Historical Research Approaches to the Analysis of Internationalisation

Historical research methods and approaches can improve understanding of the most appropriate techniques to confront data and test theories in internationalisation research. A critical analysis of all “texts” (sources), time series analyses, comparative methods across time periods and space, counterfactual analysis and the examination of outliers are shown to have the potential to improve research practices. Examples and applications are shown in these key areas of research with special reference to internationalisation processes. Examination of these methods allows us to see internationalisation processes as a sequenced set of decisions in time and space, path dependent to some extent but subject to managerial discretion. Internationalisation process research can benefit from the use of historical research methods in analysis of sources, production of time-lines, using comparative evidence across time and space and in the examination of feasible alternative choices

Stochastic non-equilibrium systems and quantum spin models

Typical characteristics of stochastic non-equilibrium systems are described. It is indicated how such properties can be captured by simple lattice-based interacting-particle models. The relationship of these models to quantum spin systems is discussed. This relationship allows the use of standard spin-model techniques, including mappings to fermion models. Finally it is outlined how new techniques (including operator algebras) explain novel features of stochastic systems and provide potentially powerful statements for quantum spin models

Disorder in non-equilibrium models

An overview is presented of non-equilibrium systems in the presence of disorder, which typically strongly affects their behaviour. The examples considered here are those for which most progress is currently being made, namely low-dimensional collective models of the lattice-based exclusion type with substitutional disorder. Discussions are given of such effects as localization, and of disorder-induced crossovers to new critical or singular behaviour at steady state non-equilibrium transitions, and to new asymptotic or critical dynamics. Mappings to disordered quantum spin systems are used to provide some exact results (exploiting Goldstone symmetries or free fermion equivalences) and to introduce non-equilibrium/disorder effects analogous to Griffiths phases and McCoy-Wu singularities. Among other topics also discussed here are criteria for crossovers, and non-equilibrium transitions and dynamics on diluted and possibly scale-invariant backgrounds.As well as mappings, direct approaches of various sorts are used, such as mean field methods, and scaling procedures typically scaling a disorder distribution. Scaling for the non-equilibrium dynamics is relatively simple and very effective when the equations of motion are linear or linearizable by certain transformations presented here. The current situation regarding scaling approaches to the more resistant non-linear cases is briefly discussed

Exact and scaling approaches to nonequilibrium models

Nonequilibrium phase transitions in simple lattice-based interacting-particle models are considered. Exact methods to treat these systems in low dimensions are discussed and the development of new more widely applicable scaling methods is outlined, which may be used to extract universal and nonuniversal features of the steady-state and dynamical critical behaviour. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved