Gong Lum v. Rice: The Convergence of Law, Race and Ethnicity

In the constitutional case of Gong Lum v. Rice (1927), the United States Supreme Court, composed entirely of Bok Guey (whites), adjudged Hon Yen (Chinese) to be in the same social classification as Lo Mok (blacks).[1] The case, which pertained to racially segregated schools, reveals the problematic of law, race, and ethnicity

Application of ICT in Strengthening Health Information Systems in Developing Countries in the Wake of Globalisation.

Information Communication Technology (ICT) revolution brought opportunities and challenges to developing countries in their efforts to strengthen the Health Management Information Systems (HMIS). In the wake of globalisation, developing countries have no choice but to take advantage of the opportunities and face the challenges. The last decades saw developing countries taking action to strengthen and modernise their HMIS using the existing ICT. Due to poor economic and communication infrastructure, the process has been limited to national and provincial/region levels leaving behind majority of health workers living in remote/rural areas. Even those with access do not get maximum benefit from ICT advancements due to inadequacies in data quality and lack of data utilisation. Therefore, developing countries need to make deliberate efforts to address constraints threatening to increase technology gap between urban minority and rural majority by setting up favourable policies and appropriate strategies. Concurrently, strategies to improve data quality and utilisation should be instituted to ensure that HMIS has positive impact on people's health. Potential strength from private sector and opportunities for sharing experiences among developing countries should be utilised. Short of this, advancement in ICT will continue to marginalise health workers in developing countries especially those living in remote areas

THE ORGANIC FARMING FROM SMALL-HOLDER FARMERS GENERAL PERSPECTIVE

Facilitative Tools and Equipments, Natural Pest and Diseases Control Aspects, Organic Fertilizers and other plant strengthening supplements, Other enabling factors for small scale farmers

Prior-learning, cumulative science experiences and the absorptive capacity of bio-entrepreneurs: a case of the East Midlands Region, England

In the modern healthcare and medical sectors corporate bio-pharmaceutical firms continue to scale down their in-house research and development (R&D) activities in favour of outsourcing the services to bio-tech ventures. These small but, entrepreneurial research-oriented organisations have increased dramatically. They are predominantly owned by bio-entrepreneurs who are extensively experienced scientists. In the science-based industry they operate in, innovation “ecosystems” consisting of global business and social networks are a common feature. As such, they have to consistently exploit them to complement the knowledge gaps in their enterprises. In that context, the paper sets out to investigate five bio-entrepreneurs currently active in biotechnology within the East Midlands region in England. It particularly examines the role performed by their prior-learning and their cumulative science experiences in recognising, assimilating and productively applying science-related knowledge acquired in their innovation “ecosystems”

A matter of entrepreneurial decisions: Dairibord Holdings Limited (DHL) in Zimbabwe

Synopsis: The case study focussed on the dairy sector in the southern African country of Zimbabwe. It offered an analysis of the management and business development approaches DHL employed in the country's dairy sector. The narrative detailed how DHL's commercial performance progressively declined overtime. Several factors including; operational inefficiencies, intensive competition, political, socio-economic issues, and natural disasters were attributable to its decline. To mitigate DHL's business development challenges, Antony and his top management's reprised "restructure, expand and diversify" strategy only achieved inconsistent commercial results. The scale and size of these results unequivocally necessitated radical entrepreneurial methods to turnaround its fortunes. It was indeed a matter of entrepreneurial decisions! Methodology: The case study utilized secondary analysis as its main strategy for generating relevant data. The rationale for adopting the principles of secondary analysis was to take advantage of quality archived data, public and readily available information concerning DHL's commercial performance. Setting up to undertake secondary analysis for the purpose of DHL's narrative was less-expensive, and it was less time consuming when compared to structured interviews and self-administered questionnaires. Hence, it was deemed appropriate for producing a narrative on a company whose archived financial reports and publicly available research information were accessible. Relevant course levels: DHL's narrative is relevant for students studying entrepreneurship, business management and international business at postgraduate and undergraduate levels. Theoretical basis: The multi-dimensional constructs of entrepreneurship and strategic management provided the theoretical basis for constructing a narrative about DHL's business activities in Zimbabwe's dairy sector. Particularly, the entrepreneurial decision-making paradigm offered some insight, direction and guidance in analysing the strategies Antony and his top management team applied in their planning and management at DHL. Equally, strategic management theories provided useful instructions for exploring business development issues in a rapidly changing business terrain that was presented by the dairy sector in Zimbabwe

Strategic management in retail pharmacy: the case of Zimbabwean companies

Retail pharmacies operating in developing and emerging nations are faced with a myriad of intractable macro-economic conditions including over-regulation, government interference, inept policy implementations and intensive competition. These conditions demand that retail pharmacies become strategic in their approach to business management in order to diminish the impact of macro-economic conditions conspiring to influence their performance in the market. From that perspective, this study investigates the specific strategic management approaches employed by retail pharmacies in Zimbabwe to navigate the country’s harsh economic conditions. In order to examine their management approaches, a questionnaire survey consisting of 90 retail pharmacies was carried out. Data collected from the survey was analysed using regression analysis. From this, the study developed a nuanced strategic management model that can be applied in managing businesses operating in unpredictable markets either in developing, emerging or advanced nations

Venture community: democratisation of entrepreneurship in developing economies

The motivation of this paper is to assist SMEs (mainly micro and informal enterprises) in developing economies to find the required resources to establish, or develop, their business. We introduce the concept of 'Venture Communities' to provide direct peer-to-peer connections between individuals and SMEs in all parts of the global market. We draw on the well-established concepts of networking, crowdfunding, living labs and value co-creation. The contribution we make lies in the introduction of a novel ecosystem, constructed by multiple actors, through dynamic and interconnected networks, accumulating resources for the benefit of all stakeholders of this community. Our model presents a challenge to the conventional conceptualizations of dyadic relationships between developed economies and emerging economies. Alternatively, we suggest anti-essentialist communities that are temporary constellation of social elements from all parts of the global market to create "hybridized and nomadic" (Laclau and Mouffe 1995) market arrangements

Competing with the grey market: Puzey and Payne in Zimbabwe

Synopsis: The case study analysed competition in the automobile industry in Zimbabwe – a developing economy. From that perspective, it discussed Puzey and Payne's business operations. A company with a long-standing history in the country's automobile industry. Since its establishment during the 1987 colonial era, the company endured a prolonged period of rapid car and spare parts sales decline in 2012. Following a management buyout (MBO) deal in 2013 the decline in sales proved to be its real dilemma and it required strategic decisions to diffuse the impact of the "grey markets". Government policies added to the company's problems. Methodology: The case study followed a qualitative research approach. Information about Puzey and Payne's business operations was gathered from archived materials, through qualitative conversations as well as company artefacts. Published materials in newspapers and magazines were used to provide background information. Relevant course and levels: The case study is appropriate for both undergraduate and postgraduate students studying International Business Management. Theoretical basis: Strategic management concepts provided the theoretical basis for this case study. Especially the management approaches that may be useful in transient markets often found in developing or emerging economies. For example, Slatter and Lovett (1999) Corporate Turnaround strategy, and Ansoff's (1957) matrix (market penetration, market development, product development, and diversification)