176,712 research outputs found
Manufacturing in the 1990s - productivity, flexibility and innovation
The article outlines the evolution of large multinationals as a result of the appearance of new market demands. Companies having to meet specific market demands, are shown to possess certain characteristics, related to the market demands concerned. The analysis shows that innovativeness will, in all probability, be the new market demand in the 1990s, in addition to the already existing ones of efficiency, quality and flexibility. Descriptions of ideal types illustrate the evolution of companies as they move from the Efficient Firm to the Quality Firm on to the Flexible Firm to, finally, the Innovative Firm. The phase model also includes the symptoms of crisis, when moving from one phase to another. Skipping phases appears to be difficult, if not impossible. The same holds true for moving to the next phase, while the organization has not finished with the preceding phase
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The transfer of western management to China: Context, content and constraints
This paper examines the issue of transferring Western management knowhow to China, focusing on the context, content and constraints of the transfer. A model of the transfer of management knowhow is developed which contains five closely-related stages: selection, adaptation, application, evaluation and integration. Factors which influence management transfer are identified as environmental, organisational, and cultural and behavioural; while cultural constraint are discussed in detail. It concludes that China cannot depend on the West for the solutions to its problems but develop its own indigenous knowhow by blending the best of both East and West
Urban Regeneration of Industrial Areas: Affordable Housing for Low Income Populations in Cities
The UK-China Sustainable Development Dialogue (SDD) is a partnership between the UK and Chinese Governments to promote collaboration and good practice on sustainable development. It is framed by a 2004 joint Prime Ministerial declaration and was formally established in 2005 by an agreement signed by UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and State Councillor Tang. The SDD was founded on the recognition that, in an interdependent world, international co-operation is needed to ensure that learning is shared and efforts are made collectively towards achieving common goals. This report is the 13th and Final Paper in the SDD (Urban Strand. It draws together the core conclusions from the previous twelve papers and offers recommendations for taking the dialogue forward
Questioning the relentless shift to offshore manufacturing
The last 20 years has seen a relentless shift to offshore manufacturing as retailers chase ever-lower labor costs. The results of this strategy can now be evaluated and we propose that some adjustments are in order. We analyze the case of a North American apparel manufacturer (Griffin Manufacturing, Inc.) that has successfully emerged from a period of major change with a strong and strategic position in the apparel supply chain. This case study documents Griffinâs survival through evolution in capabilities, technology, and especially attitude. The Griffin case study suggests that keeping a portion of the manufacturing onshore at an agile, quick response factory is cost effective: it increases sales and improves margins. However, the new relationship between the parties is much more complex and requires commitment on both sides
CO-OPERATIVE ORGANIZATION IN RURAL CANADA AND THE AGRICULTURAL CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT IN CHINA: A COMPARISON
Agribusiness,
When David turns out to be Goliath... and vice versa
The tool SWOT is introduced as being one element of the overall Marketing Plan and Planning Process. The companies âFishermanâs Friendâ (FF) and the âSmart Micro Compact Car GmbHâ (Smart) are used to illustrate a more or less successful application of the tool. The paper stresses the need for a deliberate consideration and finally determination on Critical Factors for Success which is argued to provide a basis for successful action on the market itself. Main criticism of the SWOT- analysis are outlined and related to both examples
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