bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computers and language learning: misguided assumptions
Authors: Dudley‐Marling Curt , Searle Dennis
Published: October 2006

There has been a rapid increase in the availability of computer assisted instruction (CAI) software for teaching oral language skills. Despite the growing popularity of CAI in education, such an approach to language teaching fragments and isolates language learning from the context of its use and conflicts with current theory and research in language development and learning. The greatest potential for microcomputers in language learning may be as a medium for increasing student opportunities for using language by bringing students and teachers together around a shared activity.
Project Comptown: educational intervention and action research
Authors: Peled Elad , Peled Zimra , Alexander Gad
Published: October 2006

The introduction of computers into education raises questions such as: are computers in education effective? If they are, in what sense? What are the most effective strategies for using computers in education? How should teachers be encouraged to use them?

To answer these questions a large‐scale experiment (Project Comptown) was carried out in Israel, to test ways and means under real rather than laboratory conditions. This project is a research‐oriented educational intervention, applying massive computerisation of schools and their ‘close environment’ to two localities in Israel (Arad and Ashkelon). Our starting point was the premise that computerisation of education is an inevitable process. Consequently, turning the computer into a ‘cultural tool’ in schools becomes a major challenge, aiming to narrow the gap between ‘school culture’ and ‘real‐world culture’. The main objectives for Project Comptown are: [1] To create a computer culture in schools; [2] To use the computer's potential for innovative teaching and learning, both inside and outside schools. To achieve these, we identified a number of principles which we considered pre‐conditions for an ‘appropriate’ computer strategy in schools.
Must computer courseware evaluation be totally subjective?
Authors: Micceri Theodore , Pritchard William H , Barrett Andrew J
Published: October 2006

In today's complex computer training market, flashy presentations frequently prove the most important purchasing element while instructional design and content take a back seat to form. Courseware purchasers obviously require an objective and generic measure of computer assisted learning (CAL) courseware. Since any such measure must include a human evaluator this is a difficult objective to attain. Funded by a grant from the Westinghouse Corporation, the Center for Interactive Technologies, Applications and Research (CITAR) at the University of South Florida attempted to break complex concepts such as instruction, management and user interface into component pieces small enough for objective evaluation. A study involving ten CAL packages produced agreements among an average of seven of eight raters and reliabilities around. 70, while an investigation of traditional perceptual evaluation procedures by the same raters on the same courseware produced far lower estimates for both agreement and reliability. Seeking reasons for these differences, a detailed investigation of courseware summaries showed that evaluators tend to pay more attention to the presentation than to the instructional aspects of the courseware. This phenomenon apparently has less influence on the low inference CITAR evaluation model which produces relatively consistent evaluations of CAL courseware.
Teaching social studies to learning disabled high school students: effects of a hypertext study guide
Authors: Horton Steven V , Boone Randall A , Lovitt Thomas C
Published: October 2006

This study investigated the effectiveness of a computer‐based study guide using hypertext software to increase textbook comprehension among four learning disabled students enrolled in a remedial high school social studies class. The program provided four levels of instructional cues that matched students to their highest level of independent interaction with a textbook passage, based on item‐to‐item responses to computer‐generated questions. Using alternative forms of a 45‐item multiple‐choice test, a pre‐test/post‐test design was arranged, with a retention test given after a 30‐day period. Fifteen questions were designated as control items by placing them in the 45‐item tests but not in the computer treatment. The computer program consisted of three separate lessons administered across consecutive class sessions, with each followed by a written 15‐item multiple choice test containing 10 computer questions and 5 control items. Results indicated a significant gain for pupils on computer items from pre‐test to post‐test and from pre‐test to retention test, while no significant change occurred on control items across measures. A single‐case analysis revealed a consistent relationship between gain scores on computer items, reading time on computer, and the number of instructional cues required by students. Two types of non‐linear pathways that teacher might consider when constructing study guides are discussed.
Predictive text entry with PAL and children with learning difficulties
Authors: Newell Alan F , Booth Lynda , Beattie William
Published: October 2006

Nine case studies were conducted to evaluate the usefulness of a predictive text entry program within a classroom environment. The program, PAL, was found to be very successful in eight of the cases. For children with poor motor control, the key‐saving aspects speeded up text creation. Of even greater significance was the extent to which children with severe spelling problems were helped. They were able to produce much higher quality written work with a substantial reduction in the number of spelling errors. This provided great motivation for the children, and teaching staff commented on their improved confidence and attention span, as well as stimulation of language and vocabulary development. One of the children was on the verge of being classified as a non‐reader and, although progress was slow, a significant improvement in the child's work was observed.
Artificial intelligence in education: evolution of the teaching—learning relationship
Authors: Garito Maria Amata
Published: October 2006

In this paper some of the implications of the exploitation of Artificial Intelligence techniques in the educational field are presented, and the evolution of the changing quality of interaction between student and teacher is illustrated. Such historical changes are presented as a consequence of the introduction of new technologies in education. Particular aspects of Intelligent Educational Systems are presented, pointing out the innovative features of such systems compared with traditional applications.
Student reactions to courseware: gender differences
Authors: Ring Geoff
Published: October 2006

The primary aim of the study was to investigate student reactions to the use of courseware as a learning tool in the classroom, particularly the effect of gender. The study involved young school students in a systematic and documented courseware review process. Students as a whole were enthusiastic about using courseware as a tool for learning in the classroom, with a large majority of students endorsing both its motivational appeal and its educational value. Despite this overall positive attitude, however, the data showed important differences between the reactions of male and female students to courseware, male students being more confident about using computers as a learning tool than female. The major implication for educational practice is that teachers, while trying to instil a confident attitude in all their students towards using courseware, should be aware of the particular need to build confidence among female students.
Writing, thinking and computers
Authors: Hartley James
Published: October 2006

The author reviews the potential of word‐processors for changing the ways in which writers process written text and, indeed, think about writing. He draws distinctions between different kinds of writing software and discusses whether changing the processes of writing necessarily leads to improvements in writing quality. The review also raises questions about the use of word‐processors in examinations.
Self‐paced learning with video for undergraduates: a multimedia Keller Plan
Authors: Rae Andrew
Published: October 2006

The Keller Plan for self‐paced learning has been shown to be effective in enhancing learning, especially in basic science and mathematics, but it is little used nowadays. The author reports on its use with extensive electronic backup (25 half‐hour videotapes, an interactive videodisc and computer delivered tutorials). He found that in this way improved examination marks can still be obtained while the amount of tutorial support can be reduced to an economic level.
Recalling structured text: Does what goes in determine what comes out?
Authors: Hartley James
Published: October 2006

Eighty‐eight 12–13 year old children studied a short passage for five minutes which was printed in either a‘chunked’or a‘traditional’format. The children were then asked to write out the passage from memory. It was found that‘chunking’did not significantly affect recall. However, the format of the presentation affected the format of the recall. Forty‐four out of 44 children in the chunked condition recalled their text in a chunked format, and virtually all of the 44 children with the traditional text wrote out their passages in the traditional way.
Cognitive Theory and the Use of Computers in the Primary Classroom
Authors: Knight Bruce Allen , Knight Cecily
Published: October 2006

Research investigating the role of computers in the primary classroom is closely linked to the body of knowledge concerned with theories of learning and child development. Research is presented as an attempt to provide scientifically supportable reasons why computers are effective in education. Having established a theoretical base for computer use in primary classrooms, this paper then examines the educational application of cognitive theory to classroom instruction.
Marketing, Reciprocity and Ethics
Authors: Nooteboom Bart
Published: October 2006

Manipulative behaviour towards people as instruments of profit rather than as sources of views, opinions and actions is not only unethical, but also constitutes bad marketing.
Business and Human Rights
Authors: Chandler Sir Geoffrey
Published: October 2006

What should, or can, businesses do about‘prisoners of conscience’? Sir Geoffrey Chandler CBE is Chairman of the recently founded Business Group of the British Section of Amnesty International.
Around Europe: Business Ethics in France: Framework for Future Developments
Authors: Kerhuel Antoine
Published: October 2006

What are the economic, cultural and philosophical conditions in which French business ethics can develop and flourish? After a career in business, the author is now a Jesuit priest working in the social analysis programme PROJET in Paris.
The Ethics of Social Research in Organisations
Authors: Baruch Yehuda
Published: October 2006

Permitting social researchers access to employees can raise ethical issues for management and researchers which are here identified and examined. Dr Baruch is Research Fellow in Human Resources at City University Business School, London. He wishes to thank Professor Roger Jowell from the Social & Community Planning Research and Mr Steve Birault from the Centre for Social Development for their helpful comments on an early draft of this article.
FOCUS: Research in Business Ethics* Business Ethics Research: Shaping the Agenda
Authors: Collier Jane
Published: October 2006

“The most significant outcome of effective business ethics research would be an improvement of ethical standards and ethical behaviour in organizations”. So how can such research be made effective? The author is Lecturer in Management Studies, University of Cambridge, and Fellow of Lucy Cavendish College.
Problems of Stakeholder Theory
Authors: Ambler Tim , Wilson Andrea
Published: October 2006

Stakeholder theory diverts attention from creating business success to concentrating on who share its fruits. But what right have stakeholders to make the claims they do? Perhaps a new model is needed. T.F.J. Ambler is Grand Metropolitan Senior Research Fellow at London Business School, Sussex Place, Regent's Park, London NW1 4SA, where Andrea Wilson completed her MBA in 1993. She is now a consultant in New York.
Whistleblowing and the Internal Auditor
Authors: Chambers Andrew
Published: October 2006

Whistleblowing is a subject which seizes the media headlines from time to time, and nowhere is such a dilemma of conscience more sensitive than in the area of finance and internal auditing. Additionally, professional organisations are sometimes felt to be less than supportive of their members who occasionally resort to whistlelowing. But how does it look from inside the auditing profession? Professor Chambers is a director of The Institute of Internal Auditors Inc., and a member of the Internal Auditing Standards Board. He is Professor of Audit & Control at the University of Hull, and since 1991 he has chaired the Professional Standards & Guidelines Committee of IIA (UK). He is author of several books and a former Dean of the Business School of City University, London. In 1991 he established Management Audit Ltd., The Water Mill, Moat Lane, Old Bolingbroke, Spilsby, Lincolnshire PE23 4EU, which specialises in services to boards, audit committees and internal auditors. This article was originally presented to the 54e Conférence Internationale of The Institute of Internal Auditors, Inc., organised by the Institut Francais des Auditeurs Consultants Internes. Except where otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this article are those of the author.
Corporate Philanthropy ‐ Potential Threat or Opportunity?
Authors: Collins Marylyn
Published: October 2006

Is corporate giving a matter of sporadic and altruistic generosity? Or should it be seen more as “a product to be marketed to the public”? The author is Lecturer in International Business in the Department of Commerce of the University of Birmingham, Ashley Building, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT.
Business Ethics in the USA: Some Reasons to Smile
Authors: Ciulla Joanne
Published: October 2006

In spite of some recent bad news coming out of America our Associate Editor reports positively on the business ethics scene there both in the business community and in a recent major Conference. She holds the Coston Family Chair in Leadership and Ethics at Jepson School of Leadership Studies, University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia 23173, USA.
The Virtuous Organization
Authors: Collier Jane
Published: October 2006

Can a business be said to demonstrate moral virtues, and does being virtuous mean that it is more likely to behave ethically?
Corporate Ethics in Norwegian Business and Industry
Authors: Marstrander Astrid
Published: October 2006

How can a confederation of business and industry influence companies and make them more aware of ethical issues? This article examines the work of Norwegian Business and Industry (NHO), and the results it has achieved. The author is Assistant Director of NHO, P.b. 5250, Majorstua, 0303 Oslo, and she has been responsible for its business ethics programme for the past three years. This article comes to us through the agency of our Associate Editor for Norway, Dr Heidi von Weltzien Høivik, of the Norwegian School of Management, who has recently been instrumental in founding a Norwegian Centre for Business Ethics.
The Ethics of Managing People
Authors: Douglas Danielle
Published: October 2006

“Employees have rights by virtue of employment law and the contract of employment. They also have a third right, however: that of being treated with respect…” What this implies is explored here in detail by the Senior Partner of Phoenix Human Resources Consultants, 17 Den Road, Shortlands, Bromley, Kent BR2 ONH. Ms Douglas originally gave this presentation at a meeting of The Ethical Business Forum at London Business School.
Winning standards contests: using product standards in business strategy
Authors: Grindley Peter
Published: October 2006

Increasingly, the success of products depends on compatibility standards. Computers need software, discs or tapes need and are needed by players, credit cards need retailers willing to accept them. Analysis of the strategies of winners and losers in major standards wars—such as those in video cassette recorders and personal computers—reveals some general lessons. The key elements are the rapid creation of a large installed base and the credibility of the standard and the introducer. Product quality is rarely crucial. Competition by technical development of the product, step by step product introduction, and reliance on acceptance by national and international standards bodies are also frequently ineffective. There are obvious lessons for current standards wars, such as those in mobile communications and satellite broadcasting.
Defending a dominant position in a technology led environment
Authors: Dell'Osso Filippo
Published: October 2006

A company with a significant technology lead over its rivals cannot afford to be complacent about its position. In this article, Filippo Dell'Osso contrasts the case of Glaxo's Zantac — a massively successful drug representing only a modest technological advance — with EMI's CAT scanner, a massive technological advance of limited commercial benefit to EMI. In order to be fully exploited, a technology advantage needs to be complemented by the development of other corporate assets.
Corporate governance, takeovers and the role of the non‐executive director
Authors: Davis Evan , Kay John
Published: October 2006

The takeover mechanism may have some effect on disciplining managers ‐ but it also allows them to spend shareholders money on self promotion. The authors of this paper argue that if we had a better system of corporate governance with a revitalised role for independent directors fewer takeovers would occur, and calls for reform of the acquisition market would diminish.
Realising the potential of scale and scope ‐ a review article
Authors: Hannah Leslie , Williamson Peter
Published: October 2006

Reviewing two recently released books: Porter's “Competitive Advantage of Nations” and Chandler's “Scale and Scope”, this article assesses the benefits of critical mass arising both within a company and through association with a leading cluster of firms in the same industry.
Environmental Regulation For Competitive Advantage
Authors: Barrett Scott
Published: October 2006

The public's increasing demand for environmental protection will inevitably increase the demands for environmental regulation. But this need not be bad news for industry. Companies will often find that their interests coincide with those of the regulators, and astute players will try to shape the regulation accordingly.
Continental Mergers Are Different
Authors: Davis Evan , Shore Graham , Thompson David
Published: October 2006

In recent years, business has been heavily preoccupied with two themes: merger and acquisition activity, and the development of the Single European Market. The topic of this paper combines the two: Continental mergers. The authors argue that the costs and benefits of Continental mergers are different from those of their domestic counterparts, and they need to be handled in different ways. This has implications both for the form of integration and for the way in which it is implemented. Most important, it is relevant to the selection of the right partner.
Distribution: Japan's Hidden Advantage
Authors: Williamson Peter J. , Yamawaki Hideki
Published: October 2006

For the exporter the distribution channel is critical. It determines the presentation of products to the customer. It is often argued that the complexity of Japanese distribution channels is an important barrier to Western exporters. Whilst this is true, Japanese exporters faced an equal hurdle in exporting to the West. The key to overcoming this hurdle has been a strategy of significant investment by Japanese companies in distribution. This strategy is a central – although often unrecognised – factor in the success of Japanese exporters to the West. It is Japan's “hidden advantage”.
Who are the world's most successful companies?
Authors: Davis Evan , Flanders Stephanie , Star Jonathan
Published: October 2006

It seems that everybody wants to know which companies are the most successful. To help throw light on the issue, and to do so more reliably than the plethora of league tables and charts produced by most business magazines, the London Business School have teamed up with The Economist to compile an assessment of the top performers of the 1980's.
Playing the regulation game – the rise and demise of British Caledonian
Authors: Cronshaw Mike , Thompson David
Published: October 2006

Privatisation means that an increasing number of UK companies have to “play the regulation game”. Business success will be determined not just by conventional strategy choices but also by regulatory strategy. British Caledonian is a striking example of one such company. Its financial fortunes ebbed and flowed with shifts in regulatory policy. BCal's chosen strategy – rapid expansion to build an alternative network to compete with British Airways – was always likely to be highly risky. But the risks were increased by regulatory controls which denied B Cal access to the UK's major airport at London Heathrow. In these regulatory conditions BCal's chosen strategy was almost certainly mis‐conceived. It should have changed its regulatory strategy or – failing success – changed its business strategy. Changing neither was a recipe for the airline's eventual demise.
Is advertising rational?
Authors: Davis Evan , Kay John , Star Jonathan
Published: October 2006

Advertising is not a process by which gullible consumers are persuaded to buy things they don't want, according to the authors of this paper. Instead, it furnishes consumers with some useful information. It is not so much the claims made by advertisers that are helpful, but the fact that they are willing to spend extravagant amounts of money on a product that is informative. The authors find tentative evidence for this view of advertising and discuss its implications.
British Industry in the 1980's
Authors: Davis Evan , Flanders Stephanie , Star Jonathan
Published: October 2006

British industry has had a turbulent decade, and it is hard to assess how far it has come over the 1980's. The BBC's Money Programme wanted to enlighten public debate on the subject, and commissioned London Business School researchers to furnish them with as much data as possible. This article catalogues the data and summarises many arguments of interpretation around it.
Playing the Long Game; Reaping the Benefits of Technological Change
Authors: Willman Paul
Published: October 2006

Long‐term innovative success does not simply demand a technological expertise. Firms must be able to blend such expertise with business know‐how, and be able to appropriate the results.
Foreign Direct Investment: Its Causes, Its Contribution and Some of Its Consequences
Authors: Nicolaides Phedon
Published: October 2006

As was documented in the last Business Strategy Review, foreign direct investment expanded very rapidly in the late 1980's, particularly in the United Kingdom. It is a development that is welcomed and feared in about equal measure. In America, it has stimulated a debate about who truly represents the commercial interest of Americans, the question of “who is us?”. This article documents the growth of FDI, and traces some of the factors which have shaped it, and it closely investigates what the implications are for government policy towards industry.
Do Innovating Firms Outperform Non‐Innovators?*
Authors: Geroski Paul , Machin Steve
Published: October 2006

This paper tracks the experience of a number of innovative and non‐innovative large, quoted UK firms, looking for differences in performance associated with the production of major new innovations. Innovating firms are both more profitable and grow faster than non‐innovators, but the major difference in performance turns out to be cyclical: innovators profits and growth are much less cyclically sensitive than non‐innovators.
Total Global Strategy: A Review Article
Authors: Stout David
Published: October 2006

After ten years of case research and experience, George Yip in Total Global Strategy, has written a no‐nonsense practitioner's guide to decision‐taking in a borderless market. He deals with criteria of choice of suitable product, location, marketing and global organisation. He shows how to add up costs and benefits and how to carry out a global strategic analysis. The book passes with merit most of seven tests one can apply to it. Doubts remain about whether the case examples prove anything and about the rather cursory treatment of competition. The book's hidden message is that the title is a misnomer: global strategy is never total.
The Role of Duty Free in Global Marketing
Authors: Ambler T F J
Published: October 2006

The Duty Free market has emerged as one of the few examples of a significant segment within the global market which is also independent of traditional boundaries. This article traces the development of the market. It then argues that the major Duty Free players need to reconsider how that segment fits within their marketing plans and organisational structures. The paper concludes with three possible action points for consideration.
Competitive Tendering: Lessons from the Public Sector
Authors: Szymanski Stefan , Wilkins Sean
Published: October 2006

The introduction of at first voluntary and then compulsory competitive tendering have ushered in a decade of change in the provision of public services. In this paper, the authors examine just how radical that change has been. Utilising data from local authorities the authors find that, in refuse collection at least, competitive tendering has reduced costs by forcing improvements in labour productivity. But, in comparing the relative efficiencies of the large majority of in house tender winners with the comparatively smaller set of private contractors awarded tenders, the authors conclude that scope for greater cost reductions remain.
Russian Economic Reform in 1992: The Threat to Stabilization
Authors: Granville Brigitte
Published: October 2006

By the end of 1992, Russia stood at the brink of hyperinflation. This article identifies the main cause as an uncontrolled increase in the money supply related to the budget deficit, and central bank credits to enterprises, and to the rouble zone. These create a vicious inflationary cycle, which will be difficult to break since the political forces representing old Soviet economic structures have undermined stabilization policies. The article concludes that though macro‐economic stabilization is not a sufficient condition for the market‐oriented transformation of the Russian economy, it remains a necessary one, without which the reform will fail.
The Leadership Quest: Three Things Necessary
Authors: DePree Max
Published: October 2006

The role of leadership, and the expectations carried with it, are subject to extensive consideration today, and yet we are very unsure of what to measure about leadership, and how. Three things should be placed at the top of leaders' lists: an understanding of the fiduciary nature of leadership; a broadened definition of leadership competence; and the enlightenment afforded leaders by a moral purpose.
The Governance of Good Business
Authors: Schneider‐Lenné Ellen
Published: October 2006

What goals are implied if a company is to pursue ‘good business’? Does ‘good’ refer to compliance with moral rules or does ‘good business’ simply mean being a successful company? Good business requires long‐term planning, and good management has to take place within a certain structure of corporate governance. However, good business is not simply a matter of good systems.
The Morality of Good Business
Authors: Harries Richard
Published: October 2006

We are taught, in business as in Christian life, that well doing will lead to well being, in the long run. (But how long is the long run?) Those in business have an important role to play in the moral and the political well‐being of our society.
Japan 20: The West 1 Reversing the Scorecard
Authors: Lehmann Jean‐Pierre
Published: October 2006

The trade imbalance between Japan and its Western partners may be a source of concern, but much more serious is the even far greater investment imbalance. While Japanese direct investments have poured into the North American and European markets, American and European investments in Japan are paltry: the current ratio of investment flows is running at 20 to 1, in some cases much more, in Japan's favour. As the strategic issues for Western companies in establishing a “robust presence” in Japan are fundamental and critical, the trade and investment deficits are partly caused and further exacerbated by the “knowledge‐gap” between the two. Reversing the scorecard must be the most urgent imperative for Western corporations and governments, though the effort required will be very substantial indeed.
Telecommunications ‐ The Consumer Revolution
Authors: Young Lord
Published: October 2006

Lord Young of Graffham, Executive Chairman of Cable & Wireless plc, spoke at the third LSE Business Performance Lecture about the consumer revolution in telecommunications which has transformed the industry. Since liberalisation, the British telecommunications industry has lead its monopolised European counterparts. When Germany licensed one cellular phone operator in the mid‐eighties, the British government went for competition and licensed two. Both companies seta target of 100,000 users by 1990. Germany achieved hers; Britain passed a million users. This revolution in the telecommunications industry is timely because information is the lifeblood of service industries and is also increasingly important in modern manufacturing. Imminent technological advances, like the personal communicator, the videophone, and multimedia will increasingly add to its importance.
R&D Performance of UK Companies
Authors: Small Ian , Swann Peter
Published: October 2006

This short article compares the R&D performance of the major British R&D spenders with that of other major R&D spenders world‐wide. A performance index is constructed which adjusts actual R&D for firm size and the R&D intensity of the firm's main area of business. According to these performance measures, the R&D performance of these British firms is better than is suggested by the share of R&D in Britain's GDP. However, the article identifies a gap in British R&D performance ‐ what may be called a third rank of R&D spenders ‐ who are rare in Britain, but very common in Japan and the USA.
American Economic Objectives in Europe
Authors: Seitz Raymond G H
Published: October 2006

What shape will the international system take in the aftermath of the Cold War? Raymond G H Seitz, the American Ambassador to London, speaking at the fourth LSE Business Performance Lecture, saw an increasing role for the “plethora of international institutions that grew up during the Cold War and (which) should emerge as one of the great legacies of that area”. Such multilateralism must also be pursued in trade. Should the Uruguay round of the GATT fail, “The world will surely begin to lurch down a twisting road of retaliation and counter‐retaliation as states take unilateral action to address multilateral problems”.
Implementing Strategic Intent: Human Resource Processes as a Force for Change
Authors: Gratton Lynda
Published: October 2006

This paper describes the crucial impact of linking human resource processes to business strategy. It argues that without this connection we are in danger of failing to move beyond corporate rhetoric, of creating statements of strategic intent that bear little relationship to the behaviours and everyday lives of employees.
Technological Hares and Business Tortoises: The Halifax Building Society
Authors: Dyerson Romano
Published: October 2006

The financial sector is full of technological hares attempting, but never quite winning, the business race. This paper explores an alternative ‐ successful ‐ competitor, the business tortoise. Using a recently conducted case study, the Halifax Building Society, this paper considers the value of building organisational skills for lasting competitive success in this sector.
Corporate Restructuring in the UK during the Recession
Authors: Geroski Paul , Gregg Paul
Published: October 2006

This paper reports the results of a large scale survey of how UK firms are coping with the recession. Only a relatively small number of firms report being “extremely severely” affected by the recession, and these were firms with highly dispersed ownership structures, firms that grew unusually fast in the mid to late 1980s and holding companies. Among the responses to the recession identified by the survey was a substantial degree of organizational choice, effected mainly by closing plants. The most stable organizational form seemed to be the functional organization, while holding companies were the least.
Restructuring and Failure in Buy‐outs and Buy‐ins
Authors: Wright Mike , Wilson Nick , Robbie Ken , Ennew Chris
Published: October 2006

In this paper we examine the reasons why buy‐outs fail or need to be restructured and identify the implications for managers and investing institutions. It is evident that considerable attention needs to be given to assessing issues concerning industrial sectors, management and financing. In respect of the market, consideration needs to be given both to the nature of the market in which a particular buy‐out finds itself and the firm's position within that market. Management is likely to have a crucial role in ensuring that the firm restructures and adapts to changing market circumstances.
What is World Prosperity?
Authors: Brundtland Gro Harlem
Published: October 2006

The Prime Minister of Norway addresses the question “What is world prosperity?” in comprehensive terms. Prosperity is more than the absence of poverty, pressing though that is. It means addressing sustainable development and careful husbandry of the world's resources, while recognising the rights of developing countries to break out from poverty. It means addressing population growth which leads to famine, destabilisation and war. It means quality of life achieved through education, employment, social justice and social security. Above all, Mrs Brundtland argues that there must be equity on a global basis between developed and developing countries, and that true world prosperity will remain a distant goal unless we pursue policies based on the concept of global solidarity
What Makes a Business Company Ethical?
Authors: Mahoney Jack
Published: October 2006

Interest in ethical implications of business strategy and behaviour is on the increase around the globe and raises a number of fundamental questions which are addressed here, including what reasons a company might have for behaving ethically and what forms such ethical concern might take. Two particularly topical issues considered are the moral responsibilities of shareholders and the responsibilities of Western business to help improve the ethical quality of business in Central and East Europe.
How Corporate Parents Add Value to The Stand‐Alone Performance of Their Businesses
Authors: Goold Michael , Campbell Andrew , Alexander Marcus
Published: October 2006

Corporate parents have the potential to add value to their businesses through their influence on the stand‐alone performance of the businesses, but for a variety of reasons, including what we call the 10% versus 100% paradox, they more often destroy value instead. This article examines four companies, Dover, BTR, Emerson and RTZ, which succeed in creating value through stand‐alone parenting influence, and draws out the conditions necessary to do so. These are that (1) there should be a genuine parenting opportunity to improve the performance of the business, (2) the parent should have skills, management processes, and other characteristics that are suitable for realising the opportunity, and (3) the parent should have sufficient feel for the critical success factors in the business to avoid inadvertently destroying value through inappropriate influences.
A Built‐in Bias for Developing Too Many Products Too Frequently: The Problem of Japanese Firms
Authors: Sakakibara Kiyonori
Published: October 2006

A problem of Japanese electronics firms and automobile makers is to develop too many products too frequently. They must give thought to a radical change in their product development practices, for the sake of their own financial health as well as for the good of society. It is difficult, however, for them to reduce the number of new products and extend their life span, because they have a built‐in bias against doing so.
Marketing's Third Paradigm: Guanxi
Authors: Ambler Tim
Published: October 2006

Greater China, with nearly one quarter of the world's population and one of the fastest rates of economic growth, is attracting the attention of practitioners and academics alike. The distances of culture, language and geography do not facilitate understanding of marketing practices and ways of thinking. This article argues that the three basic marketing paradigms are the same but their order of precedence in the minds of Chinese business people is the reverse of those in the West.
Privatisation in the Transitional Economies of Central and Eastern Europe: Issues and Progress
Authors: Estrin Saul
Published: October 2006

Privatisation is pivotal to economic progress in the transitional economies of Central and Eastern Europe. But given the limited stock of domestic savings, speedy changes in ownership most probably rely on voucher schemes under which shares are distributed to the population as a whole. The problem is how to ensure that corporate governance is effective, and that restructuring occurs, when privatisation takes this form.
Global New Product Development: The Case of IBM Notebook Computers
Authors: Sakakibara Kiyonori
Published: October 2006

This article describes the detailed development process of IBM's ThinkPad notebook computer. The ThinkPad is the award‐winning and best‐selling notebook, which has been developed through global collaboration across the US, Japan and Europe. The article tells the story of how IBM harnessed design to help its breakthrough in the notebook computer market. The story is a model for companies in general.
The World Economy in 2020 ‐ The Rise of Russia
Authors: Hurd Hon Douglas
Published: October 2006

How securely democratic, integrated and prosperous Russia will be in twenty‐five years' time depends very much on the success of steps taken in the near future ‐ against the background of the deplorable events in Chechnya ‐ to sustain political reforms. Ultimately, these goals will entail the involvement of Russia cooperatively with an enlarged European Union and with NATO.
The World Economy in 2020 ‐ The Rise of China
Authors: Evans Sir Richard
Published: October 2006

China's long‐term impact on the world economy is bound to be enormous in terms of economic influence, investment opportunity and trade. Its future strength is predicated on its current social revolution in which, while the political system has not changed, state and people have exchanged roles. In future, the system is bound to change either by peaceful transition or by upheaval. Its economic power should not be seen as a threat but its impact on the environment may well be.
Learning from the Gurus: Managers' Responses to The Unwritten Rules of the Game
Authors: McGovern Patrick
Published: October 2006

Pop management books are selling by the truck‐load and top‐of‐the‐pops management authors are hailed as gurus. In this article, Patrick McGovern assesses managers' responses to one such book: Peter Scott‐Morgan's The Unwritten Rules of the Game. The responses were collected after “unwritten rules” appraisals had been conducted within the managers' organisations.
British Healthcare Reforms: A Hospital Manager's View
Authors: Palmer Cally
Published: October 2006

Britain's public health service is widely admired: it offers comprehensive healthcare to all, free at the point of use, and at a lower cost than many other systems. But by the late 1980s, it was in trouble at home. This article assesses the impact of the Government's recent reform programme and comments on whether it has improved cost and quality in hospital services.
Is Trust a Calculable Asset in the Firm?
Authors: O'Brien Rita Cruise
Published: October 2006

Employee confidence and trust in management can be a valuable asset for creating commitment to improved performance. This article considers the potential development of trust in the firm, its principal components, its durability and fragility. Evidence from research on the involvement of employees in quality improvement activities in six British firms considers the impact of high and low trust on the willingness of employees to provide more of their knowledge and effort to improve performance.
Ready… Aim… Fire Do's and Don'ts of Direct Marketing
Authors: Livingston Andrew , Schober Uwe
Published: October 2006

Amongst both academics and practitioners, Direct Marketing (DM) has long been the poor relation of marketing communication. Now, media, technology, and retailing trends mean that its hour may at last have come ‐ or returned. This article explores the factors which distinguish successful DM campaigns from expensive failures.
The Competitiveness of European Manufacturing — A Four Country Study
Authors: Voss Chris , Blackmon Kate , Hanson Philip , Oak Bryan
Published: October 2006

This article reports the results of a study of operational practice and performance in 663 manufacturing sites in Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. It reviews the competitiveness of manufacturing in each country against a “world class”scale. The results are examined in more detail examining differences between countries, factors influencing competitiveness such as site size and origin of parent, and agendas for individual countries. Overall a broad spread is found in Northern Europe with disappointingly few world class sites but many reasons for cautious optimism. The best companies are realistic about their position, but the worst are dangerously over‐optimistic.
Corporate Graffiti
Authors: Robertson Thomas S.
Published: October 2006

The holy grail of what constitutes “best practice”in management provides an intriguing set of new ideas. Unfortunately, however, these ideas are not often implemented successfully. A very real danger is the “graffiti response”, whereby the managing director endorses an idea which is currently in vogue but there is no real substance or organisational commitment to the idea. Indeed, the company may move to the next new idea before successfully implementing the previous one.
Marketing Today and Tomorrow
Authors: Barwise Patrick
Published: October 2006

Competitive pressures have forced firms to become more market‐oriented. All functions increasingly see their role as being to contribute towards creating customer value in a competitive market. However, this trend towards marketing as a process raises questions about the future role of marketing as a separate function. Six specific trends in marketing are discussed: relationship marketing, the use of new technology, customer value and the blurring of product and service, measurement and accountability, innovation and learning, and globalisation. Finally, the paper discusses implications for marketing as a function. It argues that, despite the unprecedented pressures on marketing people, they need to rise above the day‐to‐day and help to drive the firm's strategic thinking. This is probably harder, but also more necessary, than ever before.
Managerial Choice and Anthropomorphism
Authors: Wright Stanley
Published: October 2006

What makes managers tick? There has been much recent debate on a subject which has come to be known as “Corporate Governance”, looking at a number of issues on the role of executives, the goals they strive for, and the best way to ensure they are accountable for the way they manage the resources under their control. This article, drawn from a talk at a recent seminar organised by the Prudential Assurance Company and the Social Market Foundation in London argues that accountability should unambiguously be to shareholders, that present arrangements are inadequate for this purpose and that changes in the law are required.
Investing in Eastern Europe: Two case histories
Authors: Estrin Saul , Hughes Kirsty , Todd Sarah
Published: October 2006

This feature is in three parts: the first two are case histories of the contrasting experiences of two Western companies which expanded abroad for the first time in the mid‐1990s, into different countries in Eastern Europe. One is so far successful, the other not. The third section draws out the implications of these experiences: although still quite risky, investment in Central and Eastern Europe can already be made to pay by firms that enter as part of a well‐conceived and financed global strategy. Particular benefits are lower labour costs and access to untapped markets.
You Don't Have to be German to be a “Hidden Champion”
Authors: Simon Hermann
Published: October 2006

The “hidden champions” among Germany's medium‐sized companies are becoming a by‐word for students of management. But do hidden champions exist outside Germany? What management processes distinguish them from other companies? And are there lessons from their success for other companies? This article, extracted from the author's forthcoming book, summarises his answers to these questions.
Japanese Manufacturing Strategy Competing with the Tigers
Authors: Yamashina Hajime
Published: October 2006

The rapid growth of the Asian “Tiger” economies and a future of increasing competition from China have long threatened the Japanese economy. What strategies were available to the Japanese to counter these threats? Taking a fifty‐year perspective, this article exposes the foundations of the Japanese response ‐ which includes outsourcing production overseas. The author puts the view that Japan “should positively support” the growth of the Asian Tigers: “based on the growth of the Asian Tigers, Japan should also grow”. The depth of Japan's applied engineering skills is seen as the basis for a strategy for achieving this combination.
A Porpoise in the Market
Authors: Graddy Kathryn
Published: October 2006

In the late 19h century, Alfred Marshall used a fish market as an example of a perfectly competitive market. A hundred years later, New York's Fulton Fish Market has many of the characteristics of a traditional and competitive fish market, despite the documented presence of Mafia involvement. Shivering in the market day after day before dawn, the author recorded sales and prices of whiting to test a primary characteristic of a perfectly competitive market, the “law of one price”. Her results left her like Alice in Wonderland, sitting with her face in her hands, “wondering if anything would ever happen in a natural way again”. Regression analysis ‐ and common sense ‐ came to her aid.
Resolving International Conflict Jordan and its Neighbours
Authors: Hussein King
Published: October 2006

This article puts on record the first of the 1996 Stockton Lectures at London Business School. It was delivered in February. This year, the Stockton Lectures address the issue of how the business community can help resolve international conflict. Continuously for decades, Jordan has been at the heart of an area of international conflict. Here His Majesty King Hussein, who has led his country since 1952, reflects both on the struggles of the past decades and on his grandfather's vision for peace. He then looks forward to the ways that business can help the people of Jordan to reap the peace dividend.