio-refinery perspective. Numerous sustainability indicators that encompass all three pillars - economic, environmental and social areas - as well as individual and joint indicators (e.g. environmental and social) have been developed and quantified to date. Some of these indicators can be utilised for any industrial sector, while others are sector-specific. Behind each indicator developed, there is a unique scientific model, method or assessment technique. This book enumerates these indicators, providing details such as the concept, development methodology, assessment technique, and applications, mainly in the food industry.

Contents:
Waterjetting fundamentals: Introduction. Terminology. What is a waterjet? Where did waterjets come from? How are waterjets used? Why are waterjets used? What is this book planning on doing?
Design of high pressure delivery circuits: Introduction. Example of energy efficiency; Energy input to the motor; Input power to the pump; Output power from the pump to the water; Output power supplied to the jet at the nozzle; Delivered power at the surface. Pump choices; Triplex and positive displacement pumps; Intensifier designs; Water cannons and ultra-high pressure systems. Power calculations. Pump selection criteria. Transmitting the energy. Nozzle considerations; Nozzle size; Nozzle performance; Nozzle design; Nozzle evaluation techniques; High pressure cutting nozzles; Waterjet cleaning nozzles; Droplet impact; The choice between round and fan-jet nozzles. Supply line and fittings; Component pressure losses; Procedure for evaluating friction loss; Flow straighteners. Delivering the energy. Using the energy. Notes and references.
The use of waterjets in cleaning applications: Introduction. Earlier and competing methods of cleaning; Airborne abrasive cleaning; air abrasive nozzle design and manufacture; Cleaning effectiveness; Angle of impact; Airborne abrasive machining; Abrasive use; Steam powered systems. Low pressure waterjet cleaning. Cleaning tubes, pipes and sewers; Cleaning small tubes; Moleing; Cleaning larger diameter tubes; Sewer cleaning. Parameter control for effective cleaning. Cleaning tanks and large surfaces; Hand-held equipment; Underwater cleaning. Advent of high preesure; Round and fan nozzles revisited; Cleaning radio-active pipes; Runway cleaning. Abrasive jet cleaning systems. Cleaning additives. Underwater applications. Lessons for use. Notes and references.
High pressure industrial waterjet cutting: Introduction. Background. Equipment for industrial applications; Activation valve and catcher; Inlet water treatment. Nozzle and part positioning-robotic use; Robots and their control; Accuracy and precision; Case studies of X-Y cutting. Multi-dimensional cutting; Considerations in the use of industrial waterjet cutting; Explosive material processing; Cut edge quality. Techniques for cutting harder materials; Non-traditional machining; Laser machining; Plasma torch; Electric discharge machining; Electrochemical machining; Ultrasonic machining; Abrasive flow machining; Comparisons of performance. Abrasive water cutting; Nozzle design; Abrasive jet case studies; Operational considerations; Glass cutting. Intermediate pressure abrasive jet cutting. Direct injection of abrasive; DIAjet case study; Underwater applications. Future technology; Waterjet machining; Waterjet assisted machine tool cutting. Notes and references.
Waterjets in civil engineering applications: Introduction. Earth moving applications; Soil removal in California during the gold rush; The extraction of clay and monitor design; Soviet experience in soil removal; Tunnelling in soft material; Reduced flow rate studies. The mechanism of soil removal; Frozen soil and the change in cutting mechanism; Cutting and removal of ice. Applications of waterjets in soil excavation; Excavation of the Bar-Lev line; Soil excavation and barrier walls; Grout walls and artificial pile construction; horizontal hole drilling; Joint and gap cleaning; Soil and turf penetration; Waterjet assisted earth plow. Concrete cutting and hydrodemolition; The initial study; Establishing the parameters; High pressure single pulse units; Continuous high pressure low flow systems; Continuous medium pressure flow systems; Case histories; Injection of abrasive for concrete cutting; Cutting concrete with cavitation; Notes and references.
The use of waterjets in mining: Introduction. Coal mining development; Soviet Developments; Trials in the United Kingdom; Developments in the United States; Higher pressure coal mining research; 450 MPa system for room and pillar coal mining; 330 MPa system for room and pillar coal mining; 70 MPa system for longwall coal mining; 70 MPa system for room and pillar coal mining. Japanese operations; Chinese hydraulic mining; Canadian hydraulic mining experience; German hydraulic mining experience; Polish experiments. Borehole mining. Notes and references.
Waterjet use in rock cutting: Rock disaggregation. Development of water cannons. Very high pressure continuous jets. Mechanisms of material removal; Jet impact on a rock; The effect of equipment parameters; The effect of rock properties. Applications of waterjets in cutting rock. Notes and references.
Waterjet drilling systems: Early drilling development. Waterjet drilling of rock bolt holes. Canadian waterjet drill bit design. Waterjet assisted percussive drilling. Waterjet drilling in coal and adjacent rock. Waterjets in oilwell drilling. Round the corner drilling. Borehole modification. Abrasive waterjet drilling. References.
Jet assisted mechanical cutting: Introduction and definitions. Mechanically assisted waterjet cutting. Waterjet assisted mechanical cutting equipment. Jet assisted cutting of coal. References.
Enhancing waterjet performance: Introduction. Enhancing the delivered jet power; The use of a sheath around a jet; Water chemistry changes; The introduction of long chain polymers. The accumulation of waterjet pressure; Pulsating waterjets; Self-resonating pulsating jets; Focussing multiple jets to generate higher pressures. The generation of cavitation with waterjets; The mechanisms of cavitation attack; ASTM cavitation test; Cavitation sheathing; The stationary specimen test; Cavitation in a flow channel; The Lichtarowicz cell; The travelling specimen test; Applications of cavitating jets; Shock loading. Spark generated jets. The introduction of abrasives into waterjets; The mechanisms of material removal; Ductile material removal; Brittle material removal; Considerations in mixing chamber design; Abrasive jet parameter effects; Choice of abrasives; DIAjet abrasive waterjet cutting; Modelling of abrasive jet cutting. Thermal pre-weakening with waterjets. Comment and references.
Theoretical considerations: Introduction. Jet energy considerations. Early theoretical approaches. Powell and Simpson's theory. Foreman and Secor's theory. Crow's theory. Rehbinder's theory. Energy input & crack growth considerations. References.
Safety, health and medical applications: Introduction. Damaging jet pressures; Possible damage mechanisms; Needle-less injection systems. Other safety considerations. The role of training. Medical applications. Comments and references.

Assessing Forest Ecosystem Health in the Inland West is a thorough reference for policymakers, resource managers, environmentalists, students, and anyone interested in using ecosystem management as a tool to address forest health problems in the Inland West. The book provides the reader with a survey of current conditions in the Inland West, their historical origins, assessments of available management tools, and analyses of the various choices available to policymakers. Its goal is to help people understand the Inland West forests so that public policies can reflect a constructive and realistic framework in which forests can be managed for sustained health. This resource is the product of a scientific workshop where 35 participants, including scientists, resource managers, administrators, and environmentalists, addressed the forest health problem in the Inland West. Synthesis chapters integrate the diverse knowledge and experience which participants brought to the workshop. They identify and link together many of the ecological, social, and administrative conditions which have created the forest health problem in the West. The book is unique in that it reflects a process that fostered the use of academic research, field realities, and industrial knowledge to define an interdisciplinary problem, establish rational policy objectives, and set-up "do-able" management approaches.The following topics are analyzed: Assessing forest ecosystem health in the Inland West Historical and anticipated changes in forest ecosystems in the Inland West Defining and measuring forest health Historical range of variability as a tool for evaluating ecosystem change Administrative barriers to implementing forest health problems Economic and social dimensions of the forest health problem Fire management Ecosystem and landscape managementAssessing Forest Ecosystem Health in the Inland West will help facilitate sound resource planning because it brings together the problems facing the Inland West from an interdisciplinary perspective. This approach allows resource managers and policymakers creativity in planning and implementing strategies to confront forest health problems in the Inland West ecosystems.

- Natural scientists, social scientists and humanists to assess if (or how) we may begin to coexist harmoniously with the mosquito. - Chapters assess polarizing arguments for conserving and preserving mosquitoes, as well as for controlling and killing them, elaborating on possible consequences of both strategies. - This book provides informed answers to the dual question: could we eliminate mosquitoes, and should we? Offering insights spanning the technical to the philosophical, this is the 'go to' book for exploring humanity's many relationships with the mosquito-which becomes a journey to finding better ways to inhabit the natural world.

For centuries, denuded landscapes, fouled streams, and dirty air were accepted by society as part of the price that had to be paid for mineral production. Even initial environmental legislation devised by industrialized countries in the 1960s and 1970s was largely designed without mining in mind. And developing countries had little in the way of environmental policy. With the advent of sustainability in the 1990s, times have changed. Today's economic development, many now feel, must not come at the expense of an environmentally degraded future. Current policies toward mining are under rigorous review, and mineral-rich developing countries are designing environmental policies where none existed before. In Mining and the Environment, noted analysts offer viewpoints from Australia, Chile, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European community on issues and challenges of metal mining.

Key Features: Provides botanical descriptions, distribution and pharmacological investigations of notable medicinal and herbal plants used to prevent or treat diabetes. Discusses phytochemical and polyherbal formulations for the management of diabetes and other related complications. Contains reports on antidiabetic plants and their potential uses in drug discovery based on their bioactive molecules.

Growers, packers, processors, and distributors of apples who wish to survive into the twenty-first century need to understand that they are now operating in an interconnected world market. The World Apple Market explains in lay terms the economics of the changes taking place in each phase of the apple business and assists firms in weighing decisions on organization, adoption of new technology, distribution systems and other crucial areas, allowing them to adjust operations and refocus their activities for the future.Readers will find the best available data on current industry operations and practices in this book, which is helpful to both established firms and new operators in reviewing their practices. Author A. Desmond O?Rourke describes evolving world apple supply and demand, changing distribution systems, and governmental and other societal pressure to which the industry must respond. Throughout, the book focuses on the economic forces which affect firm and industry profitability and evenmore specifically, it focuses on how to maintain cost efficiency while maintaining the quality of a perishable product.The World Apple Market explains the economics of practical decisionmaking at every level of the apple industry. This is crucial information for managers of operations that grow, pack, process, and market apples. As changes in market demand, distribution systems, and government regulation continue to alter the environment for decisionmaking, this book assists all involved in the apple market from researchers and extension agents, to industry associations, suppliers, and apple promoters, to government planners, students planning to enter the apple industry, and investors weighing thefeasibility of participating in the industry at any level.

Economics of Aquaculture presents basic economic theory in a concise and logical format which is easily adaptable to practical application. Examples of economic solutions to common problems help you understand the need for economic application to aquaculture and the success that may come with sound economic planning and management. It also provides coverage of virtually all basic principles of microeconomics, farm management finance, and marketing applicable to the aquacultural industry. You will "walk" through the intricate maze of decisions which are necessary for success in the business environment.The regular and on-going business of aquacultural production and marketing is addressed as a continuous problem set for the student or producer. Business decisions are shown to be logical extensions of those in production and vice versa. A successful producer must be a successful business person if production is to remain an option. Thus, the real and logical need for economics in production is carefully presented.Additionally, producers and students alike will find that application of careful economic planning results in long-term viability for individual producers as well as community projects, cooperatives, or even governmental projects. Special sections in the book illustrate the savings or costs of right and wrong decisions as well as those related to short versus longer term planning and investment. Other topics covered in this book include: role of aquaculture in economic development fish demand and supply farm management and operation time value of money in the short- and long-term capital budgeting market structure and price theory government in aquacultureAlong with students, other readers will find the business help they need in Economics of Aquaculture. Professional aquaculturalists will find the topics of basic production economics, marketing, and cost analysis particularly relevant and governmental administrators will find the presentation of basic principles, time value of money, capital budgeting, and the role of government in aquaculture a valuable resource for years to come.

Agricultural Productivity: Measurement and Sources of Growth addresses measurement issues and techniques in agricultural productivity analysis, applying those techniques to recently published data sets for American agriculture. The data sets are used to estimate and explain state level productivity and efficiency differences, and to test different approaches to productivity measurement. The rise in agricultural productivity is the single most important source of economic growth in the U.S. farm sector, and the rate of productivity growth is estimated to be higher in agriculture than in the non-farm sector. It is important to understand productivity sources and to measure its growth properly, including the effects of environmental externalities.

Both the methods and the data can be accessed by economists at the state level to conduct analyses for their own states. In a sense, although not explicitly, the book provides a guide to using the productivity data available on the website of the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Economic Research Service. It should be of interest to a broad spectrum of professionals in academia, the government, and the private sector.

In the past 13 years since the publication of Longwall Mining, 2nd edition in 2006, although there have been no major changes in longwall mining technology and operations, many incremental developments in the whole system as well as various subsystems of the existing longwall mining operational technologies as detailed in the 2nd edition have been added to this edition. Major developments are automation, and health and safety technology, as well as equipment reliability, thereby greatly increasing productivity and cutting cost. In particular, the longwall system can now run automatically cut by cut forever without operators' intervention provided that the geology allows it. Other health and safety features such as LASC, personal proximity detection, color lighting, automatic shield water sprays and remote shearer control are fully operational. There are more than 7000 sensors installed in current longwall mining systems. The big data obtained and fast communication technology have been fully utilized to improve and solve operational problems in real time. Those features are fully documented in the new edition. In pursuit of high productivity and cutting cost, life cycle management that increases equipment reliability has been implemented by OEM. Automation improvement such as tail-end automatic chain tensioner greatly extends AFC chain's service life. Other incremental improvements including dust and methane controls, entry development, panel design and face move are addressed. Additional operational issues such as extension of panel width and compatibility test are also discussed. Since the last plow longwall mine was closed in 2018, the chapter on plow longwalling has been dropped and in its place Automation of Longwall Components and System is added. Also, a new chapter Longwall Top Coal Caving Mining (LTCC) is added due to its successful application in Australia since 2005. Longwall Mining, 3rd edition will be of interest to professionals and academics in the field of mining engineering specifically, serving both as a reference work and an (under)graduate textbook, but will also interest civil, geomechanical and geological engineers and rock mechanics professionals, as well as coal operators, mining consultants, researchers, equipment manufacturers, and government regulators.

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters. This book looks at a range of topics covering a variety of animals, including how macaques teach their offspring, how rats transmit avoidance behavior, how supplementary feeding of tree frogs affects their breeding behavior, and more. Studies in animal behavior can have far-reaching implications for animals and humans alike, such as how humans can improve conservation efforts, how to better protect animals-both in the wild and in captivity (zoos), and what can be learned about humans from animals, such as how the human brain and behaviors might work.

The agricultural and rural crisis besetting Africa is the result of both policy failures and inadequacies and the product of structural rigidities inhibiting access to and control of vital resources. The challenge of leadership in the agricultural sector is how to design and implement policies which would help induce growth and development in this sector. It is against this background that the Africa Leadership Forum convened in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria in July of 1989 to explore a broad range of parameters to be addressed in the formulation of successful policies. This volume is derived from papers submitted and presentations made. The book provides the main conclusions and recommendations which emanated from the conference. They highlight a series of actions which must be taken in such areas as women in agriculture, small-scale farmers, agribusiness, subsidies, human capital, and linkages between international and national research anbd energy. Other topics include - Africa's security situation; social and economic factors, ecology, and social engineering; dietary patterns in Africa; pest management; agricultural practice; and international organizations. It is aimed at economists, anthropologists, ecologists, agriculturalists, social and political scientists, and all those interested or involved in agricultural production in Africa and other underdeveloped countries.

Since 1993 a major research programme, "Stochastic Decision Analysis in Forest Management" has been running at Department of Economics and Natural Resources, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University (KVL), Copenhagen, in collaboration with Institute of Mathematical Statistics, University of Copenhagen (KU). The research is funded by the two Universities; The Danish Agricultural and Veterinary Research Council; The Danish Research Academy; The National Forest and Nature Agency; and Danish Informatics Network in the Agricultural Sciepces (DINA). A first international workshop in the research programme was held 5 - 8 August, 1996 at Eldrupgaard, Denmark, within the frameworkofacollaborationagreementbetween University of California at Berkeley (UCB) and the Danish Universities, and funded by The Danish Research Academy and the L0venholm Foundation. Having participated in the workshop, Professor Peter Berck (UCB) suggested that the papers be published along with selected papers in the same scientific field, i.e. mainly cointegration analysis of time series in forestry. The editors express their sincere appreciations to the many persons who have contributed to the realisation of the present book: participants in the research programme and the workshop, in particular Professors S0ren Johansen (KU) and Peter Berck (UCB); authors outside the programme/workshop; reviewers of the papers not previously published, in particuler Associate Professors Niels Haldrup (Aarhus University) and Henrik Hansen (KVL); and finally Mrs Mette Riis and Lizzie Rohde who did the tedious work of giving the papers a uniform style. Copenhagen, October 1998.

This book is the culmination of 45 years of research in fisheries economics by Dr Pontecorvo, and 25 years of similar work by Dr Shrank. The authors are prominent and respected academics in their discipline and have published many papers in relevant journals including Marine Policy. They have also carried out research on behalf of NGOs such as the FAO and the Canadian and US government (see Attachment 1 for author CVs).
The potential audience for this book is very broad, though the main audience will be academics working in the area of natural resource management especially fisheries, economics, business & management, environmental policy, conservation and development. In addition, those working in fisheries management for government bodies, and NGOs such as the International Institute for Fisheries and Trade, the European Association of Fishery Economists, the FAO and the UN, will be interested in this book.

The book presents expert assessments of modern opportunities for fisheries and aquaculture in terms of economic efficiency, the state of fishery reservoirs, and the state of ichthyocenoses. The purpose of this book is to provide interested parties (government bodies, representatives of business, science and civil society) with information about modern solutions in the field of aquatic biological resources management, the state of aquatic ecosystems and fish stocks, and modern and promising technologies in aquaculture and fisheries. The book contains an assessment of the state and recommendations for the restoration of natural aquatic ecosystems, an analysis of the state of fisheries and aquaculture in inland waters, taking into account regional characteristics, the development of a methodology for assessing freshwater fish stocks, information on advanced technologies in cage aquaculture in reservoirs and lakes and in circulation systems, data on opportunities for capacity building in small-scale fisheries, and the prospects for establishing a data and information management system for fisheries and aquaculture.

Medicinal Agroecology: Reviews, Case Studies and Research Methodologies presents information on applications of 'green therapies' in restoration towards global sustainability. These practices connect the world of medicinal plants with ecologic farming practice creating a compassionate socio-political worldview and heartfelt scientific research towards food sovereignty and a healthier future on planet Earth. The book communicates benefits of using plant-based solutions to manage the challenges of unsustainable practices in human healthcare, veterinary medicine, agriculture, forestry, and water management. The contributions introduce advances around plants and their active components to potentially treat disease, regulate dysfunction, and balance ecosystems. These practices are explored in further depth through three sections - I. POLICIES & FRAMEWORKS, II. INSIGHTS & OVERVIEWS, III. CASE STUDIES & RESEARCH METHODS. Edited by Immo Fiebrig, Medicinal Agroecology: Reviews, Case Studies and Research Methodologies appeals to those in various disciplines including agriculture and agroecology, healthcare, environmental sciences, and veterinary medicine.

Social, economic, political, business, and cultural environmental factors affect the international marketing operation and performance of international firms. This highly insightful volume focuses on four of the most significant forces with which companies must deal on an international level--macro international marketing issues, sociopolitical international marketing issues, international marketing strategies, and special international marketing topics. Within this framework, experts examine the impact of two major environmental factors, namely the social and political conditions, on international companies to adopt corresponding marketing techniques and practices in different international markets. They also explore how specific details of a country, such as income level, cultural attributes, consumer characteristics, laws, and politics, influence the market potential of international firms and thus the scale of the company operations. Indispensable reading for scholars, economists, and business people who are interested in marketing on a global scale.