Book Description

Implementing effective logistics strategies when operating internationally differs from managing domestic logistics because of specificfactors such as shipping regulations, transportation concerns, and cultural differences. This indispensable guide presents a coherent perspective oncontemporary global logistics from raw materials through production to the customer.

Now in its second edition, the book includes sections on: the roles of governments and intermediaries * international sourcing * the application of localtrade laws * ocean, air, and surface carriers and systems.

Plus, this second edition has been revised with new information on supply chain management, important updates of U.S. shipping regulations, new casestudies, chapter review questions, and standardized international terms of sale. ... Read more

Book Description

Preparing future American businessmen and women to understand and cope with the cultural dimension of their professions, this book demonstrates how the theory and insights of cultural anthropology can positively influence the conduct of international business.It explores (1) general concepts about culture that can be applied to any cross-cultural situation; (2) the nature of communication, both linguistic and nonverbal; (3) contrasting value systems; and (4) a wide variety of sources for locating culture-specific information. A conceptual approach provides readers with the necessary framework for understanding the cultural dimension of the international business arena.For individuals seeking to understand any cross cultural business encounter they have had in the past or might have in the future. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Lots of information - pretty boring approach
I bought this for my MBA program and found this book having good contents but the approach is not good.... I would have done the layout much differently to make it more interesting.....

I had to read this book and so read it..... not greatly impressed.

Cultural Dimensions of Ferraro
Throughout this book Ferraro takes on the idea of being a theoretical observer of different characteristics that the typical North Amercian has in comparison to the rest of the world. He takes these dfferences and applies them usefully to the area of International Buisness. The book goes through many different catagories including language, communication (verbal and non-verbal), precise time reckoning, and even culture shock. As a student, I found this book to be very insubstantial for a textbook, but I believe that it would be a wonderful starting point for buisness people of any age to read before doing any international buisness realtions. I wish I had read this book before I went and lived in Europe for 5 months, I think I would have been able to communicate a little more easily. ... Read more

Book Description

Doing Business in China is essential reading for the manager or firm setting up a business for the first time in a complex market. The book provides vital knowledge about business practices, market conditions, negotiations, business organization and more. It emphasizes the importance of guanxi (relationships) as the underpinning of virtually all businesses in China. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

How to do the business in China ?
Doing business in China!
Relation, Relation And Relation....

If you are using your American or European style to work and even partner with China's firms, you must be failure in the end.

Relationship with the Government and officials are the major concerns when you stepping into the door of China.

Think Global and hire Local Chinese people is the only way to have the final success with your partner in China.

China means: " Always in the historical culture "
So don't think about China with your American Standard !

Try to learn with your local Chinese people (doer)

Anyway, China is opened now and also needed to face the ways for WTO ! Reckon, China can learn from their European and American business partners from today.

This book is essential to appreciating the Chinese psyche...
Particularly impressive is the author's approach at presenting the Chinese thought process in such a manner that Westerners can not only understand the Chinese psyche, but respect and learn from it as well. This book was perhaps one of the most enlightening books I have read in a while. There is a a concerted effort to show business protocol and potential avenues of entry, but more importantly this book addresses the fundamental social concepts that need to be FULLY understood before attempting to grow in China.

authorative and insightful
Of the vast number of books about China, this one is a very useful account of how successfully doing business in China. Western Managers at the forefront in China should read this book which brings together a lifetime of research and practice on China. ... Read more

Book Description

A Choice Magazine Outstanding Academic Title of the Year Drawing on a wide range of documents and interviews with officials in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, as well the author's experience as an aide to Senator Bill Bradley during negotiations, Interpreting NAFTA is a history of the agreement's development, from opening talks to final passage. Frederick W. Mayer combines recent work in international relations, comparative politics, interest groups, and public opinion to develop a broad theoretical framework that crosses between international relations and domestic politics. Mayer demonstrates that to understand NAFTA, one must view it as simultaneously a matter of political interests, institutions, and ideas. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Great Book on a Dry Topic
A great presentation of what I expected to be an unexciting topic. Examines the workings of the political system in a highly readable way. I was not only well-informed after I read the book, but entertained as well!

Excellent Theoretical Framework
This is excellent material if you are conducting any kind of serious research on NAFTA and its negotiations' development and outcome. It provides with a huge theoretical framework, every step of the process. If your line of work is game theory, this book will really help you (or at least it worked wonders for me). This is mandatory reference material for anyone interested in studying NAFTA.

Mayer rivals Grisham. I couldn't put it down!
Mayer rivals Grisham. He enfolds the strategy of NAFTA like a good murder-mystery. More proof that reality is more entertaining than fiction. It's a thriller, a nail-biter. I couldn't put it down! ... Read more

Amazon.com

In this memoir, the man most responsible for Singapore's astonishing transformation from colonial backwater to economic powerhouse describes how he did it over the last four decades. It's a dramatic story, and Lee Kuan Yew has much to brag about. To take a single example: Singapore had a per-capita GDP of just $400 when he became prime minister in 1959. When he left office in 1990, it was $12,200 and rising. (At the time of this book's writing, it was $22,000.) Much of this was accomplished through a unique mix of economic freedom and social control. Lee encouraged entrepreneurship, but also cracked down on liberties that most people in the West take for granted--chewing gum, for instance. It's banned in Singapore because of "the problems caused by spent chewing gum inserted into keyholes and mailboxes and on elevator buttons." If American politicians were to propose such a thing, they'd undoubtedly be run out of office. Lee, however, defends this and similar moves, such as strong antismoking laws and antispitting campaigns: "We would have been a grosser, ruder, cruder society had we not made these efforts to persuade people to change their ways.... It has made Singapore a more pleasant place to live in. If this is a 'nanny state,' I am proud to have fostered one."

Lee also describes one of his most controversial proposals: tax breaks and schooling incentives to encourage educated men and women to marry each other and have children. "Our best women were not reproducing themselves because men who were their educational equals did not want to marry them.... This lopsided marriage and procreation pattern could not be allowed to remain unmentioned and unchecked," writes Lee. Most of the book, however, is a chronicle of how Lee helped create so much material prosperity. Anticommunism is a strong theme throughout, and Lee comments broadly on international politics. He is cautiously friendly toward the United States, chastising it for a "dogmatic and evangelical" foreign policy that scolds other countries for human-rights violations, except when they interfere with American interests, "as in the oil-rich Arabian peninsula." Even so, he writes, "the United States is still the most benign of all the great powers.... [and] all noncommunist countries in East Asia prefer America to be the dominant weight in the power balance of the region." From Third World to First is not the most gripping book imaginable, but it is a vital document about a fascinating place in a time of profound transition. --John J. Miller ... Read more

Reviews (32)

An unpleasant character revealed
This is a very interesting book that can be read on and off. Obviously it says a lot about how Singapore developed over the past 30-odd years. Indeed, just go to Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta and you can see Singapore's achievement - much of it due to Lee Kuan Yew.

In a way, it would be nice to applaud LKY, but his conceit is so great that's just not possible. He has a ludicrously inflated view of himself, not least as a world statesman sought after by other leaders for advice. He doesn't have a solitary ounce of humility. He dwells on trivialities too much, while his response to criticism - including that from the media and opponents - shows he's incapable of dealing with it, except through twisted legal or authoritarian means.

One achievement he forgets to mention is that Singapore has achieved the seemingly impossible: it's made Chinese people lose their entrepreneurial spirit.

I haven't got there yet, but the gist of last page will be something like:

"And when the final curtain comes down and I depart from the Garden City up into the even greater Garden City in the neverworld above - the one with an even taller hotel, bigger fountain of wealth and busier container port - I hope I'm remembered as a humble man who knew his strengths - many - and recognised his weaknesses - none whatsoever.

I've had a happy life, apart from the last ten years with that imposter Mr Goh in charge. Who does he think he is? He is but a caretaker manager, to use that old British footballing term (ah, England... that green and pleasant land, where name-dropping meant something and I was regular and welcome guest at the highest tables [Top Table: "Lee Kwan who?"]), keeping the hot seat hot for my son.

And when I say "hot," I mean "warm." If I hear a word about those good-looking bodyguards who go jogging in the dewy dawn with my boy, I'll be onto my lawyers immediately. And by strange coincidence, just as my son is clearly the most able and uniquely qualified candidate to be PM, so the judge at court will have not doubt worked at my law firm. Aaargh... I already feel more damages on the way.

I leave as my legacy a few words of compassion for my foes - "rot in hell" - and a new shopping mall for my friends - one that's close to where they're building an MRT station and some property I own. Farewell."

Lee Kuan Yew: A builder of Civilzation
I have both read the book and been to Singapore. I must say Singapore is a charming place. Mr. Lee is harsh, a bit repressive, and intolerant, but he took a small island from the third world to first. What ever you say of Mr. Lee Yew, you can't deny Singapore's GDP per capita. Mr. Lee has created an affective legal system and a wealthy nation. Yes, sometime he did not always stick to the free market, but he got the job done! Let the old man enjoy his victory, the controls he imposed where need at the time, when the old guard is gone, the controls will relax. However they should not completely go away. Remember that Singapore is lucky, they should thank Lee Kuan Yew.... How many countries in black Africa or Latin America would love to be in Singapore's shoes. Remember things in Singapore could be worse, they could have a standard of living like Indonesia. Really, Singapore is a great place to live and to study, we should praise Lee Kuan Yew not curse him.
There are many anti-capitalism, anti-globalization idiots out there, they wish to castigate Singapore for not remains poor and backward, so that they can claim the free-market oppress non-Europeans. The facts are, it took Europe hundred of years to develop the intuitions that allow it to be both prosperous and exercises free speech. Singapore did not have the luxury of developing these intuitions over 300 years, so it had to leap frog and that required the abrogation of some rights.
For a country at the bottom of the third world (GDP per capita of less then $2,000.00 -anything under $10,000.00 is third world in general-) a choice has to be made, do they want democracy or do they want prosperity, you cannot have both. Democracy forces a nations leadership to look at the short term (the election cycle) rather then at the long term. Often they refuse to make the hard decisions, such as labor reform and ending the welfare state, because if they do the general mass, still poor with a third world "give me money" mind set will boot them out of office. Even if they do make the tough decision, they are often reversed after they are removed from office.
Since World War 2 there has not been a single country that has moved its self from the third world to the first using democracy. All the nation to do so (Singapore and Hong Kong) while allow outright democracy, even "democratic" Hong Kong had a government appointed by the British, with out elections.
Some might point to the example of Japan as a democracy that has become first world, but that is a fallacy, because Japan was first world before WWII (e.g. its industrial base that allowed it to fight the West) thanks to the Meiji Restoration that also used Authoritarian methods.
I am not say that every Authoritarian regime is good or that they will being their nation in to the first world, but they do have an advantage over democratic nation. Some might say that the abrogation of important liberties is a high price to pay, I would argue that most liberties that we praise are economic liberties and any regime looking to develop must allow a great deal of liberty.
I ask you, what good is it to live in a country that has a free press, but the average person can't afford to buy a news paper or a country that holds regular elections, but the average person is starving.
I would much rather live in a country that has a censored press, but where the people in the middle class can afford a BMW or a country that does not hold election, but the grocery stores are stocked with food.
Until you have been to a real third world nation, not a Brazil, but a real third world country where there is massive starvation like Ethiopia, you have no right to castigate Singapore or Lee Kuan Yew.
Lee did what he had to do to see his nation serve, G-d bless him!
I would live in the so-called "sinister" and "phobacratic" Singapore with it's clean street, new shopping malls, and clean drinking water, then the third world hell hole that is the democracy of India!

A must read for those interested in development
Singapore is one of the few nations in recent history, which has managed to transform itself from a struggling third world nation to a high tech society in less than fifty years. All this was possible - aside from many other factors - because of the genius of one man: Lee Kuan Yew. This book is the story of his quest to change Singapore.

The first part of the book deals with the various projects he initiated or oversaw that changed Singapore. Lee Kuan Yew gives an overview of what he did to deal with those problems facing every developing nation - crime, education, housing, investment etc...
Reading his memoirs, one cannot help but admire this man's moral character and sense of purpose, other leaders of developing nations would do well to learn from this man.

The second part of the book gives Mr Yew's views on nearly every country Singapore has had significant dealings with. His views are, as he himself says on many occasions, not meant to be politically correct. This means that those fluent in 'diplomatese' may find his language crude and some of his views upsetting.

Not surprisingly the last part of the book, which deals with his family and his personal life is very brief. Given the formal tone throughout, it would not be in keeping to speak at length about his own personal life, although no doubt that would be interesting reading.

For those students of economics or politics and for those curious about Singapore or the Asia-Pacific region in general, I would highly recommend this book. The writing is extremely clear and the chapters are arranged in a logical order, (unlike the haphazard ranting in other memoirs) which makes reading a pleasure rather than a pain. Read this book to be inspired.

As Singaporean.....
The world seems to split in their judgement against Mr Lee (I'm sorry, in Chinese, his surname, or last name in the USA, comes in the front). The third world nations tend to look upon him while the developed nations tend to view him as a dictator. As a Singaporean and after reading his book, I cannot stop to give my point of view.

Mr Lee is a great visionary and Asian states in the 50s and 60s cannot be ruled like those states in the western world. Singapore ran into chaos with racial riots and problems with Malaysia. Indeed, we were kicked out of the Malayan Federations due to differences in point of view, deeply rooted in the differences of religion and race. That day proved to be the happening days and the greatest day in the history of Singapore.

To overcome those problems, Singapore cannot be open and people cannot be given that many "rights" since everything is "wrong". Singapore has to be sensitive towards neighbouring countries, which happened to be Muslim majority, while adopting western way of economic development.

THere are lots of criticisms from within Singapore about those harsh rules but without those rules, things cannot be straighten and Singapore cannot adopt new and effective policies quickly. Indeed, when one reads that book, we must appreciate that a too democratic government will do more harm to a third world country than a semi-dictatorial one. Mr Lee is not a total dictator, he is hard and tough, and that's what a developing nation needs.

Singapore is unlike Hong Kong, which tend to enjoy racial and cultural homogenity. Again, harsh rules are important to make sure the minorities are taken care of. Indeed, Singapore has the fairest policy for the minorities as compared to the US and many countries in the western worlds... we cannot discredit that since Chinese remain the majority but power sharing has been deeply rooted in the Singapore culture as all races are given equivalent representation in the government.

We are a small nation, though many African countries would have admire our strategic location, but sincerely, many of these countries are also strategic themselves. Indeed, it is the reason that Singapore has no resources and that the culture in Singapore is to continue upgrade itself to compete with the rest of the world, that makes Singapore what it is today.

Mr Lee is the captain of the ship, Singaporeans are the crews. WIthout a good and tough captain, the ship has no direction but without good crews, the ship cannot get to sail.

Again, Singapore cannot be served as an example to the rest of the world, cos we are too small and we have our own unique problem. We can just act as an inspiration to the rest. This is again what the US should be... rather than imposing on the rest of the world their style of democracy and human rights, they should allow forms of government that are suitable for each cultures to develop.

I believe this is the hidden message behind this book.

A Dictator's Views - Read Alongside Other Accounts
Here is the second enormous volume (900 plus pages!) of Harry Lee Kuan Yew's memoirs of how he created Singapore, written in a relaxed, confident style by a dictator who says he cares not whether anyone disagrees with him. According to this book, Harry built Singapore out of "a few pineapple plantations." But I recommend the following titles to anyone planning to visit or live in Singapore to get a more balance account of this squeaky clean, sinister place. Stan Sesser's *Lands of Charm and Cruelty* has a wonderful essay on S'pore describing *"the fear that even the best educated Singaporeans feel towards their government"* and much info on the way Malayan and Indian S'pore citizens feel second class. Ian Buruma's essays in *God's Dust* and *The Missionary and the Libertine*, including the famous *"The Nanny State of Asia"* fill in more of the gaps left out by old Harry. Christopher Lingle's two books, especially *Singapore's Authoritarian Capitalism* are merciless, dead-accurate critics of what Lee's done to S'pore during his tenure. Francis Seow's *To Catch a Tartar: A Prisoner in Lee Kuan Yew's Singapore* tells you all you need to know about Harry's supposed indifference to dissent. One of the most unpleasant of Lee's omissions is his leaving out how many skilled and talented Singaporeans emigrate from Singapore to the First World to start new lives in freer surroundings. All of these books tell you something about Harry's manipulation of history - his claim of building S'pore out of a few pineapple plantations is laughable - Singapore was in fact handed the number one port in Asia by the departing British. A less grotesquely insecure leader would take pride in Singapore's successfull development of that port, especially in a region where dictatorships are usually inept as well as frightening. But Harry does not possess that security, as his two autobio volumes - 900 pages each! - clearly show. Singapore is a lot like an Arab gulf state floating on oil, it has successfully exploited its inheritance from elsewhere to some material good for its physically very small self. But 1800 pages of insecure bragging is not the only story. I was reminded by this book of Singapore's poor, sad History Museum, once the famous Raffles Museum of British days, now almost entirely restricted to the history of Harry's time. There's just so much more to know. A good book for the family/business person moving to Singapore is Bo Yang's * The Ugly Chinaman and the Crisis of Chinese Culture* a book that deals frankly with the underbelly of Chinese culture and is very helpful to understanding personality's like Lee's (and little Lee's elsewhere). It will help you end up with greater understanding of things Chinese, and leave your mind clear to enjoy the great side of Chinese culture: the poetry of Li Po and Tu Fu, Confucius, the classic Chinese novel The Story of the Stone, Wallace's Malay Archipelago, Paul Theroux's Singapore novel Saint Jack (and his Singapore short stories), etc. Good luck in Singapore. Order these books here, you can't get them all in Harry's country. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Needs to be updated
The book gives you some really good advise but it needs to be updated to today's needs. It presents anecdotes from different people but within the same companies(ex: Johnson Wax)Needs to have more zest on it.

A bit dated; however, still very useful!
All right so countries like West Germany does not exist anymore. However, if one is able to overlook small dated items of this nature; then one has to come to the conclusion that this, i.e., Do's and Taboos of Hosting International Visitors by Roger E. Axtell is an indispensable book. Here one can read about cultural gaffes such as an American businessman giving his Japanese counterparts penknives. Giving a knife to Japanese man can indicate suicide; so not such a smart move on behalf of the American Businessman. He should have read a book on international business ethics before this obvious mistake. ... Read more

Book Description

The first book to offer a breadth of legitimate tools and information for the worldwide job hunt.

Get full details on over 1,200 websites, print, and CD-ROM sources of international job openings by country and occupation! Finding international jobs used to be hard, but today the Internet bridges the gaps fo time and distance to bring hundreds of thousands of international job opportunities to your desktop. But it's a cyber-jungle out there with thousands of web sites vying for your attention. The International Job Finder guides you past the hype to over 1,200 of the most effective online -- and offline -- resources for finding international jobs around the globe.

The International Job Finder boldly goes where no other career book has gone before. Not only does it identify the 1,200 most effective online and print resources for finding jobs worldwide, it tells you everything each resource offers so you can decide which ones will help you find the international job of their dreams.

Discover how to conducta successful — and safe — online international job–search, even if you have never used the Internet before

Learn where to get timely information on danger zones throughout the world

Discover how to spot and avoid international job scams and debunk the myths

See how to locate all the key resources on each website so you can quickly and easily use the job databases, resume banks, email "Job Agents," directories of employers, salary surveys, links to other websites, and other job resources on each Internet site

Find out which print resources will help advance your international career ... Read more

Reviews (4)

working and living abroad--the scoop
a bible for international working and living
good stuff

The dirt on jobs that involving living and working abroad
Compiled and written by Daniel Lauber with the assistance of Kraig Rice, International Job Finder: Where The Jobs Are Worldwide is a straightforward presentation with all the facts and all the dirt on jobs that involving living and working abroad. Of special merit is the advice for avoiding international job scams, adapting to the host nation's culture, and safeguarding against anti-American threats. 1,200 of the most effective online and offline resources for finding international jobs on all seven continents make International Job Finder an essential and invaluable resource and reference for anyone serious about job-hunting abroad.

More than pays for itself!
Like that review from Joyce Lain Kennedy suggests, they don't get any better than this. If you want an international job, this is THE book that will help you find the one you crave. The table of contents and indices will get you to the online and print resources that are targeted to your line of work, whether it be teaching English abroad, working in business, high tech, education, nonprofits, or government work. Instead of just listing online job and resume databases, etc. this book tells you everything you need to know about them, including guiding you to where the good stuff is on each website, so you don't waste time looking for websites that are useless for your job search.

More than pays for itself in saved time -- and it includes a free offer for a ... directory called "American Jobs Abroad."

Great Resource! I'm going to work in Ukraine!!
I helped the author with the research on this book, and I landed a job in Kiev, Ukraine. This book includes thousands of websites and print resources for jobs in a wide-variety of industries. Teaching English Abroad? Oil/Gas/Mining? Technology? Management? They're all covered. The book won't get you a job (you have to do that yourself), but if you want to work abroad it will definitely help you find the job you want. ... Read more

Book Description

The goal of Global Price Fixing is to describe and analyze the origins, operation, and impacts of global cartels in the markets for lysine, citric acid, and vitamins. The work is fundamentally a historical approach to understanding the interplay among personal motivations, economic forces, and the enforcement of the competition laws of the major industrial nations.

The first chapter highlights the renewed importance of international price-fixing conspiracies after an absence of nearly 50 years. Two following chapters provide background on the economics theory and legal principles relevant to understanding cartels. Nine following chapters comprise the economic core of this book. Three chapters are devoted to each of the three cartels selected for intensive study: citric acid, lysine, and vitamins. The next four chapters then concentrate on the legal fallout from the discovery of the three cartels by the world's antitrust authorities. Chapter 17 provides a description of a few additional selected cartels with features not found in the lysine, citric acid, and vitamins cases. The penultimate chapter considers whether the antitrust resources of government agencies and private plaintiffs are sufficient to deter global price fixing in the foreseeable future. This final chapter attempts to identify major themes that appear throughout the book and to provide a summary of the ultimate impact of the global-cartel pandemic of the 1990s. ... Read more

Book Description

Depending on one's point of view, multinational enterprises are either the heroes or the villains of the globalized economy. Governments compete fiercely for foreign direct investment by such companies, but complain when firms go global and move their activities elsewhere. Multinationals are seen by some as threats to national identities and wealth and are accused of riding roughshod over national laws and of exploiting cheap labor. However, the debate on these companies and foreign direct investment is rarely grounded on sound economic arguments.

This book brings clarity to the debate. With the contribution of other leading experts, Giorgio Barba Navaretti and Anthony Venables assess the determinants of multinationals' actions, investigating why their activity has expanded so rapidly, and why some countries have seen more such activity than others. They analyze their effects on countries that are recipients of inward investments, and on those countries that see multinational firms moving jobs abroad. The arguments are made using modern advances in economic analysis, a case study, and by drawing on the extensive empirical literature that assesses the determinants and consequences of activity by multinationals. The treatment is rigorous, yet accessible to all readers with a background in economics, whether students or professionals. Drawing out policy implications, the authors conclude that multinational enterprises are generally a force for the promotion of prosperity in the world economy.

... Read more

Book Description

In this book Ralph Gomory and William Baumol adapt classical trade models to the modern world economy. Trade today is dominated by manufactured goods, rapidly moving technology, and huge firms that benefit from economies of scale. This is very different from the largely agricultural world in which the classical theories originated. Gomory and Baumol show that the new and significant conflicts resulting from international trade are inherent in modern economies.

Today improvement in one country's productive capabilities is often attainable only at the expense of another country's general welfare. The authors describe why and when this is so and why, in a modern free-trade environment, a country might have a vital stake in the competitive strength of its industries. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Interesting Discussion but poor Presentation
The first thing that struck me was the large number of typo's.
Starting with page 4: "when we does development abroad help"
and on through the rest of the book. Also, the graphics appear
crude.
In part 1, I could not find any reference to the fact that
"free" trade does not exist in the real world. Countries use
tariffs, taxes, subsidies, etc. to further their own interests.

Understanding International Trade
A must read book for anyone with an interest in International Trade. Gomory and Baumol take an insightful look into trade in this era of multinational companies, expanded trade and developing countries. They develop a technique to determine whether a trade decision is mutually beneficial (or detrimental) to the parties. While no "magic" formula to precisely determine the benefits of an individual trade decision, at least there is a cogent framework to start from.

As a lay reader it was apparent that to assure our continued growth and successes that we must continually innovate to create the next big retainable industry as well as continue productivity gains to compete with low wage developing countries in easy to enter industries where we have a major interest.

An exceptionally thorough analysis of today's world of trade.

Trade For Dummies
Don't be put off by the title. This book should be called "Trade for Dummies." The authors kindly start where most of us left off in Econ 101 - with comparative advantage. We all remember that nature endowed England with a comparative advantage in wool, and Portugal in wine, so that this trade was an obviously good thing.

But what about today's vastly more complex economy where considerations go far beyond the mere geography of natural resource distribution? What about the role of industrialization? Or technology? Or information? Who has what advantage? And how to measure it? The authors have solved this seemingly daunting task, and present their conclusions in a few simple graphs that could fit easily onto Mr. Laffer's napkin.

How do I know that they solved the problem of reducing all the complexities of international trade to a few simple graphs? Well, I really don't know because I am not enough of an economist or mathematician to follow the technical stuff, but the authors very kindly put all that in the second half of this slim volume as kind of an appendix for the professionals. That the two authors are a leading economist and a leading mathematician is obvious from the brief biographies. And that the work passes professional muster is obvious from the blurbs. So while I can't personally check the authors' assumptions and methodology, I can accept and fully understand their conclusions as set forth in the first half of the book - the only part I read.

Not surprisingly, the graphs show that most international trade is indeed mutually beneficial. But not all. The graphs also reveal what the authors call a zone of conflict. It is to this area that attention needs to be paid. What attention do the authors suggest? Well, they are a little coy. I suspect that at this stage they are just trying to get acceptance for their framework of analysis. Anyone questioning any aspect of unrestricted free trade today is subject to being labeled a protectionist, which is only one step above racist, so the authors understandably tread very carefully.

A splendid and provocative little book dealing with a very big subject.

Gripping Eye Opener
These 73 pages kept this layman engrossed and enlightened. You learn why World Peace through World Trade ain't necessarily so, but can be a win-win situation for nations who understand the theory of the Global Trade game.

In cogent and concise language,the two gifted authors upset the notion that a dollar of National Trading Income is indifferent to what is being traded. National Trading Income from a "retainable" industry like computer chips produce strategic strengths for a nation compared to the same amount of National Trading Income from potato chips.

This new vector on Global Trade alerts business leaders to rearrange intellectually their risk-reward equation to secure a more favorable outcome.

Great stuff!
Gomory and Baumol are two heavy-weights from the world of Economics, Industry and Mathematics who have made use of a lifetime's worth of observations to create a new theory of international trade. Their work is truely original, theoretically rigorous, and highly applicable to real-world problems: A powerful combination. As a graduate student in economics, I have found few books so compelling. ... Read more

Book Description

Since its original publication, Japanese Etiquette & Ethics in Business, the pioneering work on the subject, has been the standard guide for Westerners doing business with the Japanese--either here or abroad.In this new edition Boyd Lafayette De Mente, who has been living and working in Japan for more than twenty-five years, examines those characteristics that epitomize the Japanese character and business personality. De Mente explains how concepts from daily life extend to dealings in business and how loyalty to the family and nation applies to professional relationships as well.

Throughout this book De Mente offers invaluable advice to Westerners wishing to do business with the Japanese. In an all new chapter De Mente compares the Japanese and Western approaches to business pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of each.This is the one book on Japanese business structure and practices that offers explanations for what appears to many foreigners to be confusing and contradictory behavior by their Japanese counterparts. As part of a rationale for Japan's economic achievements, De Mente has formulated "Japan's Five Commandments for Success," which he presents here for the first time.No other hook is as informative about the cultural factors that shape business practices in Japan. The insights that De Mente has gathered as the results of his long experience in Japan are presented on every page. No one who goes East with the intention of doing business with the Japanese should do so without first consulting Japanese Etiquette & Ethics in Business.

"I am delighted to see this revised and expanded edition of a book that has become something of a classic over the decades. Boyd De Mente's long experience in Japan . . . has given him a keen insight into the cultural factors that shaped and still control management practices in Japan."
-- Yasutaka Sai, Vice President International Japan Management Association

"This book is 'must' reading for anyone with even a marginal interest in Japan and Japanese business."
-- William K. Nickoson, President Asia Dynamics (Japan) Ltd.

"Until foreign businesspeople fully understand and learn how to cope with the cultural factors underlying Japanese society, particularly such elements as discrimination and egotism, they will not be able to understand or work effectively with the Japanese. Boyd De Mente's Japanese Etiquette & Ethics in Business provides the basis for this understanding, along with practical advice on bridging cultural differences."
-- John Artise, Vice President Drake Beam Morin, Inc.

Reviews (4)

More useful for doing business *in* Japan
Content: DeMente seems to know what he's talking about (this author was recommended to me by an instructor in Chinese culture). Although I've dealt with Japanese business people for many years, I've not been to Japan, and therefore have no basis to completely judge the book's content. Based on what I do know, though, this book is best read as instruction in how to deal with Japanese business people when doing business *in Japan* (as opposed to doing business with Japanese companies and their representatives in the U.S.).

Structure: Overly repetitive, poorly structured and in some places, clearly outdated. The last criticism is to be expected given the dramatic change of status Japan has undergone in the past decade. The first two criticisms might be ameliorated by two factors: One, my own preferences are certainly playing a large role here. I prefer to have information delivered in a logical (to me) and concise manner. This is especially true for an instructive book -- one would expect creative writing to contain flourishes. Two, perhaps this *is* creative writing, and DeMente is showing the reader what dealing with a Japanese mindset is really like.

Japanese Ethics and Business
This is one of the best books I have read on Japanese Business and Ethics. The author gives an explanation on the character of the japanese. Explains the differences between doing business the japanese way and the western way.The author gives a history of the japanese and gives stories on how the japanese think and act. You will gain so much knowledge from this book about the japanese. I will recommend this book to anyone that is going to do business in Japan or with the japanese in their own country. A must read.

Effective Use of Stories
Not only is the author knowledgable about the topic, but I like the manner in which he makes his points through real life anacdotes. I use the same technique in my book: The Constant-Sum Approach to Business Success".

This is a must read book for people doing business in Japan.
Superficially, Japan and the US are quite similar: In their cities, there are tall modern buildings, well dressed people hurrying to appointments while talking on cellular phones as well as the hustle and bustle of any large Western city. These similarities will seduce nearly every American who seeks to do business in Japan into thinking that the business practices of the country will be the same as in the US. The truth is that the cultural differences are so vast and subtle that they are often beyond the comprehension of the majority Americans. In Japan, there is a high expectation of a certain standard of business etiquette and failure to achieve this standard could doom any hopes of doing business in that country. And, unfortunately, many Americans, unknowingly, are unable to avoid this pitfall. The Japanese language is rich with expressions that conceptualize certain feelings or attitudes that are literally very foreign to Westerners but are key to the Japanese way of seeing things. De Mente's explanations of these phrases and sayings are both useful vocabulary lessons as well as effective insights into the Japanese business mentality. When my friends ask me for advice on conducting business in Japan, I regularly refer them to this book for a quick heads-up on business etiquette and ethics prior to their visit. Without exception, everyone reported that the book gave them the additional perception and savvy that was especially helpful in understanding and dealing with their Japanese counterparts. In addition to giving basic insight on the how-to's of doing business in Japan, De Mente's book could a valuable primer for our diplomats and trade representatives who seek to improve relations with our important Asian neighbor. I have read many books on this topic and have found none to have the depth and the richness as this one. After reading this book, one will naturally seek additional information in De Mente's many other books on this subject. Even if you are able to afford a cultural consultant to dispense expensive advice you will find Japanese Etiquette and Ethics in Business to be a thoughtfully written handbook that gives much insight into the ways of doing business in that country. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

I usually hate this stuff...
I am a totally way-too-confident, know-it-all travel partner, but I admit to having lost it while living in Eastern Europe last year with my husband (not his fault). Simply put: this book kept me from going home early SEVERAL times because Storti lets you moan and groan a little and then points out how you might have had a part in creating the cultural "misunderstanding" that plagues you. Trust me...if this book could help someone as stubborn as I am...it might be responsible for world peace someday.

Extraordinarily comforting and enlightening
This book remains a great source of wisdom and comfort, still needed after 15 years living abroad. The cultural differences aren't obvious any longer -- they can be deceptively subtle -- now that language and the daily facts of life are no longer an issue. However, I still trip over matters which I later realize to be cultural differences, and I assume others in similar situations do as well. And then I pull down Mr. Storti's book from the shelf and put it all into some sort of workable perspective.

Highly recommended to others, even those who have no intention of going abroad but would just like to have a better understanding of the cultural differences in this world -- something sorely needed these days.

By the way, Western women so quick to judge the 'sad' reality of women in Arab societies might do well to read this quotation from Harriet Martineau:

"[The women of the harem] pitied us European women heartily, that we had to go about travelling, and appearing in the streets without being properly taken care of -- that is, watched. They think us strangely neglected in being left so free, and boast of [how closely they are watched] as a token of the value in which they are held."

It should be a sobering reminder that it's a fools' game to judge, and certainly to pity, the reality of a person from a culture foreign to ours.

Thank you for your efforts and insights, Mr. Storti.

The first thing you should buy when planning to move abroad
This is an excellent book on culture shock ~ it has helped me a great deal in my own experience as an expat. They cover each stage of culture shock and offer strategies to combat them.

The only reason I didn't give this book "5 stars" is that they get a little obscure and too philosophical at times. ... Read more

Book Description

Sage Advice on Going Global

Root's perspective is extremely insightful, and clearly the work of one who knows his topics from personal experience. It encapsulates what some of us have taken decades to learn through trial and error.
--Larry D. Bouts, president, International Division, Toys-R-Us, Inc.

The North American Free Trade Agreement, the new European common market, and the opening of Eastern Europe--among other recent geopolitical developments--have created unprecedented opportunities for American companies seeking to enter foreign markets. This guide offers executives practical advice, recently updated and expanded, on deciding which markets to enter, choosing a product for international distribution, designing an entry strategy, and developing an effective international marketing plan. ... Read more

Book Description

During the past several years, successful companies of all sizes have initiated international transactions in record numbers. The due diligence required to effectively research, value, and complete these complex deals (mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and private placements) has always been important. Now the type of thoughtful and careful analysis needed must take place under intense pressure because companies increasingly must compete in Internet-time. This new book is an invaluable guidebook for companies trying to capitalize on the opportunities in both developed and emerging cross-border markets. Many global transactions fail to meet the parties' expectations, and a primary culprit is inadequate due diligence. Expanding businesses must answer difficult questions (especially if the target partner lacks a financial performance track record and significant assets), such as: Why (if at all) should we do this deal? What are the rules going in and what happens if things go wrong? Where are the tax, legal, financial, and operational traps and what are the opportunities? Noted experts discuss critical topics corporate executives—and all those involved with their company's legal, accounting, and tax matters—need to know to successfully complete complex, global transactions.

Valuable tips and tools for business leaders: • Expert analysis, insights, and strategies from experienced practitioners and leading authorities in cross-border matters • Explanation of "The Seven Pillars" of due diligence—from corporate planning to operational, financial, legal, tax, accounting, and people/organizational considerations • Presents best practices of corporations, professionals, and investors in obtaining needed information • Valuable appendices, including due diligence forms, agreements, checklists, and model letters as ready-to-use tools ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Remarkable Accomplishment
Due Diligence for Global Deal Making is one of the most enlightening and comprehensive books of its kind. Editor and contributor Arthur Rosenbloom has identified a group of thoughtful, experienced due diligence practitioners who describe the process from seven different points of view. The process is covered both from an in-bound and an out-bound standpoint. Despite the diversity of perspectives, the book maintains a consistent style and voice and refrains from undue repetition.

Each of the seven substantive chapters looks at a business using a slightly different lens: strategic, operational, financial and accounting, legal, tax, organizational and, oddly but perhaps most interestingly, the Internet. Scattered through the chapter are cautionary tales of what can go wrong in the real world if the practitioner or the client cuts corners. At the end of each chapter is a series of charts and lists which sets forth the subjects of investigation, often with indications of where to find the information or how it is important to the evaluation of the target.

For anyone who has to conduct, supervise or coordinate due diligence, this overview is remarkably helpful. For the young attorney, accountant or business strategist, Due Diligence provides a veritable Bible for his or her own due diligence. But more importantly, the book informs the reader how the information gleaned fits into the overall process.

Rosenbloom's brief but enlightening look at the due diligence world post 9/11 is among the most compelling parts of the book. This section alone can be worth the price of the book. The possible effects of terrorism or war on a business, in concrete terms, or on the material adverse change or force majeure clauses of a contract are sobering and helpful.

Describing due diligence from seven points of view and then domestic and foreign aspects on top of that is a tall order. This informative book is a remarkable, and even entertaining accomplishment...

Packed with Knowledge!
As with marriage, the success rate for global deal-making should give the wise investor pause. Most such mergers and acquisitions do not increase shareholder value. Even with the fallout from the burst bubble still landing all over the place, the juggernaut of globalization is such that international deals still manage to engender a lot of passion; it seems the grass is always greener on the other side of the border. Business leaders know that sometimes the riskiest move is the one they decide not to make, since a good strategic acquisition can ensure your company's survival. For these reasons, interest in cross-border transactions will probably remain strong, as industries consolidate and as global economic barriers collapse. However, deals that involve foreign accounting and legal practices can be absolutely perilous without expert professional guidance. This clearly written, thorough compilation can help you avoid making a bad decision and improve your odds of success. We from getAbstract strongly recommend it to anyone involved in (or considering getting involved in) global deal making.

Do Better Deals by Doing Better Due Diligence
Doing mergers and acquisitons that create value for shareholders is harder than ever. It is even more difficult to do this in a multi-national environment. The compelxities of tax, accounting, securities laws and the regulatory differences add enormous complexities to the already huge challenges of just getting the stragegy right and executing it!!

This handbook, Due Dilignece for Global Deal Making, dramatically increases the odds of doing a deal better. Many experts believe that deals are made or broken in the due diligence phase. That is is where you figure out how much to pay, and the valuation is totally dependent on what you find out and what questions you ask.

This book covers it all from strategic imperative to tax rules. It also has an excellent chapter on my own area of expertise, people and organizational fit. I found the section on beginning to evaluate the fit of the corporate cultures particularly helpful. We think the success of true mergers are highly influenced by the cultural fit.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone practicing in this area, regardless of their area of expertise, as it gives them context for all of the other important, areas. ... Read more

Book Description

Designed to prepare upper-level undergraduate and graduate business students for work in the exciting field of global sales management, this text focuses upon the managerial and cross-cultural aspects necessary for leading the global sales force. ... Read more

Book Description

What Women Need to Know to Succeed in International Business

From meeting protocol and sexual harassment to dining and gift giving, the rules for conducting business abroad can be dramatically different from those at home—and they can also vary from country to country. But with this indispensable resource, you'll have everything you need to successfully interact with your business counterparts, whether you're doing business in Caracas, Calcutta, or Copenhagen. Bestselling author Roger Axtell combines his 30 years of experience working abroad with the advice of three cross-cultural consultants to provide you with guidance and specific advice on:

• Survival —Knowing the culture, protocol, safety, and staying healthy
• Cultural differences —A country-by-country listing of the rules for proper dress, speech, table manners, etc.
• Climbing the career ladder —Resources listing the best schools, courses, and language training, advice on finding mentors, and more
• Personal issues —Dating rules in different cultures, balancing an international career and family life, dealing with harassment and discrimination

Reviews (3)

great exploration of gender equity issues
my middle school students have found this book useful because
it not only discusses gender issues in the world of business,
but also offers strategies how U.S. women can be successful in
cultures with even less equitable relations between the genders than our own country.

Outstanding Resource for Military Spouses on OCONUS Tours
Great information for preparing for an overseas tour. It includes a wealth of information, country-specific tips, wonderful checklists to help you prepare for the overseas tour, and an extensive reference list to continue your pre-travel research. It will alert you to cultural nuances at your destination so that you can be prepared to present yourself effectively and avoid possible embarrassment. If you plan to work (or even become involved in the native community abroad), I highly recommend this book-- it will ensure you are better prepared and confident, so you'll enjoy your overseas adventure.

"Must read" for businesswomen planning to travel overseas.
Our consulting staff recommends this book to every women planning to be, or already involved in international trade. Female business executives must realize that they will, at least for the next few years, be forced to operate in a "man's world". To help with this enigma, this excellent publication reviews the social and business protocol for most of the countries to which women might be traveling on business. There are also important tips on how to travel safely and what types of wardrobes are most acceptable and attractive in foreign countries. This is an outstanding publication that also happens to be enjoyable reading. John R. Jagoe, Director, Export Institute ... Read more

Book Description

From the source you trust most—everything you need to start up, grow, and prosper in international trade . . .

If you're excited by the opportunities you see in international trade but nervous about facing a world of problems you don't understand, you've come to the right place. In Starting an Import/Export Business, the experts at Entrepreneur Magazine help you break into this fast-growing field and thrive. This easy-to-use guide provides clear, concise information that demystifies the foreign trade process.

In addition to all the basics you need to start your own business, this book is loaded with helpful statistics on international trade with 17 countries, sample documents, and resource listings. You'll learn about trade regulations, how to deal with customs services, and the best ways to protect trademarks and copyrights. You'll discover the best places to go for working capital, how to attract clients, and when to hire consultants.

You'll also learn how to:

• Price goods and services and calculate exchange rates
• Cope with international legal issues
• Manage your company's finances
• Market your services both at home and abroad

ENTREPRENEUR Magazine is the banner publication of the Entrepreneur Magazine Group. It has the largest newsstand circulation of any business monthly and has a total ABC audited circulation of 410,000. The Entrepreneur Magazine Group also publishes Business Start-Ups and Entrepreneur in Mexico, as well as videos, audiocassettes, and software that deal with business start-up management.

Also available from the Entrepreneur Magazine library:

• Making Money with Your Personal Computer
• The Entrepreneur Magazine Small Business Advisor

Reviews (2)

only for hard core fans
this was somewhat of a disappointment. i ordered through entrepreneur magazine, and the shipped product did not seem like the same thing i read about in their magazine. i was going to photocopy it and return for a refund, but the book was so awful i forgot i had it until after the return expiration date. althoug the book is somewhat helpful, the information (especially the info regarding the type of computer needed for office) was extremely outdates. i bought this in the summer of 1999, and it mentioned something about buying a 386 computer with an 8800 bps modem. i would pass on this, and stick to the more informative and less expensive selections available in the site. many of the pages seem like photocopies or even black and white printouts from an old laser printer, the folder accompaning the information is nothing special either.

out-dated
Thia book is out-dated.. the information it provides is to broad ... Read more

Book Description

For the professional manager or student of management, a comprehensive handbook of 16 Kaizen management practices that can be put to work. KAIZEN uses more than 100 examples in action and contains 15 corporate case studies. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Kaizen- the strategies for future success
Kaizen, a Japanese word means improvement. How can Japanese enterprise success is the main topic in this book. Actually, Japan has been under economic recession for nearly 10 years. But the Japanese enterprise can still survive, and some enterprises are under the list of Fortune 500. There must be some secret behind.

This first version of this book is written in 1986, Japan at that moment still maintain a high growth, and Japanese enterprise takes a major role in the global business environment. The author found that the major reasons are due to their modification rather than innovation. And these management concepts were learned by foreign companies and used as a framework to develop their management structure. From this book, you will learn lots of the Japanese culture and Japanese management style.

Moreover, you also understand the history of management development. Most of the management concepts used in foreign countries are based on Japanese firm. Like the TQM, process oriented management, and strategies in R&D. So, after reading the book, you will learn the difference between western working culture and Japanese one.

Before writing this book, the author has done lots of primary research, and he try to summary all the findings and success factor of major Japanese enterprise, like Toyota, NTT. And all these companies now become the Global 100 companies. After reading this book, you will learn more about the success story of these enterprises, and you will also know that their history and culture as well.

But, there is some limitation, because the book has been written nearly twenty years before, the business environment is totally changed, the competition and the consumer behaviour have been changed, therefore some of the strategies are not applicable. Also, the failures of some Japanese enterprises during the economic recession also prove that some strategies mentioned here are not worked.

Kaizen is a good book for you to understand more about the Asia culture especially the Japanese firm culture. If you want to do business with Japanese partner, this book is a must to read.

Historical
Most American businesses no longer worry so much about the Japanese miracle. International focus has moved from Japan to China and back to Europe. Many Japanese companies are now looking to the US for recapitalization and management assistance.

So why is a book on Japanese management techniques still so relevant?

First of all, continuous improvement and lean manufacturing have become universal management tools, not strictly limited to one country. This book presents as good an introduction to the subject as any. With today's focus on execution, this topic are becoming even more current. (Dare I say topical?)

Additionally, understanding continuous improvement is still important in the context of broader corporate change. What are the strength and limitations of incremental changes versus more radical corporate moves? Read the book and learn more.

This book certainly won't turn a mediocre manager into a great leader, but Kaizen is a useful addition to the toolbox of any manager.

A sound basis for working out an implementation strategy
This book covers the relevant aspects of Kaizen and its implementation. Don't expect this book to give you a step-by-step implementation plan for your company. It does something better than that: it gives you the understanding to design your own implementation plan. It is a good basis for discussion. I often reference it while lecturing about Kaizen and TPM and take a few sentences from the book to challenge the audience.
Everyone who pioneers in Kaizen in his/her company needs this understanding (and a set of brains to translate the concept to the everday reality, but that's why they pay you the big bucks, I hope).
Although it's a very good book, you will find yourself stimulated to read other material on this topic because it creates an "eager want" to know more and to see the puzzle come together. In the end, no author will do that; finalizing the puzzle is your job...

To be concrete, this book is definately recommended. You'll never understand it all by just reading one book (or by just reading, period). It will give you a quantum leap in your understanding and all concepts will be there. Only action and involvement can do more.

Very famous book, but academic content is not excellent
The book Kaizen is very famous and it is often cited. Only because of it's fame, it is worth reading already. Imai shows how production is organized in Japan, and he shows the enormous attention given in Japan to continuous improvement. However, he is rather simplistic about the differences between Japan and the West. However, the book gives a good introduction is some major themes in the field of continuous improvement and it is the origin of many ideas later cited by other. Thus: worth reading if you want to get to know a basic book about continuous improvements in production processes. ...