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This study aims to examine the use of real activities manipulation by firms implicated in the stock option backdating scandal.

The real activity manipulation measures are as follows: abnormal R&D expense, abnormal SG&A expense, abnormal production cost and abnormal cash flow from operations. Using a sample of firms alleged to have backdated options during the period 1998-2006 and non-backdating one-on-one matched firms, a separate regression is run for each of the real activity manipulation measures (dependent variables) on backdating and other variables.

The authors report unusually low R&D and unusually low SG&A expenses among the backdating firms. They also find evidence of unusually high production costs among backdating firms compared to the matched firms.

The findings imply that backdating firms are more aggressive in the use of real activities to manipulate earnings and the use of real activities appears to be opportunistic.

The study contributes to the literature by providing evidence of the use of real activities manipulation by firms under investigation for fraud. The authors also add to the debate on whether the use of stock options as part of compensation aligns the interest of management with the interest of shareholders.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a model of thinking for managers that is readily applicable in their situation and which will foster effective decision making.

The paper examines some of the thinking challenges facing contemporary business leaders and provides a sound philosophical basis for a cognitional theory.

The paper demonstrates that effective execution results from effective thinking, that a learning organisation is a result of becoming a thinking organisation, which is a collection of thinking people, and that people and organisations benefit from having a common cognitional method which can help overcome embedded mental models.

The paper introduces readers to the cognitional model of Bernard Lonergan, shows the application of that model to contemporary business challenges, and provides an easily‐learned model for thinking, which will aid managers at every level and lead to better decisions.

The aim of this paper is to propose a theory about the convergence of paradox and complexity and the consequences of this.

The author conducts an ongoing series of conversations with a range of thinkers in the academic and commercial domains

The paper finds that paradox and complexity are merging into “paradexity”. This can be observed in technological advancements that depersonalise, saturate, accelerate, and fragment the world we experience. It is contributing to the emergence of a new set of paradigms – the emotional economy, sense‐making, time expansion, and communities of interest – that will require developing four core capabilities: care, wisdom, attention and conversation.

Further rigorous testing would be required to confirm the validity of the views expressed.

This paper has significant implications for the way people engage with one another and the way we organise our workforces, and offers suggestions for ways individuals and society can flourish in this environment.

The paper recognises the convergence of paradox and complexity and the need to work within this construct, rather than eliminate or minimise either. It would be of value to senior business leaders, human resource directors, and those involved with public policy who wish to design more effective organisations and societies.

This paper set out to explore the potential for business leaders to do good in a way that is fully integrated with their organisational objectives and their personal purpose. In light of major issues confronting society, including environmental fragility, financial vulnerability and the reduced influence of traditional institutions, the paper proposes the need for a new global ethic, and suggests that leaders of global enterprises have a particular opportunity to make a profound difference in fostering such an ethic. It aims to explain what such an ethic could look like, and the organisational and personal competencies required for ethical leadership.

The paper takes the human person as a starting‐point for addressing major challenges, rather than the challenge itself, builds on research by contemporary commentators on social trends, and draws on examples of business leaders who demonstrate the required competencies for a new global ethic.

The paper identifies the three key elements that are crucial for effective leadership: to master the art of being human, and to master the art of running a successful enterprise, while becoming a servant to society by fostering a new global ethic within their sphere of influence.

The paper identifies the emerging stakeholder concern for profit‐driven firms to become purpose‐driven, and shows how leaders who align personal purpose with organisational mission and societal need can have a positive impact on the world and foster a new global ethic

This paper explores how school leaders seek to promote social justice agendas within the context of multi‐ethnic schools in England.

The paper draws on data from five case‐study secondary schools in England. Qualitative data was derived from interviewing principals in each institution together with interviews with staff, students and members of the wider community.

Effective principals in multi‐ethnic schools had strong values commitments to social justice and were able to articulate these values across and through the policies and practices in their schools. However, in some cases value commitments to equity and inclusivity could be challenged by the consequences of policies promoting school choice and the development of a quasi‐market for school education. This could present school leaders with complex moral dilemmas that counter posed inclusion aspirations against performance in the local market.

School leadership committed to promoting social justice can be both supported and undermined by the context created by national policy initiatives. This paper highlights the need to ensure education policy is fully aligned with social justice objectives if it is facilitate, not hinder, efforts in school to challenge inequalities.

Radio broadcasting is characterized by diffused taste for programming and highly fragmented supply of content. Satellite radio is a major technological breakthrough that promises to reshape this industry by, among other things, satisfying a greater diversity in tastes and promoting greater variety in content provision. A major issue is that the economies of scale are such that it is unlikely more than a few (currently, just two) providers can operate in this market due to the considerable infrastructure and content costs.

To study the industry structure (demand and cost analysis), analyze customer acquisition strategies and the resulting lock-in of customers, and the aggressive bidding for content that takes place in this industry.

“Companies, particularly those which sell goods or services direct to the public, regard their trade marks (whether brand names or pictorial symbols) as being among their most valuable assets. It is important therefore for a trading nation such as the United Kingdom to have a legal framework for the protection of trade marks which fully serves the needs of industry and commerce. The law governing registered trade marks is however fifty years old and has to some extent lost touch with the marketplace. Moreover it causes some of the procedures associated with registration to be more complicated than they need be.” This introductory paragraph to the Government's recent White Paper on “Reform of Trade Marks Law” indicates that reform is in the air. The primary pressure for reform has emanated from Brussels with the need to harmonise national trade mark laws before the advent of the Single European market on 1st January 1993. To this end the Council of Ministers adopted a harmonisation directive in December 1988 which must be translated into the national laws of member states by 28th December 1991.

“What went wrong?” This was the question no doubt asked by the Bush campaign and the Republican Party after the 3 November 1992 presidential election.

Describes Poetry in the Branches, a multi‐layered, replicable program model, devised by Poets House, New York, to foster the link between librarians, the public and the living tradition of poetry. Provides a comprehensive list of titles of contemporary poetry collections by single authors and anthologies.