Book Description

If there's anything more challenging than designing a company, it's designing a global company. Balancing strategy and structure becomes even more daunting when geography, foreign governments, and worldwide customers and products are thrown into the mix. And no single design works for all organizations. In this book, internationally recognized expert Jay Galbraith shows companies how to match their own strengths and strategies with proven design options. Whether they're exporting their first product or already operating around the world, Galbraith gives companies the information they need to build flexible, global networks. And through real-world examples, he shows how successful international businesses are already navigating the global environment.

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Reviews (6)

Full of valuable insights for managers and scholars alike
Galbraith has succeeded in filling the gap that he intended to fill in that specific area of management literature where organization theory and international business research interact. Although I was initially rather skeptical of the scholarly value of the book - since it appears to be particularly aimed at practitioners - I was pleasantly surprised at the wealth of novel theoretical insights that I was able to extract from it. Although it clearly builds on Galbraith's earlier work (for which he is renowned), it definitely adds something to the field. This book will leave those interested in international business (both practice and theory!) with an enhanced understanding of some of the organizational aspects of the multinational corporation that seem to me to be relatively underresearched.

Geography is History!!
Background: Geography is History!! So went an advertisement from a telecom company a few years ago. And as globalization proceeds to breakdown national boundaries, open up cultures and increases access for economic activity, an awareness of this process of breakdown of geography has become a necessity for any corporation wanting to grow and flourish. Increasing size in this dynamic environment brings with it many challenges including increasing structural complexity, need for quick and seamless communication to manage this complexity, as well as an ability to assess and predict the changing external world, recognize opportunities therein and fashion nimble responses to gain competitive advantage. 'Designing the Global Corporation' is a book written to address such issues in an attempt to help managers structure their thinking towards an increasingly boundaryless world.

Synopsis: Jay Galbraith begins his book by arguing against the KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid!) of organizational design. He recognizes that increasing foreign direct investment (FDI), breakdown of trade barriers and improved communications via media like the Internet along with a corporations need to reach customers globally have increased the complexity of doing business. Corporations could fight this complexity and simplify their operations, or learn to accept, manage and in fact use this complexity as a competitive advantage against simpler competitors.
He then goes on to inject great precision into the concept of a globalization for a corporation and defines 5 different levels of international development in increasing order of complexity. A corporation may develop a competitive advantage in its home country and then try to export this advantage to international destinations, evolving through different levels of international development. Or, a corporation like Logitech, may be designed as a transnational corporation from its very inception, with hardware R&D located in Switzerland, software development in California, manufacturing in Taiwan and sales in every country. Evolution from level 1 to level 5 may not be inevitable and/or desirable, with many companies deciding to settle into a particular niche depending upon the nature of their business and their long-term goals.
The rest of the book is devoted to a very clear, well-illustrated nuts and bolts description of designing global corporations with different levels of internationalization. The geographical entity headed by a country manager, multinational single business units and the multinational multi dimensional organizations are described in great detail. Underlying theme of this entire discussion is that the structure of the organization has to cater to its overall strategy, and the former has to change as the latter evolves.
The author spends considerable time and space on the need and means for developing informational and decision-making networks within such complex organizations. Here again he describes 5 different types of networks in increasing order of complexity beginning with informal voluntary communication and going up to a formally structured matrix organization. He discusses the advantages and limitations of each and how such networks may be used to propagate the agenda of the corporation. As a corporation increases its level of internationalization, it has to deal with increasingly complex networks that transcend geography, business function and culture.
He ends the book by describing the 5 dimensions that a global corporation must learn manage in order to remain successful. These 5 dimensions are managing functions, geographies, product lines (or business units), customers and solutions.
Finally, he writes, "Regardless of whether globalization continues, stalls, or even reverses, the models described in this book should continue to guide organizing choices.....and as businesses struggle to compensate and thrive on their ever expanding journey, the ideas and structures presented in this book can serve as a road map."

Critique: The author has presented his ideas very clearly and illustrated them with many examples from real companies. The organization of the book follows a logical flow of thoughts and the language used makes it fairly readable. Having said that, the complexity of many of the concepts presented in this book precludes it from being a casual bedtime reading, rather it demands full concentration and a careful attention to detail from the reader.

Highly Recommended!
Globalization has become such an overused buzzword that it has become nearly devoid of meaning. Here, author Jay R. Galbraith injects new precision into the concept: Going international means plenty of hard work and painstaking attention to detail. Because every company's strategy, market and competitive advantage is unique, it's impossible to define one single, perfect, organizational structure for an international business, but Galbraith provides some fascinating alternatives to consider. Although Galbraith's book is jargon-filled and dense, it is full of useful, illustrative examples. He manages to reduce international business to its simplest form: A company develops an edge, and then tries to take it abroad. This involves many challenges, which Galbraith describes in rich detail. So if your company is multinational - or wants to be - we at getAbstract recommend this book to you. It is tailor-made for executives who are involved in international business - or who hope to expand their global reach.

Organizations of third-generation strategies.
"Most companies do not have the capabilities to institute the multidimensional organizations that are required by their strategies and necessary to serve their global customers. In one memorable conversation,...Chris Bartlett summed up the situation well, stating that companies pursue third-generation strategies using second-generation organizations staffed with first-generation human resources. When first-generation managers attempt to institute third-generation multidimentional organizations, they fail and attribute the failure to the organizational form, not to their lack of capability. They then call for a return to simple, first-generation organizations. These simple organizations will work if the companies follow first-generation strategies in clear and stable industries. However, if a company wants to enter complicated countries like China, create value for the global customer desiring solutions, and be competitive in converging industries, it must pursue a third-generation strategy. This book is intended for those who wish to design the third-generation organizations required by third-generation strategies...I believe in 'keeping it simple' but with two twists. First, I believe we should keep it simple for the customer; a company should work toward being easy to do business. Second, I believe we should keep it simple for front-line employees-those people with direct customer and product contact...The new mandate to keep it simple for customers and front-line employees makes management's job difficult and complex; how to organize in order to manage this complexity is addressed in this book...Some firms, like ABB, IBM, and Citigroup, believe that the winning companies are going to be those that can manage global complexity. It is for these firms that this book is written" (from the Preface).

In this context, Jay R. Galbraith:

* highlights some of the reasons for adopting a global organizational capability as well as some of the inherent challenges in doing so, and also spotlights some of the managerial and business-environment mind-set that can prevent these strategies from being embraced and employed to full advantage.

* argues that the global organizations are complex and multidimensional networks as a result of balancing many strategic factors; and then describes these factors in four categories: level of international development, amount of cross-border coordination, activity of host local institutions, and diversity of international business porfolio.

* argues that the level of international development-one of the strategic factors that influence how a company organizes its international operations-consists of three dimensions: the role of subsidiaries, the mode of participation in the local economy, and the proportion of assets and employees located outside the home country; and then defines the different types of competitive advantages, and focuses on the different levels of international development and how a firm changes from one level to another.

* argues that after exporting, the next level of international development is investment in foreign countries with a partner; and then focuses on the partnering process itself and the organizational skills-particularly the organization design.

* describes six tasks of geographical division: (1)transfer advantages from existing geography, (2)localize the success formula, (3)build a local business, (4)communicate with and educate the home country, (5)champion the new subsidiaries, (6)build international capabilities; and also describes the organizational design decisions involved in performing these tasks.

* reviews the variety of multidimensional structures chosen by companies, like Nestle, ABB, HP, and DuPont, by varying strategic factors, like fixed costs, markets, products, customers, competitors, transportability, and portfolio diversity.

* defines the lateral organization as an informational and decision-making process that coordinates activities whose components are located in different organizational units, and describes different types and amounts of lateral network coordination related to the strategic factors.

* argues that the easiest lateral organization is the informal or voluntary organization, and management's role in this self-organizing process is to create the appropriate context and remove any barriers to free-flowing contacts. In the next level, management-building on the informal networks-designs formal cross-border groups to manage shared functions, coordinate business units, and create global products; and then describes what makes the groups formal, and discusses the design issues involved in creating formal groups that coordinate across borders.

* discusses the factors that are creating transnational form as the last level of international development, and then elaborates organizational-design issues of this in an example.

* argues, the full complexity facing many companies involves simultaneously managing functions, geographies, product lines (or business units), customers, and solutions-at the very least. These companies must use multidimensional structures, with the dynamics of global business requiring that these multiple dimensions be reconfigurable. Different customers require the services of different combinations of business units and country subsidiaries; to be competitive, a company must be able to configure and reconfigure its profit centers to create value for customers. And then presents the framework for organizing around multiple dimensions, with focusing on the customer and customer solutions in cases of Citibank and IBM.

Finally, he writes,"Regardless of whether globalization continues, stalls, or even reverses, the models described in this book should continue to guide organizing choices. The most likely new level of international development will probably be a consrtium or some type of electronic or virtual combination of local companies".

I highly recommend this invaluable study.

A Compass and a Map...Not a Blueprint
Let's begin with Galbraith's concluding remarks: "The new development process for global products [and services] is one of the key organizational capabilities that a firm must master when evolving into a multinational company. Even without the global challenge, the product development process has become complex: products [and services] have to not only meet market requirements but also be manufacturable, reliable, serviceable, useable, and recyclable, and meet target costs in shorter and shorter cycle times." If this brief excerpt describes the situation your organization is in now or one to which it hopes to relocate ASAP, this brilliant book is "must reading."

In a very real sense, Galbraith functions as both a management consultant and an architect. The emphasis on the principles of "design" is intentional and eminently appropriate. Here are some of questions he answers:

What is the challenge of organizational complexity? How to overcome it?

How to organize the global corporation?

What are the levels of international development?

What does partnering require? When and why is it beneficial?

What is the significance of geographical division?

Which multidimensional structures are most important? Why?

What are the most effective strategies for coordination between and among networks?

What are cross-border formal networks? What are their significance?

What are the most effective ways to shift power across networks?

What is the "transformational form"? What is its significance?

What is a "multidimensional multinational"?

What are the most effective organizational strategies to serve the global customer?

What is a "front-back hybrid organization"?

After "A Look Ahead", Galbraith provides an Appendix ("The New Global Process of New-Product Delopment") which, all by itself, is well worth the price of the book. To repeat, I consider it "must reading" for organizations already embarked upon globalization or which are now preparing to begin that perilous journey. There is another category of organizations which can also derive substantial benefit from this book: Those who now do business with or plan to do business with others now active in the global marketplace. With all due respect to Galbraith, there is no single "design" which is appropriate for all or even for most organizations. Moreover, today's appropriate design may well prove inadequate in the near future, if not by tomorrow. Therefore, I suggest that you use Galbraith's book to identify the questions which must be asked and then answered, to take full advantage of the advice he provides and of the guidelines he suggests, and to view the design process as a unique opportunity to energize (or re-energize) everyone involved. Galbraith asserts (and I agree) that companies CAN transform themselves to design local products or devise local services that capture global scale yet fit local-market requirements. Only those which do will prosper. The choice is theirs. It really is. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great book full of information
If you want to start an import/export business I would start with this book. Full of information, forms, websites, and government contacts to get you started within weeks. Great book, I'm looking forward to starting my own import/export business part time to start. ... Read more

Book Description

The world of international management is no longer limited to jet-setting corporate trouble-shooters or seasoned expatriate managers. Virtually all business conducted today is global business. The need to understand the effect of culture on the practice of management has never been greater.

This book examines cross-cultural management issues from a psychological or behavioral perspective. It focuses on the interactions of people from different cultures in organizational settings and helps the reader gain an understanding of the effect of culture that can be applied to a wide variety of cross-cultural interactions in various organizational contexts.

The first section of the book describes the context in which the international manager functions including the major facets of the international management environment - legal, political, economic, and cultural. Culture is defined and demystified in practical terms and the reasons that cultures form and persist are discussed. The idea that cultural variation is not random but systematic is examined, as are the basics of social cognition as applied to cross-cultural interaction. Among the concepts discussed are selective perception, stereotyping, ethnocentrism, differential attributions, behavioral scripts, and cultural differences in motivation. The second section of the book focuses on the roles that dominate the activities of international managers: decision maker, negotiator, and leader. The process and behavioral aspects of negotiation are discussed in terms of the application of cross-cultural communication. The basis of communication, as concepts that transfer meaning across cultures, are presented as grounding for understanding negotiation across cultures. Western theories of leadership are contrasted with theories indigenous to other cultures, and a cross-cultural model of leadership is presented. The third section is devoted to challenges facing international managers including multi-cultural work groups and teams, the organization and design of international organizations, the unique influence of the multinational corporation on managerial roles, and the relationship of culturally different individuals to the firm. The challenges associated with the assignment of individuals overseas from both the perspectives of the firm and the individual expatriate are also explored. The final section of the book looks at the limitations of current management theory as it applies to international management and key methodological issues with regard to cross-national and cross-cultural research. The book includes extensive up-to-date references and a comprehensive index.

Book Description

Lessons from China's leading entrepreneurs on competing in unpredictable markets

U. S. entrepreneurs from Bill Gates to Michael Dell have been studied and emulated by executives worldwide. Yet we know next to nothing about the pioneers who are reshaping the world's second largest economy: China. In the face of murky ownership structures, inconsistent access to capital, shifting industrial policy, and other obstacles, an elite few Chinese firms have thrived during the turbulence of the last decade.

In Made in China, Donald N. Sull profiles eight of these formidable ventures to reveal the secrets behind their surprising success. Based on extensive research, including in-depth interviews and access to corporate archives, Made in China explores these entrepreneurs' winning strategies, from how they anticipate and maneuver through emerging threats and opportunities ("active waiting"), to how they manage risks, to how they consistently out-execute rivals. Taken together, these principles represent a comprehensive model for managing in unpredictable environments worldwide.

An insider's look at the playbook of some of the world's savviest and most resilient entrepreneurs, Made in China is essential reading for companies operating in China or in any volatile industry or market.

Donald N. Sull is an Associate Professor of Management Practice at London Business School. Previously an Assistant Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, Sull was also a consultant at McKinsey & Company, Inc. He advises both multinational firms and new ventures in several countries.

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Book Description

The backlash against outsourcing American jobs to countries like India had transformed into an anti-immigrant and anti-Indian atmosphere lately. While looking at outsourcing and high-tech visa programs from a completely different angle --and giving an enjoyable account of Indian programmers -- this book answers, in an extremely balanced way, the following complicated questions that have been raised by many American programmers, talkshow hosts, news anchors and politicians:

. If outsourcing is inevitable, what’s next for Americans?

· Did America really benefit from immigrant programmers?

· Was there never a need to bring immigrant programmers to the U.S.?

· Are Indian immigrant programmers nothing but corporate lapdogs?

· Are Indian programmers dumb as rocks and incapable of thinking outside of the box?

· Did Indian immigrant programmers support the September 11th attacks?

· Did Americans invent everything that belongs to the computer industry?

· Is the Indian education system far below world standards?

· Is there an organized Indian mafia in American universities that hires only Indian cronies? ... Read more

Book Description

Twenty-one sets of twenty-one ideas, activities and tips drawn from decades of international practical experience

Making participation real requires workshops, training and learning that are themselves participatory. This sourcebook presents the results of the author's vast experience in the form of twenty-one sets of ideas, activities and tips, both serious and fun, for topics such as getting started, seating, forming groups, managing large numbers, analysis, feedback, evaluation and ending.

From the Preface: "This is for all who try to help others learn and change... There is something here for participatory teachers and trainers; for organizers, moderators and facilitators who want their conferences and workshops to be interactive; for staff in training institutes who want to enliven their courses; for faculty and teachers in universities, colleges and schools who would like to enable students to do more of their own analysis; and for those engaged in management training who want to widen their repertoire." ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Single best volume
I have taught facilitation for 20 years and maintain an extended bibliography of available books. If someone said they can buy only one book as a resource in facilitating, I would recommend this one. It is a remarkable collection of exercises, tools, strategies, and tips. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (4)

A masterpiece
This book is a masterpiece. In practice, it deserves to become the "Holy Bible" of Microeconometrics applied to (but not only to) Development Economics. It is beautifully written by an amazingly knowledgeble economist, who has actually worked for years (and still does) on most of the issues this book deals with. It is no easy reading, and it would be worth spending a day for every single page, but it's excellent even if you don't want to go through the details, and you just need an intuition about the issues covered. The first chapter introduces the reader to many important aspects of the contruction and use of household surveys. The second chapter masterfully reviews many concepts of applied econometrics. Chapter 3 is about poverty and inequality measurement. Chapter 4 is about "Nutrition, children, and intrahousehold allocation", Chapter 5 deals with prices and tax reforms, and Chapter 6 with saving and consumption smoothing. The book also contains many useful Stata codes the author wrote and used for his many papers. Again, this is not a trivial reading, but if you are interested in applied economics you will find reading this book extremely rewarding, and often almost entertaining, because Deaton is one of the very few economists around able to write about technical stuff in a brilliant and intuitive way.

Misadventure
It is a great book, and I would have not canceled the order if you would have shipped as your website said it would.

A masterpiece
This book is a masterpiece. In practice, it deserves to become the "Holy Bible" of Microeconometrics applied to (but not only to) Development Economics. It is beautifully written by an amazingly knowledgeble economist, who has actually worked for years (and still does) on most of the issues this book deals with. It is no easy reading, and it would be worth spending a day for every single page, but it's excellent even if you don't want to go through the details, and you just need an intuition about the issues covered. The first chapter introduces the reader to many important aspects of the contruction and use of household surveys. The second chapter masterfully reviews many concepts of applied econometrics. Chapter 3 is about poverty and inequality measurement. Chapter 4 is about "Nutrition, children, and intrahousehold allocation", Chapter 5 deals with prices and tax reforms, and Chapter 6 with saving and consumption smoothing. The book also contains many useful Stata codes the author wrote and used for his many papers. Again, this is not a trivial reading, but if you are interested in applied economics you will find reading this book extremely rewarding, and often almost entertaining, because Deaton is one of the very few economists around able to write about technical stuff in a brilliant and intuitive way.

Deaton is the man !
This is an excelent manual for anyone interested in studying consumption or welfare in developing countries. Profesor Deaton is certainly one of the experts in the field. His book is well written and flows easily from theory to practice. Really enjoy it ! ... Read more

Book Description

JOHN CHAMBERS AND THECISCO WAY: Navigating through Volatility
Under the leadership of CEO John Chambers, Cisco Systems has become one of the world's leading technology companies. Chambers's management philosophy and business strategies have allowed Cisco to dominate the computer networking industry and to move into cutting-edge telecommunications markets. In the few short years since Chambers took over as chief executive, the once-invisible "Internet plumbing" supplier has become a household name, and its CEO has emerged as a leading light in high tech.

John Chambers and the Cisco Way: Navigating through Volatility offers an up-close look at the career, philosophy, and vision of one of America's top CEOs. Through expert insights and extensive interviews of industry analysts, venture capitalists, and Cisco executives, employees, customers, and competitors, this engaging book skillfully explores Chambers's rise to prominence and the evolution of Cisco Systems.

High-tech reporter and author John Waters traces Chambers's career from salesman to chief executive, explores his management style, and details his victories and defeats as Chambers steers Cisco through the unpredictable and volatile technology sector.

You'll see how past business experiences–both good and bad–have shaped the way Chambers manages today, and learn how he keeps Cisco on top by:

• Utilizing networking technology to speed processes and slash expenses
• Listening to customers to remain competitive in rapidly changing markets
• Empowering employees for light-speed decision making
• Organizing the company around networks instead of rigid hierarchies
• Implementing a proven growth-by-acquisition strategy
• Efficiently integrating acquired companies
• Aggressively moving into new and broader business segments

Reviews (2)

Surprisingly readable
I was given this book as a present. I warmly thanked the giver for her thoughtfullness, but secretly, I dreaded reading the book. These unauthorized bios are generally either full of senseless/salacious details, or they're dry as an annual report. Most of them are suitable as torture devices. Why do I bother you ask? Knowledge is power, and I invest in stocks.

Well, big surprise.

This book reads with an almost perfect balance of translated tech talk and personal detail about Chambers. This is no simple feat for the author, as Cisco's core business is anything but easy to explain, but you will be amazed at how much you painlessly learn about the innards of the net and how / where Cisco fits.
I could go on, but your time is better spent buying and reading this book.

I hope Waters has another of these in the hopper.

How the Computer Industry Was Born
This book is interesting, packed with facinating facts and I love the way it explains in "real people" language just how the whole computer industry got started. It also offers insight into the character and effective management practices of John Chambers, without being a flattery piece. The book communicates the fast-paced life in Silicon Valley and extends beyond the Cisco experience to in-depth explanations of how the computer industry giants grow, compete and sometimes die. A wealth of knowledge with an insightful look at a manager who has worthwhile practices to share with any of today's managers. ... Read more

Book Description

As increasing numbers of Americans do business in international markets, they are finding that knowledge of cultural differences can significantly help the negotiation process and increase the success rate of new ventures. Bargaining Across Borders is a practical, "how-to" guide to negotiating successfully in virtually any foreign culture, from Latin America to the countries of the Pacific Rim. It describes how specific cultural differences impact on business and discloses easily accomplished negotiating strategies for leaping the cultural barriers that obstruct success. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Very informative
My company recently entered into contract negotiations with a company in China. I found this book to be very helpful and informative as we went through this process.

International Business
I found Mr. Foster's book to be an insightful analysis of the need for increased cultural sensitivity both in and out of the world of business. His descriptions of various cultural practices and norms are fascinating and informative. A highly readable book;I look forward to future works by this cross cultural expert. ... Read more

Book Description

Negotiating Globally is an essential resource that provides managers with an accessible framework to help them customize and adjust negotiations as they navigate cultural boundaries. Written by an internationally acknowledged expert on the subject, this book will help negotiators cross ethnocentric and geopolitical boundaries successfully as it provides solid information and strategies that will be useful in any cross-cultural negotiation. Packed with practical advice on how to manage cultural differences whenever they appear at the negotiation table, Negotiating Globally is a key resource when it comes to negotiating deals, resolving disputes, and making decisions in the global market. Instructive stories and cases from the author's original research give readers a real-world look at the author's advice in action. ... Read more

Book Description

The ultimate objective of this book is to help readers prepare for the 21st Century and become an effective manager overseeing global marketing activities in an increasingly competitive environment. Rather than being bound by the traditional bilateral (international) view of competition and marketing, Kotabe and Helsen emphasize the multilateral (global) nature of marketing. This global approach also presents marketing in a cross- functional approach to the business operation.
* Global orientation- This book takes the view that the term, "global" epitomizes the competitive pressure and market opportunities from around the world and the firm's need to optimize its market performance on a global basis.
* Proactive Orientation- Presents a balanced approach between an outside/in and inside/out marketing perspective. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

The best international/global marketing textbook I ever used
I am so happy that I used Kotabe/Helsen book in my class. Not only my students but also I learned a lot of new ideas and great examples to drive home many important concepts. Philip Kotler also uses Kotabe/Helsen. It is an ultimate testimonial to the quality of this book. A good job and keep up with your excellent work. JT

The best international marketing book ever
I used this book in my class at a leading school in Korea. Not only was I able to improve my teaching skills ("how" to deliver "what" topics in class) but also my students loved it so much. I also used it in my executive training with a huge success. This textbook is probably the most comprehensive one that is highly appealing to students and executive audience as well as the most academically sound. Examples in the book are superb in addressing various points. A great book!

A thought-provoking book
Kotabe/Helsen team has really set the standard for the international marketing textbook market. I have read three other similar textbooks, but there is no other book measuring up to this one. They offer an excellent analysis of market converging and diverging forces adding to the complexities of global marketing and how to cope with them. Although I am not an academic, this book provides great conceptual foundations so useful for me to use in preparing my own presentations to the executive board at my company. They have plenty of excellent, well thought-out real-life examples, and those examples are so well built in along with conceptual frameworks that I come away with a lot of useful, and more importantly, usable knowledge.

A modern, analytical textbook on global marketing
I teach Global marketing and I think this textbook is the best. It is not full of anecdotal stories about global marketer's failures or successes but very analytical with straightforward methods students can try out. The cases are excellent and support the theorical lectures very good. From my experience with the research literature it is state of the art.

A very comprehensive yet user-friendly book
I am a doctoral student and have taught international marketing at a state university for a couple of years so far. Among several books I examined, Kotabe&Helsen book stands out in the crowd. It is a joy seeing my students actually enjoy reading the book and learn from it. This book is full of useful insights and timely examples. It is a must reading if you want to be a true professional in the international marketing area. Great! ... Read more

Book Description

"At a time when ecommerce hype too often obscures the real issues faced by managers, Westland and Clark deliver a rare combination of rigor and relevance. University students and thoughtful managers will benefit from their insights, analysis and examples." -- Prof. Erik Brynjolfsson, Co-Director of the MIT Center for eBusiness

Over the past two decades, businesses in virtually every sector of the world economy have benefited from the technologies of electronic commerce--the automation of commercial transactions using computer and communications technologies. Electronic commerce has spurred far-reaching changes in business, on multiple fronts, using many technologies. This book provides a deep, practical understanding of these technologies and their use in e-commerce. Unlike other books on e-commerce, it does not concentrate solely on the Internet. Instead, it suggests that the Internet is only a bridge technology--attractive because of its low cost and global reach, but unattractive because of its slow speed and poor user interface.

Each of the twelve chapters contains an overview of a current theory or practice followed by one or more business case studies. A combination of academic theory and case studies provides a comprehensive picture of how businesspeople use computers to revolutionize the selling and delivery of their products and services. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Quick and Informative Read
Interesting and quick read. A broad and helpful guide for business or social interaction with Japanese nationals. Surveys typical cultural characteristics and philososphies driving them. Proposes a number of situations that might arise and provides suggestions regarding acceptable etiquette. Excellent for avoiding cultural insults.

Do's & Don'ts Not Enough for Intercultural Communication
Japan is one of the largest economic superpowers. With skyscrapers and American fast-food chains, a first glance of a city may provide the impression that Japan is truly westernized. Yet, despite the appearances, Japan has remained "uniquely Japanese" in many aspects, which makes many uninformed Western businesspeople in Japan confused and even frustrated. Doing Business with Japan: Successful Strategies for Intercultural Communication provides a quick overview of Japanese history and social structures, and explains the meanings of Japanese customs that are typically seen in business occasions in Japan. Nishiyama covers a wide range of topics, from a typical living situation in Japan to conflict resolution in Japanese companies.

Kazuo Nishiyama attempts to guide American businesspeople that are planning to do business in Japan with a better understanding of Japanese business customs. Familiar with both Japanese and American customs, the author approaches various aspects of Japanese culture that many Americans businesspeople question, such as establishing business relationships with the Japanese. He also includes a glossary of Japanese terms and concepts that provides an easy reference for busy businesspeople.

The risk of this book, however, is that it can read more as a quick guidebook for American businesspeople to come to terms with Japanese unwritten business rules, rather than as a book to learn successful intercultural communication techniques to conduct business in Japan. Nishiyama includes few descriptions and explanations of American customs. His book does not provoke any self-awareness among the reader. Therefore, American businesspeople will tend to continue thinking that Japan is especially unique and they are normal, which makes mutual understanding more difficult. Also, he often advises Americans to adjust to Japanese customs, such as sending gifts, which might appear ethically wrong to Americans. In order to establish a long-term relationship between people with different customs, this one way adjustment will be problematic at some point. Therefore, it would be desirable if Nishiyama could show how to search for a common ground between the cultures.

For those who are very new to Japan and need "do's and don'ts" in order to avoid mistakes in the beginning, this book is useful to grasp the general rules for doing business in Japan. But for those who are more interested in Japanese culture or want to establish long-term relationships in Japan, this book falls short in explaining all of the complexities of the Japanese culture that are crucial to understand for effective intercultural communication. ... Read more

Book Description

"This is an important and excellent book for every negotiator." -The Negotiator Magazine

The premier guidebook for conducting cross-cultural business

Doing Business Internationally, Second Edition, is a nontechnical, accessible resource for managing today's multicultural organizations. Revised, restructured, and refocused from its classic first edition, it introduces the revolutionary Cultural Orientations Inventory (COI), a unique and valuable tool for identifying critical skills gaps and practicing style-switching, potentially increasing effectiveness and improving performance.

This fully updated edition revisits the first edition's groundbreaking strategies and techniques, plus presents new tools developed in conjunction with Harvard University, Columbia University, AT&T, and other leading universities and corporations.

• Concentrates on team building, executive development, problem solving, and other essential activities
• Features management and negotiation tips for global leaders
• Provides in-depth analyses of six key global regions

Reviews (2)

Which type is to become a global manager?
Recently I wrote a book about multinational management published in 1968. After finishing this book, I realized that the conflicts between multicultural and multinational difference are stands still under the similar managerial circumstance, though we are living in the digital-dominated world. So I studied this book compared with its' phenomenon as described in "International Management". Keeping a flexible communication skill in multinational-cultural is the key factor to achieve meaningful outcome. For this, the open-minded, instructive and far-sighted personality required first. When they acknowledged difference not wrong each other, they can start to talk about what they want for negotiation, next proceed to persuade or yield a little. This means the more internationalized people there as a matchmaker, the more the company benefited from them. Then how to get Mr. Right for global manager? They all born naturally? Or trained? Both are all right. Person who has got global brain with digital management skill (as Mr. Bill Gatz called) must appeal to adapt extreme change and more action to cope with international risky problem. They could continue to get or lose by trial and error and learned what's the best, step by step and case by case. There are no standard learning system to teach them. That's not the lost rather than investment for human resources for each company ultimately. If you are would-be-global manager or second-rate reginal manager or have a dream of international manager, read this book and write down and analyze what's your strong/weak point more carefully. Then take into action to the first-rate global manager. If anyone who is in a top-management read, they can set effective multinational goal to come and get. How about students or average person? Of course, they will be fine.

Valuable guide to building a successful worldwide company.
This book should be on the desk of every marketing and human resources manager involved in foreign trade. It is not only for larger companies that have already built a global sales network. It is also for beginners who should consider these cross-cultural factors BEFORE they start selling their goods and services in overseas markets. John R. Jagoe, Director, Export Institute. ... Read more

Book Description

Here is a timely, comprehensive, and invaluable guide to using offshore investing as a method of asset protection. From evaluating places in which to invest to avoiding offshore scams, this easy-to-understand book provides you with all there is to know about keeping the money you earn.

Reviews (15)

Definitely a keeper!!
This book should definitely be on the bookshelf of anyone seeking to invest offshore. The author provides excellent insights into the hows and why's of offshore investing. Although the organization of the book was sometimes hard to follow, and did assume some technical knowledge of trust concepts, overall it was a good book and worth the money.

Outdated, old-fashioned and Politically biased book
First, the disk is useless. 80% of the references to internetsites are outdated. The other 20% are of questioinable nature (pureself-promoting advertising sites). Second, the author spend 30% of the book trying to convince the reader (which he patronizingly refers to as the Reluctant American) that it is worth-while to look off-shore for asset protection and tax avoidance structures. I expect most people buying this book would already be interested in the actual mechanisms of holding assets offshore, and would not need additional pushing. Third, the book does not offer any simple and structured explanations of the archaic schemes Arnold illustrates. Key issues such as tax planning questions are given with out reference or citation, while the footnotes are littered with irrelevant comments about stock prices and historical events.

This book is only for reader who need to be coerced into into simply travelling abroad, not for those that are looking for guidelines and contacts on how to keep money offshore. Better books (like Tax Havens of the World, or 2000 International Tax Havens Guide : The Professional's Source for Offshore Investment Information). You pay for what you get however, ast this book is inexpensive compared to the books that really add value.

Director of Corporate Finance
While some of the specifics are dated - this is the best book on the subject - bar none. It written by a real professional in the business - not book by a hot air promoter like the now indicted Terry Neals or the indicted Jermore Schinder that lie to their clients to get money.

Cornez tells it how it is for US residents.

Read, learn and don't listen to those who tell you what you want to hear - but just lead you in to trouble.

So when does he come out with the new edition?

Bob

Cornez knows what he's talking about...
Arnold Cornez is an attorney and an authority in the field with long experience working closely with and on the inside of offshore banks, trust companies, and other entities. He's the one I call first when I have an issue to discuss.

Cornez knows what he's talking about...
Arnold is one of the people I respect most in the field of international strategies and structures. An attorney with many years of experience, and working directly at the highest levels with foreign banks, trust companies, funds, and insurance companies, he's the one I call first to discuss an issue. I recommend the 'Offshore Money Book'. ... Read more