Along with the increasing deregulation of European utility markets the dynamics of and the competitive pressure in the utility industries have steadily increased over the last years. These changes in the regulatory framework towards an integrated market environment have resulted in new challenges for the management of power and gas companies and in a substantial need for strategic reorientation. In the context of these developments the Handbook Utility Management reflects current challenges in the utility industries and provides solutions from a managerial perspective. The inclusion of latest insights from top managers, renowned researchers, professionals in utility-related investment banking and consulting, and professionals in public and supranational organizations on all value chain activities within the industry makes the Handbook an indispensable asset for both professionals and researchers.

Along with the increasing deregulation of European utility markets the dynamics of and the competitive pressure in the utility industries have steadily increased over the last years. These changes in the regulatory framework towards an integrated market environment have resulted in new challenges for the management of power and gas companies and in a substantial need for strategic reorientation. In the context of these developments the Handbook Utility Management reflects current challenges in the utility industries and provides solutions from a managerial perspective. The inclusion of latest insights from top managers, renowned researchers, professionals in utility-related investment banking and consulting, and professionals in public and supranational organizations on all value chain activities within the industry makes the Handbook an indispensable asset for both professionals and researchers.

Frithjof Pils uses multiple statistical techniques to examine the true nature of the relationships between diversification strategies and accounting-based, market-based, and growth-based performance. The author shows implications for the interpretation of past research, the design of future research including the use of meta-analysis methodologies, as well as management practice.

Thomas Fritz presents a comprehensive review of empirical research on the creation of superior economic performance. He quantifies the competitive advantage period (CAP) and the industry advantage period (IAP) and assesses determinants of the sustainability of intra- and inter-industry performance differences.

Andreas Bausch differenziert funf grundsatzliche Zusammenschlusstypen und zeigt, dass die Eignung einer Zusammenschlussform davon abhangt, ob sie eine situativ angemessene Bindungsintensitat und ein moglichst hohes Wertsteigerungspotenzial bietet.