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A new “backshell to backshell” connector system, the DG 123, that significantly improves corrosion resistance, durability and electromagnetic (EMI) compatibility, while also offering weight savings of more than 30% in comparison with standard aluminium connectors, is now gaining considerable acceptance in new aircraft and avionic projects. Applications for this revolutionary approach to the design of circular connectors using “composite” materials and metalisation processes include weapon pylons on carrier borne aircraft — where the DG123 correction system has contributed to a significant improvement on the Mean Time Between Failure (M.T.B.F.) figure. The connectors are also used on missile systems and have recently been approved for use on the United States space station “Freedom”.

Pinpoints how economic and social development in the strategically important pastoral region of China poses many unique problems, in particular the future livelihood of the minorities who have inhabited the vast pastoral expanses of north and north‐west China for millennia, which is being threatened by degradation of the rangelands. Outlines the development issues confronting the pastoral region, and examines the impact on the region of two specific nationwide reforms ‐ the introduction of the household production responsibility system and the fiscal reforms of the early 1980s. Shows that both these generally beneficial reforms have created major “second generation” problems in pastoral areas. Identifies the principal reason for these undesirable outcomes as the divergence between national and local policy objectives.

Reviews conference proceedings on public management in the EC after Maastricht. Held in Dublin, financial issues, “international, supranational and transnational” overviews, and structures policies, inter alia, were discussed. Observes that, unfortunately, although possible future problems of public management were highlighted, answers were not always forthcoming.

Global trading of oil and gas means international markets are more open than at any previous time. As a result, the oil industry oligopoly is being deconstructed and vertically integrated MNCs are being reconstituted to address this fact. In parallel, emergent MNCs in the form of National Oil Companies are now entering the competitive arena. Traditionally dominant MNCs are adopting new operating models focused on technological and financial strength. We examine changes in the once-dominant industry paradigm of vertical integration using several theoretical lenses. These include transaction-cost economics, the resource-based view and institution theory. The giant MNCs operated globally for decades and are an important variant of the MNCs studied in strategic management literature. We suggest the current theoretical models do not explain sufficiently how these MNCs respond to current changes and by using industry observation we contribute to modernization of this literature.

Alongside universities, there are an increasing number of ‘third sector’ organisations actively involved in shaping widening participation (WP). In partnering with universities, employers and collaborative programmes like Uni Connect, they are responsible for delivering on institutional and national policy objectives around WP, as well as accountable to their own organisational missions. Despite being part of established practice in WP, with their activities praised by policymakers, their roles and practices are rarely considered in assessments of WP activity. In comparison with universities, they can experience different expectations, challenges and opportunities and can also have separate agendas driven by their missions and organisational sustainability. This chapter explores how these organisations have emerged, the roles that they have created for themselves and how they have attempted to sustain or develop these. It traces how these organisations have emerged as key players in national and institutional policy and draws on interviews with third sector leaders and practitioners to understand how WP is understood and done outside higher education providers (HEPs).

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether there is an impact, from a provider's perspective, of customer‐specific adaptations by third‐party logistics (3PL) providers on the success of 3PL‐relationships.

A document analysis is presented and hypotheses are developed based on research in 3PL, relationship marketing and transaction cost theory. Structural equation modelling and causal analysis with partial least square were used to test the hypotheses.

This study provides evidence that customer‐specific adaptation by providers is an important prerequisite to 3PL‐performance. Furthermore, according to the transaction cost theory, the results express the importance of providers' adaptation to maintain 3PL‐relationships.

Further research should compare customers' perceptions of partner‐specific adaptations and 3PL‐relationship success with the results of this study.

The paper shows that 3PL‐providers should adapt their systems and procedures to customers' specific requirements, to ensure high‐relationship performance. Satisfied customers should promote the providers' adaptations, because these adaptations enhance the probability of contract renewal and reduce the risk of providers' unexpected termination of the contract.

Aim of the present monograph is the economic analysis of the role of MNEs regarding globalisation and digital economy and in parallel there is a reference and examination of some legal aspects concerning MNEs, cyberspace and e‐commerce as the means of expression of the digital economy. The whole effort of the author is focused on the examination of various aspects of MNEs and their impact upon globalisation and vice versa and how and if we are moving towards a global digital economy.