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The aim of the paper is to extend and update previous research carried out in the period immediately following the unification of Germany in 1990. This period saw a rapid and substantial movement by (West) German retailers into the former German Democratic Republic. The paper examines, though a tracking study of the top German retailers, the status of those retailers some years on in terms of the extent to which they have assimilated their operations in eastern Germany and now regard them as merely a part of a united Germany. More importantly, the paper examines the extent to which the moves into the former East Germany have been used as a springboard to expansion in the former socialist states of central and eastern Europe in a period that has seen substantial and significant consolidation among German retailers.

The changes in the Czech Republic brought by the transition process had a significant impact on all sectors of the economy and none more so than on retailing. Presents the initial findings of a long‐term longitudinal study of clothing retailing in the Czech Republic examining the retail format and merchandise assortment structure of clothing retailing in the period of 1994‐1999. The research focused on Czech towns and specifically excluded the capital city of Prague. From the analysis of the retail format development two broad conclusions emerge. First, the smaller towns appear to be more conservative in terms of structural change. Second, there appears to be more extensive changes in retail format patterns occurring in the larger towns. .

Gambling is big business in the UK with an annual turnover of some £25 billion and for the past 40 years betting shops have been the most prominent and visible element within this market. This paper outlines the changes in the general locational pattern and the service environment of betting shops as a prelude to a description of the origins, characteristics and growth of sporting betting operations on the Internet. The paper then discusses some of the issues surrounding sporting betting on the Internet focusing particularly on the challenges it is seen to pose to traditional betting shop businesses.

States that the choice of a store’s location is considered to be the single most important decision a retail organization has to make, and that location is seen as a critical factor of success. Reviews the literature on store location models and how grocery retailers in the UK assess store location sites in terms of site potential and the location models that they apply to these potential sites. Also develops and highlights issues of the use of existing store location models to geographical areas of Eastern and Central Europe.

Reports the results of fieldwork conducted in September 1994 on a sample of UK companies which had acquired businesses from the German privatization agency, the Treuhand, and a number of local agencies that had direct roles to play in the economic redevelopment of the new Eastern Länder. Develops and relates the experiences of these companies and explores the strategic motivations for their entry to the East German market. Questions the need for UK firms to gain experience in East Germany before venturing further into the developing economies of central and eastern Europe.

This paper analyses the investment patterns of Sino‐British joint ventures in China. The research is based on the data of 551 Sino‐British joint ventures formed over the period of 1983 to 1996. It aims to provide an overview of Sino‐British joint ventures' investment in China and to explain the investment conditions. The article analyses the investment patterns from the dimensions of investment value, geographical location, industry sector and equity ownership. To explain the formation of the patterns, it further explores the host country factors of investment based on the policy framework, economic determinants and business facilitation. It reveals the investment trend, the uneven spatial distribution, the sectoral characteristics and the ownership structure of joint ventures. Suggests that government economic strategy and policies towards FDI are imperative in shaping the investment patterns. Locational advantages, economic growth, industrial structures and reform process are major economic factors influencing the investment decisions. Decentralisation of decision making and local governments' facilitation efforts also play a complementary role in attracting foreign investment.

Over recent years there have been massive changes in working life and workplaces. Across the 1990s there has been a marked increase in reports of work‐related psychological distress in the UK. This paper uses the results of the most recent Occupational Health Decennial supplement (Office for National Statistics (ONS) & Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 2007), based on nationally representative data sources on distress at work, working conditions, sickness absence and psychiatric morbidity to examine the reasons for the apparent increase in work‐related psychological distress.

Staff working in forensic inpatient settings are at increased risk of harm perpetrated by patients. Support offered in response to such incidents can have a significant impact on how staff recover. The purpose of this paper is to explore how staff support procedures implemented in one low-secure forensic service impacted on staff recovery.

In total, 11 members of staff who had direct patient contact volunteered from an opportunity sample. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant, asking about experiences of abuse at work and subsequent staff support procedures. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.

Four overarching themes were identified; experiences of harm, supported recovery, missed opportunities and therapeutic relationships. This led to a better understanding of how staff coped with incidents of abuse at work and how support procedures impacted on their recovery.

The service evaluation was limited by transferability of the findings. The process of sampling may have meant there were biases in those who volunteered to take part. Further projects such as this are required to develop the themes identified.

Findings led to the development of a new integrated model of staff support.

This was one of the first studies in the UK to formally evaluate a staff support procedure in forensic low-secure services and include experiences of both clinical and non-clinical staff who are regularly exposed to potentially harmful events.

Provides a short case study of the growth and operation of retail store Matalan. Looks to offer simple insights into a new player in a retail scene where traditional successful retailers are now struggling. Draws upon material published by the company, available from its Web site and upon visits to a sample of Matalan stores, together with an in‐depth interview with a Matalan store manager.

Briefly covers the development of the “brand” concept in marketing before looking at the experience of the service brand. Outlines the development of the fast food sector in the UK and discusses the make up and growth of McDonalds, KFC and Burger King in turn. Gathers customer perception about each brand by the use of discussion groups. Concludes that the ideas of focus, consistency and value were key, together with community activities.