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1 – 10 of 232
Article
Publication date: 1 April 2018

Yusuf Ayotunde Abdulkareem

This paper draws attention to President Trump’s isolationist policies and aims to show that it is reminiscent of the era of the Smoot–Hawley Tariff of the 1930s. This paper posits…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper draws attention to President Trump’s isolationist policies and aims to show that it is reminiscent of the era of the Smoot–Hawley Tariff of the 1930s. This paper posits that the isolationism coupled with the Trump government’s brash and uneasy relationship with other governments of the world will only harm the US economy because history has shown that isolationism does not work.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper briefly discusses the relationship between conflict and international trade and whether trade and economic interdependence are tools that are relevant in preventing the initiation, escalation and settlement of conflicts. It also draws a comparison between President Trump’s increasingly isolationist policies and the political climate of the USA in the 1930s, with particular reference to the Tariff Act of 1930. This paper finally explores the present tensions with other countries and likely consequences for America.

Findings

A direct relationship exists between conflict and trade because the presence of good trade relationships does not take away from but only helps to maintain peace and friendly relationships among nations. Furthermore, Trump’s isolationist policies are certainly going to harm the USA in the long run and a big part of that is because of the personality of the President himself.

Originality/value

This paper is an original work of the author and it strives to remind us of a similar past in US history, and warn of the dangers of the present course of the Trump administration.

Details

Journal of International Trade Law and Policy, vol. 17 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-0024

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 1 December 2004

Dmitry V. Shlapentokh

225

Abstract

Details

European Business Review, vol. 16 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-534X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 May 2017

Qing Shan Ding

The purpose of this paper is to examine consumer ethnocentrism (CE) in China and clarify whether CE impacted on Chinese consumers’ product preferences between local and foreign…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine consumer ethnocentrism (CE) in China and clarify whether CE impacted on Chinese consumers’ product preferences between local and foreign products.

Design/methodology/approach

Street surveys and mall intercepts were conducted, 367 questionnaires were collected with 170 from Shenyang – Northern China and 197 from Shenzhen – Southern China.

Findings

CE is low in China, it poses no serious threat to foreign products. Consumers living in second tier Northern city like Shenyang have higher ethnocentric beliefs than those living in a first tier like Shenzhen in Southern China. CE’s impact varies between product categories and availability of domestic alternative could be a key issue. Age and education level have significant moderating effects.

Research limitations/implications

It only collected from two Chinese cities, distribution pattern of CE data determined non-parametric data analysis methods were adopted.

Practical implications

Regional differences in China matters, first tier Southern cities like Shenzhen could be less challenging destinations for foreign retailers. Targeting young and highly educated consumers could be more effective. Although CE level is low in China, a cautious approach beyond first tier cities is recommended, especially when facing competent local rivals.

Originality/value

It clarified that CE did affect product preferences amongst Chinese consumers, highlighted China’s regional differences in terms of North-South divide and first and second tier cites. It also identified that availability of domestic alternative is a key factor that cannot be ignored. This study provided evidence to demonstrate that with unprecedented uncertainties on global free trade, there is no grassroots support for protectionism and isolationism in China.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 45 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2006

Judith J. Slater

The focus of this work is on the theories that explicate the possibilities of collaboration from the perspective of the participants.

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Abstract

Purpose

The focus of this work is on the theories that explicate the possibilities of collaboration from the perspective of the participants.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on the literature and the author's own experiences and knowledge.

Findings

Finds that successful change is characterized by changes in people: in the way they think and act due to and within particular organizational structures and in the way they interact with the world outside those structures.

Originality/value

Gives advice on the steps that need to be taken to gain support with collaboration in organizations and to be able to identify resistance to it.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 20 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1968

MARTIN HESTER

“US management skills are now being exported to all parts of the world; competitive pressures are forcing Europe, in particular, to adopt US management methods. The greatest…

Abstract

“US management skills are now being exported to all parts of the world; competitive pressures are forcing Europe, in particular, to adopt US management methods. The greatest weakness of the US business school system is that it trains men to be leaders in US industry, not to be leaders in the world. The weakness has two main aspects—isolationism, and over‐competitiveness.”

Details

Management Decision, vol. 2 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Article
Publication date: 8 April 2014

V. Duwicquet, E.M. Mouhoud and J. Oudinet

The aim of this paper is to estimate the dynamic of international migration between the different regions of the world for 2030 and to measure the impact of different kind of

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to estimate the dynamic of international migration between the different regions of the world for 2030 and to measure the impact of different kind of migration policies on the economic and social evolution.

Design/methodology/approach

The change and migration forecasting are estimated for regions of the world using macroeconomic Cambridge Alphametrics Model.

Findings

The crisis and its aggravation thus clearly favour scenarios of immigration policy along the “zero migration” or “constant migration”. These choices of migration policies reinforce the deflationary process resulting in reduced opportunities for renewed growth in industrial areas and are not offset by the dynamism of growth in emerging countries. Paradoxically, the developed countries which are most durably affected by the crisis are also those that have ageing population and are in high need of skilled and unskilled labor.

Practical implications

Three options are possible: one going along the depressive process by espousing restrictive immigration policies that remain expensive. The second involves a highly selective immigration policy. Under these conditions the demographic revival already appearing would be reinforced by a rejuvenation of the population brought about by a more open immigration policy. Political and institutional factors play a fundamental role in the emergence of this optimistic assumption and the rise of isolationism in Europe and the ghettoization of suburban areas can hinder the application of such a policy of openness to migration. The third scenario, the mass migration scenario, allows letting go of the growth related constraints and getting out of the deflationist spiral. This pro-active approach could cause public opinions to change in line with public interest. This scenario of mass migration has more of a chance to see the light under a growth hypothesis. However, restrictive policies weaken the prospects of sustainable recovery causing a vicious cycle that can only be broken by pro-active policies or by irresistible shocks.

Originality/value

From specific estimations, four immigration regimes have been built that cut across the major regions of the model: the “core skill replacement migration regime” based on selective policies using migration to fill high-skilled labor needs (United Kingdom, West and Northern Europe, Canada, Australia, and USA), “mass immigration and replacement” applies to South Europe, East Asia High Income, and part of West Asia (Gulf countries), “big fast-growing emerging regions of future mass immigration,” notably China, India and “South-South migration” based on forced migration much of it by climate change, which may likely occur in South Asia, part of West Asia, and, most of Africa (without South Africa). Migrations in transit countries (Central America to USA, and East Europe to UK and West Europe) are based on low skilled migrants in labor-intensive sectors.

Details

Foresight, vol. 16 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6689

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2006

Scott A. Hipsher

The purpose of this article is to address the question of what it means to be critical in relationship to international business.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to address the question of what it means to be critical in relationship to international business.

Design/methodology/approach

Explores the underlying assumptions and objectives in the debates involving international business and trade.

Findings

The emotional aspects of the debate have resulted in obscuring the objectives and underlying assumptions of those involved in the discussions. It is proposed that the underlying assumptions are reevaluated and there is a refocusing of objectives in order to produce more productive results from being critical of international business. The debate should resume with an acceptance of well established principles supported by decades of empirical research and history by all parties and the debate should focus on the actual practices of international businesses in an attempt to make international trade work for all rather than attacking international business as an institution.

Originality/value

Explores the overlooked underlying assumptions and differing objectives of those involved in criticizing international business. Focusing on the prime objective of being critical of international business, lessening poverty around the world, rather than on the debate and one's perceived opponents, will lead to academia better fulfilling its role of being an objective observer and reporter of international business activities in the debate and lessen the risk of academia becoming a biased participant.

Details

Critical perspectives on international business, vol. 2 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1742-2043

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 March 2008

Federico Lega and Emanuele Vendramini

The aim of the paper is to trace the history and development of performance measurement and management systems in the Italian National Health System (INHS), to identify their key…

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to trace the history and development of performance measurement and management systems in the Italian National Health System (INHS), to identify their key characteristics, and to provide a critical assessment of their implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of literature review, action‐research and fieldwork conducted over a ten‐year period in several Italian health care organizations.

Findings

Performance management has grown considerably in the INHS over the last 15 years. Explanations for this growth include normative, coercive and mimetic isomorphism, the introduction of quasi‐markets, the adoption of DRGs, an increased focus on clinical governance and innovative practices in human resource management.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows how performance management has been implemented in the INHS and why it can still be considered a “work in progress”.

Practical implications

The introduction of performance management systems has stimulated greater accountability and promoted a more cost conscious culture in healthcare organizations. Nevertheless, there are many problems that remain to be solved if performance management arrangements are to deliver the desired improvements in performance.

Originality/value

The paper advocates the need for reduced isolationism and increased international comparison with concomitant evaluative effort.

Details

Journal of Health Organization and Management, vol. 22 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7266

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 July 2021

Emmanuel T. Kodzi Jr

This paper aims to explore whether increasing Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) is associated with rising contributions of local industry in African countries connected to…

226

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore whether increasing Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) is associated with rising contributions of local industry in African countries connected to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The existence of cooperative industry linkages between Chinese investments and local businesses is a necessary condition for achieving the mutual benefits asserted by the BRI.

Design/methodology/approach

Under growing FDI, the authors framed increasing local industry contribution as indicative of existing industry linkages. Using principal component analysis and multiple regression on collated country-level data, the authors examined relationships between key industry output variables and several independent variables representing Chinese investment and economic activity in a contiguous three-country region, over two investment periods.

Findings

Increasing Chinese FDI was associated with positive economic outcomes including decreasing unemployment; however, it did not appear to support local industry participation. The authors identified a “China effect” that hampered industry contribution to gross domestic product. The authors found that attempting to counterbalance this effect through direct exports to China was not strategically sound. Similarly, export-focused clusters in special zones may not foster industry linkages if they result in isolationism. Rather, host countries have an opportunity to enhance local industry contribution through leveraging interconnectivity factors under increasing FDI.

Research limitations/implications

Small sample size of the study has implications for the predictive power of the model and for the complete explanation all the emerging findings. However, the authors presented compelling arguments for selecting the specific three countries. By conducting robustness checks on a separate region, findings of this study were substantially corroborated.

Practical implications

Instead of exporting directly to China as a way to mitigate local industry contraction, host countries need to thoughtfully pursue opportunities that present the greatest value-added export advantages. Proposed Chinese-funded infrastructure projects must be negotiated with a goal to strategically reduce interconnectivity barriers and achieve broader logistics improvements in the host countries.

Social implications

The study provides a tool for proponents of local industry growth to present clearer frameworks in their advocacy. The social tensions around Chinese dominance in the host countries can be reduced by understanding and pursuing levers that enhance industry contribution in those contexts.

Originality/value

This study takes a different approach to examining the professed win-win proposition of the BRI in Africa. It uncovers important effects of increasing Chinese FDI and addresses viable host country responses, including a clear pathway for forging the cooperative industry linkages needed for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Details

International Journal of Emerging Markets, vol. 18 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-8809

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2014

Regina Yanson

– The purpose of this paper is to provide some guidelines to help organizations improve e-learning initiatives through the use of purposeful interactions among trainees.

378

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide some guidelines to help organizations improve e-learning initiatives through the use of purposeful interactions among trainees.

Design/methodology/approach

The recommendations suggested in this paper are based on a review of research that was conducted in the area of e-learning.

Findings

The addition of quality online and face-to-face peer interactions may be a way to combat some of the major problems associated with training online. Decisions about just how meaningful interactions should be incorporated depend on the nature of the training program, what you hope to accomplish and your financial and time constraints.

Practical implications

This paper provides helpful information for organizational leaders or managers who are interested in implementing e-learning initiatives or those looking for recommendations on how to improving current e-learning outcomes.

Originality/value

This paper will be of value to those who are involved in organizational training and developmental initiatives. The recommendations discussed in this paper will help the reader address important questions regarding how to include purposeful interaction in e-learning initiatives.

Details

Development and Learning in Organizations: An International Journal, vol. 28 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7282

Keywords

1 – 10 of 232