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The purpose of this paper is to consider the role of culture in international business studies, viewed from the perspective of textbooks in the field.

This paper analyses the separate chapters on the role of culture in 19 survey texts in international business at three levels: factual assertions; social and historical interpretations; and application of general theories.

Although all textbooks in international business emphasize the importance of culture, the survey reveals serious weaknesses at all three levels, including straightforward errors of fact, more subtle errors of interpretation, and serious problems with definitions and application of theories of cultural difference. The weaknesses are strikingly consistent, and the paper examines a range of possible common causes. Imbricated in the professional structures of the field, the authors appear to be under pressure from publishers, they share a US‐centred bias, and they appear professionally isolated.

Parallel to theories of nationalism and some postcolonial theorists, it can be argued that the implicit purpose of the texts is not to engage sympathetically with actual cultural differences, but rather to mould the next generation of American managers into a common pattern, by identifying an exotic cultural Other against which students will form their new identity. One of the consequences is that it does not matter greatly to the authors whether other cultures are presented accurately, or not. In practical terms, however, cultural differences are important and are recognized as such in international business studies, and so there is reason to hope that the texts will be improved.

While previous operations management literature acknowledges the positive influence of Lean and Industry (I4.0) on performance, recent studies examining the synergy between these two factors have produced inconsistent and contradictory results. Therefore, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the effect of Lean and I4.0 synergy on firm performance.

This study utilised a meta-analysis approach, examining 23 empirical studies exploring multiple effects of the Lean and I4.0 synergy on firm performance. Multiple subgroup analyses were conducted to assess the contradictory outcomes and identify in what conditions such synergy may achieve performance.

The results affirm the prevailing positivist perspective among most scholars regarding the positive influence of the Lean and I4.0 synergy on firm performance. However, the overall effect size derived from the studies indicates a weak relationship, suggesting that this synergy alone is not the sole determinant factor of firm performance. In addition, the subgroup analyses reveal the presence of contingent conditions that may affect the performance outcomes when integrating Lean and I4.0, as most effects exhibit a weak relationship.

This study represents the first meta-analysis investigating the relationship between the Lean and I4.0 synergy on firm performance. By shedding light on the contradictory effects often depicted in the operations management literature, this study provides a critical reflection for researchers who tend to adopt an overly optimistic view of such synergy.

In a previous monograph a discussion took place on stages one and part of stage two of the three stage process in an unfair dismissal action, namely the employee having to show that he has been dismissed (stage one), and some of the reasons for dismissal which fall within the statutory categories, namely the employee's capability and qualifications; misconduct and redundancy (part of stage two). In this monograph an analysis is proposed on the two remaining reasons, these being the contravention of a duty imposed by an enactment and some other substantial reason. There will then follow a discussion on the test of fairness as constituting the third of the three stage process and on the remedies available when the tribunal finds that the employee has been unfairly dismissed.

Until after the war of 1914–18 the development of the knowledge of food chemistry lagged behind in this country, but furthermore the utilisation by the medical profession of the knowledge available also lagged behind. This, whilst being deplored, is understandable, for the scope of the training of the members of the medical profession is so extensive that specialised knowledge, until it becomes general knowledge, cannot be incorporated in the scope of their training. One unfortunate aspect of the situation is that members of the medical profession, rightly regarded by the public as their advisers on food matters, have tended, often inadvertently, to mislead on such questions. To illustrate this point I will quote two flagrant instances. In one of the large democracies a trade feud began between the manufacturers of two kinds of baking powders. One of the powders contained aluminium in the form of alum, the other did not. Both financial groups were powerful and employed many scientific advisers, either directly or indirectly. All evidence for and against aluminium was collected and distributed to anyone who showed the slightest interest in the matter. An English physician became impressed by the argument against the use of aluminium for cooking vessels and circulated his opinion widely, giving evidence of many patients he had cured by cutting out the use of aluminium cooking utensils. This was characterised by a writer to the British Medical Journal as an interesting example of “ faith healing.” There is no scientific evidence that the trace of aluminium that may be dissolved from an aluminium saucepan is in any way harmful. Naturally one cannot argue for the few people who have certain idiosyncrasies, and perhaps it has been the fortune of that physician to meet a large proportion of these among his patients. The whole question was discussed in detail some years ago but, although invited, the physician did not attend. A point, not without significance, is that the analytical figures on which the condemnation of aluminium cooking vessels was based, were proved to be wrong. Had they been correct, a stewpan would only last twenty stews before it was all dissolved away! The second example is that of “digestive” teas. Advocates of so‐called digestive teas base their criticism of ordinary teas on the fact that they contain “tannin” which they aver has some extraordinary effect on the stomach lining and on the process of digestion. Naturally the public believe this, and, presumably remembering that the tanning of hides yields a product, leather, they assume that the stomach by analogy becomes tanned; some members of the medical profession also accept the claim of the vendors of the so‐called digestive teas. It is, of course, well known that there is a large group of substances, in many cases with ill‐defined structure, classed as “tannin,” and among these is the tannin from tea which, however, could not be used for the production of leather from hides. Dr. Roche Lynch was very categorical with regard to the absence of clinical evidence at a meeting some little time ago. He stated that he did not believe that post mortem examination had ever revealed any changes of the stomach which could be associated with heavy consumption of tea. The vast majority of these digestive teas have been examined and the point to be specially noted is that the tannin content of these “special” teas is well up to the average of that for ordinary blends of tea, and in certain cases above the average. The Public Analyst for Birmingham has made some scathing comments on “Tanninless” teas. As he said, the inference from the advertisement matter was that the tea would be “more digestible,” would “promote digestion,” or in one case would “cure indigestion.” Other misleading statements are that “Young tips” have been used, but these, in fact, are higher in tannin content than the normal picking of leaves; and that “stalk” has been eliminated, whereas stalk is lower in tannin content than the leaves themselves. It is, of course, well known that sufferers from digestive disorders are very prone to the effect of “suggestion” and one can assume that the clever advertisements have been the cause of the improvement in the patient's condition. The nations most prone to be influenced by considerations of the effect of food eaten on the functions of the body are the Americans and Germans, the former possibly because methods of advertisement have been developed to a higher pitch of efficiency than anywhere else, and the latter because as Hitler has said of the Germans, they are as a nation most gullible. I have mentioned the collection of data in the case of aluminium, and I will deal later with the development of food chemistry as reflected by the amount of published work. There is an ever increasing flow of papers dealing with this aspect of science. During the war of 1914–1918, there was a remarkable falling off of published work, and doubtless we shall experience a similar diminution during the present war, for food chemists, in common with other chemists, are deflected from their ordinary course, urgent practical problems taking precedence over the more fundamental investigations, the results of which are normally published. Our thoughts naturally turn to the general question of the provision of food in war time in this country. We have had that admirable little book “Feeding the People in War Time,” by Orr and Lubbock, just published; we have had lectures, broadcast talks and discussions, but, whilst practical in some senses, the general scope of these discussions has dealt with the subject from a somewhat academic standpoint—certainly not from the angle of the people who have to produce the food. During a period of war the total nutritional value of any food becomes of paramount importance. It is important to remember, however, that the findings of the dietitian have to be translated into factory practice, and until this has been done academic conclusions do not become effective. One cannot commend too highly the idea that there should be certain foods, basic rations, available in large quantities. Orr and Lubbock suggest that these should be: milk, potatoes, oatmeal, vegetables, bread, sugar and either butter or vitaminised margarine. As far as our knowledge goes at present, such a list of basic foods taken in requisite quantities would not only give sufficient calories but those other constituents of food essential to good health. That these should be available to the housewife is apparent, but unless they are relieved by a proportion of the less essential foods, the diet would become deadly dull; many of us remember our experiences in the army in the last war, how spirits flagged when the bare necessities alone were available, and how, moreover, the addition of those little “extras” would raise the morale of the soldier.

WHAT a wonderful lady is Dr. Lillian Gilbreth. Whatever her age it can be discounted since years have little or no effect on one so youthful in spirit.

What makes employees feel well within an organization? The aim of the present chapter is to start from a paradigm that emphasizes human relationality, affectivity, and intersubjective systems, and accordingly focuses on how well-being is emerging from contextual interrelations between employees. Applying this perspective to a qualitative study of nurses in a nursing home, I came to see the work community as a well-being-generating system in which the well-being of individual members is constructed together as an ongoing social accomplishment. In addition, I identified four systemic processes within the work community that greatly influence the well-being-generating capacity of the system.

This chapter offers a speculative essay regarding how religion may foster intellectual humility in public life, drawing on case studies from faith-based community organizing in the United States. and liberation theology in Latin America. Despite a plethora of religious teaching about the virtue of humility across a variety of traditions, I do not think there is anything inherent in religious belief – in any tradition – that predisposes believers toward authentic humility in their personal or public lives. I argue instead that religious conviction – when embodied in particular kinds of religious practice – does help drive us toward the balance of confidence and intellectual humility required for vigorous engagement in democratic public life. My argument draws on the concept of focal practices and insights from philosophy, theology, and social theory as I consider religious practices, religious conversion, and the nature of human passions as they relate to democratic life.

Numerous problems have arisen in the application of freezing methods to the various types of food products. One problem is concerned with the determination of the direct effects of low temperatures upon the food itself and another problem is to determine the effects of low temperatures upon other factors which may in turn affect the quality of the food. We are especially interested in knowing the exact effects of freezing and other low temperatures upon the micro‐organisms associated with foods. Bacteria constitute the most significant group of micro‐organisms affecting the sanitation and keeping qualities of foods. Those bringing about the decomposition of food products, while they are many and vary greatly, depending upon the nature of the food, are chiefly organisms from the air, water and soil. The types of bacteria found in foods vary greatly in their action on the food and also in reaction or response to varying temperature conditions. The action of micro‐organisms on foods of high carbohydrate content results in fermentations, while the action of the micro‐organisms on foods of high protein content will result, chiefly, in putrefactive changes. The former type of change usually occurs at a more rapid rate, when conditions are favourable, but the latter change usually results in a more undesirable condition of the food. While certain types of bacteria grow best at temperatures well above human body temperatures and others even as low as the freezing point of water, a large majority of those found in foods and the ones normally responsible for the detrimental changes in foods, are active only between 50° and 100° F. It is this latter group which is most implicated in food spoilage and it is significant that this group will be most effectively suppressed by low temperatures. Bacteria are much less affected by low than by high temperatures. Cold alone does not kill most types of bacteria, but slows down their activities to such an extent that they multiply very slowly, if at all. Many bacteria will die off, however, when held at a temperature below that which permits growth and reproduction. Bacteria, generally speaking, will be more easily killed when frozen in pure water than when frozen in foods containing albuminous matter and fats. There are a few bacteria of the cold‐loving type, which may actually multiply and cause slow decomposition at temperatures of 0° C. or less, if substances in solution are present to depress the crystallising point of water. Cold not only retards the growth of bacteria by the direct physiological effect of slowing down the rate of metabolism, but also depresses bacterial activity through its effect on their water and food supplies. Bacteria cannot grow and multiply in a completely frozen or crystallised medium, since they are by nature aquatic and are unable to carry on their normal activities except in a liquid medium. There is no evidence that bacteria maintain a body temperature which would make water available from a completely frozen medium. Bacteria may only utilise food when it is in soluble form, and thus capable of diffusion through their semipermeable cell membranes. When the temperature is sufficiently low to cause the crystallisation of most of the water, the remaining constituents become relatively more concentrated and this will further suppress the activity of the bacterial cells by affecting their osmotic pressures. These effects are very similar to those of partial desiccation or drying. In the course of experimentation some very striking examples of bacterial resistance to low temperatures have been reported. Lactobacillus and aerobacter have been reported to survive in peas stored at −10° C. for two years; whilst bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas were reported to increase in numbers when stored at −4° C. In general it may be said that practically all pathogenic bacteria likely to be found in foods will die off rather rapidly at low temperatures. However, this should not be interpreted to mean that infected foods can be made safe by low temperatures alone. Among the disease producing bacteria transmitted through foods, those of special significance include the organisms and toxins of botulism, typhoid fever, the several organisms of food poisoning called ptomaine poisoning, belonging to the Salmonella group (Salmonella enteritidis, etc.), and various organisms causing infections of the general nature of dysenteries or summer complaints of infants and adults. Frozen foods present no greater threat of botulism than foods preserved by other methods, yet it has been shown that Clostridium botulinum spores may survive freezing at −16° C. for as long as 14 months. The vegetables when thawed become toxic in from three to six days. Experiments have shown that Clostridium botulinum in foods preserved by “quick freezing” and subsequent storage at temperatures below 10° C., show no toxin production for at least 30 days. The lower the temperature of storage the greater the protection against botulism. All foods in which Clostridium botulinum might be present, and which have not been thoroughly heated, should be refrigerated at or near the freezing point. All foods which may harbour the botulism organisms or toxins should be selected with special care, before they are frozen, and care should be taken to see that they are kept frozen until used by the customer. Frozen vegetables should be used immediately after thawing. Thawing and refreezing is always objectionable since such a practice leads to loss of quality, and since bacterial growth and activity may occur during the period of thawing. While the typhoid organisms (Eberthella typhosa) shows considerable variation in resistance to low temperatures, it has been shown that about 99 per cent. will be killed immediately by freezing. Temperatures below freezing apparently have little more effect than the freezing point temperature. Small numbers of the Salmonella and similar organisms of the food poisoning groups may survive in frozen foods for periods of several weeks. It has been shown, however, that no significant growth of activity of these organisms will occur if the foods are refrigerated at 5° C. (41° F.) or less. Moulds and yeasts are of relatively little importance in frozen foods, both from the standpoint of sanitation and food spoilage. While low temperatures will materially retard the rate of enzymatic changes within food products, there is evidence that such changes continue to take place in frozen foods, even considerably below the freezing point. These changes probably account, in part, for the fact that frozen foods once thawed, will decompose more rapidly than foods which have not been frozen.

A distinction must be drawn between a dismissal on the one hand, and on the other a repudiation of a contract of employment as a result of a breach of a fundamental term of that contract. When such a repudiation has been accepted by the innocent party then a termination of employment takes place. Such termination does not constitute dismissal (see London v. James Laidlaw & Sons Ltd (1974) IRLR 136 and Gannon v. J. C. Firth (1976) IRLR 415 EAT).