For many years, procurement, materials management and logistics were regarded as the responsibility of either operations or marketing departments. The late 1980s saw the shift in focus to supply management, and later to supply chain management. Since the early 1990s, the field has become increasingly important to firms as the marketplace has become more and more competitive. Strategic logistics management takes a systematic approach to managing the entire flow of materials, information, services and finance from raw materials suppliers through factories and warehousing, to the end user. Strategic logistics management covers the operational and strategic aspects of all the components of logistics from a supply chain management perspective. It focuses on the integration of all business processes that add value to the customer. The book has been divided into five sections for easy access, with the final one focusing on case studies. Terminology is clearly explained and the main points are illustrated with many practical examples. A new chapter on humanitarian logistics has been provided. Strategic logistics management is aimed at undergraduate studies as well as graduate programmes. It is the only case study-based South African textbook in this field.

The advent of globalisation has increased complexity for organisations, extending supply chains across large geographical areas, making them longer and more difficult to manage than ever before. Megatrends such as global economic shifts, increased consumer awareness, the rise in information technology, global pandemic outbreaks and climate change highlight a range of new challenges facing business. Strategic logistics management takes a systematic approach to managing the entire flow of materials, information, services and finance from raw material suppliers through manufacturing and warehousing, to the end user. Strategic logistics management covers the operational and strategic aspects of all the components of business logistics from a supply chain management perspective. It focuses on the integration of all business processes that add value to the customer. Terminology is clearly explained, and the main points are illustrated with practical examples. Strategic logistics management is aimed at undergraduate students and graduate programmes in the field of supply chain management.

Good operations and supply chain management practices are fundamental for the survival of both private and public organisations offering goods or rendering services. Because these practices are subject to evolving market and macro issues, which are themselves intrinsic to micro practices and processes, it is of great importance to study, understand and address current concerns. Contemporary issues in operations and supply chain management reveals a wide range of present-day matters that focus on the deep multiplicity of relationships between operations, supply chains and the changing business environment. Contemporary issues in operations and supply chain management offers tools and techniques to cope with the ever-increasing forces of supply versus demand, against the backdrop of limited resources and a constantly changing business environment. It offers a well-balanced approach between theory and practice by including contemporary issues and cases within the industry, Africa and the rest of the world. Contemporary issues in operations and supply chain management aims to have international reach and relevance for a broad audience, including but not necessarily limited to business practitioners of all kinds in any sector middle and senior managers in industry (both buyer and supplier organisations) academia - undergraduates and post graduates form higher education establishments, universities and colleges professional bodies (as recommended text/learning materials) members of industry trade associations and anyone else seeking insights into contemporary issues in operations and supply chain management. Professionals with years of experience in the field will benefit from this book as methods and strategies inherited from the past appear to no longer fit the realities presented by the ever changing modern business environment.

For many processes and applications in science and technology a basic knowledge of liquids and solutions is a must. Gaining a better understanding of the behavior and properties of pure liquids and solutions will help to improve many processes and to advance research in many different areas. This book provides a comprehensive, self-contained and integrated survey of this topic and is a must-have for many chemists, chemical engineers and material scientists, ranging from newcomers in the field to more experienced researchers. The author
offers a clear, well-structured didactic approach and provides an overview of the most important types of liquids and solutions. Special topics include chemical reactions, surfaces and phase transitions. Suitable both for introductory as well as intermediate level as more advanced parts are clearly marked. Includes also problems and solutions.

Present-day migration takes place in a world characterized by the compression of time and space, with cheaper air travel and the existence of new communication technologies - the internet in particular - making it easier to stay in contact with the places, people and cultures that one has left. This book investigates the online organization of, and exchanges within, the global Indian diaspora. Bringing together research from around the world and presenting studies drawn from the US, Europe and India, it engages with theoretical and methodological debates concerning the shaping and transformation of migrant culture in emerging sites of sociality, and explores issues such as religion, citizenship, nationalism, region and caste as they relate to Indian identity in global, transnational contexts. With detailed empirical case studies showing both how members of the Indian diaspora connect with one other and 'life at home' and how institutions in India maintain such links, Indian Transnationalism Online sheds light on the ways in which information and communication technology functions as both a catalyst and indicator of contemporary socio-cultural change. As such it will be of interest to sociologists, anthropologists, political scientists and studies of cultural studies working in the areas of migration, transnationalism and ethnic studies.

Present-day migration takes place in a world characterized by the compression of time and space, with cheaper air travel and the existence of new communication technologies - the internet in particular - making it easier to stay in contact with the places, people and cultures that one has left. This book investigates the online organization of, and exchanges within, the global Indian diaspora. Bringing together research from around the world and presenting studies drawn from the US, Europe and India, it engages with theoretical and methodological debates concerning the shaping and transformation of migrant culture in emerging sites of sociality, and explores issues such as religion, citizenship, nationalism, region and caste as they relate to Indian identity in global, transnational contexts. With detailed empirical case studies showing both how members of the Indian diaspora connect with one other and 'life at home' and how institutions in India maintain such links, Indian Transnationalism Online sheds light on the ways in which information and communication technology functions as both a catalyst and indicator of contemporary socio-cultural change. As such it will be of interest to sociologists, anthropologists, political scientists and studies of cultural studies working in the areas of migration, transnationalism and ethnic studies.

Bruno Latour is among the most important figures in contemporary philosophy and social science. His ethnographic studies have revolutionized our understanding of areas as diverse as science, law, politics and religion. To facilitate a more realistic understanding of the world, Latour has introduced a radically fresh philosophical terminology and a new approach to social science, Actor-Network Theory . In seminal works such as Laboratory Life, We Have Never Been Modern and An Inquiry into Modes of Existence, Latour has outlined an alternative to the foundational categories of modern western thought D particularly its distinction between society and nature D that has major consequences for our understanding of the ecological crisis and of the role of science in democratic societies. Latour s empirical philosophy has evolved considerably over the past four decades. In this lucid and compelling book, Gerard de Vries provides one of the first overviews of Latour s work. He guides readers through Latour s main publications, from his early ethnographies to his more recent philosophical works, showing with considerable skill how Latour s ideas have developed. This book will be of great value to students and scholars attempting to come to terms with the immense challenge posed by Latour s thought. It will be of interest to those studying philosophy, anthropology, sociology, science and technology studies, and almost all other branches of the social sciences and humanities.

This 1987 volume presents thirty papers on the archaeological uses of flint. They were presented at the Fourth International Flint Symposium in 1983, and together they give an interdisciplinary review. For publication by Cambridge, each paper has been carefully edited. The topics include: flint technology, particularly the experimental reconstruction of the manufacturing process; wear traces on flint implements; the mining and quarrying of flint in prehistory; and models for chert exchanges. The companion volume, The Scientific Study of Flint and Chert, is edited by G. de G. Sieveking and M. B. Hart.

The thirty papers in this 1986 volume review the scientific knowledge of the nature of flint and chert at this time. These papers were presented at a 1983 interdisciplinary and international conference on flint and other cherts. Each contribution has been meticulously assessed and edited prior to publication. This collection is principally concerned with the geology and geochemistry of flint in European chert. Topics include the origin of flint; scanning electron microscopy of surface textures; and the behaviour of flint under periglacial conditions. There is a companion volume, edited by G. de G. Sieveking and M. B. Hart, on the archaeological uses of flint.

Using the power of the sun, moon, stars, and planets, this unique, illustrated guide is filled with engaging exercises that deepen your knowledge of the solar system, help you take necessary pauses every day, and foster a renewed sense of presence in the universe. Thousands of years ago, when we humans lived together in communal caves, we told stories about the stars. When we later took to the seas, we used stellar positions to navigate and pinpoint our place in the world. When we eventually stopped migrating and settled on land, we relied on the constellations and the Sun to plant and sustain crops. Yet today, we modern humans have lost this deep connection to the cosmos that was once central to our daily lives. Astronomical Mindfulness helps us reconnect to the solar system once more, guiding us through the fundamental ways in which our planet moves through the solar system and how these motions determine our perception of time and place. Offering a concise yet in-depth look at the Sun, the Moon, the planets, and the stars, it teaches us to observe and understand the elements comprising the celestial sphere-deepening our lives and helping us become more informed, engaged, and mindful every day. The best part: you don't need to climb a mountain, visit an observatory, or even own a telescope. From an apartment rooftop to a city park, from your backyard to the window by your desk, the skies are accessible to everyone. Astronomical Mindfulness is a unique tool for personal growth essential to coping in our modern world, enabling us to be more present, more connected, and more relaxed simply by looking up toward the stars.

This book provides a thorough analysis of internal rating systems. Two case studies are devoted to building and validating statistical-based models for borrowers' ratings, using SPSS-PASW and SAS statistical packages. Mainstream approaches to building and validating models for assigning counterpart ratings to small and medium enterprises are discussed, together with their implications on lending strategy.

Key Features:

- Presents an accessible framework for bank managers, students and quantitative analysts, combining strategic issues, management needs, regulatory requirements and statistical bases.

- Discusses available methodologies to build, validate and use internal rate models.

- Demonstrates how to use statistical packages for building statistical-based credit rating systems.

- Evaluates sources of model risks and strategic risks when using statistical-based rating systems in lending.

This book will prove to be of great value to bank managers, credit and loan officers, quantitative analysts and advanced students on credit risk management courses.

Bruno Latour is among the most important figures in contemporary philosophy and social science. His ethnographic studies have revolutionized our understanding of areas as diverse as science, law, politics and religion. To facilitate a more realistic understanding of the world, Latour has introduced a radically fresh philosophical terminology and a new approach to social science, Actor-Network Theory . In seminal works such as Laboratory Life, We Have Never Been Modern and An Inquiry into Modes of Existence, Latour has outlined an alternative to the foundational categories of modern western thought D particularly its distinction between society and nature D that has major consequences for our understanding of the ecological crisis and of the role of science in democratic societies. Latour s empirical philosophy has evolved considerably over the past four decades. In this lucid and compelling book, Gerard de Vries provides one of the first overviews of Latour s work. He guides readers through Latour s main publications, from his early ethnographies to his more recent philosophical works, showing with considerable skill how Latour s ideas have developed. This book will be of great value to students and scholars attempting to come to terms with the immense challenge posed by Latour s thought. It will be of interest to those studying philosophy, anthropology, sociology, science and technology studies, and almost all other branches of the social sciences and humanities.

"A must for anyone interested in the Roman Empire and its impact on world history."
--Tony Robinson star of Blackadder and Time Team.

This entertaining and informative guide introduces readers to the amazing world of ancient Rome and its emperors, epic wars, awesome architecture, heroes, and villains. With a complete rundown of Roman history alongside fascinating insights into the lives of everyday Romans, readers will discover the amazing people and events involved in the rise and fall of one of the greatest of all ancient civilisations and how its influence can still be felt around the world today.

Guy de la Bedoyere is a historian, archaeologist, and Roman expert, he is well known for his numerous books and appearances on TV, especially Channel 4's "Time Team."

A practical guide to polymer coatings that covers all aspects from materials to applications Polymer Coatings is a practical resource that offers an overview of the fundamentals to the synthesis, characterization, deposition methods, and recent developments of polymer coatings. The text includes information about the different polymers and polymer networks in use, resins for solvent- and water-based coatings, and a variety of additives. It presents deposition methods that encompass frequently used mechanical and electrochemical approaches, in addition to the physical-chemical aspects of the coating process. The author covers the available characterization methods including spectroscopic, morphological, thermal and mechanical techniques. The comprehensive text also reviews developments in selected technology areas such as electrically conductive, anti-fouling, and self-replenishing coatings. The author includes insight into the present status of the research field, describes systems currently under investigation, and draws our attention to yet to be explored systems. This important text: * Offers a thorough overview of polymer coatings and their applications * Covers different classes of materials, deposition methods, coating processes, and ways of characterization * Contains a text that is designed to be accessible and helps to apply the acquired knowledge immediately * Includes information on selected areas of research with imminent application potential for functional coatings Written for chemists in industry, materials scientists, polymer chemists, and physical chemists, Polymer Coatings offers a text that contains the information needed to gain an understanding of the charaterization and applications of polymer coatings.

The ten contributions to this volume provide a new perspective on the history of convicts and penal colonies. They demonstrate that the nineteenth and twentieth centuries were a critical period in the reconfiguration of empires, imperial governmentality and punishment, including through extensive punitive relocation and associated extractive labour. Ranging across the global contexts of Africa, Asia, Australasia, Japan, the Americas, the Pacific, Russia, and Europe, and exploring issues of criminalisation, political repression, and convict management alongside those of race, gender, space and circulation, this collection offers a perspective from the colonies that radically transforms accepted narratives of the history of empire and the history of punishment.

The study of language acquisition has become a center of scientific inquiry into the nature of the human mind. The result is a windfall of new information about language, about learning, and about children themselves.

In "Language Acquisition" Jill and Peter de Villiers provide a lively introduction to this fast-growing field. Their book deals centrally with the way the child acquires the sounds, meanings, and syntax of his language, and the way he learns to use his language to communicate with others. In discussing these issues, the de Villiers provide a clear and insightful treatment of the classic questions about language acquisition: Does the child show a genetic predisposition for speech, or grammar, or semantics which makes him uniquely able to learn human language? What kinds of learning are involved in acquiring language and what kinds of experience with a language are necessary to support such learning? Is there a critical period during the child's development which is optimal for language acquisition? And what kind of psychological disabilities underlie the failure to acquire language?

This highly accessible account of the evolution of American racism outlines how 'colorblind' approaches to discrimination ensured the perpetuation of racial inequality in the United States well beyond the 1960s.A highly accessible account of the evolution of American racism, its perpetuation, and black people's struggles for equality in the post-civil rights eraGuides students to a better understanding of the experiences of black Americans and their ongoing struggles for justice, by highlighting the interconnectedness of African American history with that of the nation as a wholeHighlights the economic and political functions that racism has served throughout the nation's historyDiscusses the continuation of the freedom movement beyond the 1960s to provide a comprehensive new historiography of racial equality and social justice

Across the United States, Black people have shorter life expectancies than white people-reflecting structural racism and deep-rooted drivers of population health. But are some cities more equal than others? The elimination of racial and ethnic inequities-differences that are avoidable, unnecessary, and unfair-has been one of the overarching health-related goals of the United States for decades. Yet dramatic differences in health outcomes between Black people and white people persist, rooted in structural and social determinants of health. Nationally, a Black baby can expect to live four years less than a white baby. But mortality outcomes and inequities vary widely across cities. In Washington, DC, for example, the average life expectancy for Blacks is twelve years less than that of whites. But in other cities, mortality differences between races are less striking or nonexistent. If health equity can be achieved in some cities, why not all? This is arguably the most important health equity issue of our time. In Unequal Cities, Maureen R. Benjamins and Fernando G. De Maio gather a team of experts to explore these racial inequities, as well as the ten-year gap in life expectancy between our healthiest and unhealthiest big cities. Rigorous analyses give readers access to previously unavailable data on life expectancy, mortality from leading causes of death, and related Black-white inequities for the country's 30 biggest cities. The theoretically grounded essays also explore how characteristics of cities, including their levels of income inequality and racial segregation, impact overall health and Black-white inequities. The first book to specifically examine racial health inequities within and across US cities, Unequal Cities offers a social justice framework for addressing the newly identified inequities, as well as specific case studies to help public health advocates, civic leaders, and other stakeholders envision the steps needed to improve their cities' current health outcomes and achieve racial equity. A powerful call to action for health equity advocates and city leaders alike, this book is essential reading. Contributors: David Ansell, Darlene Oliver Hightower, Jana Hirschtick, Sharon Homan, Ayesha Jaco, Emily LaFlamme, Brittney S. Lange-Maia, Kristin Monnard, Nikhil G. Prachand, Pamela T. Roesch, Michael Rozier, Nazia Saiyed, Eve Shapiro, Abigail Silva, Veenu Verma, the West Side United Metrics Working Group, Ruqaiijah Yearby

This monograph offers the reader a complete overview on both principles and applications of CE-MS. Starting with an introductory chapter on detection in CE, also related and more specialized techniques such as electrophoretic and chromatographic preconcentration are discussed. A special emphasis is put on CE-MS interfaces, which are described in detail. In a separate chapter, attention is paid to sheath-liquid interfacing. The developments and possibilities of microchip CE-MS are also described. Applications to all relevant areas are discussed in distinct chapters, each written by experts in the respective fields. Besides applications in pharmaceutical analysis and bioanalysis, recent implementations in food science, forensic analysis, analysis of intact proteins, metabolomics and proteomics are highlighted. MS is a perfectly appropriate detection system for CE, as efficient separation is coupled to sensitive and selection detection. Moreover, MS can provide structure information on the separated compounds. CE-MS has now been developed into a strong hyphenated system complementary to LC-MS. This monograph is an unique source of knowledge for everyone dealing with and interested in CE-MS.