Book Description

In this age ofglobalization challenges--from economic uncertainty to emerging markets--there are no mapped out answers for the international manager. Global Explorers guides the global manager from the periphery to the center stage of international business leadership.

In a 1997 survey of Fortune 500 firmsconducted by authors J. Stewart Black, Allen J. Morrison and Hal B. Gregersen, virtually all companies indicated there was a severe shortage of global leaders.The demand for competent global leaders far outstrips the supply.Global Explorers provides the skills and outlines the competencies future global managers need to fill the leadership gap.

Using extensive research, real-life examples, and 130 in-depth interviews with senior executives representing 50 global companies, including IBM, Disney, Exxon and Sony, Global Explorers suggests the reasons for the global leadership shortage, and identifies the necessary skills to compete in the international marketplace.

The authors associate three basic and necessary competencies to teach the global managers of tomorrow :
Strong Character to acquire the trust and goodwill of people around the world
Duality to embrace conflicting priorities and manage overwhelming uncertainty
Savvy to provide a clear business sense of what needs to be done and how to access the resources to make it happen

For managers who want to safeguard their corporate future in these changing times, Global Explorers will help them develop a personal program for developing and balancing the skills they need to become successful global leaders. ... Read more

Book Description

This work provides detailed accounts of labor regulation, with a focus on law, in East Asian nations. The book also discusses the differences in labor regulation between those nations and between East Asian and Western societies. Countries covered include Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. ... Read more

Book Description

This edition not available in the U.S. and Canada

The greatest strength of this thoroughly revised and expanded edition of Lectures on International Trade is its rigorous algebraic and geometric treatment of the various models and results of trade theory. The authors, who now include Arvind Panagariya, offer both policy insights and empirical applications. They have added nine entirely new chapters as well as new sections to several existing chapters (e.g., a greatly expanded treatment of the growing theory of preferential trade agreements). The new chapters are on: the specific-factors model the "higher-dimensional" trade theory and empirical verification of the Heckscher-Ohlin-Vanek theory duality in trade theory algebra of the Heckscher-Ohlin and specific-factors models the theories of international trade in the presence of scale economies nontariff instruments of trade policy, chiefly AD, VERs, and VIEs trade policy under oligopoly and monopolistic competition trade policy reform application of the new literature on endogenous growth to trade theory and policy ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A simplistic and shallow look at international trade
The book tries to solve most of the mathematical problems by diagrams and it skips algebra and regorous reasoning in most cases. The technicality and theory is below graduate level. The book is fit more for an undergraduate program. A lot of ideas are being touched on (or cited) very briefly that makes it somehow confusing. Chapters are very short (there are 34 chapters in 602 pages!) and normally jump into conclusions without enough reasoning. Some chapters are well written, while others are just a shadow of the whole idea. I think this book can be used to give you some idea what internation trade is, but it is not a complete package.

Best thoughts in international trade compiled
This book contains all the very best thinking done in international trade. The book is very densely written, and definitely aimed at those taking graduate level courses (with a good mathematical background). The explanations are very good, especially for graphs (a major shortcoming of most economics texts I think). This book serves as a permanent one-volume reference to any issues regarding international trade.

excellent book to learn from
Although international trade theory/international economics is not the field I would like to specialize in, this is one of the textbooks I would like to buy and keep as a reference. The writing is clear; the authors make an effort to explain almost every step of an equation. Moreover, the graphs are fully explained. I highly recommend this book. I regret that I only used this book for one course, so we were not able to use it more. For graduate level trade theory, I do not think this textbook has a competitor.

the castor oil of international trade theory
This volume synthesizes decades of research in international trade theory. It is comprehensive, and graduate students and working professionals will find it a handy summary of a huge corpus of research. Material is presented in verbal, graphical, and light algebraic form, and the key background references are given at the end of each chapter. These are a little sparse but this is a quibble.

Be forewarned: the book is densely written (Jagdish saves his spare words for his polemics), and generations of graduate students have told me that they hate it. Big deal. This is the castor oil of international trade theory -- open up and drink it down -- it's good for you. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Best International Business Textbook
I use this textbook and its previous edition to teach International Business to senior level students in cyberspace. I consider this the most readable text on the subject. This edition has been slimmed down from the previous edition, and it is an improvement to an excellent text. My students agree that this text is great.

Anyone who needs a comprehensive book on this field should purchase this text, it is worth every penny!

Order of the supplementary publications
I am at present using textbook "International Business", by John D. Daniels, Lee H. Radebaugh. Eighth Edition. I would be very grateful if you could Fax me as soon as possible the necessary forms to order one copy each of the supplementary publications: -Instructor's Resource Manual. -Study Guide. -Test Bank

Your sincerely,

Saeed A Al Musbeh ( Personal Manager ) ... Read more

Book Description

Easy to start-up and use—even for learners with no computer experience—this multi-business unit computer simulation provides players with real-world experience in managing strategic choices and in engaging in negotiations.The simulation involves the takeover and continuing operation of a multi-divisional, multinational corporation. In playing the simulation, players acting as management teams make a variety of decisions that will have an impact on the future of their company, e.g.: the type and size of strategic business units (SBUs); the quality of product/service that will be delivered to the marketplace; the prices for all products in the portfolio; and the size of the sales force.For individuals who need to employ efficient market strategy and decision-making in a variety of industries. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

DOS based simulation
The simulation appears to be available only in a DOS version. This makes it very cumbersome to install and use.

A top selling business strategy simulation for academia
This is one of the best selling simulations for use in senior level business strategy and global strategy courses. The book that is listed is the STUDENT MANUAL for the course. The instructor will have the software for the simulation. This is not a stand-alone product but must be administered by the insturctor in the course. This book would be the same book as purchased in the college bookstore.

Student book without necessary simulation software.
Although it's not obvious from the book's contents, "Corporation, A Global Business Simulation" is a course consisting of simulation software, an instructor's manual, and the student book -- what is sold here is just the student book. Contrary to what is claimed, you can do the exercises but have no idea what outcome results from the values you choose. The course sounds like it would be very interesting, but there is no information anywhere in the student book on how to obtain the remaining materials. Don't buy this book unless you either have access to the other course materials or are planning on taking the course somewhere. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Government Collusion Yields Monopoly and Exploitation
Paul Dosal wrote this book as an extension of his doctoral thesis. In doing so, he has retained the focus on the relationship between the banana giant, United Fruit Company, and the so-called Liberal regimes in Guatemala from before the turn of the 20th century to the intellectuals and workers revolution of 1944. It has the usual indicia of a scholarly work, but it is well-written and easily comprehended by the general reader. Professor Dosal brings a certain amount of passion to his work, and he clearly views the main characters as greedy and criminal, but he generally sticks to the facts and delivers them in an orderly fashion.

Guatemala was only one of several Latin American and Caribbean countries where the United Fruit Company harvested or procured bananas, and it hardly has been one of the biggest-generally accounting for about six percent of world production. Yet it was the ability of Minor Keith, Victor Cutter, and Sam Zemurray to obtain favorable arrangements from the Guatemalan strongmen, particularly Manuel Estrada Cabrera (1898-1920) and Jorge Ubico (1929-44), that allowed United Fruit to forge a unique level of near-total economic control over the entire country and its development. Not only did United Fruit develop a monopoly in the production and marketing of Guatemalan bananas, but it also controlled the country's railroads and primary port. Its contracts allowed it to operate on its property without government regulation and with very little obligation to pay taxes. It also exercised nearly complete control over Guatemala's import and export trade, including the trade of coffee, even though it was neither a producer or marketer of this other primary export commodity.

Dosal does not go out of his way to claim or prove bribes and kickbacks to government officials for these favorable arrangements. He doesn't have to, as the facts speak for themselves. Anyway, his primary indictment of the "caudillos" is that they betrayed the interests of their own people for the benefit of foreign investors to an extent far beyond any return their country and its people received. In defense of Minor Keith and his investors, Guatemala's government had attempted to develop a national railroad without success because of lack of capital, and Keith provided the expertise and capital to get the railroad and the port built. Similarly, some of the later steps taken by United Fruit that resulted in greater economic control were done after Guatemalan authorities had been unable to accomplish their economic goals by other means, but the complicity of the dictators in United Fruit's plans resulted in increasingly one-sided bargains. Professor Dosal contrasts the similar development in Costa Rica, in which democratic regimes made bargains with United Fruit that over the years were much more even-handed. Dosal's main point, well-documented in this book, is that but for the existence of dictatorial regimes in Guatemala over the 45 years, the role of United Fruit Company in Guatemala's development would have been quite different. He writes:

"While Guatemalan dictators had conditioned the development of United Fruit, American diplomats and capitalists had deluded themselves into thinking that they shaped Guatemala's destiny. The country's most brutal dictator sanctioned the concession that allowed Keith to monopolize railways, and the limited democratic opening of the 1920s blocked his efforts to extend his influence to Guatemalan financing. Without timely assistance from Guatemala's corrupt and authoritarian rulers, Keith and United would have found it much more difficult to extract liberal concessions from the government, eliminate competitors, and suppress challenges to its authority." (pp. 112-13).

Unique research & analysis, insightful for learned reader
"Doing Business" covers some of the behind the scenes maneuvering and personality conflicts typical of early 20th century Central American republics. It sheds light on the motivation of the men behind the UFC and the railroads in detail not usually seen in books delaing with this subject. Too many other books have been written about Central American politics, especially with regard to the United Fruit Company, which focus solely on classical political analysis. This work must be used when studying this era in Central American history, to gain a full picture of the events. It would be nice to see more research like that of "Doing Business", political inclinations aside. ... Read more

Book Description

Foundations of International Economics is an up-to-date collection of work from leading post-Keynesian scholars on international economics and trade. It covers all the major areas in international economics, with the Post-Keynesian approach giving a welcome fresh perspective.

Representing cutting-edge research, chapters feature studies of payment schemes, exchange rate determination, open economy macroeconomics, developing country issues, capital flows, balance of payments constraints, liquidity preference, Fordism and the role of technology in trade. beyond the specifics of each contribution, this collection as a whole suggests the usefulness of the Post-Keynesian paradigm in addressing complex issues of global interdependence. Contributors: Philip Arestis, Robert Blecker, Paul Davidson, Sheila Dow, Bruce Elmslie, Ilene Grabel, John McCombie, Eleni Paliginis, A. P. Thirlwall, L. Randall Wray. ... Read more

Book Description

This book expounds trade theory emphasizing that a trading equilibrium is general rather than partial, and is often best modelled using dual or envelope functions. This yields a compact treatment of standard theory, clarifies some errors and confusions, and produces some new departures. In particular, the book (i) gives unified treatments of comparative statics and welfare, (ii) sheds new light on the factor-price equalization issue, (iii) treats the modern specific-factor model in parallel with the usual Heckscher-Ohlin one, (iv) analyses the balance of payments in general equilibrium with flexible and fixed prices, (v) studies imperfect competition and intra-industry trade. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A good book for international trade, but not perfect
The book gets into rather good discusion of basic models, equilibrium and more advanced topics. The math level of the book is at a graduate level and many of the results are done with enough details, discussion and algebra. However, the book suffers from lack of algebra and enough reasoning in the first chapters where it is describing basic models. The notation of the book is sometimes confusing too (I think this problem exists in all of the books about international trade). Besides, the book is rather old and may is missing some topics. A complementarity text for this book is recommended. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A collection of essays about international trade seems destined to be a snoozer, but Paul Krugman, an economics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, somehow manages to write about an arcane subject in a lively manner that is actually entertaining. Krugman contends that many who are famed as experts on world trade actually misunderstand the subject completely, and he provides a startling commentary on some notables, from Lester Thurow to Ross Perot. Yet Krugman comes not merely to destroy; a reader can gain from his essays some real insight into economics, not to mention which economic commentators know their stuff. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

International Economics made easier
This is an excellent book in the sense that it helps non economists see the truth about the effects of trade on the Economy. Normally, people tend to overestimate the effects of trade treaties such as NAFTA on the U.S. economy and Krugman helps you understand why this isn't true. Common knowledge normally doesn't coincide with economic truth and people are mislead by such things as trade wars between mayor superpowers or trade wars between develop and developing nations. Krugman has the ability of explaing such glamorous issues in layman's terms and that's why this book is great.

Economic doomsday prophets, hold on to your seats.
So you think that the Japanese and Koreans will eat us alive in the international trade arena, that in a few years all US jobs will move south of the border, or that we must protect our capital stock to prevent our prosperity to flow elsewhere in the world. Well, think again. With simple national accounts and basic trade theory, Krugman warns us against the doomsday prophets of international trade who fuel the paranoia of competitiveness in the open economy. It may not be fashionable in academic circles (specially around Lester Thurow and Robert Reich, against whom Krugman takes a particularly nasty swing), but the truisms of Ricardian economics still hold valid: Trade balances in the medium term, and we'll be just OK. Just think about comparative advantage, a concept pop internationalists have apparently forgotten about.

Krugman and Competition
Paul Krugman is an intellectual economist with a rebllious streak. In "Pop Internalionalism" Krugman denounces ideas by some of the most well known and respected economists of the 20th century. Krugman uses a plethora of statistics to prove his point.
Krugman tries to prove that there is no economic competition between nations, or if there is it is nominal. His theories are alway well thought out and expressed but it difficult to believe everything he says. He tries to write for the common man, and is writing is very well expressed, intelligent, yet readible by most. It is easy for one to find themeselves rereading paragraphs if he/she does not have a strong understanding of international trade and national business.
Some may say that he is ahead of his time, others may say that his theories are rediculous, but I'll just say he is worth reading.

Awesome book
This is a great book - applying sound economics to our real-world policy issues.

Krugman's successful attempt to expose the flawed argument of the likes of Lester Thurow is wonderful. People like Thurow are more interested in bashing certain countries (e.g., Japan, Europe) and/or apologizing for others (e.g., People's Republic of China), with no economic/academic consistency. Hard to believe Thurow passes as an "economist"...

Good, concise, but sometimes repetitive
I am no expert on economics, having only taken basic classes in college, but Paul Krugman SEEMS right in his book "Pop Internationalism." Krugman, the op-ed columnist for the New York Times and Slate magazine and also a professor at Princeton University, published this collection of essays, articles, and speeches back in 1996.

Perhaps the publishing date brings about the only weakness, as much of the talk seems less appropriate for today's economy. But the reviews of old topics like NAFTA and the Eastern economy is still good information, and presented clearly and concisely.
Krugman put this collection together to inform people of the latest trend of beliefs in international economics, a trend that is dead wrong in Krugman's eyes. And so we have his term of "pop internationalism."

The basic idea of pop internatiolism is that the U.S. does not depend on international trade as much as the "experts" portray. Very little of our GNP is actually in exports, and we are seemingly doing just fine as the world market becomes more "global." Krugman is so concise in this point that many of the essays actually repeat the point over and over. This is okay though (at least for me), because I understood it better reading it again.

The book is a quick read, and is divided into four secions: A Zero-Sum World, Economic Theory -- Good and Bad, The Emerging World, and Technology and Society.

As far as Krugman being correct in his economic thinking, get back to me after I read some of the "pop internaitionalism" literature from the likes of Reich and Thurow. ... Read more

Book Description

Ultimate guide for starting and conducting a successful business in the respected countries.Detailed information on investment, export-import business opportunities, foreign economic assistance projects, government and business contacts and more. ... Read more

Book Description

Ethnic Chinese control a staggering 98 percent of the East Asian economy outside Korea and Japan. For any company seeking to work with the Chinese, understanding the unique social and cultural values that underpin their commercial practices can make or break business dealings before they even get off the ground.

Ming-Jer Chen, a leading expert on business strategy and competition, offers Western managers the definitive guide to navigating the fascinating-but often confusing-Chinese business world. Drawing from his intimate knowledge of Chinese culture and history, and from his extensive managerial work and international experience, Chen provides an unrivalled insider's perspective on how to work, compete, and cooperate successfully with Chinese companies around the globe.

Inside Chinese Business explains that almost all major Chinese organizations are relationship-based and continue to be influenced by an enduring set of cultural and social principles. Building on this premise with examples from companies throughout Asia and North America, the book addresses issues including:

* Chinese "business families" and their transformation in the new century.
* Guanxi: what it is, how it works, and how Western managers can develop their own business networks.
* The influence of traditional Chinese concepts such as "face," balance, harmony, and social roles on contemporary business conduct.
* How to spot a yesno: understanding Chinese communication patterns.
* The Chinese distaste for "negotiation"-and how to negotiate with them.
* The cultural roots of Chinese competitive practices, and ways Western companies can successfully adapt these ideas.
* Navigating the People's Republic of China's transitional economy.
* Using cultural difference to develop a globally integrative business perspective.

A powerful guide to resolving the often overwhelming rifts between Western and Eastern ways of doing business, Inside Chinese Business presents critical lessons for global enterprise in the 21st century. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Rehashed
Very little in this book is original. Even the title is borrowed from "Inside Chinese Organizations" written earlier by Kai-Alexander Schlevogt (a sound empirical study)! The style, emphasis and content is very similar to "New Asian Emperors" by George Haley and Chin Tiong Tan (a much better written book with a more complex grasp of the terrain of Chinese management).

The author does tackle some concepts such as "face" etc., but these provide very little insights for any but the most extreme novices.

Disappointing.

Not recommended
I agree with some of the reviewers below -- this book presents a complex topic in a very simplistic fashion. The concepts covered are very basic and almost naive.

Very naive and simplistic
Given the build up for this book, I found it very disappointing. It completely ignores the fact that most American companies have failed in China -- precisely following the strategies the author advocated! If you know very little about China, and have eaten at a Chinese restaurant a couple of times, this book should provide an easy introduction. Otherwise, pass on it! I would much rather recommend "New Asian Emperors: The Overseas Chinese, their Strategies and Competitive Advantages" by George T. Haley et al. for a more complex understanding of business culture in the region.

Disappointing...
I found this book a real disappointment, especially considering the author's apparent qualifications. It amounts to little more than a book report on other published sources and I actually see no evidence of "inside" information at all here. The author doesn't seem to have done a single personal interview for the book, which is unfortunate.

What's worse is that the book takes a chauvinistic approach to doing business with the Chinese. The essential advice here is that Western business people should never say no to Chinese counterparts and should accommodate them in every way possible. After doing business in Hong Kong and Guangzhou for more than 15 years, I fully understand the importance of "saving face": but this book advocates the kind of kowtowing that got many American companies into deep trouble in China...providing everything for their partners and losing their shirts. I am sure the author had honorable intentions but the point of view taken in this book is quite naive...if not dangerous.

That said, Inside Chinese Business is a quick and enjoyable read. If you have never read anything about Chinese business practices, it could be a useful introduction. Just take it with a grain of salt.

Simplistic and Dated
For anyone who has spent time in China (Hong Kong and Taiwan), or has read a book or two on business in Asia, much of the book will be simplistic to the point of being boring as it covers issues of "face", familial loyalty, reciprocity, etc. The impact of the Asian financial crisis is taken into account, but not the Nasdaq fall and subsequent worldwide tech slump. I imagine the author is just the victim of unfortunate timing, but several Asian tech companies, now dead and buried, are praised for their ability to navigate crises. Whoops.
There are lessons to be learned from a study like this, but the book strays dangerously close to the sort of blind fawning westerners saw of Japanese business in the late 80s and early 90s, before economic realities revealed the woeful shortcomings of Japan, Inc.
I have just begun reading another book, "The Coming Collapse of China"; while (so far) quite insular and anecdotal, it does provide a counter to what's quickly become an over-hyped view of China's future in global business.
I was expecting far more from "Inside Chinese Business", but perhaps the author will follow-up this work with a more in-depth study. ... Read more

Book Description

Expert guidance on exploring and choosing a professional career

Ideal for college-bound students or anyone thinking about making a career change, this series offers information needed to explore and choose a profession and then narrow it down to a job that suits them. Each book details the responsibilities, education and training required, and employment outlooks for dozens of satisfying careers in the field.

Book Description

A global services revolution is taking the business world by storm, as India becomes the world’s back office provider. From call centers and claims processing to human resources, accounting and even legal operations, service jobs are migrating from the West to India by the thousand each year.While cost reduction is often the initial goal of "offshoring," What’s This India Business? clearly demonstrates its real value: increased quality and greater effectiveness. Rich in examples and expert advice, this nuts-and-bolts guide shows what it takes to surge ahead of market trends, build a sustainable new business model, and unleash the power of Indian businesspeople to gain an advantage. This is a practical guide to a dynamic country of a billion people with a complex culture and vibrant business environment, offering proven strategies for working positively with Indian businesses. Paul Davies takes you behind the scenes to show you how to select the right business partner from the myriad of Indian companies that all seem to present a similar face to the West. He takes you step-by-step through the planning and implementation stages, exposing the hidden costs and benefits, and carefully steering you away from the inherent dangers in offshoring. This straightforward insider’s guide is an entertaining introduction to the dynamic cultures of India as well as a challenging book for the new century. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Lets All Exploit India
A well written book, but more then enough proof that blantant consumerism and outsourcing jobs from hard working American families will lead to the eventual implosion of our society.

This should be perfect for you CEO's who don't give a diddle about the people that helped make you.

Worth reading for anyone in business today!
This is a great reference on the world we live in today regarding the global economy and the wonderful world of outsourcing. I especially liked the section on what to expect during your time travels to India. A lot fo great information that I otherwise would not have been the wiser. ... Read more

Book Description

Timely, original, provocative, and one of the first studies of the way in which the World Bank is reinventing itself as the "Knowledge Bank."Essential for those with an interest in the future of the World Bank, the role of think tanks, and the changing nature of development. ... Read more

Book Description

From now on, whenever you meet new people for business or pleasure––"The Power of Handshaking" promises you’ll never walk away from a greeting empty-handed.You’ll learn how culture-based interaction, like handshaking, can profoundly affect the outcome of a business (or personal) transactions worldwide.

This useful new guide includes the etiquette for shaking hands worldwide. From the forthright All-American to the lingering Brazilian with air kisses to the French cool-light-and-brief and the formal Japanese bow–more than 40 handshakes are described.

"The Power of Handshaking" explores the psychology behind twelve basic handshakes to help you better understand your client or colleague and know how to communicate with him or her, more skillfully. Master the always-appropriate All-American with its eye contact, smile, firm grip, and two or three strokes, and the more intimate Lingering. Then discover the meaning behind the Push-Off, Pull-In, Two-Handed, Topper, Finger Squeeze, Palm Pinch, Twister, Royal, Water Pump, and Dead Fish and how to stay balanced in your dealings.

"The Power of Handshaking" will show you how a handshake can lead to new business and new friends, and tell you much about the people you deal with. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Compelling, for unusual reasons
The proponents of free trade have had at their disposal a convincing and, often times, quite believable theory to describe the way that the world functions. As a liberal, I have frequently wanted to reject all the theoretical underpinnings of free trade. I've spent many hours trying to fill their theory with holes. At the same time, as an economics major and free thinker, it's just not been tenable for me to disregard modern economic theory. There are no alternatives that could take the theory's place in effectiveness, or in accuracy. In sum, I picked up this book at a time when what I wanted to believe did not gel with what I was compelled to believe, academically.
This book does not explicitly offer a "third way" that could substitute for capitalism or socialism. And as might be expected, the authors make a big deal out of the bad things that come with economic liberalism. The "Race to The Bottom" is mentioned quite often. In this sense, there's not much new here. Read Soros, Stiglitz, Greider, or even Wallerstien - you'll find a lot of the same thing.
What is unique about this book, and why I am giving it five stars, is that the book added a new dimension to the context of my discontent with the current "system." More exactly: the alternative theory that could come out of this book pales to liberalism; much of the liberal thought about economics has to do with values, and it not often as compelling as the official theory; and while this book emphasizes values to a great deal (state sovereignty, for example) it tends to emphasize values that are much more axiomatic. For example: The authors describe how the specifics of NAFTA were not made readily and directly available to the public; and even once they were, the document was so convoluted and inaccessible that hardly anyone bothered to read it.
This example (there are many others) is useful to me because it does not necessitate e a conflict with liberalism. In other words: It may be true that free trade works best. I don't want to believe that, I am compelled nevertheless to believe that, but no matter what I believe about free trade, I am positive that trade agreements should be made available to the public (quickly, cheaply, and in a language that can be understood). Values are still involved. But the answers to the "value questions" are answered axiomatically, for most of us. This book is unique and valuable (no pun) for the reason that it criticizes free trade in a way that (1) the criticism will either be accepted or rejected immediately, and (2) the criticism is not contradictory, and may be useful, to the liberalist's theory that has been so difficult to dethrone.

It'll Change your Mind
This is an excellent book written by some of the leading authorities on NAFTA and GATT (Including Ralph Nader). Each "chapter" written by a different person is short and to the point. You can read as much or as little as you want, without feeling the need to finish the chapter. This book WILL make you sweat with anger at points. It is an excellent read. ... Read more

Book Description

George Soros is a legend in the world of finance, a man whose name is known from Wall Street to Wuhan, from Manchester to Moscow, from Brussels to Bangkok. His Quantum Fund has been the best-performing investment fund in history and his foundations have helped reshape the post-Cold War world. Now Soros applies all of his wisdom, expertise and insight to explain what's happening in the collapsing global economy. The result is a brilliant work of profound importance, a startling critique of what's gone wrong and an inspiring vision of how it can be fixed.

In THE CRISIS OF GLOBAL CAPITALISM, Soros dissects the current crisis and economic theory in general, revealing how theoretical assumptions have combined with human behavior to lead to today's mess. He shows how unquestioning faith in market forces blinds us to crucial instabilities, and how those instabilities have chain-reacted to cause the current crisis-a crisis that has the potential to get much, much worse. But there is a way out, and it involves embracing the concept of the open society. And by doing so we can save not only our financial system, but also our civilization. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Financial Speculators Against Libertarianism!
Here are two reasons to read this book --

1) Learn why George Soros, one of the world's wealthiest men, a billionaire financial speculator, says that dogmatic belief in the so-called "free market" is every bit as dangerous as a comparably dogmatic belief in Marxism-Leninism (a topic Soros knows something about, given that he grew up under a Marxist-Leninist government in Eastern Europe).

2) Learn about the philosopher Karl Popper, a beacon of rationality in a tribalistic world. Soros is an intellectual follower of Popper, author of the renowned "The Open Society and Its Enemies," and Soros attempts to apply Popper's thinking to the current crisis of global capitalism. Whether he draws the correct conclusion in every case is less the point than the serious thinking involved. Popper is widely misunderstood to be an advocate of the free market. What he is actually in favor of is freedom of thought -- skepticism of any received dogma, including the dogma of the Free Market, to which many now say There Is No Alternative.

Rubbish, says Popper, and so says Soros. A legal, regulatory framework is required. Without the appropriate regulation, the result is the "gangster capitalism" of Russia, and of Enron. Along with Nobel Prize-winning economists Amartya Sen and Joseph Stiglitz among others, Soros is absolutely right in his basic point, and is making a contribution to the construction of an appropriate institutional architecture for an increasingly global society.

At times very good, but in need of editing
George Soros has written an interesting and thought-provoking book with a goal that could hardly be any more ambitious. Open Society is nothing less than a vision for a new economic and political architecture for the world.

The book starts out by presenting a 'Conceptual Framework' that serves to outline the basic principles, such as fallibility and reflexivity, upon which Mr. Soros analyses the present and builds a vision for the future. In many ways, this is the best written, most original and most coherent and convincing part of the book. This is achieved by a fair amount of repetition but also good logic and evidence of the author having thought about the ideas for a long time and researched them thoroughly. Mr. Soros is undoubtedly a very intelligent and well-read man.

The second part of the book deals with the present moment in history and can actually itself be divided into two parts. It begins by analyzing the global capitalist system, and then discusses the Asian crisis and the events that have taken place in Russia and eastern Europe after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The first two of these are very interesting and give good introduction to the global financial system. The section on Russia is not as engaging and I have a suspicion that Mr. Soros' personal feelings perhaps interfere a bit with his objective analysis.

Part two of the book concludes with the author's suggestions for a new global economic and political architecture. There certainly are nuggets of great wisdom and even brilliance here but the writing is hopelessly unconvincing compared to the first part of the book and at times quite frustrating. Mr. Soros draws up inadequate straw men representing his main opponents 'market fundamentalists' and 'geopolitical realists' and then in due course attempts to cut them down. Unlike the first half of the book, which is much more convincing and logically sound, one constantly wants to interrupt the author with lots of "Oh yeah, but what about X ...".

All in all, the book is interesting and definitely a worthwhile read although it is in need of better editing and some serious, critical proofreading. In fairness to Mr. Soros, one of the central themes of the book is fallibility and he does stress that he is not, nor can be, completely right. The book ends with the confession: "I have gone about as far as I can on my own. I have learned a lot from other people's criticism, and I can continue to do so after the book is published." A brave admission, among many in the book, and one should give Mr. Soros credit for putting forth his best and welcoming the reaction. Well George, in that spirit, I have a dog-eared, highlighted copy with comment-filled margins that you are welcome to have a look at. Looking forward to the next edition.

Pay no attention to the Freepers
In case you don't know, "Freepers" are fans of a certain far-out-right-wing-nut website and they go on sites likes this and "freep" it by giving books one-star reviews. They try to infiltrate other sites and shut them down. They're rotten to their cores.

One Freeper halfwit from St. Paul, MN (his "review" is below) is posting the same review for every one of Soros' books. I love how they spend so much energy being pathetic little sheep.

Anyway, buy this book, it's wonderful and very insightful. I've learned a lot.

A self serving treatise by a convicted con-man
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Out of curiosity about what makes Soros tick I checked out a library copy of this book. After about the first thirty pages I was ready to upchuck. Less than two years ago (2002) this con-man was convicted in France (and the French are usually very tolerant) of insider trading. In other words, he makes his money by cheating. Not playing by the rules is how he's made his billions. His ill-gotten wealth doesn't establish him as a humanist or authority on world problems, but a lot of really dumb and naive people thinks it does.

His poorly written attempt at writing shows him to be just another one-worlder and reveals his hypothesis that for economic stability there should be no separate nations. Soros is a gifted crackpot; gifted in that he is an expert at not playing by the same rules of law as the rest of us, and a crackpot in his views of a one world utopia. No wonder he is financing opposition to a nationalistic and patriotic U. S. president. This book is political propaganda in disguise.

Save your money and read the much more informative "The Secret World of Money" by Andrew M. Gause.

Hypocrisy from a convicted criminal
As one reviewer mentioned, Soros was convicted of inside trading in France. He should be in jail writing his books.

Don't waste your time with this book. He has no interest in "open" societies. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the first text to be written on Emerging Financial Markets.The book is partially the result of a grant given by Citibank to Columbia Business School for the purpose of designing a new course in emerging financial markets for their MBA program. The text reflects the tremendous research in recent years seeking to explain the financial crises in Latin America and Asia during the mid to late 1990's and related issues such as capital flows, currency regimes, legal and regulatory matters, corporate governance, and the functions and structure of financial systems. Emerging Financial Markets suggests and explores three key foundations that explain why emerging markets behave differently than developed markets: (1) law, (2) institutions of information and control, and (3) inflation and currency stability. ... Read more

Amazon.com

On Competition, a collection of works by Michael E. Porter, is a critical examination of the dog-eat-dog international economy. A Harvard Business School professor, Porter is one of the most respected and innovative economists of his time. Author of 15 books, he advises key elected officials and business leaders in all parts of the world. On Competition features 13 of his best articles over the past 15 years, including 2 new ones.The essence of Porter's message is that every company, country, and person must master competition to thrive in brutal international and domestic economies. Competition is the key to excellence. Worried about losing your job or your services becoming obsolete? Porter believes that a little fear is good for everyone. "Companies that value stability, obedient customers, dependent suppliers and sleepy competitors are inviting inertia and, ultimately, failure," he writes in his 1990 study and essay "The Competitive Advantage of Nations." Porter is a longtime critic of the short-term thinking on Wall Street that often stifles competition and hurts the economy. In "Capital Disadvantage: America's Failing Capital Investment System," he calls for much lower capital-gains rates for people who invest for the long term. He also urges investors and businesses to start thinking together. He contends that pension funds and institutional investors should get a greater say over the companies they own. It's wacky to have company directors with little expertise or financial interest in the company, he writes.

Porter is often unconventional and asserts that businessmen must be, too. In his essay "Green and Competitive," he shows little sympathy for businesses that complain about environmental regulations. Rules to protect the environment don't have to strangle companies--they can actually improve productivity with the right attitude and approach. Rhone-Poulenc, a French chemical and drug company, proved this when it stopped incinerating a certain byproduct and began selling it as an additive for dyes and tanning. Readable and provocative, On Competition is vital for business, government, and financial leaders as well as small-business people and investors. --Dan Ring ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Great, clear frameworks on competition
Michael E. Porter is a Harvard Business School professor and a leading authority on competition. This book consists of three parts - Competition and Strategy: Core Concepts, The Competitiveness of Locations, and Competitive Solutions to Societal Problems - and each of these parts consists of 4-to-5 Harvard Business Review articles which were published between 1979 and 1998. "The study of competition, in its full richness, has preoccupied me for two decades."

In Part I, the five HBR articles outline Porter's strategic concepts. "I have sought to capture the complexity of what actually happens in companies and industries in a way that both advances theory and brings theory to life for practitioners. My goal has been to develop both rigorous and useful frameworks for understanding competition that effectively bridge the gap between theory and practice." In the 1979-article 'How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy', Porter introduces the monumental five competitive forces (from existing competitors, new entrants, customers, suppliers, substitution). This article has had an extensive impact on the field of strategy and is still a starting point for strategic management at any MBA-course. 'What is Strategy?' was published in 1996 and is, in my opinion, a reply to all the critics of his frameworks and models. The 1985-article 'How Information Gives You Competitive Advantage', Porter and co-author Victor Millar write how information technology influences competition. The current impact of Internet and e-commerce provide excellent examples for this article. In the 1993-article 'End-Game Strategies for Declining Industries', Porter lines up with Kathryn Rudie Harrigan to discuss the last stage/final phase of a industry. This articles is largely based on Harrigan's 1980 book 'Strategies for Declining Businesses' and is a chapter in Porter's 1980-book 'Competitive Strategy'. Part I is finalised with the magnificent 'From Competitive Advantage to Corporate Strategy'. This article is truly a classic and discusses the radical rethinking of corporate strategy. "Corporate strategy is what makes the corporate whole add up to more than the sum of its business parts." This article is the basis of his book 'Competitive Advantage'.

In Part II, Porter kicks off with 'The Competitive Advantage of Nartions', which is also one of the titles of his books. In this 1990-article Porter argues that in a world of increasingly global competition, nations have become more, not less, important. In 'Clusters and Competition' (1998), Porter expands on the theme and discusses the new economics of competition - clusters. "A Cluster is a geographically proximate group of interconnected companies and associated institutions in particular fields, linked by commonalities and complementarities." Examples are the Italian fashion industry, the California Wine cluster, Silicon Valley's venture capital industry, and Massachusetts IT industry. In the next article, 'How Global Companies Win Out' (1992), Porter, Thomas Hout and Eileen Rudden discuss what a global industry is and how global companies can win out. In the next article, 'Competing Across Locations' (1995), returns on this subject and provides additional insights on global strategy, including a general framework.

Part III includes the latest works of Porter. Porter discusses environmental regulation and competition ('Green and Competitive', 1995), with a great case study of the Dutch flower industry, and the impact of these regulations on competition and industries. In the next article ('The Competitive Advantage of the Inner City', 1995), Porter introduces the economic distress of America's inner cities, whereby "the real need - and the real opportunity - is to create wealth" . In the 1990s, Porter also turned more towards government institutions. He discusses the American health care ('Making Competition in Health Care Work', 1994) and, the according to Porter, America's failing capital investment system ('Capital Disadvantage', 1992).

The advantage of this book is that it provides the a quick insight into the ideas and essential points of Porter's books 'Competitive Strategy', 'Competitive Advantage', and 'Competitive Advantage of Nations'. Part I and Part II are now essentials in the field of strategy and competition with fantastic frameworks and models. Part III are Porter's latest articles and discuss the connection between social issues and competition. A great book that is good to read (simple US-English).

Helpful Essays from a Corporate Strategy Icon
This book is a collection of essays and articles by Michael Porter alone or with others. Most of them are collected from his writings in the Harvard Business Review although two are new to this book. Think of this as a "Porter's Greatest Hits" kind of thing. That is a bit misleading because his HBR articles are not exactly the same thing as his Competitive Advantage books although the topics are definitely related.

The essays are grouped into three broad sections: 1) Competition and Strategy: Core Concepts, 2) The Competitiveness of Locations, and 3) Competitive Solutions to Societal Problems. Will you find each article of the same high quality? Probably not (again, like a greatest hits collection), but you will find them informative and thought provoking. It is impossible to study for an MBA nowadays without invoking "Porter's Five Forces" in your discussions of competitive and marketing strategy.

This book can help add to your thinking and understanding of how every aspect of our life is in some way part of a competitive context and the ways it improves our standard of living. It will also help you improve your thinking in how to best strategize for and participate in competitive situations.

It would be a mistake to think that Porter advocates for a Hobbesian nightmare of life being nasty, brutish and short. Rather, he is more or less helping us think through the nature of the way competition arises and how to best think about its sources and how to manage it and the traps to avoid.

While Porter's model is used by some as a hammer that sees everything as a nail, it really needn't be used that way and, in its proper context, is very helpful.

Great Aggregration Of Porter's Work
'Porter On Competition' is 'lighter' to read than his 'Trilogy', but it nicely consists the core ideas of his work and how it evolved during the past decades. The book provides reader a nice overview about how competitive strategy & competitive advantage are applicable to a wide range of areas: from corporation, industry & nation, to social issues such as health care and environment.

Ladies and Gentlemen please! time to get out the Porter
You can always tell when it's time to dust off the old Michael E. Porter books and to start to frantically search for better and sounder ways to do business and compete, it's when the economy starts to get a little tighter and begin to show signs of taking a down-turn, like about now.

So, before you fork out good money and time to read the next great and grandiose book on how to make a fast few million bucks on the internet read this first, and you will still be in business this time next year, and after that - maybe.

The Gospel on Competition
Prof. Porter's work on competition in industry is a milestone and after two decades still holds its ground. I had his textbook for my MBA class well over a decade ago. His recent (Harvard Bus. Rev - March 2001) article regarding 'Strategy and the Internet' shows that the fundamental principles of Competitive Strategy is still valid as ever in the "new economy". ... Read more

Book Description