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Aims to study the pricing decisions of small firms. Conventional wisdom argues that small firms tend to use relatively unsophisticated methods of pricing; however, indicates that small firms may in fact be a good deal more sophisticated in their techniques of pricing than has previously been supposed. Reviews the theory and empirical evidence to date and notes a significant gap in the research into small business pricing. Using a case study method based on 12 detailed cases of the pricing policies of small companies, concludes that there is little evidence to support the findings of previous studies which indicated the predominance of full‐cost pricing. It was found that small companies avoided “head‐on” competition and sought to exploit their own market niche as a means of exercising more control over their prices.

Proposes that while many companies claim a commitment to quality, few can withstand serious examinination and suggests the solution is to assure quality by third‐party endorsement of an initial and continuous commitment to quality in every detail. Argues that certification of quality systems is a crucial building block that is needed before quality can be seen to be a meaningful competitive advantage. Concludes that in the Single European Market, quality system certification will become more important than ever and examines the steps towards a common European set of benchmarks.

This book is a policy proposal aimed at the democratic left. It is concerned with gradual but radical reform of the socio‐economic system. An integrated policy of industrial and economic democracy, which centres around the establishment of a new sector of employee‐controlled enterprises, is presented. The proposal would retain the mix‐ed economy, but transform it into a much better “mixture”, with increased employee‐power in all sectors. While there is much of enduring value in our liberal western way of life, gross inequalities of wealth and power persist in our society.

Presents the principles of thirty six Chinese classical strategies which includes strategies for attack, strength, confrontation, confusion, gaining ground and desperate situations. Applies these to strategic planning and marketing rather than the traditional use on battlefields. Uses anecdotal evidence to give examples and suggests that they are relevant to many other business areas.

Observes racial stereotypes and explains the way human beings “see” one another because of this. Adumbrates that even as far back as 1798, the media stereotyped people into various groups, and subsequent surveys only seem to emphasize this. Lists out the more common racial stereotypes using (US) surveys to collect peoples’ thoughts and feelings. Shows how to overcome racial stereotypes. Sums up that communication barriers can ensue from stereotyping races and that people should be responsible in overlooking media influences in this area.

This paper aims to examine a potential approach to introduce a topology to the resource‐based view (RBV) of the firm to address the issue of the formation of intangible assets and predictions of the growth of the firm by RBV, both issues that have been identified in the literature as shortcomings of the RBV approach.

The paper is a conceptual paper. It provides a brief review of and introduces concepts from the social networks literature, suggesting ways in which viewing the firm as a connected network of resources might usefully augment RBV theory.

Viewing the firm as a network is a potentially powerful tool for analysing the notion of intangible assets in the RBV and for providing a theory of the growth of the firm.

The paper provides a useful framework for further work in the RBV field to assist in understanding what makes assets strategic and how firms grow through the accumulation of strategic assets, and highlights possibilities for cross‐fertilisation between the social networks and RBV literature.

A major policy statement on General Studies is expected soon from the CNAA. There 7nay no longer be any compulsion to include complementary and contrasting studies in CNAA degree courses, and Maureen O'Connor suggests that this may provide a let out for colleges which have always been opposed to the concept of liberal studies. This could be a major setback. Liberal studies are now established for scientific and technological courses, but there still seems to be some doubt about their applicability to CNAA arts courses.

The purpose of this paper is to show that football as a sacred experience is often raised, but has never led to an argued approach. Professional football (soccer) is a genuine societal phenomenon, both through the medias’ interest they cause and through the financial stakes that are related to it. It is common to read that football, through the passions it unleashes, for example in terms of tribal violence, has become a type of religion, with its believers (the fans) and its place of worship (the stadiums).

The authors reviewed the literature, research reports and electronic documents on professional football practices to understand the religious dimension of fan passion in Europe (ritualism, collective beliefs, using of totemic objects, etc.).

The paper suggests a reading grid of religions, founded on four interdependent dimensions (the Community, the Law, the Way and the Experience) and applies it to professional football by underlying its relevance in the singular context of sports show.

Beyond well-known economic stakes, the paper clarifies the football passion from a religious perspective and identifies the main pillars of the fan conversion process according to a heteronomous logic.