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Monetary policy mistakes can cause serious economic damage. Central banks and their worldwide observers must strive to understand the transmission mechanism of monetary policy so that they know what monetary policy can do and what it should do to stabilize inflation and output--however imprecise that understanding may be. This volume sets out different aspects of the transmission mechanism, covering practical difficulties, as well as focusing on key areas such as the exchange rate and the monetary sector. The experiences of many countries are explained. ... Read more

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Technological Systems in the Bio Industries: An International Study represents a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and systematic effort to understand the nature and role of technological change in a rapidly evolving arena of economic activity that can be loosely referred to as the bio industries. These include biomedical industries that deliver goods and services used in health care, including those based on genetic engineering, as well as applications of biotechnology in other industries such as agriculture, food production, and the forest industries. This volume is the third in a continuing series of studies on technological systems; it seeks to identify and address new sets of conceptual and methodological issues in analyzing innovation systems, particularly as regards the delimitation of relevant systems. The book makes an in-depth comparison of the biomedical clusters in Sweden and Ohio. It also sheds light on the emergence of new science-based technological systems. ... Read more

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Book Description

Citizen's Guide to U.S. Economic Growth: and the Bush-Kerry Economic Debate is written for the person who wants to be informed about the fundamental issues affecting the growth of the U.S. economy and who also wants an understanding of the policy differences between the 2004 presidential candidates, President Bush and Senator Kerry, on issues affecting U.S. economic growth.

The concepts discussed in Citizen's Guide are important to all Americans because the application of these concepts by policy makers can have a significant impact on the growth of the U.S. economy, which determines the level of your standard of living.

Find out what the candidates' economic policies will mean for your future and for the future of the United States.

Book Description

This book explores both the skills and the knowledge base needed for not only surviving, but also thriving, in the fast-paced, highly interconnected, world economy. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An excellent survey of common barriers to global business
Can modern business owners and managers operate in the connected global economy of this century? Global Brains covers the knowledge base and competencies needed for global competition, discussing cultural values, communication basics, and understanding global values systems. An excellent survey of the common barriers to global business relationships. ... Read more

Book Description

In its first annual edition, The Little Green Data Book 2002 is a pocket-sized ready reference on key environmental data for over 200 countries.

The World Bank's mission is to fight poverty for lasting results.Enhancing environmental quality, improving natural resource management, and maintaining global ecosystems are all important steps towards this goal, and The Little Green Data Book provides a baseline against which to measure progress.

Profiles of each country include 48 key development indicators like:
* Population, Urban Population, Rural Population Density
* GNI, GDP, Gross National Savings
* Forest Area, Annual Deforestation
* Agricultural Land, Fertilizer Consumption, Irrigated Land, Food Production Index
* Mammal and Bird Species Threatened
* Electric Power Consumption, GDP per unit of energy use
* CO2 Emissions per Capita, Passenger Cars
* Freshwater resources per capita, Access to Sanitation
* Energy Depletion, Education Expenditure, Under-5 Mortality Rate

Drawing on data from the World Bank's World Development Indicators 2002 (see ISBN 0-8213-5088-9), The Little Green Data Book provides quick reference to the latest available environmental data for World Bank member countries as well as other economies with populations of over 30,000.

Separate tables summarize data for the World, by Region (East Asia and Pacific, Middle East and Africa, etc.), and Income Group.A helpful glossary defines each indicator. ... Read more

Book Description

“This is the first book to comprehensively summarize and extend cutting strategy research with a focus on transition economies.It provides a readable and refreshing overview for seasoned scholars and executives working in this field, as well as valuable insights for newcomers.The book combines theoretical rigor with up-to-date evidence on a highly relevant topic.Mike Peng is already one of the world’s leading strategy and management scholars working on transition and emerging economies, and this book adds significantly to his standing.”—John Child, Guiness Professor of Management Studies, University of Cambridge, England and Visiting Professor of International Management, Tel-Aviv University, Israel “The widespread shift from centrally planned to market-based economies has been the most profound change in the world economy since World War II.While a great deal of work has examined the broad economic implications of this transition, far less work has examined its implications for firms and managers.In this seminal work, Professor Peng draws on his extensive experience in transition economics, together with his knowledge of strategic management, to describe how firms in these economies can seize opportunities for growth and success.” —Jay Barney, Bank One Professor of Corporate Strategy, Ohio State University “A welcome contribution towards our understanding of firm – level issues in transition economies.A particular strength is the chapter-by-chapter consideration of how strategies vary depending on whether one is a state-owned enterprise, a privatized firm, an entrepreneurial start-up, or a foreign investor.”—Paul Beamish, Royal Bank Professor of International Business,University of Western Ontario, CanadaA comprehensive account of transition economies from a firm strategy perspective.Thoroughly researched and thought provoking, this book is a most valuable tool for both academics and business executives seeking to operate in this promising yet uncertain territory.—Oded Shenkar, Ford Motor Professor of Global Management, Ohio State University and Professor of International Management and Tel-Aviv University, IsraelBusiness Strategies in Transition Economies probes into the workings of business strategies in former socialist countries in East Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, and the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union, which are collectively called “transition economies.” It provides a rich and in-depth understanding of fundamental strategic issues confronted by domestic and foreign firms competing in these newly opened markets.Written by one of the leading scholars in the field, this timely book is comparative, interdisciplinary, and relevant.Focusing on firm-level issues confronting top executives acting as organizational strategists in transition economies, this book covers business strategies of 1.) state-owned enterprises, 2.) privatized and reformed firms, 3.) entrepreneurial start-ups, and 4.) foreign companies.Since transition economies, taken together, promise to be the world’s largest emerging markets in the 21st century, this book will be an invaluable resource for students, scholars, and managers seeking a better understanding of business challenges and opportunities in these markets. ... Read more

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A Wall Street Journal correspondent's visionary, big-picture look at why countries, businesses, and people either win or lose in an increasingly multicultural world.

Why is Japan, a country that looked economically invincible a decade ago, stagnating, while long-moribund Ireland booms? What are the qualities that will ensure the continued dominance of U.S. culture, society, and business?

In The Diversity Advantage, G. Pascal Zachary provides a provocative roadmap to the new civilization arising out of sweeping shifts in the world economy. He reveals – through vivid examples of individuals and institutions – that the key new determinants for any nation's economic, political, and cultural success are, surprisingly, a diverse population and a mongrel sense of self. Roaming the globe, Zachary shows how the rise of new forms of identity and migration are helping to determine exactly who will win and lose in the next century. Zachary's thesis isn't just about countries but about individuals, too. In his tour of a new global civilization, we meet a fascinating gallery of successful characters who possess an intriguing mix of roots and wings. Strong enough to know who they are, they are nevertheless ceaselessly becoming someone else – and in the process bestowing the gifts of creativity and social harmony on the cities and states that they call home. Updated with a new introduction by the author. Praise for the previous edition: ... Read more

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Why is this book 65 dollars?
Ok, I haven't read the book, but I heard an interview with Ken Thomas on the radio talking about his book and it sounds very interesting. It's about corporate welfare (subsidies/tax breaks given to business by state,local, or national government in order to convince business to build in its area). Im waiting for the book to come in at my local library because there is no way in hell im paying 65 dollars for it. That really bothers me. Anyway, when i finish it, i'll Write a real review. I wouldnt be requesting if from the library if I didnt think it sounded good on the radio. ... Read more

Book Description

The first book in this important new series, under the general editorship of Nobel Laureate Robert Solow, Institutions, Innovation and Growth assembles a stellar cast of international contributors. Leading economists join the debate on innovation and economic growth, focusing on a broad spectrum of issues ranging from labor markets to corporate governance. Growth paths within the OECD are also assessed, with particular emphasis on contrasts between US and European models. The book seeks to identify those institutional factors, taking into account different national trajectories, which might serve to promote economic growth in Europe.

As with all books in this series, Institutions, Innovation and Growth offers cutting edge research that is relevant to the world in which we live. It will be essential reading for scholars, policymakers and interested readers concerned with the economic challenges facing Europe in the twenty-first century. ... Read more

Book Description

Japan has succeeded in many industries through its renowned production system. Competitive advantage, however, in the new economy is shifting from production to demand-based capabilities. One such new industry is pharmaceuticals, where Japan has been a resounding failure, both from public policy and corporate strategy perspectives. This book provides a detailed examination of how Japan has socially constructed its pharmaceutical industry, the economic and political bases of this construction and the consequences for corporate innovation and performance.

Perhaps the starkest indication of this failure of Japanese public policy is the emergence of a new drug lag in that nation. Almost 90 percent of important new drugs are unavailable in Japan, despite their widespread diffusion throughout the rest of the world. Analysis of this drug lag confirms that it is not due to government discrimination against Western firms, but rather is only one of many consequences of failed Japanese industrial policies.

The author presents an analysis of the nature, causes and consequences of the new drug lag in Japan. He contrasts the problem with the one experienced in the US and looks at the powerful role played by domestic politics in shaping the pharmaceutical industry. The last chapters look at the various remedies available. Academics, experts in government and industry, researchers and students of industrial policy, economics, public health and trade policy will find the examination of this important industry both informative and enlightening. ... Read more

Book Description

‘Stable holdings of each other’s shares have been a significant, distinctive feature of Japanese major industrial companies and financial institutions and an integral component of its economic system of bank-based finance and permanent employment. Recent accelerating decline in stable shareholding thus has important implications for Japan’s transition to a market-based system. Mitsuaki Okabe provides useful data and insightful analysis of the rather complex patterns of changing costs and benefits of cross-shareholdings in this important new study, the first of its kind available in English.’

- Hugh T. Patrick, Columbia University

‘Cross shareholding among major firms and the bank in Japan has long been a central feature of Japanese industrial organisation. As Okabe argues it is not an isolated element in the way in which the Japanese economic system works: it is at the core of the whole system - the structure of the labour market, the way in which the capital market has worked to protect Japanese business against external competition, and the innovation system. Okabe provides a fresh look at the dissolution of corporate and main bank links in Japan leaving open the question of when the changes under way will reach a critical point. This is a valuable up-to-date primer on these important changes in corporate Japan and the Japanese economic system more generally.’

- Peter Drysdale, Australian National University, Australia

This book focuses on one of the most important features of the contemporary Japanese economy; cross shareholding – or mutual shareholding – between corporations. The book analyzes recent trends and the reasons behind these, and discusses the implications for the entire Japanese economic system and highlights relevant public policy.

Mitsuaki Okabe proposes that the dissolution of cross shareholdings has weakened the importance of long-term transactional relationships as seen in the Keiretsu (the ‘main bank’) practice and employment, and that as a result the character of the economy is now closer to that of the Anglo-American system.

Cross Shareholdings in Japan is a timely book and will be of special interest to academics and researchers of economics, Asian studies and finance, as well as policymakers and those involved either directly or indirectly in the Japanese financial system. ... Read more

Book Description

This substantial new book examines key economic, political and social aspects of Malaysia at the turn of the new century. It covers the years of rapid growth and dramatic structural change leading up to the 1997 financial crisis, and the subsequent adjustments which enabled the economy to resume its vigorous advance. The authors critically address affirmative action policies aiming to help Malays enter the modern economy and make income distribution more equitable while reducing poverty. They look at case studies of persisting poverty amidst economic progress, and also scrutinize the development of East Malaysia with its special problems away from the center of power in Kuala Lumpur.

The authors review the direction of politics after Prime Minister Mahathir, as well as exploring Malaysia’s foreign, education, and labor policies. They canvass the idea of a ‘new Malay’ better adapted to modern society, investigate the position of the Chinese, examine the struggle for women’s rights within the religious framework of Islam, and discuss the contributions of Malaysian NGOs to ongoing changes. They finally draw together crucial issues facing Malaysia in the 21st century.

The contributors, who are leading scholars in their spheres, have produced a wide ranging and comprehensive guide to the economy and society of Malaysia. This book will be of great value and interest to students and scholars of Asian economics, development and social studies. ... Read more

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Introduced in Bolivia a little over a decade ago, social funds have become a key community-led poverty reduction tool. A departure from traditional government-sponsored approaches, social funds encourage communities and local institutions to take the lead in identifying and carrying out small-scale investments, generally in social infrastructure such as schools, health clinics, and small-scale water supply and sanitation.The social fund model has proved to be a dynamic, replicable approach, easily adapted and scaled up in diverse countries around the world. In Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Asia, social funds have now absorbed close to $10 billion in foreign and domestic financing. Despite their popularity, the effectiveness of social funds as a mechanism for improving welfare has remained largely unmeasured. This study is the first systematic cross-country impact evaluation of social funds using survey data and accepted evaluation methodologies. The research, carried out in Armenia, Bolivia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, and Zambia, addresses four fundamental questions: Do social funds reach poor areas and poor households?Do social funds deliver high-quality, sustainable investments?Do social funds affect living standards?How cost-efficient are social funds and the investments they finance, compared with other delivery mechanisms? The result of important new World Bank research, this book will be of interest to social policy practitioners and analysts, to academics and students of development, and to anyone interested in current thinking on poverty reduction strategies. ... Read more