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The Global Environment of Business
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The Global Environment of Business
New Paradigms for International Management

First Edition
  • David W. Conklin - The Richard Ivey School of Business, The University of Western Ontario, Canada


June 2010 | 320 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
The Global Environment of Business provides students with a truly international perspective that integrates both market (industry structure) and nonmarket (i.e. political forces) analysis concisely, in a way not found in other texts.

The following key issues are emphasized:

Industry Structure: Management must strategize to deal with the bargaining strength of customers, suppliers, and competitiors on a country by country basis. Low cost labour and outsourcing are changing the nature of the firm dramatically.

Macroeconomic Forces: Management must formulate country strategies in light of each country's income levels and growth rates, foreign exchange rates, inflation rates, interest rates, and unemployment rates.

Political Forces: Regulations, financial incentives, tax regimes, investment restrictions, and trade agreements differ widely from country to country.

Societal Forces: Ethics, labour, and environmental practices differ from country to country. In addition, specific consumer preferences and demographic trends must play a role in national strategies.

Technological Forces: Strategies must correspond to each country's technological infrastructure and the pace and direction of technological change.

 
Introduction
 
Part I. Social Forces
 
Chapter 1. Differentiating Strategies in Accordance With Cultural Differences
In Practice 1.1. Changes In Cultural Preferences For Diamonds

 
 
Chapter 2. Coping With New Concerns About Corruption and Fraud
Practice 2.1. Evaluating and Improving the Corporate Ethical Culture

 
 
Chapter 3. Adopting an Ethics Code and Corporate Social Responsibility: Why, What, and How?
In Practice 3.1. Environmental Degradation: The Result of Corruption and Fraud and Deficiencies in Ethics and CSR

 
 
Part II. Technological Forces
 
Chapter 4. Social Capital: Implications for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
 
Practice 4.1. Differences in Social Capital as Determinants of Investment Locations
 
Chapter 5. Strengthening the Firm?s Knowledge Capabilities
In Practice 5.1. How Can a Government Strengthen the Knowledge Capabilities of Firms in Its Jurisdiction?

 
 
Chapter 6. Investing in New Technologies
In Practice 6.1. Investing in Telecom and E-Business in a Less Developed Economy

 
 
Part III. Economic Forces
 
Chapter 7. Industry Structure as a Determinant of Profitability
Practice 7.1. Challenges and Rewards of Outsourcing the HR Department

 
 
Chapter 8. Comparing Nations as Investment Locations
In Practice 8.1. Changes in the Industry Structure and National Competitive Advantage in the Watch Industry

 
 
Chapter 9. Adjusting to Economic Volatility
In Practice 9.1. Economic Risks of the Inflation/Devaluation Cycle

 
 
Part IV. Political Forces and the Role of Government
 
Chapter 10. Analyzing and Evaluating Political Risks
In Practice 10.1. Assessing and Comparing Political Risks

 
 
Chapter 11. Seizing Opportunities in Privatization and Regulatory Changes
Practice 11.1 Assessing Risks and Opportunities in Privatization and Regulatory Changes

 
 
Chapter 12. Ongoing Impacts of Trade and Investment Agreements
In Practice 12.1. Subsidies and Unfair Competition: The Example of Aircraft

 
In Practice 12.2. Coping With ?Unfair Competition? From China

 
 
Chapter 13. Summary and Conclusions
 
Author Index
 
Subject Index
 
About the Author

I have examined this book and it has been recommended to the central library of Sussex University for the 2017 reading list. This book will be an excellent source to assist students with their studies on International Business module.

Mr Hammed Roohani
School of Business, Management & Economics , Sussex University
January 24, 2018

This is an informative text that highlights the key concepts of the global economy a book no student who is studying globalisation should be without..

Mr Andrew Alton
Business Administration , Weston College
November 14, 2014

students seem like this textbook. I feel the contents are not challenge enough, and incorporate with other economics textbooks to design my delivery

Dr Wen Wang
Wolverhampton Business School, Wolverhampton University
December 11, 2013

This text while helpful is somewhat dense in nature. International students in particular may not find it easily accessible.

Mrs Paulette Toppin
University of Derby Online, Derby University
November 29, 2013

Good course content

Dr Scott Foster
Department of HRM, Liverpool John Moores University
November 26, 2013

A long-awaited, comprehensive guide to globalisation and business theory.
To-the-point, student-focused and well-structured book

Mr Jan Breitsohl
School of Management & Business, Aberystwyth University
December 13, 2012

An excellent book which provides inciteful commentary on the global environment for all business students. This is a must read for students on International Business programmes.

Mr Alan Johnston
York St John Business School, York St John University
July 10, 2012

The text is quite unique in that it is very well written and scientific. It goes a long way to link theory to practice with a strong development of theory.

It is more for post-graduate level students rather than undergraduates.

It has a clear discussion of concepts and educates readers... well done!

Dr Aaron Van Klyton
International Business and Economics, Greenwich University
June 14, 2012

This gives a good overall view and would be recommended reading

Mrs Heather Langridge
Education , Blackburn College
February 17, 2012

quite clear and well-written. However the book seems to me as being more suitable as a supplementary reading. I have found a good discussion of specific themes rather than a structured presentation of concepts . In particular I see how managerial topics predominate over purely international business-relevant ones. And my course is focused on Int Business

Dr Pietro andrea Podda
Department of Business, New York University in Prague
August 23, 2011

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