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The boundaries of relationship marketing have been discussed since relationship marketing was first investigated in the 1970s. Investigating these boundaries, this paper reviews the links between relationship marketing and network theory. Three main themes of marketing relationships are identified: relationship marketing, neo‐relationship marketing and network theory. A framework is developed to allow for the positioning of these three themes of marketing relationships. While this framework has been developed in terms of a table, the intent is not to box theorists into neat positions but rather to develop an overall position statement for the three types of marketing relationships. Theorists can discuss marketing relationships depending on their position within the framework. Consequently, the framework allows for further development of relationship and neo‐relationship marketing by offering better applications for the practitioner, and enhances understanding of network theory. Suggestions are offered for the integration of marketing relationships into the marketing curriculum and further implications for marketing research are discussed.

Despite its shortcomings, the IRR method continues to be a widely employed evaluation technique in capital budgeting. This paper demonstrates the reasons for its continued popularity. Specifically, the non‐requirement of a discount rate is suggested to be an important factor in the choice of IRR over the NPV criterion. A major implication is that managers face a very elusive, or stochastic, discount rate for NPV analysis. Thus, the aversion to NPV may go beyond simple aesthetics.

Focuses on the commonly cited marketing problems that arise from the special characteristics of services. Empirically tests for the differing impact of these problems among service organizations, by assessing marketing managers’ perceptions about the problems that their organizations face. Results suggest that managers from three main service typologies (based on Silvestro et al’s 1992 classification scheme) do perceive differences in the degree of impact the problems have on their organizations. The findings and their strategic implications for marketing managers are discussed, along with limitations and future areas of research.

The present paper is a phenomenological study of capital inflow, economic growth and financial crisis in the Southeast Asian countries in general and Malaysia in particular. The paper seeks to explain how unregulated capital inflow in an open economy leads to unsustainable growth It comes to the broad conclusion that although capital inflow is conducive to economic growth, it may also generate the problem of macroeconomic vulnerability and unsustainability, and in such a situation, the occurrence of financial crisis may not be an uncommon possibility.

Examines the need for marketers of service innovations to be aware of barriers to trial and adoption. Considers the example of the introduction of interactive home video ordering services in the USA which failed in part due to inaccurate market segmentation and targeting. Introduces empirical evidence, based on Roger′s model of diffusion, that early trier segments exist for innovative services. States that the study′s findings are of relevance to other services such as cellular telephone systems and electronic funds transfer systems. Concludes that early trier segments should be targeted during initial marketing carried out by service providers, who will have studied potential markets and identified requirements of different segments.

Examines the concept of marketing myopia, its different explanations and types. Organizes the four types of marketing myopia into a classification scheme, suggesting a new perspective which can produce innovative marketing strategies. Recommends five steps towards becoming an innovative firm: a generic firm/industry view, other‐industry monitoring, benchmarking, recruitment of marketers, and a flexible approach to problems.

Two critical success factors within the retail industry are quality management practices and continuous learning. Presents empirical evidence suggesting a link between a set of retail management practices and potential learning outcomes. Retailers need to focus on developing a market orientation that is linked to structures, processes and systems necessary to build learning organizations. All interactions with customers and other key stakeholders can lead to a potential learning outcome. To develop and maintain competitive advantage, retailers need to share information with their key stakeholders, build long‐term alliances and link market orientation with a learning orientation. It was found that all levels of employees need time to reflect on and review information critical to their action outcomes and the action outcomes of their key stakeholders. Retailers must capitalize on each potential learning experience by reflecting on, documenting and transferring knowledge, and creating a climate which facilitates learning through the effective exchange of knowledge across all sections of the organization.

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a structured review of literature on lesson study (LS) in initial teacher education (ITE). The focus was on how learning and observation were discussed in studies of LS in ITE.

Each national team (in Norway and Britain) undertook independent searches of published peer-reviewed articles. The resulting articles were then combined, screened and collaboratively reviewed, the focus being on two areas of enquiry: how learning is represented and discussed; and the extent to which observation is described and used to capture evidence of learning.

The literature review indicated that there was no universally held understanding of, or explanation for, the process of observation, how it should be conducted, and who or what should be the principal focus of attention. There was also a lack of clarity in the definition of learning and the use of learning theory to support these observations.

This study was limited to a review of a selection of peer-reviewed journal articles, published in English. It arrives at some tentative conclusions, but its scope could have been broadened to include more articles and other types of published material, e.g. theses and book chapters.

Research that investigates the use of LS in ITE needs to be more explicit about how learning is defined and observed. Furthermore, LS research papers need to assure greater clarity and transparency about how observations are conducted in their studies.

This literature review suggests that discussion of both learning and observation in ITE LS research papers should be strengthened. The review highlights three principal challenges that ITE LS researchers should consider: how to prepare student-teachers to observe (professional noticing being a promising option), the wide variation in the focus of classroom observation in ITE lesson studies, and discussion of what is understood by learning needs to stand at the heart of preparation for lesson studies in ITE.

The ecological decline of ancient Near Eastern civilizations and the violent and explosive characteristics of post‐Columbian colonial ecologies might well remain comfortably remote from us in our twentieth century world were it not for the disturbing parallels that such case histories seem to evoke as we consider our contemporary global circumstance. Just as in ancient times and in the age of colonial expansion, it is in the “remote environments,” usually quite distant from the centers of power, that the crucial indicators of environmental catastrophe first become apparent within the system as a whole. These regions are frequently characterized by weak economies and highly vulnerable ecosystems in our time, just as they were in the past. Accordingly, the environmental circumstances in these regions constitute for the modern world a kind of monitoring device that can provide early warnings of ecological instabilities in the global ecosystem.