Advances in technology and communication, combined with the explosive growth in data and information, have given rise to a more empowered global consumer. Recent economic and political events highlight the need for insurers to understand how consumers view the world and the most important attributes for their purchasing decisions. Our discussions with global insurance executives, non-exec…
After more than a decade Michael Porter’s book Competitive Advantage of Nations stays ahead of the other books, in particular as alternative framework from the comparative advantage idea inspired by Adam Smith. This small book is merely an alternative proposition, a postscript perhaps, to Porter’s book, with basic idea that one cannot rely merely on industrial processes alone to keep …
The article marries Michael Porter’s industrial cluster theory of traded and local clusters to Richard Florida’s occupational approach of creative and routine workers to gain a better understanding of the process of economic development. By combining these two approaches, four major industrial-occupational categories are identified. The shares of U.S. Employment in each – creative-in-…
Through good economic times and bad, marketing remains the pivotal function in any business. Determining and satisfying the needs of customers through products that have value and accessibility and whose features are clearly communicated is the general purpose of any business. It is also a fundamental definition of marketing. This text introduces students to the marketing strategies and too…
Given the current economic challenges facing many countries across the globe, the notion of engendering greater entrepreneurial activity has become a prominent goal for many national governments. The relevance of entrepreneurship to economic development has been highlighted by many researchers (e.g. Davidsson et al, 2006) and it is now well-recognised that education and training opportunities p…
The UPS Code of Business Conduct (“Code”) sets forth standards of conduct for all of UPS. Throughout the Code, “UPS” is used to refer to the enterprise as a whole, to each person within it, and to any person or entity who represents UPS or any part of the UPS organization, including suppliers, consultants, and third-party representatives. Adherence to the Code is required of all em…
Many theories and ideas have shaped the development of cities (hall 1998, Mumford 1961, howard 1946), yet no one can claim that the ideal design, economic size, or development pattern exists for any single city. The characteristics of cities are shaped by complex sets of historical, geographic, economic, social, physical, governance, technological, and chance factors. The economies of citi…
‘… the process of conducting research on the business environment within which an organisation operates and on the organisation itself, in order to formulate strategy.’ BNET Business Dictionary ‘… a theoretically informed understanding of the environment in which an organisation is operating, together with an understanding of the organisation’s interaction with its environment in …
There are two common definitions of statistics. The first is "turning data into information", the second is "making inferences about populations from samples". These two definitions are quite different, but between them they capture most of what you will learn in most introductory statistics courses. The first, "turning data into information," is a good definition of descriptive statistics…
Over the decades, Airbus and Boeing, the two major players have been at loggerheads for aircraft orders. This case details the intensity of the rivalry between the two companies by elucidating facts and figures of a new aircraft being developed from each of their stables. Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner being designed with new composite material is meant to set industry standards. As accordi…
This document is a result of numerous calls for help from potential farmers, aspiring entrepreneurs and government officials from all the provinces requesting guidance with drafting bankable business plans. Research has shown that prospective entrepreneurs are not familiar with the contents of their business plan, because they seldom contribute (input) into the development of a business plan…
Many companies have a brief mission statement, usually in thirty words or less, explaining their reason for being and their guiding principles. If you want to draft a mission statement, this is a good place to put it in the plan. Followed by: Company goals and objectives: Goals are destinations -- where you want your business to be. Objectives are progress markers along the way to goal achieve…
The starting point for any good discussion, meeting, or workshop on business model innovation should be a shared understanding of what a business model actually is. We need a business model concept that everybody understands: one that facilitates description and discussion. We need to start from the same point and talk about the same thing. The challenge is that the concept must be simpl…
Starbucks is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world and has become a truly global brand. From the beginning, we have recognized that you, our partners, are critical to our continued success. Starbucks reputation for the finest coffee in the world, legendary customer service and the highest integrity is the direct result of our collective efforts. We are all care…
The concept of sustainable development has received growing recognition, but it is a new idea for many business executives. For most, the concept remains abstract and theoretical. Protecting an organization’s capital base is a well-accepted business principle. Yet organizations do not generally recognize the possibility of extending this notion to the world’s natural and human resource…
The UK benefits from a diverse, extremely competitive and innovative retail sector which has proved resilient during recent economic difficulties. It includes world class international companies, stable high street anchors and innovative independents, but also many retailers struggling to survive in an extremely competitive environment - with rapidly changing consumer needs and behaviour. Reta…
This document which has been prepared for discussion, comes at an appropriate time just after the recently concluded United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janerio (Rio+20), and at a time when our thrust as a nation is towards economic stability, growth and sustainability. Trinidad and Tobago’s economy has been driven primarily by our rich oil and gas sectors and…
Organisations can exploit information to do better at planning, monitoring and controlling their business activity. However, it is easy to drown in a sea of data. People can best understand and use information when it is organised and presented in the ways that are most useful to them. Powerful PCs, servers and networks provide new tools and systems to process information. This improves how peo…
This chapter proposes a theoretical analysis framework to highlight the challenge of the knowledge transfer between headquarter and subsidiaries and how the intra-organisational hybridization could overcome the limits of the top-down transfer. By highlighting the added value of local subsidiaries, this chapter focuses on the features of the knowledge hybridization as a new managerial practice t…
The speed of change in virtually all industries has increased exponentially over the past decades – and conventional wisdom proves that the trend will continue. In this fast-paced global business environment, the ability to possess fact- based strategic foresight, deliver systematic exploration of new growth opportunities and to institutionalise a continuous drive to improve internal business…
What is ‘business development’? This is usually the first question I have to answer whenever I’m asked what I do for a living by people outside the pharmaceutical industry. The answers I try to give are oen tailored to the audience and what they are likely to quickly understand from their own experience. However, as few people have any idea that such a role exists beyond some hazy idea …