The Chinese sage of war, Sun Tze, emphasized knowledge of the context of battle as one of the primary factors for success. The context as he saw it was made up of knowledge of…
Abstract
The Chinese sage of war, Sun Tze, emphasized knowledge of the context of battle as one of the primary factors for success. The context as he saw it was made up of knowledge of oneself, of the opposition, of the battlefield, and most importantly of “calculations,” that is interpretations as to what exactly such data meant. Over the past twenty‐five years in which US competitiveness has become a major subject of discussion and research much analysis has been performed on who the opposition was, less on who we are, even less on what the context was, and even less on what the context meant.
Business firms are subject to accelerating technological change and related changes in the strategic value framework. Mistakes due to the misperception and misunderstanding of…
Abstract
Purpose
Business firms are subject to accelerating technological change and related changes in the strategic value framework. Mistakes due to the misperception and misunderstanding of technology impacts have been very costly. The purpose of this paper is to investigate, describe and model the process of technological evolution as a dynamic value framework for strategy and related decision making.
Design/methodology/approach
The research centered on the evolution of technology‐value vectors and their economic and strategic impacts. Information was collected from various known academic and professional publications. The paper also benefited from feedback gained from the presentation of an earlier version at ISMOT, 2007, Hangchow, China.
Findings
The paper indicates firms often have difficulty transitioning from one phase of a technology‐value vector to another, especially when presented with a super radical innovation, possibly because of strategy and related decision making. The adaptability of firms, from phase to phase, may be improved by a clearer perception and understanding of the relevant technology‐value vectors or vector.
Research limitations/implications
As the technology‐value vector model is new and offers many new perspectives it will be subject to further research, refinement and validation. It is best used to assess and explore medium to high technology. It does not explore specific market aspects such as preferences, place and time which are left to future research.
Practical implications
The model develops a tool and concepts for a clearer view and understanding of the economic/market forces impacting medium to high‐technological evolution. It is expected that this will lead to improved related strategy and decision making in medium to high technology firms.
Originality/value
The paper develops and describes a model of the evolution of the technology‐value vector, which may act as a dynamic framework for strategy in medium to high‐technology industries. The research may have many other uses, including the management and planning of technology.
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Aim of the present monograph is the economic analysis of the role of MNEs regarding globalisation and digital economy and in parallel there is a reference and examination of some…
Abstract
Aim of the present monograph is the economic analysis of the role of MNEs regarding globalisation and digital economy and in parallel there is a reference and examination of some legal aspects concerning MNEs, cyberspace and e‐commerce as the means of expression of the digital economy. The whole effort of the author is focused on the examination of various aspects of MNEs and their impact upon globalisation and vice versa and how and if we are moving towards a global digital economy.
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This chapter complements the one that appeared as “History of the AIB Fellows: 1975–2008” in Volume 14 of this series (International Business Scholarship: AIB Fellows on the First…
Abstract
This chapter complements the one that appeared as “History of the AIB Fellows: 1975–2008” in Volume 14 of this series (International Business Scholarship: AIB Fellows on the First 50 Years and Beyond, Jean J. Boddewyn, Editor). It traces what happened under the deanship of Alan Rugman (2011–2014) who took many initiatives reported here while his death in July 2014 generated trenchant, funny, and loving comments from more than half of the AIB Fellows. The lives and contributions of many other major international business scholars who passed away from 2008 to 2014 are also evoked here: Endel Kolde, Lee Nehrt, Howard Perlmutter, Stefan Robock, John Ryans, Vern Terpstra, and Daniel Van Den Bulcke.
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Communications regarding this column should be addressed to Mrs. Cheney, Peabody Library School, Nashville, Tenn. 37203. Mrs. Cheney does not sell the books listed here. They are…
Abstract
Communications regarding this column should be addressed to Mrs. Cheney, Peabody Library School, Nashville, Tenn. 37203. Mrs. Cheney does not sell the books listed here. They are available through normal trade sources. Mrs. Cheney, being a member of the editorial board of Pierian Press, will not review Pierian Press reference books in this column. Descriptions of Pierian Press reference books will be included elsewhere in this publication.
For the past twenty‐five years or so, the writings of George Orwell — especially his final novel 1984 — have been a popular topic for student research. From junior high through…
Abstract
For the past twenty‐five years or so, the writings of George Orwell — especially his final novel 1984 — have been a popular topic for student research. From junior high through graduate school, interest in Orwell has been consistent. Book reports, term papers, and even seminars on Orwell are common‐place in the national curriculum. Now, as the year 1984 arrives, librarians at all levels — public, school, academic — must brace themselves for a year‐long onslaught of requests for biographical and critical material on Orwell.
Thanuja Rathakrishnan, Bingbing Ge and Lala Irviana
The Golden Nugget is a family business that serves authentic Chinese cuisine in Gothenburg, Sweden. It was founded by a couple from Hong Kong, China, Alan Chan and Sandra Ng in…
Abstract
The Golden Nugget is a family business that serves authentic Chinese cuisine in Gothenburg, Sweden. It was founded by a couple from Hong Kong, China, Alan Chan and Sandra Ng in 1957. This case is based on the succession issue facing Brian, the second-generation owner-manager of The Golden Nugget. Despite Brian's efforts to expose his children, niece and nephew to the business, he realised that none of the third generations showed an interest in taking over the family business. Upon discussion, Brian found three reasons (1) own goals and desires vs family conflict, (2) fear of sacrificing their freedom and (3) lack of work–life balance.
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Raymond Moss, Ernie Redmond, Tony Preston, Alan Day and Norman Kelbrick
THERE ARE few controversies which have dragged on so long as ‘Public Lending Right’ (PLR). Originally put forward in 1951 as ‘Brophy's penny’ the controversy has raged ever since…
Abstract
THERE ARE few controversies which have dragged on so long as ‘Public Lending Right’ (PLR). Originally put forward in 1951 as ‘Brophy's penny’ the controversy has raged ever since. The late Sir Alan Herbert devoted the later years of his life to it. Bills got as far as Parliament and were then talked out. The details of this unhappy story are well known, especially to the sufferers, the authors.
The purpose of this paper is to extensively report the implications of the global trend of declining fertility rates and an increasingly ageing population. The experiences of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to extensively report the implications of the global trend of declining fertility rates and an increasingly ageing population. The experiences of childless men are mostly absent from gerontological, psychological, reproduction, and sociological, research. These disciplines have mainly focussed on family formation and practices, whilst the fertility intentions, history, and experience of men have been overlooked. Not fulfilling the dominant social status of parenthood provides a significant challenge to both individual and cultural identity. Distress levels in both infertile men and women have been recorded as high as those with grave medical conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
The aim of this paper is to provide some insight into the affect involuntarily childless has on the lives of older men. This auto/biographical qualitative study used a pluralistic framework drawn from the biographical, feminist, gerontological, and life course approaches. Data were gathered from in-depth semi-structured biographical interviews with 14 self-defined involuntary men aged between 49 and 82 years from across the UK. A broad thematic analysis highlighted the complex intersections between involuntary childlessness and agency, biology, relationships, and socio-cultural structures.
Findings
Diverse elements affected the men’s involuntary childlessness: upbringing, economics, timing of events, interpersonal skills, sexual orientation, partner selection, relationship formation and dissolution, bereavement, and the assumption of fertility. The importance of relationship quality was highlighted for all the men: with and without partners. Quality of life was affected by health, relationships, and social networks. Awareness of “outsiderness” and a fear of being viewed a paedophile were widely reported.
Research limitations/implications
This is a study based on a small self-selecting “fortuitous” sample. Consequently care should be taken in applying the findings to the wider population.
Originality/value
Health and social care policy, practice and research have tended to focus on family and women. The ageing childless are absent and excluded from policy, practice, and research. Recognition of those ageing without children or family is urgent given that it is predicted that there will be over two million childless people aged 65 and over by 2030 (approximately 25 per cent of the 65 and over population). The consequences for health and social care of individuals and organisations are catastrophic if this does not happen.