bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Media Research: a graduate student's primer
Authors: Moore D M , Wilson L , Armistead P
Published: October 2006

The purpose of this paper is to trace the historical emphasis and development of media‐related research. The positive and negative aspects of this research are reviewed. Early research with its inherent methodological problems is followed by more recent studies involving aptitude treatment interaction. Recommendations by practitioners and researchers alike, as well as trends for future research, are presented. This paper should provide the novice media researcher with an introduction, review and current thinking on media‐related research activities.
Computer‐Assisted Communication for Language Development
Authors: Chapman B L M , Lees P
Published: October 2006

This paper argues that educational software should be written in such a way that teachers have access to the program's educational content. One such program, a computer‐mediated reading and language development scheme, is discussed. The program allows each word of traditional orthography to be replaced by a graphic symbol if the teacher wishes.
Computer programming for management students
Authors: Mole Richard
Published: October 2006

The case for teaching a programming language in the context of a management degree rests upon the perceived value of using mathematical models to structure managerial problems, and upon the relative merits of available languages and packages as modelling tools for students who may not be strongly numerate. An introductory computing course can help students to learn quantitative elements of Business Finance. It encompasses both standard software packages, such as a spreadsheet, together with the elements of BASIC. Students taking subsequent Quantitative Methods courses likewise benefit from the use of packages, but also from using a carefully prepared suite of BASIC programs. This approach is illustrated by materials prepared for automated drawing of project network diagrams on a monitor. Students benefit from reinforcement of the underlying mathematical concepts of network analysis and from extending the programs themselves. This latter process also provides some insight into the nature of commercial software packages and systems.
Adapting the author language Proforma for test purposes
Authors: Collett John
Published: October 2006

General stages in the development of computer‐aided instruction in a university French Department are outlined, including the creation of the author language Proforma. Several types of questions and answers could be used in Proforma study units, and detailed records kept, but it allowed students to repeat units or parts of a unit any number of times, reducing its suitability for formal testing. We adapted Proforma to enable parallel versions of test materials to be prepared, so students may make up to three attempts at a given test in a different version each time. A test may be of any length, and items within sets of questions may appear in a random order. Screen layout is described, and some aspects of test administration and timing are outlined.
ROLF—an open learning delivery system
Authors: Twining John , Botcherby Claire , Ward Christine
Published: October 2006

The Resourced Open Learning Facility (ROLF) has been developed by the UK Skills Training Agency (STA) as a means of delivering off‐the‐job skill training in the national network of 60 skillcentres. STA introduced ROLF as a pilot scheme in six skillcentres at a time when the government was introducing a new programme for the long‐term unemployed (Employment Training). The authors evaluated the pilot scheme and concluded that ROLF was working well for low achieving adults. ROLF is also important because it is a systematic approach to open learning delivery in a chain of centres under the same management. Most educational technology literature about open learning features materials, rather than delivery.
The television viewing behaviour of families in Kwara State, Nigeria
Authors: Talabi Joseph K
Published: October 2006

This study relates to the television viewing behaviour of selected families in Kwara State of Nigeria. A total of 600 households heads, dispersed over the 12 local government areas of Kwara State were used for the study. The instrument was a questionnaire with items designed to measure the social and spatial television viewing behaviour of each household as well as the values attached to television viewing. Results showed that the opinions of respondents tended to move towards a consensus in statements which related to the values and social effects of television. The implications are discussed of knowledge of television viewing behaviour of households on educational planning, moral reformation, policy making and the dissemination, adoption and diffusion of innovations in society.
The management and effectiveness of corporate training programmes
Authors: Bergenhenegouwen G
Published: October 2006

The education manager sees to it that corporate training programmes are in keeping with the overall policy of the organisation. In dialogue between the corporate management and the education manager, a training policy is developed so as to ensure effectiveness of the training programmes. As a consequence, there is an increasing trend for the practical and corporate benefits of training to be evaluated in the light of the organisation's policy. Evaluation of the effects of training programmes should therefore lay more emphasis on the assessment of their practical results and applications in the work situation.
Problems with learning from computer‐based simulations: a case study in economics
Authors: Stead Richard
Published: October 2006

This article reports research into student learning from a computer‐based simulation in economics. The author argues that learning can be restricted by ambiguities in feedback and by sheer information overload. This view is supported by empirical evidence.
Computer support for the development of decision‐making skills
Authors: Blandford Ann
Published: October 2006

This article centres on the educational requirement of encouraging the development of decision‐making skills, with particular reference to selection between alternatives. It reports the results of a protocol study in which subjects were asked to make a decision of the type described. These results, as well as information taken from the decision‐making literature, are used as a basis for defining the requirements of an Intelligent Educational System designed to encourage externalisation and reflection on decision processes and on the current decision. The architecture of the proposed system is outlined, and the current state of implementation described briefly.
Learning novel mathematical concepts in a computer‐enriched environment
Authors: Julie Cyril
Published: October 2006

There is widespread belief that computers should be used for the teaching and learning of mathematics. Research indicates that computers are primarily used in mathematics classes: (1) to reinforce previously taught concepts, (2) to allow students to construct computer programs to simulate mathematical techniques known to the student and (3) to explore mathematical microworlds encompassing mathematical ideas and concepts normally known to the student. Furthermore, it is said that pre‐service teachers should experience the learning of mathematical ideas and concepts of which they had no prior experience in environments in which computers are just one of the resources available for exploring and experimenting with these ideas and concepts. How should these learning environments be constructed so that pre‐service teachers are sensitised to the value of doing mathematics in such environments? Is a student's understanding of novel mathematical concepts enhanced when s/he explores it in a computer‐enriched environment? An experiment with pre‐service teachers was carried out in a college of education for blacks in South Africa. This article describes the insights gained from this experiment.
An approach to cost‐effective courseware development
Authors: Friedler Yael , Shabo Amnon
Published: October 2006

The limited quantity and quality of existing courseware restricts the use of computers in today's educational environment. Educators are often reluctant to become involved with the development of new courseware because of the high costs associated with courseware development. This article describes the evolution of courseware development and compares the advantages and disadvantages of existing development environments. The authors propose the use of an alternative environment: products which include customised courseware generators. This generator would allow the instructor to modify and expand the courseware to meet local needs. The development and subsequent use of a customised courseware generator is able to increase significantly the cost‐effectiveness of courseware development. In order to illustrate the potential of the proposed development environment, the authors describe a customised generator which was developed as part of a courseware unit used to teach the human hormone regulatory system.
Designing instructional television for concept learning in low‐achieving pupils in Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Kuboni Olabisi
Published: October 2006

In Trinidad and Tobago, educational television is developed for the general secondary school population and is not generally designed to address specific learner needs. In this study, an instructional video production was developed and targeted to low‐achieving students of the secondary school population, in the Junior Secondary sector. Content was drawn from the social studies curriculum and the focus of instruction was the acquisition of concepts and generalisations. There was sufficient evidence that the video production facilitated a moderate level of learning. It was also evident that there were areas of the production where instruction was not adequate. Two aspects were identified for further work. First, given the wide range of achievement levels noted in the current evaluation, there is need to identify more precisely the learning needs of the mainstream of the Junior Secondary population. Secondly, attention must also be paid to designing productions that could facilitate learner capability to link items of information and attain more complex levels of learning.
A synthesis of evaluations of distance education courses
Authors: Kember David , Lai Tammy , Murphy David , Siaw Irene , Yuen K S
Published: October 2006

Distance education courses are offered in a wide variety of formats. A range of media is available, and mechanisms for and levels of study and administrative support vary widely between courses. When new courses are established there is a wealth of experience to draw upon but little, if any, guidance on how to choose between the plethora of potential course formats. This article suggests that synthesising guidelines from evaluations of a selection of courses can help in drawing conclusions as to how courses are best formatted for given situations. As a case study, seven Hong Kong distance education courses with a variety of features were evaluated. Conclusions were synthesized—about the provision of tutorials, group activities, inter‐student contact, telephone counselling and the use of video and television broadcasting—which could not have been reached from either evaluating one course alone or by examining existing literature.
Evaluation research in distance education
Authors: Dillon Connie , Gunawardena Charlotte
Published: October 2006

Although research supports the use of telecommunications in distance education, the more important question ‘how best to use telecommunications in a given situation’ has largely eluded researchers. This is due to the failure to link questions generated by the problems of practice with the theoretical constructs contributing to the understanding of the phenomena of distance education. The debate has occurred on two levels, the first relating to research design issues and the second to the conceptualisation of researchable questions. The authors address both levels from the vantage point of third generation telecommunications technologies. They offer a model for linking research and evaluation in distance education.
What is missing from the computer laboratory?
Authors: Pitt Martin J
Published: October 2006

The picture often painted of higher education computer‐based laboratories is idealised; the author contrasts it with a more realistic scenario in which frustration replaces education. The problems which occur are discussed, along with the importance of other people to solve them. He stresses the need for organisation, along with the need for an adequate physical environment and above all active human involvement. Factors other than hardware and software are important if learning is to take place in a computer laboratory.
How to use animation in computer assisted learning
Authors: Milheim William D
Published: October 2006

While animation has been used in some form since the beginning of microcomputer‐based instruction, there has been only limited research concerning appropriate strategies for integrating this instructional option with a specific lesson. The author provides a summary of research on the effectiveness of animation as an instructional tool, suggests general guidelines concerning methods for implementing animation within specific materials delivered by computer, and lists a number of examples where the use of this strategy is warranted.
Teaching teachers to use HyperCard: a minimal manual approach
Authors: Anderson A , Knussen C L , Kibby M R
Published: October 2006

Untrained computer users often find traditional comprehensive manuals difficult and daunting. A minimal manual for HyperCard on the Macintosh was developed to ascertain the practicability of untrained classroom teachers learning HyperCard. To this end, the extent and type of use of the manual and software by teachers over a period of occasional use in their own time was recorded. Certain patterns of use were identified from self‐report forms completed by 23 of the original 27 subjects and from structured proficiency tests performed in the presence of an interviewer. The manual was rated low on difficulty and high on usefulness. While only three were judged to be able to create their own stacks at the end of the course, most subjects achieved high proficiency up to that level within an average study time of 27 hours. It is concluded that the most effective use of HyperCard by teachers is in using their skills to modify existing stacks for their teaching rather than to create new materials from scratch.
Knowledge based systems for teaching and learning maths
Authors: Foreheri Paola , Molfino Maria Teresa
Published: October 2006

The main task of an educational system is to generate instructional situations which induce students to learn knowledge and problem solving abilities as applied to a cognitive domain.

To this end, an instructional dialogue must be seen as a process aimed at making student and teacher learn from each other: the student has to learn the subject matter from the teacher, while the teacher has in turn to learn from the student how to regulate instructional interaction. The process relies on different kinds of expert knowledge: experience of the domain, about the actual student, and of teaching methods and objectives. This means that an instructional dialogue cannot be realised without an explicit representation of all the kinds of knowledge involved.

Research has established that Knowledge Based Educational Systems (KBESs) can be the keystone in building effective learning tools, but because of the difficulty in realising a system of this kind, most existing systems are prototypes and are intended only as workbenches for the computational analysis of educational processes.

This paper analyses the main problems which underlie the realisation of such systems, with reference to research into knowledge based systems intended for use with teaching/learning mathematics.
Recovering reading using computer mastery programmes
Authors: Spencer Ken
Published: October 2006

Mastery learning has been shown to be an effective method of raising the level of performance of pupils on a wide range of tasks. This method has been applied to the teaching of reading and spelling with primary school children with learning difficulties, in the form of a series of computer programmes using the high quality digital sound which is available in the current generation of low‐cost portable computers.

Unlike many programmes designed to teach or encourage reading skills, the programmes developed for this project provide instantaneous feedback, and identify and reward correct responses, with high criterion levels set for progression from one task to the next. They also provide complete records of pupil performance, allowing teachers to select teaching sequences appropriate for each individual pupil. Case studies of pupils are presented, showing the performance gains obtained with short but regular use of the programmes, over a 12 week period.
The Responsible Shareholder
Authors: Sternberg Elaine
Published: October 2006

There is confusion about the ethical responsibilities of shareholders, including institutions, but a cool look at clarity of purpose can do much to dispel it. The author is a working philosopher who was Lecturer and a Fulbright Fellow at the London School of Economics and spent fourteen years as an investment banker before becoming a writer and independent consultant. She has lectured on business ethics at the London Business School, and has completed her first City mystery novel, Making a Killing.
‘Good and Bad’
Authors: Jackson Jennifer
Published: October 2006

If it's not good for something, then it's good for nothing. The Director of the Centre for Business and Professional Ethics at the University of Leeds continues her examination of basic terms frequently used in business ethics.
FOCUS: Sex‐Discrimination in Job Evaluation
Authors: de Bruijn Jeanne
Published: October 2006

Job evaluation systems are becoming increasingly important in Europe to counter sex‐discrimination, but evaluation criteria can themselves be discriminatory. Dr Jeanne de Bruijn is Professor in Women and Policy at the Free University of Amsterdam.
FOCUS: Corporate Dialogue ‐ a new perspective for Public Relations
Authors: Steinmann Horst , Zerfaß Ansgar
Published: October 2006

Recent initiatives in Germany illustrate how major companies have changed their attitudes towards a critical public ‐ and thereby have improved their economic and ethical performance. Prof. Dr. Horst Steinmann and Dipl.‐Kfm. Ansgar Zerfaß belong to the University of Erlangen‐Nürnberg, Germany.
Advertising: Questioning Common Complaints
Authors: Hyman Michael R. , Skipper Robert
Published: October 2006

’For each case against advertising, there is a stronger offsetting argument.’Dr Hyman is Visiting Professor of Marketing at Limburg University, Holland, and guest editor of a forth coming special issue of The Journal of Advertising on advertising ethics. Dr Skipper is Instructor of Philosophy at Southwest Texas State University.
The Ethics of European Transition
Authors: Attali Jacques
Published: October 2006

The President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development examines three major ethical problems in the transition from post‐Communist Europe to a market economy and spells out the only real option for Western Europe. He delivered this address, which is reprinted with permission, at a Conference on Business and Moral Standards in Post Communist Europe held in London in November last year under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Westminster and sponsored by the Sedgwick Group and KPMG Peat Marwick.
Machiavelli's Message and Business Morals
Authors: OBE George Bull
Published: October 2006

Machiavelli's continuing fascination arises not just from his hard‐headed maxims but at a deeper level from his willingness to face up to agonising moral choices. The author is a former editor of The Director, a Renaissance scholar, and currently edits International Minds.
The Legal Context of Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Parkinson John
Published: October 2006

Social responsibility on the part of business has various meanings, to some of which English law is more favourable than others. But the law could be changed. The author is a Solicitor and Lecturer in Law in the University of Bristol. His Corporate Power and Responsibility: Issues in the Theory of Company Law has recently been published by Oxford University Press.
Ethical Aspects of the Marketing of Savings and Investment Products in the UK
Authors: Ennew Christine , McGregor Alison , Diacon Stephen
Published: October 2006

In spite of strengthened financial regulation, ethical concern continues about the promotion and distribution of financial services in Britain, including savings and investment products. Greater ethical attention needs to be paid to products, price, promotion and distribution. The authors are all faculty members of the School of Management and Finance, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK. Correspondence should be addressed to Dr Ennew. Alison McGregor gratefully acknowledges funding provided by the Association of British Insurers.
Now Read This: Book Reviews A splendid German encyclopedia
Authors: Lillebo Arild
Published: October 2006

Georges Enderle, Karl Homann, Martin Honecker, Walter Kerber, Horst Steinmann (editors), Lexikon der Wirtschaftsethik. Freiburg im Breisgau, Verlag Herder, 1993. pp. 690, ISBN 3‐451‐22336‐8.
FOCUS: Changing Regulations
Authors: Harrison Shirley
Published: October 2006

When bad business behaviour is so much in the news is this a time for tighter regulation? But can standards be set for “good behaviour” in business? The author is Senior Lecturer in Public Relations and Philosophy at Leeds Business School, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds LS2 8AF.
Building an Ethical Organisation
Authors: Toro Pierre Di
Published: October 2006

How can one in practice go about introducing ethical values systematically into a business organisation? The process described here was presented to the annual meeting of European Business Ethics Centres, held in Prague in 1993. Dr Di Toro is Research Fellow in Business Administration, Environmental and Social Sciences Department, School of Economics, University of Siena, Piazza S. Francesco 17, 53100 Siena, Italy.
FOCUS: Ethics in Need of Regulation
Authors: Clarke Michael J.
Published: October 2006

How much real impact on business behaviour is achieved by ethical debate and discussion? The author contends that little ethical change will come about unless it is the subject of regulation and institutions, as instanced in equal opportunities, corporate governance and the quality of financial services. Dr Clarke is a member of the Department of Sociology, University of Liverpool, P.O. Box 147, Liverpool L69 3BX.
Now Read This: Book Review A Start to European Integration
Authors: Olbrich Thomas
Published: October 2006

Brian Harvey (Ed.): Business Ethics ‐ A European Approach, Prentice Hall, 1994, pp. vii + 258, pb, n.p.g., ISBN 0 13 095696‐1
A New British Branch for EBEN
Authors: Raven Walter
Published: October 2006

Last September a British chapter of the European Business Ethics Network was launched at an inaugural Conference, “Implementing Ethical Business”, in Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education. The author of this conference report is the principal consultant of Corporate Social Responsibility Consultants, 28A Tooting Bec Rd., London SW17 8BD.
FOCUS: Business Ethics in Austria
Authors: Hrubi Franz Rupert
Published: October 2006

Our Associate Editor for Austria describes the unique national features which underlie the recent development of modern business ethics in his country. Univ.‐Prof. Dr Franz Rupert Hrubi is a member of the Abteilung für Philosophie, the University of Economics and Business Administration, A 1090 Vienna, Schlagergasse 6, Austria.
FOCUS:A Comparison of Business Ethics in North America and Continental Europe
Authors: Enderle Georges
Published: October 2006

The author of this major study compares the significantly different approaches to business ethics on both sides of the Atlantic and considers what they have to learn from each other. He has considerable experience of business ethics in both Europe and North America, having taught and researched the subject at the University of St Gallen in his native Switzerland before his appointment as Professor of International Business Ethics in the College of Business Administration, University of Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA. Professor Enderle was also the founding Honorary Treasurer of the European Business Ethics Network and is an Associate Editor of this Review.
FOCUS: Aspects of Accountancy The Ethics of Accounting Regulation ‐ An International Perspective
Authors: Blake John , Clarke Julia , Gowthorpe Catherine
Published: October 2006

In all the literature about ethical dilemmas facing the accounting practitioner little attention has been paid to those which arise from the accountant's role in the process of accounting regulation. This treatment explores that role in the light of differing national modes of accounting regulation, economic impact issues in accounting regulation, some ethical principles and a number of different national illustrations. John Blake is Professor of Accounting in the Department of Accounting and Financial Services at the University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, in which Catherine Gowthorpe is Principal Lecturer, while Julia Clarke is a member of the Department of Business Studies, Manchester Metropolitan University, Aytoun Building, Aytoun Street, Manchester M1 3GH.
The First European Business Ethics Prize Essay
Authors: Elmark Nils
Published: October 2006

We are pleased to print here the winning entry for the 1995 European Business Ethics Essay Competition, which was sponsored jointly by the Foundation for Business Responsibilities and London Business School and to which entry was open to students for the MBA or equivalent management degree at any institution in Europe. The author, Mr Nils Elmark, subsequently gained his MSc degree in Public Relations at the Department of Marketing, University of Stirling, and is now with Marks and Brands, St. Kirkstrade 3, DK‐1073 Copenhagen, Denmark.
FOCUS: Health Care as Business Introduction
Authors: Sorell Tom
Published: October 2006

One of the commonest complaints in Britain against the current National Health Service is that business and commercial values are being allowed, and even encouraged, to dominate the more humane values involved in caring for people in their weakness. What is the situation and where are the problems, and what can Britain learn from Germany and Holland? We are grateful to the distinguished author on business ethics and member of our Editorial Board, Professor Tom Sorell, for undertaking the production of this FOCUS section of the October Review on such a sensitive and topical issue.
FOCUS: Ethics in Business and Health
Authors: Vallance Elizabeth
Published: October 2006

“The NHS may not, on a tight definition, be a business, but it has an obligation to its financial stakeholders (the tax‐payers), and this implies an ethical obligation to be business‐like. This means it must be as well‐managed as it is well‐meaning.” The author is Chairman of St George's Healthcare NHS Trust. Until 1988 she was Head of the Department of Politics at Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, where she is now Visiting Professor. She is a non‐executive director of Norwich Union and of the HMV Group and her most recent book is Business Ethics at Work, Cambridge University Press, 1995.
FOCUS: New Ethics in a Future Dutch Health Market
Authors: Kool R.B. , Kimman E.J.J.M.
Published: October 2006

Changes being introduced to deregulate the Dutch health care system after decades of extensive state control are to be welcomed, and will in future require consumers to be ‘well‐informed, cost‐conscious and assertive patients, who are aware of their responsibility for their own health.’ R.B. Kool MD, PhD and E.J.J.M. Kimman PhD are attached to the Department of Business Ethics in the Faculty of Economics and Econometrics at The Free University, P.O. Box 7161, 10107 MC Amsterdam.
Corporate Governance and Business Ethics
Authors: Shah Atul K.
Published: October 2006

“It is this distancing of personal relationships, combined with their replacement by written contractual terms and conditions, which make the discussion of ethics within a corporate institutionalised context highly limited and problematic.’ The challenge is to find means of personalising modern corporations so as to encourage ethical behaviour. Atul K. Shah PhD (Econ) ACA gained his doctorate from the London School of Economics and is Lecturer in the Department of Accounting and Financial Management, at the University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ; e‐mail ashah@essex.ac.uk. This article was conceived while he was Visiting Assistant Professor at the College of Business, University of Maryland, USA. The author wishes to thank Dan Ostas, Lee Preston and Stephen Loeb for helpful comments on earlier drafts.
Identifying the strategic market
Authors: Kay J A
Published: October 2006

When are markets truly global? Will Europe be a single market after 1992, and how will we know? When are niche strategies sustainable? In this article, John Kay develops answers to these questions by developing the concept of the strategic market–the minimum area, product or geographical, within which it is possible to compete. He identifies the common strategic error involved in confusing the dimensions of the market with those of the industry, and warns that economic integration is not at all the same as the creation of a single market.
Pricing a new product: Eurotunnel
Authors: Kay John , Manning Alan , Szymanski Stefan
Published: October 2006

Eurotunnel, due to open in 1993, will link Great Britain with mainland Europe. Massive cost overruns have cast some doubts on its future profitability, but this article shows how its cost structure gives it critical advantages in pricing against its competitors. The prospectus assumption is that Eurotunnel and the ferries will charge broadly similar fares. In this article, we show that substantially undercutting ferry charges is a far more profitable strategy. Moreover, this result holds even if consumers regard the tunnel as a superior service and is robust to any response by the ferries themselves. Their best strategy is to seek niche markets and avoid direct competition with the tunnel. The article draws parallels for other firms introducing new products by applying new technology in established markets.
UK supply performance and company behaviour
Authors: Currie David
Published: October 2006

On the basis of past performance, the medium term prospects for the British economy are grim. A trade deficit of current proportions cannot be sustained indefinitely. Nor can it be eliminated except by a long period of slow growth—no more than 1% or so for up to five years. Even a continuation of the remarkable increase in manufacturing productivity shown in the 1980s will not resolve this dilemma. As the British economy enters the 1990s the key question is whether the responsiveness of British industry to the export incentives offered by devaluation and slow domestic growth is much greater than in previous periods of recent economic history. There is evidence to suggest that this might in fact happen.
High quality positioning and the success of reputable products
Authors: Davis Evan
Published: October 2006

It has become almost a conventional wisdom that high quality is an essential route to high profits. In this article Evan Davis shows that the truth is likely to be more complicated. The large profits that accrue to high quality producers are usually rewarding some inimitable production skill, or are reflecting the faith that customers have in the reputation of the producer to deliver a quality product in a market where quality is hard to monitor. For producers that do not have special skills, or who have no easy means of acquiring a reputation, the benefits of high quality positioning may not be great.
Acquisitions and Joint Ventures ‐ Similar Arrows in the Strategic Quiver
Authors: Norburn David , Schoenberg Richard
Published: October 2006

Are joint ventures a way of avoiding the problems of merger or acquisition? The authors of this paper argue that the similarities between the two are more striking than the differences. They demonstrate the point by surveying the published literature on both.
Do you know what your finance director does?
Authors: Thiry Bruno
Published: October 2006

In most large corporations someone is responsible for ordering company stationery, but no‐one argues that this person should be treated as a profit centre in their own right. So why might anyone suggest the corporate treasury should be a profit centre? Like the stationery department, it should service the requirements of those involved in the core activities of the firm. Bruno Thiry looks at the muddled thinking and self‐delusion that have led people to overstate the role of the treasurer and led some firms to embarrassing scandals.
Who should get the champagne spoils?
Authors: Flanders Stephanie , Thiry Bruno
Published: October 2006

There are two main stages in the champagne production chain: the growing of the grapes, and the production and marketing of the drink itself. The surplus created by the protected champagne name can provide plenty of profit for both the grape growers and the champagne houses. But dividing the surplus between the two has become more difficult in recent years. The growers have enjoyed increased bargaining strength, reflecting the new ease with which they can market champagne themselves. Their efforts to take a large proportion of the profits have undermined the source of those profits. There are lessons from the story for everyone involved in negotiating a fair share of the profits to which their work contributes.
The key to running a high‐tech business: relational teams
Authors: Aston Beverly
Published: October 2006

Small firms find it hard to make sustained profits in high technology areas. Not only can big firms undermine their lead, destructive and rivalrous behaviour within the firm is also a threat. Here, Beverly Aston describes some of the problems and looks at two companies who seem to have coped with them.
Contradictions of Entrepreneurial Growth: The Case of VG Instruments
Authors: Dyerson Romano
Published: October 2006

What happens to entrepreneurial firms as they achieve the growth that they desire? This paper argues that growth brings with it pressures that ultimately contradict the entrepreneurial stance. In particular, the ‘go getting’ competitive internal structure of the firm has to adapt and change to reflect the increased importance of co‐operation and teamwork as such firms mature. The author examines this question in the context of a case study of an innovative and award winning British manufacturer of scientific instruments.
Vertical Integration and Competition Policy
Authors: Warren Kim
Published: October 2006

Vertical integration can be a source of significant strategic advantage for firms, whether in the form of backward integration to gain security of some important supply or of forward integration to ensure adequate distribution of products or services. It may have profound effects on the competitive processes in an industry, substantially modify the threats from new entrants or substitute products, and mitigate the power of suppliers or buyers. Yet for exactly these reasons, vertical integration causes great concern to competition authorities. A number of consumer products markets with vertical ties have caused such disquiet to the UK's Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in recent years that they have been referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) for further investigation. These include beer, petrol and soft drinks. The three cases illustrate the nature and importance of the strategic advantage derived from vertical integration. They also illustrate the concern competition authorities feel about vertical integration, and provide lessons for firms regarding the objections that may be raised towards their trading arrangements.
The World's Best Performing Companies
Authors: Davis Evan , Star Jonathan
Published: October 2006

For companies to create successful strategies, they need to identify success. Performance measurement and benchmarking are an important step towards good performance itself. But conventional profit measures do not provide a good benchmark. Using a profitability indicator which measures value created for shareholders, Business Strategy Review ranks the best performing companies in Europe, America and Japan. The message: if you want to be a successful company, move into the Pharmaceuticals sector.
Economic Prospects in Hungary: The Rise of The Private Sector
Authors: Hare Paul
Published: October 2006

After introducing many market‐oriented reforms during the 1980s, Hungary was in a good position to move rapidly towards a market‐type economy after 1989. Because of trade shocks and restraint on domestic demand, Hungary suffered similar falls in output to other countries in eastern Europe. But it encouraged start‐ups of new firms, welcomed foreign investment and undertook an active programme of privatisation. After some initial experience with uncontrolled privatisation, the State Property Agency was set up to supervise the process. At first it operated in a very centralised way, but more recently it has seen the need to operate in a decentralised manner. To manage those firms which will remain in state hands for some years, the State Assets Management Company was recently established. Overall, the combination of new start‐ups and privatisation of state‐owned firms is rapidly creating a more dynamic economy, which should soon start to grow out of the present recession.
The United Germany in The Single European Market
Authors: von Richthofen Baron Hermann
Published: October 2006

Dr Hermann von Richthofen, German Ambassador in London 1988–1993, now German Ambassador to NATO, spoke at the second LSE Business Performance Lecture on 29 January 1992 about the radical changes taking place in Europe. In particular, the Ambassador stressed that Germany's integration is an inseparable part of Europe's integration and will provide opportunities not only for Germany but also for the rest of Europe.
The Role of Know‐How in Corporate Rejuvenation: The Case of Rover
Authors: Mueller Frank
Published: October 2006

This paper focuses on the strategic context of the K‐engine innovation at Rover Group. The argument is that during the 1960s and 1970s, British Leyland's attempt to establish engineering and development capabilities was undermined by a lack of financial commitment by top management, and numerous occasions of corporate reorganisation. Later, the strategic alliance with Honda provided an opportunity for Rover's corporate rejuvenation, and was part of a clearer top management focus on how to bring new products to the market. The strategic alliance also gave Rover the chance to gain crucial organisational competencies and know‐how from this joint venture. This is in contrast to previous European‐Japanese joint ventures, which often saw the Japanese partner on the receiving end of know‐how transfer.
Marketing Science and the Ivory Tower
Authors: Simon Hermann
Published: October 2006

How much has quantitative “marketing science” contributed to the practice of marketing? In my view, not much. In this article, based on extensive consulting experience, it is argued that well‐established quantitative techniques like econometric models and diffusion models have produced little of either practical or scientific value. Other quantitative techniques, such as conjoint analysis, have been more useful for marketing decision‐makers. But what is needed is a more pluralistic culture, drawing on a range of complementary disciplines.
Obstacles to Future Prosperity
Authors: Michael Heseltine MP
Published: October 2006

Mr Heseltine offers a positive approach to prosperity, believing that obstacles are there to be overcome. There is potential to be realised through the GATT agreement, and developments such as information highways and the growth of tourism. Nevertheless there are some major obstacles to be overcome: lack of education, over‐regulation and lack of public funding, for example. Solutions to these obstacles require new techniques, such as the inter‐related use of public and private resources, and new attitudes of mind.
Different Folks, Different Strokes ‐How IBM, AT&T and NEC Segment to Compete
Authors: Fransman Martin
Published: October 2006

How are large diversified firms like IBM, AT&T, and NEC coping with competition from more narrowly concentrated companies like Intel, Microsoft, Compaq, MCI, and Ericsson? The answer is by increasing the segmentation of their activities in smaller, more autonomous, business units in the hope that this will produce better focus, flexibility, speed of response, and efficiency. But increased segmentation contradicts one of their major potential advantages – their ability to reap benefits from the interdependence – or synergies – of their activities. How are they coping with this contradiction? Will they succeed?
Quality, Competitors and Competitiveness
Authors: Swann Peter
Published: October 2006

How can we measure a product's competitiveness? How does product quality affect competitiveness? To measure product competitiveness involves two interconnected stages. First, to choose a perspective from which to compare the product with its competitors. Second, to decide which are the product's main competitors. One perspective we could take is that of the product's ideal consumer – that is, the person most likely to buy. This perspective offers some fascinating insights into measuring product competitiveness and identifving competitors, and can help us understand why a nation may be losing its share of the market.
Competitions and Competitiveness: The Case of British Design Awards
Authors: Temple Paul , Swann Peter
Published: October 2006

This article looks at the role of competitions in promoting industrial competitiveness by examining the example of British Design Awards. Competitions can act as a benchmark in good design practice. Although British Design Awards were found to be concentrated in just a few sectors of manufacturing this could be explained in terms of those sectors' size, commitment to design, and their good international trading performance. This suggests that the awards did indeed make suitable benchmarks. Although this is a prerequisite for competitions to act as a stimulus to competitiveness, it should not be regarded as sufficient; competitions need to be staged within a more general strategy aimed at the diffusion of good design practice.
What is a Minimum Wage?
Authors: Campbell Mary
Published: October 2006

The minimum wage is high on the political agenda both in Britain and the US. Despite much research, one aspect of minimum wage definition has received little attention‐non‐wage benefits. In this article, Mary Campbell argues that non‐wage benefits like employers' pension contributions and profit‐sharing should be included in any definition of minimum wages.
Biological Models and Business Success
Authors: Fairtlough Gerard
Published: October 2006

As business changes, thinking about strategy and organisation has to change too, especially if the aim is to innovate, rather than react to the innovations of others. Innovative thinking requires innovative concepts, and biology can be a rich source of concepts useful for business. A number of recent books with biological themes are discussed, illustrating the use of biological analogies in business thinking. One important theme in biology today is the interaction between competition and co‐operation and this theme is obviously relevant to business. So too is the concept of compartmentation. The origin of this concept in biology and its application in organisations are considered.
The World Economy in 2020 The Rise of India
Authors: Patel Indraprasad G
Published: October 2006

With a liberal and market‐oriented climate, the outlook for India over the next 25 years is optimistic. This article predicts a real rate of economic growth of 5.5% and a fall in population growth from 1.9% in the 1990s to 0.6% after 2020: India looks forward to per capita incomes over 2½ times as high as now. India is also by now fully capable of taking advantage of global competition and will become a much bigger force in international trade and investment. This is the third and last in the 1995 series of Stockton Lectures on the theme “The World Economy in 2020: the Rise of Russia, China and India”. The first two lectures appeared in the last issue of Business Strategy Review (Summer 1995).
Technology Foresight – a View from the Front
Authors: Stout David
Published: October 2006

The UK Technology Foresight programme has passed its first milestone: the Steering Group has reported. This article sets out the reasoning behind the programme, including its Japanese roots, and gives a participant's account of the process to date. It concludes that the next and critical stage rests with the Research Councils, academia, government and the entire company sector who have to be involved and galvanised if strategic research is to be better targeted and partnerships are to develop between companies and with the universities. Whether more research will be done remains an open question.
Beyond Magic Conjectures on the Nature of Strategy in the Late 1990s
Authors: Goddard Jules , Houlder Dominic
Published: October 2006

In this paper, we examine contemporary models of strategy as planning and learning. We argue that neither is likely to stimulate radical change in an organisation, because the possibilities that both express are bound by the existing language of the business and the habits of thought laid down in that language. We propose that the most significant developments in strategy in the later 1990s will address this conundrum and constitute a new approach: strategy as translation. The role of strategist will be to release businesses from the framework of their existing language by translating from wholly different modes of business and from modes of human experience outside the world of business.
The Pursuit of Advertising Theory
Authors: Ambler Tim , Vakratsas Demetrios
Published: October 2006

The relationship between advertising expenditure and consumer behaviour has remained stubbornly elusive through over a century of research. Worldwide, the failure to identify the linking process costs advertisers — and therefore consumers — over $100 billions each year. This article argues that the most widely recognised analytical systems in this field, persuasive hierarchy models, have little empirical support and that the research net must be cast much wider if this critical gap in theoretical and practical expertise is to be narrowed.
Professional Development: the Individual Perspective
Authors: Robertson Diana C. , Morrison Philippa
Published: October 2006

This article outlines why and how professional development processes need to be changed ‐ from the perspective of the individual. It builds not only on a five‐year experience in helping individual business school faculty develop their capabilities, but also on experience with other professionals ranging from bankers to entrepreneurs. Key features of the recommended process are that formal professional development should not be remedial but should be regarded as an integral and rewarding part of work.