The Crypto Market Ecosystem has emerged as the most profound application of blockchain technology in finance. This textbook adopts an integrated approach, linking traditional functions of the current financial system (payments, traded assets, fundraising, regulation) with the respective functions in the crypto market, in order to facilitate the reader in their understanding of how this new ecosystem works. The book walks the reader through the main features of the blockchain technology, the definitions, classifications, and distinct characteristics of cryptocurrencies and tokens, how these are evaluated, how funds are raised in the cryptocurrency ecosystem (ICOs), and what the main regulatory approaches are. The authors have compiled more than 100 sources from different sub-fields of economics, finance, and regulation to create a coherent textbook that provides the reader with a clear and easily understandable picture of the new world of encrypted finance and its applications. The book is primarily aimed at business and finance students, who already have an understanding of the basic principles of how the financial system works, but also targets a more general readership, by virtue of its broader scope and engaging and accessible tone.

This book provides comprehensive and advanced analysis of the characteristics of social entrepreneurship in Europe. It offers innovative, up-todate research on the ecosystems of social entrepreneurship, the behavior of social entrepreneurs, their ability to produce social innovation, social capital and social inclusion, and the role of stakeholders in fostering socially oriented businesses. Moreover, it addresses the diversity of the European social enterprise sector from an evolutionary perspective, with particular reference to the rise of social entrepreneurship and the role of new-generation social entrepreneurs throughout Europe. Multidisciplinary contributions authored by experts from business and accounting, economics, and sociology serve the purpose of delivering a holistic study of social entrepreneurship, also providing the necessary data for delivering policy implications on the features of the most effective enabling social and institutional ecosystems. The broad approach, based on different theoretical frameworks and methodologies across numerous disciplines, enables the authors to tackle all of the complex research issues connected to social entrepreneurship in the region. The book builds on the results of the European Union 7FP (European Union's Research and Innovation funding program for 2007-013)-funded "EFESEIIS - Enabling the flourishing and evolution of social entrepreneurship for innovative and inclusive societies" research project. The central theme of the book is an evolutionary perspective on the dynamics and the rise of the social enterprise in Europe. This evolutionary perspective can be used in an economic as well as a social longitudinal analysis of changing contexts and entrepreneurial practices. The evolutionary perspective will be used as a tool to account for the specificity of developmental pathways in different contexts and countries.

The political economy of research and innovation (R&I) is one of the central issues of the early twenty-first century. 'Science' and 'innovation' are increasingly tasked with driving and reshaping a troubled global economy while also tackling multiple, overlapping global challenges, such as climate change or food security, global pandemics or energy security. But responding to these demands is made more complicated because R&I themselves are changing. Today, new global patterns of R&I are transforming the very structures, institutions and processes of science and innovation, and with it their claims about desirable futures. Our understanding of R&I needs to change accordingly. Responding to this new urgency and uncertainty, this handbook presents a pioneering selection of the growing body of literature that has emerged in recent years at the intersection of science and technology studies and political economy. The central task for this research has been to expose important but consequential misconceptions about the political economy of R&I and to build more insightful approaches. This volume therefore explores the complex interrelations between R&I (both in general and in specific fields) and political economies across a number of key dimensions from health to environment, and universities to the military. The Routledge Handbook of the Political Economy of Science offers a unique collection of texts across a range of issues in this burgeoning and important field from a global selection of top scholars. The handbook is essential reading for students interested in the political economy of science, technology and innovation. It also presents succinct and insightful summaries of the state of the art for more advanced scholars.

It takes 17 years on average to bring new medical treatments ideas into evidence-based clinical practice. The growing replicability crisis in science further delays these "new miracles." Blockchain can improve science and accelerate medical research while bringing a new layer of trust to healthcare. This book is about science, its value to medicine, and how we can use blockchain to improve the quality and impact of both. The book looks at science and medicine from an insider's perspective and describes the processes, successes, shortcomings and opportunities in an accessible way for a broad audience. It weaves this a non-technical look at the emerging world of blockchain technology; what it is, where it is useful, and how it can improve science and medicine. It lays out a roadmap for this application to transform how we develop knowledge about health and medicine to improve our lives. In the first part, Blockchain isn't Tech, the authors look at blockchain/distributed ledger technology along with critical trade-offs and current explorations of its utility. They give an overview of use cases for the technology across industries, including finance, manufacturing and healthcare, with interviews and insights from leaders across government, academia, and tech/health industry both big and start-up. In the second part, Science is Easy, the authors look at science as a process and how this drives advancement in medicine. They shed a light on some of science's shortcomings, including the reproducibility crisis and problems with misaligned incentives (i.e. publish or perish). They apply a breakdown of critical components to the functional steps in the scientific process and outline how the open science movement is looking to improve these, while highlighting the limit of these fixes with current technology, incentives and structure of science. In the third part, DAO of Science, the authors look at how blockchain applied to open science can impact medical research. They examine how this distributed approach can provide better quality science, value-based research and faster medical miracles. Finally, they provide a vision of the future of distributed medical research and give a roadmap of steps to get there.

What do Apple CEO Steve Jobs, comedian Chris Rock, prize-winning architect Frank Gehry, and the story developers at Pixar films all have in common? Bestselling author Peter Sims found that rather than start with a big idea or plan a whole project in advance, they make a methodical series of little bets, learning critical information from lots of little failures and from small but significant wins.
Reporting on a fascinating range of research, from the psychology of creative blocks to the influential field of design thinking, Sims offers engaging and illuminating accounts of breakthrough innovators at work, and a whole new way of thinking about how to navigate uncertain situations and unleash our untapped creative powers.

Using a new, systematic framework, this illuminating book turns ideation into a task anybody with sound logic and a determination to learn can do, and do well, by separating the process from the outcome. In a competitive marketplace, all firms must constantly innovate to create sustained shareholder value. The main roadblock in innovation is ideation: the identification of value-creating ideas, often seen as the work of innately creative people. This first-of-its-kind textbook demonstrates that anyone can ideate through specific logical processes that require no creativity when used, but generate valuable and creative outcomes. To help students master and apply these methods, the book is filled with innovation examples across many sectors that can be explained and recreated using a specific LCT method. The book also includes exercises that enable readers to practice applying each method to solve real life innovation challenges. Upper-level undergraduate and postgraduate students of innovation, creativity, and new product development will appreciate the demystification of ideation into a problem that can be solved by applying a series of rigorous, defined methods that can be followed without ambiguity.

Using a new, systematic framework, this illuminating book turns ideation into a task anybody with sound logic and a determination to learn can do, and do well, by separating the process from the outcome. In a competitive marketplace, all firms must constantly innovate to create sustained shareholder value. The main roadblock in innovation is ideation: the identification of value-creating ideas, often seen as the work of innately creative people. This first-of-its-kind textbook demonstrates that anyone can ideate through specific logical processes that require no creativity when used, but generate valuable and creative outcomes. To help students master and apply these methods, the book is filled with innovation examples across many sectors that can be explained and recreated using a specific LCT method. The book also includes exercises that enable readers to practice applying each method to solve real life innovation challenges. Upper-level undergraduate and postgraduate students of innovation, creativity, and new product development will appreciate the demystification of ideation into a problem that can be solved by applying a series of rigorous, defined methods that can be followed without ambiguity.

Taking the themes of entrepreneurship, start-ups, innovation and collaboration, this book seeks to answer the urgent question of how countries and companies can stay competitive in an ever-changing digital environment. The authors determine which entrepreneurial processes will work for whom and under what circumstances, presenting methodological implications for business research, start-ups and policy making. Examining the success of Germany as an innovation powerhouse, and comparing this with the USA, this edited collection provides valuable ideas for improving practice, facilitating start-up activity, and ultimately ensuring a country's competitive edge.

This book is about internet finance, a concept coined by the authors in 2012. Internet finance deals specifically with the impacts of internet based technologies, such as mobile payments, social networks, search engines, cloud computation, and big data, on the financial sector. Major types of internet finance include third-party payments and mobile payments, internet currency, P2P lending, crowdfunding, and the use of big data in financial activities. Internet finance is highly popular and heavily discussed in China. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang made the healthy development of internet finance a policy priority in 2014 state-of-union address. This book, as a detailed report on internet finance in China, will help readers understand the status quo and development of China's financial system.

Originally published in 1991, this book looks at the problems of applying Western computer programmes to the developing world, arguing that the difficulties are as much cultural as technological. The author shows that the underlying models for computer applications are made up from interpretations of reality which are closely related to Western scientific, technological and cultural development originating from the Renaissance. The book includes a case study of an Egyptian manufacturing company, which reveals the actual problems encountered in the process of computerization.

This book, originally published in 1984, established the need for a strategic managerial response to the new technology, which relies on an understanding of the real effects of technology - on organisational structure, manageemnt style and employee relations. It assesses the impact of the new information technology on manufacturing systems, employment levels and types, industrial relations and finally on marketing and external relationships.

Originally published in 1987, this book explores the history and geography of the computer industry in Britain and the evolution of the market leader firms, STC ICL and IBM (UK). It also examines the rising rate of new firm formation in the 1980s and the technology policies adopted by successive governments and analyses how well the industry is placed to cope with the challenges of technological change and increased international competition.

This book describes the status quo of space science in China, details the scientific questions to be addressed by the Chinese space science community in 2016-2030, and proposes key strategic goals, space science programs and missions, the roadmap and implementation approaches. Further, it explores the supporting technologies needed and provides an outlook of space science beyond the year 2030. "Taikong" means "outer space" in Chinese, and space science is one of the most important areas China plans to develop in the near future. This book is authored by Ji Wu, a leader of China's space science program, together with National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, a leading institute responsible for planning and managing most of China's space science missions. It also embodies the viewpoints shared by many space scientists and experts on future space science development. Through this book, general readers and researchers alike will gain essential insights into the current developments and future prospects of space science in China. Government decision-makers will also find the book a useful reference for strategies and planning in the field of space science.

Structural change is an evolutionary process that is often cumulative within territories, improving the quality of life and achieving higher development levels. At the same time, smart cities, education and social innovation are essential to promoting sustainable development. This book examines regional and entrepreneurial development as a creative and dynamic concept by considering the role of these dimensions in promoting a virtuous cycle for long-term sustainable development.

A practical book for businesspeople that clearly sets out the steps to embrace the digital revolution in talent management practice. Uncovers the important role of digital methods to improve inclusivity and equality in talent management, recruitment and development. Unlike other books, it clearly sets out the talent management cycle so that readers can easily follow the different stages.

The emergence of new platform business models, notably the sharing economy, is impacting the economy in various ways, altering the structure of many industries, and raising a number of economic and political issues. This book investigates the widespread influence of the sharing economy on businesses and society, as well as examining its underpinning economic principles and development. This volume presents an exhaustive review of the existing knowledge on the sharing economy and addresses several major areas of concern for incumbent businesses. It also explains the business models for those who are interested in embarking on their own ventures and provides an excellent source for further research. It takes an in-depth look at controversial labour policies, such as using labour as self-employed contractors or using regulatory grey areas to expand in markets. It is highly multidisciplinary, establishing links between economics, finance, marketing and consumer behaviour. This contribution on the sharing economy will enable researchers and graduate and doctoral students to expand and improve their understanding of this topic and identify new research problems in all of these areas. The book will also appeal to policy makers, regional and local government decision makers, and those interested in labour markets transformation.

Originally published in 1973 this book discusses whether the ordinary manager can exploit the power of computers without being overwhelmed by them, a question which still has enduring relevance today. As well as discussing the massive resources which computers put at our fingertips, the pitfalls are also discussed: the danger of using computers as a scapegoat for human failure, or of sub-contracting mangerial decisions to a computer system.

Originally published in 1985 this book looks at the way in which some businesses in high technology manufacturing industry have organised their structures and processes in order to manage product innovation effectively. Including detailed case studies of both British and American companies, the book gives examples of both effective and less effective practices. The author puts forward a general framework of good practice for the benefit of both practitioners and business studies students.

Originally published in 1973 this book applies economic analysis to scientific research and to industrial reserch and development and analyses the interactions between these activities and economic activities in general. The book begins by looking at the relationships between science and technology and then: Analyses research and development in manufacturing industry Explains the different levels of expenditure in research and development in different industries and the role of such expenditure in the growth of firms Looks at the distribution of science and technology expenditure Discusses the international transfer of technology The book draws on evidence from several fields of study and imposes a theme upon the variety of evidence.

Originally published in 1993 this book presents the findings of 14 teams involved in a research initiative to examine the initiation and resonse to innovation in firms. It draws together the many strands which were discovered to influence the successful generation and adoption of new technologies. The core issues in technology management are looked at, including skills and expertise, markets and marketing, finance and the issue of technology collaboration both on a domestic and international basis. Technology is shown to be at the very heart of corporate strategy and policy formation.

Originally published in 1993, this book contains 4 studies on Asia: Bangladesh, India, South Korea and Sri Lanka. The studies reflect 4 different patterns of technological transformation. India, with its large populaiton has made considerable progress but its overall development has been slow until recently. At the other extreme, South Korea which had a very low per capita income in the 1950s registered a quantum leap in technological transformation within a short span of 30 years. The heritage of Bangladesh's past has constrained its progress in overcoming structural weaknesses but in comparison, Sri Lanka displays a very different pattern. The sources used draw upon research in development economics, economic history, technology and studies in general and country studies in particular.

Originally published in 1967 and the result of extensive interviews and case studies, this book examines the implications of technical change. Although focussed on the early introduction of computers the kinds of problems discussed in this book are found in technical change more widely and the book therefore continues to have enduring relevance. The book is divided into three parts - an attitude survey of the administrative staff in departments affected by the introduction of computers, a study of the mechanisms of change and a second survey and re-examination of departmental organisation and work flow.

This book examines ten major fields of innovation to see what factors have contributed to success or failure. In each field, it compares 3 or 4 companies from Britain, the USA and Europe. The book provides recommendations for government policy on procurement and industrial structures.

Originally published in 1985, this book analyses the extent and way in which technological change determines the utilisation of labour in less developed economies. The book compares firms which are technologically very advanced with firms which use less sophisticated machinery and equipment, and analyses how technology shapes their demand for labour. It is concerned with the impact of technological change on the utilisation of labour in terms of number of jobs, recruitment, training, skill requirements, labour turnover, wages and internal mobility; it also investigates the impact on the utilisation of external labour in the form of subcontracting of small producers and employment of outworkers.

Originally published in 1992, this study looks at the ways in which company and campus can co-operate to spread the risk and cost of research. It analyses joint ventures in an international context, focusing particularly on the USA, France and Japan, comparing their management strategies with the UK in a variety of industries. It discusses issues such as the brain drain and the growth of science parks, looking at the most succesful industrial policies. With its focus on technology transfer, joint ventures and strategic management this book will appeal to the practising manager as well as the academic.