Who profits from commoditizing Christmas
Master's Thesis from the year 2022 in the subject Economics - International Economic Relations, grade: 1,3, Berlin School of Economics and Law (Hochschule f羹r Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin), course: Internationale Economics, language: English, abstract: In this thesis, I ground my analysis in the Global production Network (GPN) approach, which in the literature also is associated with possibilities of "strategic coupling" and asks for an analysis of "value capture trajectories". But can the promise of such as "value capture trajectory" be observed in the case of the Nordmann fir GPN for the Racha region, from which the seeds of Christmas trees originate? The master thesis seeks to examine prospects for regional development in the Racha region in Georgia. The central research question of the master thesis is thus posed as: "To what extent does the Nordmann fir global production network contribute to development perspectives in the Racha region?" To answer this research question, I mainly draw on the Global Production Network literature (coupled with some perspectives from evolutionary economies) and analyze value creation, enhancement, and capture trajectories. Christmas is one of the largest religious celebrations of the Christian world. At the same time, consumer society as well as the marketing strategy of industries and retailers increasingly shift the spiritual character of Christmas towards materialist covetousness, leading to higher turnovers for supermarkets, large retailer, and industry. The annual demand for Christmas trees in Germany and Denmark is premised upon the seeds of Nordmann firs, which come exclusively from the Racha region in the Great Caucasus ridge of Georgia. It thus forms what is variously called a commodity chain, value chain or production network (as a phenomenon) and that can be accounted for with different concepts including Global Commodity Chains, Global Value Chains and Global Production Networks.
Patterns of Imports in Iron Age Italy
During the Early Iron Age and the Archaic period, the central Mediterranean was the scene of revolutionary changes and rapid development within the various cultural entities of Italy, Sardinia, and Sicily. It was this region that saw Greek settlementin South Italy and Sicily, Phoenician colonization in Sicily and Sardinia, and the beginnings of trade and contact between the cultures of the region and those of the East, with a subsequent exchange of technology, material, and ideas. The purpose of this study is twofold. Firstly, it centres upon a database of imported material in the Italian peninsula, Sardinia, and Sicily dating from approximately 800 to 500 BC, which has been constructed in order to study trade in this region. The databaseupon which this work is founded stands at a little over 50,000 objects. Making a database of imported objects into the central Mediterranean region, and undertaking a study of the methodology dealing with the statistical problems of such an endeavour, is an attempt to rectify a few of the shortcomings of past scholarship. It is the basis for a re-examination of the problem of the beginnings of trade and contact. The second major intention of this study reflects the necessity to ensure that applied theory remains embedded in data, and the potential for Iron Age and Archaic data, if handled appropriately, to form a fertile theoretical bed. The primary purpose of this work is to expand the range, the transparency and the flexibility of data not only for the short-term reason of admitting new questions, but also with the longer view of strengthening the soundness of applied theory in this field. Over and above the evaluation of current ideas and the illumination of new ones, this study isan open demonstration of the utility of databases of archaeological material as a tool for further research.
Brics
Some BRICS countries have been working and preparing for their rise to power for almost forty years. They have matured their economic emergence policies and are textbook examples of completed economic emergence models. The red carpet is now being rolled out for each of these countries' Heads of State. August 24, 2023 in Johannesburg marks a turning point in the history of the BRICS. They have just accepted 06 other countries. It seems logical that the BRICS should now become BRICS+6 or COPPEE (Community of Pre-emerging and Emerging Countries), with Argentina, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates joining in January 2024. We could then reach BRICS+30 by 2050. BRICS+6 would thus represent almost 43% of the world's population, around 33% of the economy, and almost 30% of the world's territory. The face of today challenges the face of tomorrow, just as yesterday's face challenged today's face. We'll have to make do with these giants, or not. What about Africa? The only countries that stand out are Senegal, C繫te d'Ivoire, Cameroon and the DRC.
Importance of innovation in tourism and hospitality industry
The travel and hospitality industry has been delivering great service for a long time. Tourism is one of the greatest global industries, improving according to the continuous changes in tourism trends and consumer preferences. It is this need to change that makes the concept of innovation a vital concern for tourism firms of all sizes - they need to stand out from the strong competition with successful and profitable operations. However, the importance of innovation has long been underestimated in service activities.
24-Hour Economy in Ghana
In the bid to have a more efficient usage of time, cities in developed countries have transitioned from day societies to 24-hour (24h) or night societies. Several factors trigger the need for cities to aim for the provision of 24h operations such as the congestion that occurs as a result of day activities, the need to maximize economic activities, and also to provide an enabling social environment where people can engage in, and also the need to improve the competitiveness of cities in the global landscape among others. Very little scholarly attention has been given to this concept in Ghana. In fact, the basic structure to accommodate transformative activities such as 24/7 operations in the country remains absent. Moreover, the services available remain either as temporal lock-ups or at best gentle, yet responsive to gentrified service hours.
Global Giants
The global business world is characterized by a diversity of factors that vary in their breadth and influence. One of these is what is typically referred to as FDI, which stands for foreign direct investment. This book provides a rich and comprehensive analysis of foreign direct investment (FDI) flows, including relevant theory and a compilation of outstanding empirical research. It is aimed at researchers specializing in the fields of International Investments and International Economics in general.
Openness and Coordination
This book documents various patterns of re-constructing national economies in corporate globalization. As international competition toughens, major national corporations have been forced to reorganize themselves beyond their national boundaries in order to survive. The problem is that a serious tension arises between these national corporations' self-interests and the overall interests of their national economies. Contrary to neoliberal optimism and nationalist pessimism, globalization does not lead to natural upgrade or denationalization. This book examines how three nations, including the free-market liberal U.S., the statist model of Japan, and the social coordination model of Germany, have reconstituted their national economies.
Business Ethics
This textbook enables global business school lecturers to develop ethical decision-making skills for future business leaders and other institutional leaders. It uses an institutional governance approach based on institutional theory, behavioural economics, and information economics to elaborate on how ethical business decisions can be made. These skills are developed by applying ethical decision-making steps with reference to contemporary global issues. Chapters include short case studies related to State Governance, Governance of Economic Systems, Legal and Regulatory Institutional Governance, Business Firm Governance, Governance of Earth (greenhouse gas emissions), Governance of Product Safety and Advertising, Governance of Disruptive Technologies, and Emerging Governance Challenges.
The Integration Challenge
"The Integration Challenge: Discrimination Against Immigrants in Sweden's Open Economy" tackles the paradox of Sweden's welcoming economic system and the struggles faced by immigrants. It explores how discrimination, despite anti-bias laws, hinders immigrant integration into the job market and society. The book delves into the challenges immigrants face, like language barriers, lack of recognition of foreign qualifications, and social network exclusion. It analyzes potential reasons for discrimination, including unconscious bias and employer preference for local experience. "The Integration Challenge" offers potential solutions for a more inclusive Sweden. It examines policy changes, anti-discrimination measures, and integration programs that bridge the gap between immigrants' skills and employment opportunities.
International competitiveness
The international market is a variable that results from the events that domestic economies go through. This is the premise behind this study. The opening up of trade practiced in Brazil in the late 1980s and early 1990s was not an isolated event. Practically all countries pursued this course in order to reap the benefits of the technological advances seen in developed countries. It soon became apparent, however, that this was neglecting aspects of competition that played against the potential gains of developing economies. In Brazil, efforts were made to gradually open up foreign trade, moving away from the pattern of economic growth based on the policy of import substitution. This study looks at the effects of technological development and international competition patterns in a context of external trade openness. For the Brazilian case, the margins of protection for the domestic economy against external competition were calculated by observing the degrees of tariff reduction, non-tariff barriers and their effects on the Brazilian economy at this time.
Going Global, Starting Small
Forget the image of giant corporations conquering international markets. The mini-multinational is emerging as a powerful force. These smaller companies bypass the traditional path to global dominance, opting for a "think global, act local" approach. They leverage technology and remote talent to establish a presence in multiple countries, often focusing on niche markets. While lacking the size of traditional multinationals, mini-multinationals are agile and adaptable. They can quickly respond to local needs and capitalize on opportunities before larger players catch on. Their success story challenges the one-size-fits-all model of internationalization, demonstrating that global ambitions can start small and scale rapidly
Geopolitics of the container shipping giants
The invention of the container in the 1950s, and its progressive use in the transport of goods, revolutionized the shipping industry in all its components, and by extension the entire global economy, from states to companies and individuals. The major container shipping companies, constantly striving to achieve critical mass and market share, are constantly concentrating their efforts through mergers and acquisitions and the creation of mega-alliances. This has led to a small number of companies reaching gigantic dimensions, organized into three or four mega-alliances, monopolizing almost 80% of the world container shipping market, sometimes forcing competition authorities to intervene to regulate this increasingly oligopolistic market. These developments confirm Alfred Mahan's idea that: "The fleet that dominates the ocean commands maritime trade, destroys that of the enemy, and enriches and sustains that of its homeland". Thus, containerized shipping has become a global geopolitical issue between the great powers.
Black Swans
Don't let the unexpected derail your financial future! "Black Swans: Taming Financial Risk" equips you to navigate the unpredictable world of markets. This book dives deep into the concept of Black Swan events - those rare, high-impact occurrences that can wreak havoc on your investments. Learn how to identify potential risks, develop strategies to mitigate their impact, and build a resilient portfolio that can weather any storm. "Black Swans" goes beyond theory, offering practical guidance and actionable steps to protect your assets. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, this book empowers you to make informed decisions and navigate the financial landscape with confidence, even when the unexpected arises.
Defense Budget Investment Policy for the Cold War in Space
Defense budget investment policy for the cold war in space: surveillance and reconnaissance satellites. This article traces the history of US and Soviet reconnaissance satellites during the Cold War. It fills the gap in historiography of the Space Race that has inadequately studied military space programs and focused largely on civilian spaceflight, with the Apollo Moon landings being a prime example. It argues that the military satellites employed by both the US and Russian offered unprecedented amounts of information on the other side and eliminated the issue of lacking intelligence that characterized the early Cold War. This in turn allowed for a more peaceful coexistence between these two ideologically opposed superpowers. Spy satellites allowed for a better assessment of the other side's military strength, created a system of early warning for nuclear attacks, and offered a non-invasive way of verifying arms control treaties. These reconnaissance satellites and their successors play this important role up to this day.
Resource Efficiency, Sustainability, and Globalization
The EU is a major trade partner with India, and economic linkages continue to deepen. India and the EU have increased their political interactions and are crucial partners in promoting sustainable development. Recent trends in India-EU relations show that New Delhi and Brussels are keen to expand their partnership in multiple areas, including sustainable development and natural resources management.This volume takes a unique approach to exploring the efficient management of resources in the era of resource depletion due to climate changes and business expansion, in conjunction with considering the multiple dimensions of India-European Union cooperation. It analyzes regional and global trends in the process of globalization and sustainable development, particularly in the context of natural resource management and resource efficiency. It offers a variety of perspectives through useful and current information in this field, providing a concise and holistic understanding of the issues and challenges faced when exploiting natural resources for sustainable and efficient resource utilization.
Understanding China in Business and Politics
"Understanding China: Neo-Confucianism and Its Influence on Chinese Culture and Identity" by David A. Chen In "Understanding China," David A. Chen offers a profound exploration of Neo-Confucianism-a pivotal force shaping Chinese thought, culture, and governance for centuries. This enlightening work delves into the evolution of Confucianism into its Neo form during the transformative Song Dynasty, integrating elements of Daoism and Buddhism to address the era's complex societal challenges. Chen elucidates how Neo-Confucianism has infused Chinese society with its philosophical, ethical, and metaphysical ideals, influencing aspects from individual morality to state governance. Through insightful analysis, Chen explores the core Neo-Confucian values-Ren (humanity), Yi (justice), Li (rites), and Zhi (wisdom)-that have underpinned the moral and social fabric of Chinese civilization. The book also examines the critical role of Neo-Confucianism in contemporary Chinese education, business practices, and international relations, highlighting its enduring relevance in a rapidly modernizing world. "Understanding China" is an essential read for scholars, business professionals, and anyone interested in the philosophical underpinnings that continue to guide one of the world's oldest and most influential cultures. It provides a comprehensive understanding that goes beyond the surface, capturing the essence of the Chinese spiritual and intellectual landscape.
Understanding China in Business and Politics
"Understanding China: Neo-Confucianism and Its Influence on Chinese Culture and Identity" by David A. Chen In "Understanding China," David A. Chen offers a profound exploration of Neo-Confucianism-a pivotal force shaping Chinese thought, culture, and governance for centuries. This enlightening work delves into the evolution of Confucianism into its Neo form during the transformative Song Dynasty, integrating elements of Daoism and Buddhism to address the era's complex societal challenges. Chen elucidates how Neo-Confucianism has infused Chinese society with its philosophical, ethical, and metaphysical ideals, influencing aspects from individual morality to state governance. Through insightful analysis, Chen explores the core Neo-Confucian values-Ren (humanity), Yi (justice), Li (rites), and Zhi (wisdom)-that have underpinned the moral and social fabric of Chinese civilization. The book also examines the critical role of Neo-Confucianism in contemporary Chinese education, business practices, and international relations, highlighting its enduring relevance in a rapidly modernizing world. "Understanding China" is an essential read for scholars, business professionals, and anyone interested in the philosophical underpinnings that continue to guide one of the world's oldest and most influential cultures. It provides a comprehensive understanding that goes beyond the surface, capturing the essence of the Chinese spiritual and intellectual landscape.
The Right Way
The most popular go-to-market models for international expansion and scaleup involve working with and through distributor partners in different go-to-market models.Such markets are often described as 'partnership' or 'distributor' markets and are prevalent in emerging markets. Such markets offer good opportunities for growth and expansion.The challenge for many companies operating internationally through distributors can be summarised as: "How to deliver and achieve a scalable critical mass within five years". Success and scalability have eluded many seniors operating in distributor markets.The typical results experienced by so many company seniors often result in clusters of small value businesses that barely grow or make any impression on the numbers presented and agreed in the investment case. Such numbers are defined as "the critical mass" to be achieved.In short, many executives fail to deliver their agreed numbers over successive years.Anyone can be forgiven once for missing their numbers. But it becomes a habit when they fail to deliver their numbers over several years. In short, they could not find "the right way" to succeed.This book explains why so many executives failed so often and how to find "the right way" to succeed in international expansion and scale-ups.Amit Vaidya proposes that success is down to three key factors: 1. The design of the Go-to-Market Model.2. Finding and selecting the best-fit distributor partner in that model.3. Having the right talent to deliver the critical mass in international scale-up.He explains in detail: - The importance of both a quantitative and a qualitative assessment in selecting international markets for scaleup. - The different models available for international scaleup and their pros and cons including legal affiliates and local manufacturing options. - Why some models and people can deliver critical mass and others can't. - The distributor models that have the best chance to deliver a critical mass and why. - How to find good distributor partners. - The difference between wholesalers, distributors and distribution service providers and their ability to deliver a critical mass. - The key situations that should trigger a review of your distributor relationship. - How to find and pick good international business managers to lead the international scale-up. The content is entirely based on his experience and real life, not textbook theories. This makes the book rather unique in its offering and content. With this practical guide to designing the best international go-to-market models through distributors, readers will learn how to avoid the mistakes made so often by so many and will discover "the right way" to succeed. Read on......
Building a New Economy
Japan is attempting to build a new economy. It goes by various names, such as 'Society 5.0', 'sustainable capitalism', and 'new form of capitalism'. It is to be constructed through digital and green transformation, and a 'virtuous cycle of growth and distribution'. The effort faces strong headwinds, including demographic decline and ageing, Japan's external energy dependence and geopolitical turbulence, and the legacies of Japan's 'lost decades'. Nonetheless, since 2015 a path has been identified that steers between Big Tech market oligopoly on the one hand, and an overbearing state on the other. For others facing the same post-neoliberal, sustainability transformation challenges as Japan, this public-private coordinated building effort is noteworthy. Building a New Economy uses an evolutionary conceptual framework of states-and-markets, organizations-and-technology, and institutional change. It shows how the institutional coherence of the manufacturing-centred postwar model broke down, and was followed by the ideological and institutional dissonance of the 'lost decades'. However, new institutional building blocks have been identified and (partially) assembled which could lead Japan towards a new model which is more open and adaptive. These blocks include a reconfigured developmental state, and new forms of coordination with and within the corporate sector, at times encompassing civil society. Importantly, for a country that has favoured social stability over creative destruction, and has struggled with change, the path forward may require 'controlled dis-equilibrium' of institutions rather than tight coherence. 'Society 5.0' and the 'new form of capitalism' claim to be people-centred; making them so will be the crucial challenge.
The goal is a growth trajectory
The strategic goal of the Belarusian regional policy is the integrated development of each region and reduction of existing regional disparities, taking into account the effective use of its resource potential and competitive advantages in order to ensure high standards of living for the population, nature conservation and positive contribution of the regions to national competitiveness and security. Within the framework of the second stage of the National Strategy for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of Belarus for the period until 2030, the regions are taking many concrete steps aimed at solving socio-economic and environmental problems, reducing subsidization and ensuring a high standard of living for the population. In particular, it is envisaged to implement about 80 innovative projects to create high-tech industries. Among the priorities should be highlighted the development of six "projects of the future", which are focused on new production, technologies and goods that correspond to global trends. How are all these challenges being addressed using the potential and opportunities of international cooperation? This is the subject of the proposed study.
EU-Africa relations
International relations literature has traditionally focused on the inequitable relations between Africa and the European Union, which typifies client-donor dependent relations and placed less emphasis on the bilateral and multilateral cooperation between both continents in the international system. Through the lens of liberal institutionalism and using European Union Economic relations with South Africa and France-CFA political relations, this research will show that Africa's relations with Europe have moved from subservient and dependent to economic partners and political allies. This paper provided empirical and theoretical evidence, the rising of Africa agency and the implications were transmitted through two-fold analysis. The international cooperation of trade and investments and the Mastering of Modernity.
Prostitutes and Their Rescuers
Few sociological subjects excite so much passion - and fantasies - as prostitution. Relying on a thirty year-long study of the French case, Lilian Mathieu offers an objective and comprehensive account of prostitution realities, first by analyzing the sex market as a social world with its own rules, hierarchies, and vulnerabilities, but also by stressing how prostitutes' practice and living conditions are framed and shaped by moral campaigns, public controversies, and state policies. By doing so, the book offers a new understanding of how the "deviant" and "normal" worlds interact and transform sexual norms. Prostitutes and Their Rescuers. Sociological dynamics and public controversies in French prostitution is now available in paperback for individual customers.
Diversification, Investment, Services and Integration
This book comprehensively analyzes Economic Complementation Agreements (ECAs) and their key role in driving sustainable economic development. It explores how these strategic agreements can diversify national economic structures, attract foreign investment, stimulate professional service sectors and integrate financial markets regionally. It highlights their importance as catalysts for sustainable economic opportunities and global competitiveness. Examines success stories, challenges and opportunities of their effective implementation, providing a comprehensive view of their economic impact. Explores practical implications in areas such as export diversification, investment attraction, trade in services and financial harmonization. It analyzes how they facilitate knowledge transfer, adoption of best practices and access to new technologies, driving innovation and productivity. Addresses potential challenges, offering recommendations to maximize benefits and mitigate risks. Analyzes legal, regulatory and economic policy issues necessary for an enabling environment for sustainable development.
Negotiating regional trade agreements in Central Africa
Regional trade agreements (RTAs) are the products of negotiation processes that often bring together countries at different levels of development. What factors determine and explain the balance of power in these negotiation processes? And how do these determinants play out in the negotiation process? This book analyzes these determinants in the negotiation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and Central Africa. The conceptual framework of this work is based on a set of theories and operational concepts borrowed from several social science disciplines, given the complexity of the fields covered by the research object. The empirical framework is based on a grid combining systemism and interactionism. The author concludes that power relations in the negotiation of an RTA within an asymmetrical configuration are determined and explained by a set of socio-anthropological, economic, political, geographical and historical factors that can be summarized by five concepts: strength, dependence, coherence, strategy and tactics.
Trade and FDI in a context of regionalisation
Following the creation of the WAEMU, the member countries undertook extensive economic reform programmes. In the trade sector, these reforms ranged from the reduction of customs duties on intra-community trade to the introduction of the common external tariff, which theoretically came into force on 1 January 2000. What is the relationship between trade and FDI within the WAEMU in the context of the adoption of economic reforms? This study attempts to answer this question. Using a dynamic gravity model estimated by the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) in system for the periods 1995-2002 and 2003-2010 on a sample of seven importing countries and nineteen partner countries, we show that trade and FDI complement each other for the period 2003-2010. However, we find no significant relationship between these two variables for the 1995-2002 period. The study also shows that these reforms have had positive and significant effects on bilateral trade within the zone since 2003, mainly in terms of the creation of imports.
Insurance in foreign trade
The security of goods against damage, breakage and theft during international transport requires companies operating in this field to take out insurance policies to deal with these risks, which can cost them their very existence, particularly in the case of a large transaction. It is true that they represent an additional cost for the company, but they are still necessary, whether against the risk of damage or theft, or against the risk of non-payment (buyer insolvency), since the seller and buyer are not in the same geographical, political, commercial, legal and customary areas. Several types of insurance can be envisaged to deal with these risks. These insurances are linked to the risks to which both the importer and the exporter are exposed. The exporter runs the risk of the importer's insolvency in the event of a sale on credit. The importer runs the risk of loss or deterioration of the goods during the journey of which he has become the owner.
New regionalism tendencies and the impact on world trade
Seminar paper from the year 2011 in the subject Economics - International Economic Relations, grade: 1,3, language: English, abstract: Contents 1 Introduction 2 Multilateralism vs. Regionalism 2.1 Regional Trade Agreements - Types and Development 2.2 GATT Regulations 3 New Regionalism - Impact on World Trade 3.1 Positive vs. Negative Effects 3.2 Winners and Losers 3.3 NAFTA effects on the Mexican and the World economy 4 Conclusion 5 Bibliography In 2009 German exports totaled 816 billion Euros in value. (EU Observer, 2010).During the 20th century cross-border trade has become one of the defining parameters for many economies and their enterprises in order to achieve competitive advantages. In most countries international trade represents a significant share of the gross domestic product (see figure 1, p.5). Free trade policies have set the base for these global economic integration tendencies.This essay examines the desirability of regional economic integration in comparison to the multilateral trade approach promoted by the World Trade Organization (WTO). In specific it discusses the question whether regionalism encourages or discourages trends towards free trade on a global basis.
United Kingdom
Is the quality of our sustainable products derived from agriculture recognized and valued by British consumers? Will it be possible to continue exporting Spanish organic products after Brexit without obstacles? With this research, we seek to improve scientific knowledge on how British consumers perceive and value sustainable products from the Spanish agricultural sector, as well as possible barriers that may be encountered, providing useful and valuable information for Spanish agricultural companies. In line with this, the results obtained can be used to improve or adapt the design of marketing and communication strategies in this market, which is in continuous growth and dynamism.
Global Mobility and the Management of Expatriates
With approximately 50 million people across the globe considered expatriates (persons living and working abroad for a limited time), global mobility is an important issue for individuals, organisations, and national governments, and a major research stream in universities and business schools. Written by a team of internationally renowned scholars from around the world, this volume summarises what is known about the management of global mobility and sets an agenda for future research. It also offers a comprehensive overview of the practical implications for organisations that manage expatriates, and individuals who are currently or aspiring expatriates. Providing an accessible and globally relevant introduction to the subject of expatriation and global mobility, this book will appeal to postgraduate, MBA, and EMBA students studying global mobility or international human resource management. It will also be of interest to practitioners, such as human resource managers and global mobility managers, who would like to gain a better understanding of the expatriation process.
International Business
Study of International Business is becoming an inevitable subject area as economies across the globe are integrating like never before. Markets are widening, at the same time international trade disputes in the area of intellectual properties. There is growing concern and expectations on the trading blocs created by various nations in stabilizing the international economies and markets. This present book contains 4 Units with 12 chapters on various elements of International Business. Chapter-1 cover international Business Environment, Chapter-2 covers Emerging Economies & Trade Blocs, Chapter- 3 International Marketing, Chapter-4 Entry Strategies and Selection, Chapter-5 Supply Chains, Chapter-6 Methods of Payments, Chapter-7 Bilateral and Multilateral Trade, Chapter- 8 WTO, Chapter-9 Patent Laws, Chapter-10 India's Foreign trade, Chapter-11 IMF & IBRD, Chapter-12 SAARC & BRIC. Possible questions are given at end of every chapter and additional insights at the end of every unit to provide recent trends. All these features will go a long way in helping students to gain the basic knowledge of International Business and perform well in the examinations successfully.
Innovation Under the Radar
Investigating the nature, drivers and sources of innovation in Africa, this book examines the channels for effective diffusion of innovation in and to Africa under institutional, resource and affordability constraints. Fu draws on almost a decade of research on innovation in Africa to explore these issues and unpack the process, combining a rigorous statistical analysis of a purposely designed multi-wave, multi-country survey with in-depth studies of representative cases. Building on this research, Fu argues that African firms are innovative but unsupported. Those 'under-the-radar' innovations that widely exist in Africa as a result of the constraints are not sufficient to enable Africa to leapfrog the innovation gap in the era of the fourth Industrial Revolution. This is the first comprehensive analysis of the creation and diffusion of innovation in low income countries. It also provides the first survey-based analysis of innovation in the informal economy.
Innovating for the Middle of the Pyramid in Emerging Countries
The transformation of emerging markets in recent decades has generated a new, growing, and very large middle class market, also known as the middle of the pyramid. This market segment, which is middle by the standards of emerging markets yet low by the standards of advanced economies, is extremely attractive for firms, but still understood and underserved. This volume presents detailed analyses of exemplary firms that have innovated products, services, and business models to fulfil the needs and desires of these new middle classes. It provides useful insights for managers, consultants, researchers, and students interested in emerging economies, and actionable lessons on how to innovate for a new and expanding market segment.
Public-private partnerships
Bachelor Thesis from the year 2023 in the subject Economics - International Economic Relations, grade: 1,0, Vienna University of Economics and Business (Entrepreneurship & Innovation), language: English, abstract: Water is a vital element for human life and its wellbeing. And still, millions of people living in developing countries lack access to quality water services. Governments of those countries simply do not have enough financial resources to build up or improve water infrastructure, but it is their responsibility to ensure that water also reaches the poorest. Private companies, on the other hand, are able to provide financial resources, capacities and know-how to design, build, operate and finance water utilities. This leads to the question if public-private partnerships (PPPs) would be an innovative solution for water privatization in developing countries? This thesis analyses the main benefits and risks of a PPP in the water sector in developing countries. In addition, the process of the water concession of Metro Manila, Philippines represents an interesting study case to discuss further the advantages and risk factors that were described in the literature. The conducted interview contributes to the research by gaining insights about up-todate information such as current water PPP projects.
Chinese insertion in the Brazilian economy and productive restructuring
The Chinese economy has been undergoing significant structural changes and showing extraordinary expansion through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the last four decades; which has indiscriminately affected the absolute majority of countries, especially since the 2000s. Concomitantly, the Brazilian economy has been characterized by two phenomena of the greatest relevance: 1) the decrease in its manufacturing industry compared to GDP and 2) the reprimarization of the national export agenda. Given this situation, this book presents the following question: are Chinese FDIs carried out in Brazil after the year 2000 responsible for the structural change manifested by the relative loss of the manufacturing industry and in the Brazilian foreign trade pattern expressed by its reprimarization? To this end, we seek to analyze the impacts that Chinese trade flows and IEDs have had on the national productive sector, specifically, on its manufacturing industry and on the pattern of foreign trade.
Mercosur
The creation of MERCOSUR is based on the experience of the Latin American Integration Association, and motivated by the rapprochement between Brazil and Argentina in order to promote regional trade. In 1990, the relationship between these two countries resulted in the Buenos Aires Act, in which the economies decided to form a Common Market. In 1991, Paraguay and Uruguay joined the process to form a Common Market through the Treaty of Asunci籀n. However, it was on December 17, 1994 that MERCOSUR gained legal personality under international law. With the advance of globalization and the increase in economic interdependence, international crises in the world's largest economies have had an effect on different regions, and especially on the trade policies of developing countries. Thus, the paper sought to analyze MERCOSUR's trade evolution, with emphasis on the effects caused by the Asian Crisis (1997), the Russian Crisis (1998) and the International Financial Crisis (2008).
Innovative Diplomacy and Future of the BRICS Alliance
The book "Innovative Diplomacy and Future of the BRICS Alliance" explores the concept of innovative diplomacy and its application within the context of the BRICS alliance. The aspects of innovative diplomacy focused on include inventive and adaptive approaches to address contemporary difficulties and capitalize on emerging opportunities. The book begins by setting the context of innovative diplomacy, highlighting examples such as the Oslo Agreement, digital diplomacy, the Belt and Road Initiative, and international space cooperation. It emphasizes the need for diplomacy to be flexible, adaptable, and open to new approaches, technologies, and collaborations. The shift to virtual diplomacy during the COVID-19 pandemic and the use of unconventional and inventive diplomacy to reconcile conflicting parties are cited as examples of this flexibility. The BRICS alliance is seen as promoting economic cooperation, transforming power dynamics, establishing alternative international institutions, increasing geopolitical influence, ensuring collective security, and impacting global governance. The book also discusses the future trajectory of the BRICS alliance.
Challenges of the post-colonial era in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
The monograph is devoted to the political and economic development of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) in the post-colonial era. The case study focuses on the causes of underdevelopment and huge income disparities observed in the modern world economy. Based on his own model calculations, which take into account the key role of technological progress, the author argues that there is some combination of factors that determines the development of any national economy. In order to build a modern market economy, Congo (Kinshasa) should substantially increase, along with education and R&D, the economic role of learning by doing. All this requires more investment in physical and human capital. The government should also attract more foreign capital and focus more on modernizing agriculture and infrastructure. To achieve these goals, however, armed conflicts within the country must end. The book is intended for a wide range of readers interested in the theory and practice of Third World development and especially the pressing problems of the African least developed countries.
International commercial transactions
This book deals with import-export operations and, more generally, international trade transactions in Africa, in the context of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).It is aimed primarily at trade professionals, but can also be used for academic purposes, particularly at higher education level, or as a guide for those responsible for drawing up trade policies.Written in a practical style, it first provides a good understanding of the Multilateral Trading System. Secondly, it raises the main questions every import-export professional needs to answer before embarking on an export venture, if he or she is to achieve lasting success in international trade.Finally, it presents the techniques, tools and aids required for a successful export operation. The illustrations in this book are drawn from the author's experience as an international trade expert, and from his activities as a player in the long chain of trade policy-making in Africa.
Handbook of Research on Cross-culture Business and Management
As organizations and businesses continue to expand in the cross-border and multicultural markets, culture needs to be taken into consideration. At present, culture introduces significant changes in the core assumptions of business practices and skill expectations. Gaining cross-cultural compatibility is now a serious concern for businesses and organizations. Appreciating the overall view of cross-cultural business environment, 'Handbook of Research on Cross-culture Business and Management' is a significant attempt to contribute a piece of knowledge on different aspects of cross-cultural business and management, facilitating practitioners and academicians to explore different cross-cultural business practices and develop competencies. This book will be a unique source for cross-cultural business and management practices, helping people of both industry and academia to understand the cross-cultural business environment and improve management practices.
Mission Investing
This thesis examines the concept of mission investing (MI) and thus the role the mission of nonprofit organizations (NPO) plays when fungible financial assets are invested. In contrast to the traditional separation of programming and investment policies, MI stands for the explicit inclusion of the organization's mission into financial decisionmaking. Although initially developed in the context of grantmaking foundations, the concept of MI can be applied to any NPO with fungible assets. NPO as mission-driven organizations differ substantially from regular "for-profit" companies in the way they evaluate organizational performance. Therefore, questions regarding the assessment of desirability and the evaluation of investment opportunities arise. This thesis consists of four articles which all answer a different sub-question regarding the concept and logic of MI and thus adds to a more profound understanding of nonprofit investment management and complements existing theoretical analyses with empirical findings on value-based portfolio selection. In their exploratory approach, these four essays contribute to a holistic understanding of how investment decisions within a mission-oriented organization should be planned and evaluated - independent of their social or financial nature. In applying a logic framework approach, it is shown that the strict separation of social (such as grants) and financial investments within NPO leads to a misallocation of scarce resources. Only by judging both types of investments based on their combined ultimate mission-related impact, an optimal allocation of the initial inputs can be achieved. Thanks to the linkage of both, social and financial investments, the evaluation of investments within NPO is not about either financial return or impact only, but everything in between (i.e., hybrid investments, such as venture philanthropy or impact investments). Further, this thesis also bridges linguistic gaps between nonprofit research and finance
International Handbook of Ocean Technology and Logistics
The work serves as a modern-day review of current developments in logistics and supply chain management, collaborative research in maritime security and offshore logistics, and the emerging collection of the impacts of new legislation in the offshore environment. It also addresses emerging security issues in restricted water zones and pollution mitigation issues affecting several regions, to mention but a few. Accident causation theories in the port complex were reviewed in the course of the work. The study is a compilation of works authored by graduates with a background in maritime logistics. Applied methodologies differ with the divergent views of each researcher, but all perspectives converge in the maritime logistics backdrop from which all the researchers emerge.
Just in Time Logistics
Just-in-time (JIT) logistics is a strategy that involves the delivery of goods and materials to a manufacturing or production facility precisely when they are needed, in the exact quantities required, and in the right condition. This approach aims to minimize waste, reduce inventory costs, and increase efficiency by streamlining the supply chain. The JIT logistics concept was first introduced by Toyota in Japan in the 1970s as part of its lean manufacturing system. It has since been widely adopted by companies in various industries around the world. The approach involves close coordination between suppliers, logistics providers, and manufacturers to ensure that the right parts and materials are delivered at the right time and in the right sequence. By adopting a just-in-time logistics approach, companies can reduce the need for large inventories, lower warehousing costs, and minimize the risk of overproduction. The result is a more efficient, responsive, and sustainable supply chain that can help companies stay competitive in today's fast- paced business environment.
On the contemporary global economy
Technological development is the decisive factor in the economic processes of the 21st century. That is to say, scientific and technical advances allow substantial progress in the issuance of cryptocurrencies, in financial dynamics, in energy consumption and transport, in short, in industry and services. This implies that the countries that have control of technological production have the lead in economic growth and welfare. And this looks set to be the case for many years to come. There is also the need to change traditional energy consumption patterns in order to reduce climate change and its devastating effects on the planet. Renewable and sustainable energy. This brings with it more efficient, faster and more advanced means of transport, international interconnection, the movement of people, goods and merchandise on a scale hitherto unknown. It is the global economy that is characterised by the modification of familiar patterns and the opening up of new patterns of efficiency and productivity in large-scale production. The transition to a different, innovative globalisation has already begun.
Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. TTIP's role in terms of politics, security, and defense
Seminar paper from the year 2023 in the subject Economics - International Economic Relations, grade: 1,3, University of Applied Management, course: Global Economics, language: English, abstract: What positive impact does TTIP have on policy, defense, and security? Observing the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, the political instabilities in African nations such as Syria, Iraq, and Libya, the war in Yemen, and the terrorism in Afghanistan caused by the Taliban shows that the world is currently facing security challenges. Above all, the Ukraine war, which began with Russia's invasion on February 24, the crisis in North Korea, and the confrontation over the Taiwan issue are of particular concern. In addition, there are other political uncertainties. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, 70.8 million people are displaced due to the war. This migration crisis is an issue that the EU and the US, especially, have to deal with. Furthermore, the global Covid-19 pandemic has been on the agenda since 2020. Accordingly, both military and health risks exist. This chapter focuses on the transatlantic trade and investment partnership "TTIP" and its impact on security. The TTIP negotiations between the EU and the USA reached a standstill at the end of 2016. Despite the possibility that the treaty would enable the two powerful economic nations to develop further and strengthen their ties. Furthermore, the agreement aimed to create up to 13 million new jobs. Nevertheless, the TTIP negotiations are gaining traction due to global circumstances. As already explained, many skeptics, such as charities, environmentalists, and NGOs, for instance, strongly criticize the agreement. There have also been some large-scale demonstrations in European countries. Nevertheless, TTIP also has benefits, especially concerning the economy.
Reimagining Philanthropy in the Global South
While there have always been high levels of philanthropic giving in the Global South, the urgency and unexpectedness of COVID-19 transformed the parameters within which philanthropy operates. 'Reimagining Philanthropy in the Global South' examines how newer models of philanthropy are tackling development challenges, including poverty, inequality and access to healthcare and education, and questions how organisations are coping with structural changes in donor-driven philanthropy; how changes in traditional grant making are impacting the imperatives of recipient organisations; and how indigenous philanthropy is making a difference. The chapters provide frank assessments of the priorities, challenges and opportunities of emerging market philanthropy, and the lessons learned from the pandemic. The authors highlight the deeper issues at play, as well as offering ideas and positive examples of how diverse stakeholders are coming together to solve social challenges in creative and practical ways. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Capital Markets Union and Beyond
Experts from economics, finance, law, policy, and banking discuss the design and implementation of a future capital market union in Europe. The plan for further development of Europe's economic and monetary union foresees the creation of a capital market union (CMU)--a single market for capital in the entire Eurozone. The need for citizens and firms of all European countries to have access to funding, together with the pressure to improve the efficiency and risk-sharing opportunities of the financial system in general, put the CMU among the top priorities on the Eurozone's agenda. In this volume, leading academics in economics, finance, and law, along with policy makers and practitioners, discuss the design and implementation of a future CMU. Contributors describe the key design challenges of the CMU; specific opportunities and obstacles for reaching the CMU's goals of increasing the economic well-being of households and the profitability and viability of firms; the role that markets--from the latest fintech developments to traditional equity markets--can play in the future success of CMU; and the institutional framework needed for CMU in the aftermath of the global recession. Contributors Sumit Agarwal, Franklin Allen, Valentina Allotti, Gene Amromin, John Armour, Geert Bekaert, Itzhak Ben-David, Marcello Bianchi, Lorenzo Bini-Smaghi, Claudio Borio, Franziska Bremus, Marina Brogi, Claudia M. Buch, Giacomo Calzolari, Souphala Chomsisengphet, Luca Enriques, Douglas D. Evanoff, Ester Faia, Eilis Ferran, Jeffrey N. Gordon, Michael Haliassos, Campbell R. Harvey, Kathryn Judge, Suzanne Kalss, Valentina Lagasio, Katya Langenbucher, Christian T. Lundblad, Massimo Marchesi, Alexander Michaelides, Stefano Micossi, Emanuel Moench, Mario Nava, Giorgio Barba Navaretti, Giovanna Nicodano, Gianmarco Ottaviano, Marco Pagano, Monica Paiella, Lubos Pastor, Alain Pietrancosta, Richard Portes, Alberto Franco Pozzolo, Stephan Siegel, Wolfe-Georg Ringe, Diego Valiante
Circular Economies in an Unequal World
This landmark first anthropological open access volume on the topic of 'circular economies' brings together a range of international scholars with regional specialisations in Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America to examine the concept's global implications. Aspirations towards circular economies have become increasingly prominent around the world, yet until now, social anthropology has largely neglected the potentially deep social impacts of this concept, focusing instead on metrics of waste, despite its obvious implications through every level of the economy and society." Please change this to: "Aspirations towards a circular economy have become increasingly prominent around the world, yet until now, social anthropology has largely neglected the potentially deep social impacts of this concept, despite its obvious implications through every level of the economy and society. This volume covers a diverse array of international actors, including waste-pickers, traders and policymakers, and the global movement of materials like metals, plastic and textiles. Through ethnographic and qualitative case studies, it exposes many of the tensions that exist between state and corporate ideals of the circular economy, and the vernacular practices and philosophies that exist around the world. Contributors examine the frictions that emerge as these concepts and materials travel across different geographic contexts, and ask - what can an anthropological analysis contribute to a concept that is increasingly reshaping economies and restructuring global flows of virgin commodities, recyclables, and waste?The ebook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence on bloomsburycollections.com. Open access was funded by UKRI.
The Political Logic of the Us-China Trade War
This collection examines the political logic of the ongoing trade war between the United States and China. The contributors examine a number of theories behind the trade war, the historical background in which the trade war emerged, and the international contexts.
