This book analyzes strategic aspects of SME development that may help to promote growth: high-tech development, productivity increase, and strengthening of linkages. Contributors to the book consist of a range of international experts recognised in the field of industrial development and/or small and medium enterprises. This book employs a benchmarking approach, which takes into account lessons that can be extracted from the development process in Europe, the US, and Latin America. It's a novel approach to SME development: it includes a tripartite framework that emphasises the importance of high-tech promotion, productivity growth, and networks.Progress in telecommunications and infrastructure, coupled with liberalization in international organizations, has introduced a number of new competitors to existing SMEs. This book analyzes strategic aspects of SME development that may help to promote growth: high-tech development, productivity increase, and strengthening of linkages.

Clustering as an economic policy concern has become increasingly fashionable. The authors of this book shed light on this subject of which there remains remarkably little understanding, and even less agreement, regarding what clusters are, what they require for success and what impacts they are likely to have in different contexts, locally, nationally and globally. Clusters and Globalisation brings together scholars with different perspectives and theoretical groundings, and from different disciplines, to consider conceptual arguments and case study material. In doing so the volume identifies key characteristics and requirements of the forms of cluster that are especially significant for the attainment of economic success in a globalising world. This unique critical analysis of clusters in the framework of globalisation will strongly appeal to students and academics with an interest in economic development, public policy and globalisation. The book will also be of great interest to researchers in policy agencies concerned with local economic development and the design of cluster policies.

Leadership and Cooperation in Academia focuses on the place and the role of universities in different societies, including their influence on the socio-economic development of those societies.Across the world academic institutions are being questioned by their stakeholders and pressured to change. Answering these questions requires that academics and professional managers in universities think about their work, its value and organisation. The book highlights the need for space and stimulus to reflect on the responsibilities, roles and expectations that they identify for themselves, and that others place upon them - then, they might be better able to understand and to act. Similarly, policymakers and higher education commentators need the space and stimulus to reflect on the role of universities. This book will provide this space and an invaluable contribution to the stimulus. This innovative volume will be enriching to academics and professional managers who are interested in leading, managing and contributing in an academic environment. Policymakers and higher education commentators concerned with the development and impacts of universities will also find plenty of insightful information in this timely study. Contributors: M.J. Aranguren, D. Bell, G. Biesta, D.G. Blanchflower, P. Cooke, T. Docherty, S. Fuller, H.C. Garmann Johnsen, G. Graham, S. Groenblom, E. Jones, J. Karlsen, F. Kitagawa, M. Larrea, R. Normann, J. Rogers, S. Sacchetti, E. Schofield, R. Sugden, K. Tribe, M. Valania, J. Willner, J.R. Wilson

There is currently a popular view that the world is undergoing profound changes in the fundamental relationships upon which it is organised. In particular, there is widespread talk of a 'globalised' economy, facilitated by and associated with 'new' technologies and practices. There is a further consensus that within this 'globalised', 'new' economy, regionalisation in some form is important. The aim of this volume is to address these topical issues, presenting perspectives from which they can be analysed and exploring specific aspects in greater detail. The contributors provide a framework for understanding current trends, and suggest approaches that highlight appropriate ways forward in the context of both opportunities and dangers. In doing so, they discuss specific cases and explore detailed policy possibilities, including the prospect of stimulating change through multinational engagement and debate. The rigorous analysis and coherent nature of the book will ensure its appeal to researchers and scholars across a wide range of disciplines and topics, including industrial economics, regional science and globalisation.

This innovative book offers a critical perspective on the state of the current global economy, making sense of knowledge-related issues by critically assessing existing institutional choices, as well as pointing to new ways forward. The pioneering chapters reposition knowledge in a number of economic debates including regional development, property rights, social enterprises, corporate governance, the management of universities, and the role of creative activities. They explore the possibility of an institutional dynamism that impacts not only on the characteristics of localities and their place in a hierarchical and ordered system of relationships, but on the nature of the system itself. Conclusions point at the individual and collective dimensions of the knowledge discovery process, suggesting a renewed approach to the assessment of economic choices. This insightful book offers an original perspective on knowledge-related issues and constitutes a valuable read for academics and postgraduate students in international business and economic competitiveness, as well practitioners and policymakers who are interested in alternative analyses and methods for economic development.

Contents:
1. The (Theory of the) Transnational Firm: the 1990s and Beyond Christos Pitelis and Roger Sugden 2. A Survey of Theories of International Production John Cantwell 3. A Critical Re-evaluation of Hymer's Contribution to the Theory of the Transnational Corporation Mohammad Yamin 4. Transaction Costs Theory and the Multinational Enterprise Jean-Francois Hennart 5. The Eclectic Paradigm of International Production: A Personal Perspective John H. Dunning 6. The Resource-based Approach to Multinational Enterprise Neil Kay 7. Strategic Management and Transnational Firm Behaviour: A Formal Approach Edward M. Graham 8, An All-Weather Company: The (theory of the) Transnational Corporation and the Role of the Demand Side Christos Pitelis 9. Divide and Rule by Transnational Corporations James Peoples and Roger Sugden.

The Nature of the Transnational Firm brings together the major approaches to the transnational firm in one volume. Leading thinkers present overviews of a vibrant theoretical literature and assess the current state of analysis. Thoroughly revised and updated to take account the explosive growth of foreign direct investment in the 1990s, this volume will be welcomed by students and researchers of international business, international economics and business economics. Contributors include: John Cantwell, John H. Dunning, Edward M. Graham, Jean-Francois Hennart, Neil Kay.

What does competitiveness mean? In recent years, discussion of economic policy has become dominated by the notion of competitiveness. In this volume a group of leading economists explore the issue through cross-country comparisons and by means of single country case studies. They also examine:
* the relationship between competitiveness and community objectives
* the co-existence of diversity, subsidiarity and EU industrial policy
* the impact of European enlargement and further integration

Transnational corporations are now of immense significance for most economies. However, by definition they are involved in international production and this poses problems for national governments. The threat of a major company leaving gives it leverage over its host government. This means that even though there is a broad consensus that in some respects the impact of a transnational on an economy can be negative, there is a marked reluctance on the part of governments to try to do anything about it. Although they remain sensitive to the problems posed by transnationals, the authors of "Making Transnationals Accountable" do not accept that there is nothing that can be done to influence the behaviour of transnationals. The authors advocate a policy of monitoring their activities and use a comparative approach to show that many governments know surprisingly little about the impact of transnationals on their economies. They identify areas which governments might like to know more about. In an attempt to show what their approach might mean in practice, they draw upon the new techniques developed in social accounting to prepare a detailed social and economic account of "Glaxo".

Transnational corporations are now of immense significance for most economies. However, by definition they are involved in international production and this poses problems for national governments. The threat of a major company leaving gives it leverage over its host government. This means that even though there is a broad consensus that in some respects the impact of a transnational on an economy can be negative, there is a marked reluctance on the part of governments to try to do anything about it. Although they remain sensitive to the problems posed by transnationals, the authors of "Making Transnationals Accountable" do not accept that there is nothing that can be done to influence the behaviour of transnationals. The authors advocate a policy of monitoring their activities and use a comparative approach to show that many governments know surprisingly little about the impact of transnationals on their economies. They identify areas which governments might like to know more about. In an attempt to show what their approach might mean in practice, they draw upon the new techniques developed in social accounting to prepare a detailed social and economic account of "Glaxo".

If the 1980's were the decade of privatization and deregulation, the 1990's should be the decade of regulation. Privatization itself led to the creation of new regulatory bodies, and the continuing merger boom. The rise of transnational corporations and the creation of the single European Market have also prompted regulatory activity. In this volume, industrial economists focus on the process by which governments in market economies deliberately take action to influence economic activity in firms and industries. It aims to provide teachers, students and researchers with a coherent framework for anaylzing regulation, and then explores key current issues, including the relationship between information and regulation, the regulation of monopolies and the role of regulation within the European Community. Regulation has conventionally been defended as a remedy for market failure or a curb to monopoly power. Whilst arguing that these remain important functions the book also stresses that regulation can be a positive instrument for promoting industrial development.

If the 1980's were the decade of privatization and deregulation, the 1990's should be the decade of regulation. Privatization itself led to the creation of new regulatory bodies, and the continuing merger boom. The rise of transnational corporations and the creation of the single European Market have also prompted regulatory activity. In this volume, industrial economists focus on the process by which governments in market economies deliberately take action to influence economic activity in firms and industries. It aims to provide teachers, students and researchers with a coherent framework for anaylzing regulation, and then explores key current issues, including the relationship between information and regulation, the regulation of monopolies and the role of regulation within the European Community. Regulation has conventionally been defended as a remedy for market failure or a curb to monopoly power. Whilst arguing that these remain important functions the book also stresses that regulation can be a positive instrument for promoting industrial development.

Leadership and Cooperation in Academia focuses on the place and the role of universities in different societies, including their influence on the socio-economic development of those societies.Across the world academic institutions are being questioned by their stakeholders and pressured to change. Answering these questions requires that academics and professional managers in universities think about their work, its value and organisation. The book highlights the need for space and stimulus to reflect on the responsibilities, roles and expectations that they identify for themselves, and that others place upon them - then, they might be better able to understand and to act. Similarly, policymakers and higher education commentators need the space and stimulus to reflect on the role of universities. This book will provide this space and an invaluable contribution to the stimulus. This innovative volume will be enriching to academics and professional managers who are interested in leading, managing and contributing in an academic environment. Policymakers and higher education commentators concerned with the development and impacts of universities will also find plenty of insightful information in this timely study. Contributors: M.J. Aranguren, D. Bell, G. Biesta, D.G. Blanchflower, P. Cooke, T. Docherty, S. Fuller, H.C. Garmann Johnsen, G. Graham, S. Groenblom, E. Jones, J. Karlsen, F. Kitagawa, M. Larrea, R. Normann, J. Rogers, S. Sacchetti, E. Schofield, R. Sugden, K. Tribe, M. Valania, J. Willner, J.R. Wilson

This innovative book offers a critical perspective on the state of the current global economy, making sense of knowledge-related issues by critically assessing existing institutional choices, as well as pointing to new ways forward. The pioneering chapters reposition knowledge in a number of economic debates including regional development, property rights, social enterprises, corporate governance, the management of universities, and the role of creative activities. They explore the possibility of an institutional dynamism that impacts not only on the characteristics of localities and their place in a hierarchical and ordered system of relationships, but on the nature of the system itself. Conclusions point at the individual and collective dimensions of the knowledge discovery process, suggesting a renewed approach to the assessment of economic choices. This insightful book offers an original perspective on knowledge-related issues and constitutes a valuable read for academics and postgraduate students in international business and economic competitiveness, as well practitioners and policymakers who are interested in alternative analyses and methods for economic development.

There is currently a popular view that the world is undergoing profound changes in the fundamental relationships upon which it is organised. In particular, there is widespread talk of a 'globalised' economy, facilitated by and associated with 'new' technologies and practices. There is a further consensus that within this 'globalised', 'new' economy, regionalisation in some form is important. The aim of this volume is to address these topical issues, presenting perspectives from which they can be analysed and exploring specific aspects in greater detail. The contributors provide a framework for understanding current trends, and suggest approaches that highlight appropriate ways forward in the context of both opportunities and dangers. In doing so, they discuss specific cases and explore detailed policy possibilities, including the prospect of stimulating change through multinational engagement and debate. The rigorous analysis and coherent nature of the book will ensure its appeal to researchers and scholars across a wide range of disciplines and topics, including industrial economics, regional science and globalisation.

Progress in telecommunications and infrastructure, coupled with liberalization in international organizations, has introduced a number of new competitors to existing SMEs. This book analyzes strategic aspects of SME development that may help to promote growth: high-tech development, productivity increase, and strengthening of linkages.