The world's people and their leaders face a complex and multifaceted set of 'eco-social questions'. As the productivity of humanity increases, the negative external environmental effects of production and consumption patterns become increasingly problematic and threaten the human welfare. As the regulating power of national and international governments is limited, this challenge has generated a strong interest in the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of companies. Firms find it increasingly important to meet the expectations of stakeholders with respect to the company's contribution to profit, planet, and people. The primary aim of this book is to introduce the reader to the impacts and drivers of CSR, with a special focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Research into the social and environmental impacts of CSR is rare. This is a serious gap because if CSR were to fail to have favourable social and environmental impacts on society, the whole concept may become redundant. If societal impacts of CSR are substantial, it is important to know the drivers of CSR. This book considers (1) factors internal to the company, (2) the competitive environment of the company, (3) institutions external to the company, and (4) how the impacts of institutions are mediated or moderated by company internal factors. This book will fill this gap by estimating various types of models that integrate external and internal factors driving CSR and its impacts on environment, innovation, and reputation, making it a valuable resource for researchers, academics, and students in the fields of business management and CSR.

For all professionals and students who want to improve their prospects in business, this book prepares and positions them to build dream careers, giving them the education and guidance required to develop vital soft skills, and work remotely and independently. After establishing a foundation for solid professional communications on a personal level, it quickly opens doors to business insights and opportunities that are exciting, inspiring, and highly sustainable. Immersing readers into the key realms of business success and exploring the full spectrum of essential communications practices, they gain knowledge and trade skills of immense value, including: * The basics of positive, proactive, strategic communications for individuals and organizations * What it means to be a PR expert in the creative industry and to do great work * An introduction to essential business imperatives, with high-level instruction on creativity, strategy, leadership, management, marketing, and much more * Customer service and all it entails * Extensive exploration of the PR toolset and its application in real-world marketing scenarios This book brings home all instruction with sophisticated questions and challenges, ensuring readers have every opportunity to comprehend and grow, step by step.

Since the 1980s, governments have often sought to encourage entrepreneurship on the assumption that it creates small businesses which are the primary drivers of job creation. Largely because of this assumption, entrepreneurship has become a valid subject for academic research attracting extensive funding. Yet despite this explosion of scholarship, there is no accepted model of how entrepreneurship operates or even a commonly accepted definition of what it is. Simon Bridge posits that this is because entrepreneurship has been studied as if it were a deterministic science, based on the false assumption that it exists as a specific discrete identifiable phenomenon operating in accordance with consistent, predictable 'rules'. This challenging book contends that this misdirected search has produced more questions than answers. Accepting that entrepreneurship as we have conceived it does not exist could lead to new and valuable insights into what the different forms of entrepreneurship are and how they might be influenced. Scholars, advanced students and policy makers will find this a thought-provoking insight into the myths and misconceptions of 'entrepreneurship'.

The 1997 financial and economic crisis in East Asia provided the catalyst for an important reappraisal of the Small and Medium sized Enterprise (SME) sector across the region. In this timely book, a distinguished group of contributors discusses the role of SMEs in the globalisation of the East Asian economies, and assess how the financial crisis has impacted on them. They focus on a number of key aspects of SMEs in the region, including: * financing issues * the role of entrepreneurship * the diffusion of technology in the region * Chinese small businesses * SME requirements for information technology * the opportunities afforded by electronic commerce * regional labour markets and their impact on SMEs. Globalisation and SMEs in East Asia will appeal to academics and researchers of Asian economies and studies, globalisation and those interested in industrial organisation.

'For everyone who wants to build their online presence, the RIGHT way!' - Julie Montagu, wellness guru and author of Recharge The inspirational new book from the author of The Million Dollar Blog -- discover how to build an authoritative and authentic personal brand that will change your life. If you google yourself, what do you see? Do you blend in with the masses or stand out from the crowd? Are you recognised as a thought-leader in your industry? Or are you watching others build their profile and wondering if you are being left behind? Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, expert or an employee, how you present yourself online has a huge impact on your professional reputation. We are lucky to live in a world where everyone now has the power to publish and create micro-fame by putting out content - word by word, post by post, video by video. But how do you grab people's attention in today's noisy online world? Using a combination of technical know-how, insider tips and interviews with prominent online influencers and business owners, entrepreneur and digital strategist Natasha Courtenay-Smith shows how anyone can build a strong personal brand and become the most visible expert in their industry. #StandOutOnline is the ultimate guide to building a powerful and influential personal brand that will create boundless opportunities for you and your business. Now is the time for you to find your voice and step into the spotlight. PRAISE FOR #StandOutOnline: 'All the practical, wise nuggets of advice you need to get started and dig in deep are in the pages of #StandOutOnline' - Emma Gannon, award-winning blogger and author of Ctrl Alt Delete and The Multi-Hyphen Method 'Every single budding and established digital entrepreneur needs to read this enlightening book. Unmissable.' - Vicki Psarias, author of Mumboss and founder of the award-winning blog Honest Mum

Family businesses have been an important part of the economy in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and in the Chinese diaspora, and, since the reforms, in mainland China itself. Some people have argued that the success of Chinese family businesses occurs because of the special characteristics and approach of such businesses. This book examines the nature of Chinese family business and the key issues involved by exploring in detail the case of a leading Hong Kong jewellery company which was established in the early 1960s and which has grown to become one of the biggest jewellery manufacturers, exporters, and retailers in post-war Hong Kong. The book considers the motivations of Chinese people to set up their own businesses, outlining the strategies adopted, including the strategies for raising capital, and the qualities of successful Chinese entrepreneurs. It discusses the management of the company, including relations between family members, profit sharing and succession planning, and assesses how conflict and crises are coped with and overcome. It charts the evolution of the company, looking at how it has been transformed into a listed corporation. The book concludes by arguing for the importance of studying Chinese family businesses culturally.

Presents how to create an effective entrepreneurship business plan Provides an overview of various aspects of entrepreneurship, function and the contemporary forms Offers a real-world understand of the entrepreneurial world with new analytics thinking and what computational skills are needed for the newer generation in handling big data challenges Encompasses the concepts which an entrepreneur must know before embarking on an entrepreneurial journey Includes inspirational case studies from "Change Leaders".

An impressive team of editors from Asia, Europe, North and South America has compiled cutting-edge research on family businesses. In these chapters, we gain a global perspective of the entrepreneurial approaches families are taking to prepare the next generation of leaders. We learn strategies for family firms to survive and prosper. And we find there are lessons here that non-family businesses can apply to make transitions successful.' - Francis Hoy, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, USThis illustrative book considers the interface of business structures, contexts, and leadership building blocks to explore the contingent nature of leadership development in transgenerational entrepreneurship. Longitudinal case studies of 27 family firms in nine different countries provide a rich, global selection of leadership development insights by examining the roles of values, professionalization, leadership style and other contingent factors. The diversity of cases and chapters provides a rich foundation for insight into the pathways currently in use to develop the next generation leaders, illuminating the strategies and pathways of successful transgenerational family enterprises. By examining the available literature and one or more case studies, each chapter draws pragmatic conclusions, with findings that suggest the importance of focusing on leadership as a shared capability, transmission of values to maintain an entrepreneurial culture, the fit between professionalization and values to increase transgenerational potential, the need to address the structure of the business and the focus on parenting to develop next generations. This path-breaking book will inform family business researchers as they explore the ways in use to develop the next generation. Each chapter starts with a mini-case study focused on a dilemma related to leader development, making this book an excellent resource for educators in undergraduate, graduate, or executive programs. Contributors: N. Auletta, B. Bardai, P. Bender, N. Bhatnagar, F.H. Bos, M. Brumana, L. Cassia, J.P. Coen Rigtering, A. De Massis, R.-L. DeWitt, L. Diaz Matajira, A. Discua Cruz, A. Gimeno, G. Gonzalez Couture, D. Grzybovski, M. Heetebrij-van Dalfsen, H. Higashide, N. Kozono, C. Lechner, I.A. Matser, T. Minola, L. Mohd Nor, A. Nilsson, M.J. Parada, K. Ramachandran, M. Ramirez-Pasillas, M.T. Roscoe, P. Sharma, A. Vieira, S.R. Xavier, K. Yamaguchi, M. Yusof

For all professionals and students who want to improve their prospects in business, this book prepares and positions them to build dream careers, giving them the education and guidance required to develop vital soft skills, and work remotely and independently. After establishing a foundation for solid professional communications on a personal level, it quickly opens doors to business insights and opportunities that are exciting, inspiring, and highly sustainable. Immersing readers into the key realms of business success and exploring the full spectrum of essential communications practices, they gain knowledge and trade skills of immense value, including: * The basics of positive, proactive, strategic communications for individuals and organizations * What it means to be a PR expert in the creative industry and to do great work * An introduction to essential business imperatives, with high-level instruction on creativity, strategy, leadership, management, marketing, and much more * Customer service and all it entails * Extensive exploration of the PR toolset and its application in real-world marketing scenarios This book brings home all instruction with sophisticated questions and challenges, ensuring readers have every opportunity to comprehend and grow, step by step.

The Report of the Committee of Inquiry on Small Firms (the Bolton Committee Report) was produced at a time of significant political change. The 1970s in the UK saw the beginning of the end for interventionism and 'big government' and the emergence of a new free market, economic liberalism. However, the same period also saw the creation of what became a substantial agenda to intervene in the economy through an extensive range of government initiatives aimed at encouraging and enabling small firms and entrepreneurship. Marking the 50th Anniversary of the publication of the Bolton Committee's report this book provides researchers with new insights into the tensions between these potentially contradictory political agendas that would come to shape our modern economy. It provides the first in-depth analysis of the origins, operation and outcomes of the Bolton Committee, which is widely seen as responsible for the small firm agenda in the UK. In doing so, new insights are generated not only into the birth of enterprise policy in the UK but into the wider changes in political economy that saw powerful tensions between free market rhetoric and new forms of interventionism in practice. The book will be of interest to scholars and PhD students working in the fields of entrepreneurship, small business management and business history.

Family-owned businesses are among the most notable and numerous in the world. Some are global brands employing thousands - think Walmart, Ford and JCB - others are much smaller, more local enterprises run by their owners and staffed entirely by their family. But however big or small, running or working in a family business, and the bringing together of two conflicting and complex worlds - family and business - often presents very unique challenges for everyone involved, be they part of the family or employees and advisors. The Family Business Book draws on Paul Keogh's expertise and decades of work with family businesses of all sizes, all around the world, to help their owners, family members and employees feel informed, empowered and equipped to make the right decisions and navigate the ups and downs, successes and disappointments. Easy to read and packed with top tips, discover essential and honest guidance on: Juggling the demands of work with the expectations of family. Handling conflict and rivalries whilst dealing with intricate family dynamics. Putting effective communication at the heart of both worlds. Building clear structures and establishing sensible governance. Making critical decisions and managing change - in the family and the business! Talking about money and planning for succession. Functioning better as a family is the key to a better functioning family business, so from divorce to death, and deceit to desertion, this book never shies away from asking the difficult questions and discussing the complicated issues that families in business face to make sure both their worlds survive and thrive.

The definitive guide to starting and running a small business

"The Smarta Way to Do Business" is the first definitive handbook for starting a business to bring you advice from real-world entrepreneurs who've been there, and done that. Packed with everything you need to know to start and run a successful business, straight from the UK's leading experts, this is the insider's guide YOU need to build a successful business right NOW.

Featuring exclusive interviews with anyone who's anyone in the world of entrepreneurship, including Theo Paphitis, Deborah Meaden, Duncan Bannatyne, Sarah Beeny, Doug Richard, Martha Lane Fox, Caprice, Sahar Hashemi, and more, the book also brings you unique insights from Peter Jones, Mike Clare, Julie Meyer, Rachel Elnaugh and many others

Whether you're just starting out, looking to take your business to the next level or exploring how social media and emerging technologies could boost your customer sales, "The Smarta Way to Do Business" has the answers you're looking for.

The rise of the female entrepreneur over the past 30 years is a cause for celebration in the UK. Whether driven by unfair treatment at work, conflict between office and family life, or the inspiration of a great business idea, hundreds of thousands of women are motivated to work for themselves. There are many benefits to being self employed but many, too, are the challenges. Women need confidence, support, and often some start-up finance to make a go of it. This book will provide inspiration, information and loads of advice from a range of women who run their own business. It starts by recognising that women start all kinds of ventures in many different circumstances: - Developing an idea from home - Freelancing - Joining the 'mumpreneurs' - Launching a business with capital investment - Buying a franchise or creating a franchise - Becoming an direct selling agent - Creating a social enterprise - Starting up after redundancy or unemployment - Breaking new ground - young, retired, disabled, disadvantaged

World economics and the industrial environment has recently created a fertile ground for the creation of new enterprises and start-ups. This book skilfully identifies the challenges of building a new business venture from an idea to a marketable product. It highlights * Robust methods for keeping up with innovation; * Designing new ways to grow, improve and market your product; and * Managing the changes in the business environment, market dynamics and other uncertainties. The volume is rich with examples and case studies of many small and large businesses. It further reflects on the business and entrepreneurship ecosystem, the challenges and opportunities in India, entrepreneurship and women, e-commerce, the new generation of entrepreneurs, and exit strategies for entrepreneurs. An essential guide for entrepreneurs and professionals working in business management and marketing communications, as well as scholars of business administration and financial sciences, this book by an industry expert offers many new and practiced approaches, examples and lessons for innovative thinking and breaking new ground in business.

World economics and the industrial environment has recently created a fertile ground for the creation of new enterprises and start-ups. This book skilfully identifies the challenges of building a new business venture from an idea to a marketable product. It highlights * Robust methods for keeping up with innovation; * Designing new ways to grow, improve and market your product; and * Managing the changes in the business environment, market dynamics and other uncertainties. The volume is rich with examples and case studies of many small and large businesses. It further reflects on the business and entrepreneurship ecosystem, the challenges and opportunities in India, entrepreneurship and women, e-commerce, the new generation of entrepreneurs, and exit strategies for entrepreneurs. An essential guide for entrepreneurs and professionals working in business management and marketing communications, as well as scholars of business administration and financial sciences, this book by an industry expert offers many new and practiced approaches, examples and lessons for innovative thinking and breaking new ground in business.

The New Arts Entrepreneur is the first uniquely designed pedagogy for arts entrepreneurship educators and students. Melding an arts-first approach with understandable entrepreneurial concepts and newly formulated tools, the text helps arts students to envision themselves as an entrepreneurial CEO, not simply another random entrepreneur flailing through a maze of well-worn entrepreneurial suggestions that don't fit. At the core of the text are the entrepreneurial ecologies of the arts. The ecologies provide a framework to envision an entrepreneurial horizon for almost any arts-based business, included those ventures seeking to impact the production of art. In addition to this revolutionary framework, the text also introduces tools designed to compliment the ecologies. Designed with arts students in mind, it accomplishes two critical tasks not found in other textbooks: venture sustainability and decision-making. This newly developed approach focuses on the decision-making required to sustain new arts ventures and will be of interest to arts students from all disciplines.

This book explores the relationship between families, firms, and regions and the extent to which these relationships contribute to regional economic and social development. Although family business participation in economic activities has been a common phenomenon since pre-industrial societies, and its importance has evolved throughout time and across spatial contexts, the book suggests that these factors have often been neglected in family business and regional studies. Taking this research gap into account, the book aims to deepen our understanding of the role family firms play in the regional economy. In particular, it explores two seldom studied questions. Firstly, what role do family firms play in regional development? Secondly, how do different spatial regional contexts shape family firm operations and performance? Family Business and Regional Development presents a model of "spatial familiness" and uses themes such as productivity, networks and competitiveness to shed new light on family businesses. Moreover, it approaches the juxtaposition between family business and regional studies to encourage the cross-fertilisation of ideas, theories, and research methods between the two fields. Bringing together leading experts in entrepreneurship, regional economics, and economic geography, this book will be a valuable reading for advanced students, researchers and policymakers interested in family firms, regional studies and economic geography.

Humans generate millions of tons of waste every day. This waste is rich in water, nutrients, energy and organic compounds. Yet waste is not being managed in a way that permits us to derive value from its reuse, whilst millions of farmers struggle with depleted soils and lack of water. This book shows how Resource Recovery and Reuse (RRR) could create livelihoods, enhance food security, support green economies, reduce waste and contribute to cost recovery in the sanitation chain. While many RRR projects fully depend on subsidies and hardly survive their pilot phase, hopeful signs of viable approaches to RRR are emerging around the globe including low- and middle-income countries. These enterprises or projects are tapping into entrepreneurial initiatives and public private partnerships, leveraging private capital to help realize commercial or social value, shifting the focus from treatment for waste disposal to treatment of waste as a valuable resource for safe reuse. The book provides a compendium of business options for energy, nutrients and water recovery via 24 innovative business models based on an in-depth analysis of over 60 empirical cases, of which 47 from around the world are described and evaluated in a systematic way. The focus is on organic municipal, agro-industrial and food waste, including fecal sludge, supporting a diverse range of business models with potential for large-scale out-and up-scaling.

Make extra money--and your guests extra happy--with Airbnb! You've got that spare tower, mansion, apartment, couch, or perhaps even treehouse (really--there are more than 2,400 treehouses listed on Airbnb). You're a polite, clean, and tolerant host. And you want to make some money. Congratulations, you're fully qualified to become part of the Airbnb revolution! Whether you're looking to break into the business, or have already started and are researching ways of making your guests feel even more pampered as you grow your reputation and income, Airbnb for Dummies is the perfect venue for you. And this applies whether you currently own property or not! Sit back in your lounge recliner and let the owners and founders of Learnairbnb.com show you the ins and outs of the short-term rental boom that connects hosts with travelers looking for more economical and personal travel experiences across the world. Sip a refreshing drink as you learn how to manage the day-to-day--from maintaining listings to keeping things clean for your guests--and how to maximize and increase your profits. Make an attractive listing Perfect your pricing Profit without a property Create amazing guest experiences So, get hold of a copy, read it in your favorite spot, and watch as the money and excited guests beat a path to your door!

BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine is the premier business news source for African Americans. With thirty years of experience, Black Enterprise continues to chronicle the achievements of African American professionals while providing monthly reports on entrepreneurship, investing, personal finance, business news and trends, and career management. Now, Black Enterprise brings to you the Guide to Starting Your Own Business, the one-stop definitive resource for everything today's entrepreneur needs to know to launch and run a solid business.

Former Black Enterprise editor Wendy Beech knows that being a successful business owner takes more than capital and a solid business plan. She offers essential, timely advice on all aspects of entrepreneurship, including defining and protecting a business idea, researching the industry and the competition, confronting legal issues, choosing a good location, financing, and advertising. You'll even learn how to make the most of the Internet by establishing a Web presence. Plus, you'll hear from black entrepreneurs who persevered in the face of seemingly unbeatable odds and have now joined the ranks of incredibly successful black business owners. This exceptional reference tool also includes:

• The ten qualities you must possess to be a successful entrepreneur.
• A list of helpful resources at the end of every chapter.

  If you've ever dreamed about going into business for yourself, if you feel you've hit the glass ceiling in corporate America, if you have the drive and the desire to take control of your destiny, the Black Enterprise Guide to Starting Your Own Business will motivate and inspire you—every step of the way.

  Special Bonus.

  To help you stay abreast of the latest entrepreneurial trends, Black Enterprise is pleased to offer:

• A free issue of Black Enterprise magazine.
• A free edition of The Exchange Newsletter for Entrepreneurs.
• A discount coupon for savings off the registration fee at the annual Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference.

It is no secret that Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is not as popular with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as it is with larger ones. However, many SMEs are suppliers to larger entities who are pushing for superior quality and world-class process efficiencies from suppliers. Lean Six Sigma for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises: A Practical Guide provides a roadmap for the successful implementation and deployment of LSS in SMEs. It includes five real-world case studies that demonstrate how LSS tools have been successfully integrated into LSS methodology. Simplifying the terminology and methodology of LSS, this book makes the implementation process accessible. Supplies a general introduction to continuous improvement initiatives in SMEs Identifies the key phases in the introduction and development of LSS initiatives within an SME Details the most powerful LSS tools and techniques that can be used in an SME environment Provides tips on how to make the project selection process more successful This book covers the fundamental challenges and common pitfalls that can be avoided with successful introduction and deployment of LSS in the context of SMEs. Systematically guiding you through the application of the Six Sigma methodology for problem solving, the book devotes separate chapters to the most appropriate tools and techniques that can be useful in each stage of the methodology. Keeping the required math and statistics to a minimum, this practical guide will help you to deploy LSS as your prime methodology for achieving and sustaining world-class efficiency and effectiveness of critical business processes.

Through further technological development and increased globalization, conducting busines abroad has become easier, especially for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). However, the legal issues associated with international commerce have not lessened in complexity, including the role of non-state rules. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of non-state rules in international commercial contracts. Non-state rules have legal authority in the national and international sphere, but the key question is how this legal authority can be understood and established. To answer this question this book examines first what non-state rules are and how their legal authority can be measured, it then analyses how non-state rules are applied in different scenarios, including as the applicable law, as a source of law, or to interpret either the law or the contract. Throughout this analysis three other important questions are also answered: when can non-state rules be applied? when are they applied? and how are they applied? The book concludes with a framework and classification that leads to a deeper understanding of the legal authority of non-state rules. Providing a transnational perspective on this important topic, this book will appeal to anyone researching international commercial law. It will also be a valuable resource for arbitrators and anyone working in international commercial litigation.

Resourcing new ventures is-all important for entrepreneurs, and creating a successful business plan can be make or break when it comes to attracting investment. Written by an experienced academic and consultant, this book provides a concise guide for producing the optimal business plan. Business plans are vital when it comes to making strategic decisions and monitoring progress. Writing a Business Plan is designed to teach you how to write your business plan without relying on someone else or internet templates. It will take you through each stage of business-plan writing, with chapters on generating ideas; describing business opportunities; drawing a business road map; and considering marketing, financial, operations, HR, legal and risk. The book includes a range of features to assist you, including worked-through examples. This unique book provides a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs and students of entrepreneurship to hone their skills in writing a useful and comprehensive business plan.

What goes on in a small firm that lives or dies by its capacity to innovate? How are decisions made on new product development, and how does that feed into the ecological, social and financial sustainability of the firm? This book answers the questions through an in-depth look at a small business that manufactures high-end carpet yarn. Using advanced analytical techniques to interrogate rich qualitative data, the book draws together established theories of decision-making and new product development, coupled with thinking about business sustainability to improve our understanding of this important area of business practice. The book further reinforces the importance and role of organizational learning in organizational decision-making, based on novel analysis of empirically developed qualitative data.

Based on a review of the literature and several in-depth case studies, this book suggests a strategy-as-practice framework for succession and explores leadership logic, trust and followership. This book takes the reader through the key stages and disciplines required for effective top-level succession. Corporations, growing entrepreneurial companies and family owners all must manage strong group dynamics and individual needs in a succession transition. This book includes a wide range of global client cases, including public sector organizations, corporations, entrepreneurial firms and family owners. Based on rigorous research and written in an accessible style with a focus on practical needs, readers will also be able to combine this analysis within disciplines of governance, leadership, strategy and organizational development. This book will be of interest to students at an advanced level, academics and reflective practitioners as well as executives at the top levels of businesses.