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We examine the evolution of vertical specialization in three industries: chemicals, computers, and semiconductors. Vertical specialization is the restructuring of industry-wide value chains, such that different stages are controlled by different firms, rather than being vertically integrated within the boundaries of individual firms. In some cases, vertical specialization may span international boundaries and is associated with complex international production networks. After decades of vertical specialization, firms in the chemical industry are re-integrating stages of the value chain. By contrast, the semiconductor and computer industries have experienced significant vertical specialization during the past ten years. We examine how and why these contrasting trends in vertical specialization have co-evolved with industry maturation and decline, and underscore the importance and role of both industry factors and business strategies necessary for industries to become more specialized. We also consider the effects of vertical specialization on the sources of innovation and the geographic redistribution of production and other activities. We conclude that the evolution of vertical specialization in these three industries has both reflected and influenced the strategies of leading firms, while also displays industry-specific characteristics that are rooted in different technological and market characteristics.

The paper aims at providing a contemporary analysis of Russia's developing retail sector. Of special interest is the internationalization of this market through cross‐border mergers and acquisitions (M&A). This is done by identifying major trends in this sector and providing projections concerning forthcoming acquisition activity.

The paper builds primarily on second‐hand data. In addition to the analysis of macro‐economic indicators, the paper also provides three case‐based analyses of leading firms in the Russian market.

Previous research has shown that the retail industry is gradually saturating and further growth is sought through acquisitions and expanding into emerging markets. As the findings shows, Russia's two largest cities represent basically the driver of the economy, and constitute the platform for the growth of modern retail concepts. The Russian retail sector is currently experiencing gradual internal restructuring, and leading retailers have started to carry out domestic acquisitions and become listed in the stock exchanges. Furthermore, cross‐border M&A statistics show that Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries have been attractive targets for cross‐border M&A, while Russia is still following behind.

The paper presents recent data and related insights for global retailers planning expansion to the Russian market. Findings suggest that it will take approximately 3‐5 years until the market is developed enough for the global retail business.

The paper is a seminal study of Russia's retail sector and related M&A prospects, and can be considered a valuable platform for further empirical research in this field.

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that telecommunications liberalization in Europe has taken the European telecommunications and internet sectors a breathtaking leap forward. To counter the leveling off of growth and facing the smartphone revolution, new structural changes are now required.

The paper assesses in a concise manner the effect of telecommunications liberalization in Europe based on the 1987 green paper. It demonstrates the enormous dynamics created in the mobile and fixed network sectors and the key role of liberalization to make Europe internet‐ready during the 1990s. The paper then proceeds to the analysis of the leveling off of growth during the last few years and discusses required changes to restart dynamics.

The green paper of 1987 successfully defined a framework within which political and legal action in both regulatory and competition fields could develop, leading to full liberalization of telecommunications in the European Union by 1998. The subsequent decade saw an enormous expansion of both mobile and fixed services, which only abated by the end of the decade. Liberalization and coordination of licensing of mobile systems were the basis for the entry of the internet in Europe and the explosive growth of GSM mobile services. The paper finds that the deployment of broadband internet and fourth generation mobile now needs further change to relaunch dynamics. It welcomes the goals of the digital agenda for Europe in the context of the 2020 objectives of the European Union, but argues that deeper structural changes are needed to achieve these goals.

Liberalization of European telecommunications was guided by a strategic framework set out in the 1987 telecommunications green paper and developed subsequently further. Comprehensive frameworks of this nature will be needed if Europe wants to gain a leading role in the future smart phone and broadband internet markets.

To be successful, a company has to capture the initiative in an industry from its competitors. The author offers a detailed prescription for getting and keeping the strategic initiative in the face of countermoves by your opponent.

Asks to what extent the process of strategic marketing planning is different among large and small‐to‐medium‐sized companies. Reports on a survey undertaken into approaches to strategic dimensions in marketing planning among a sample of television manufacturing companies. Finds that while a broad customer orientation does indeed prevail among large, medium and small companies, they are only vaguely conscious of their mission or business purpose. Claims that despite this fact, management philosophies and corporate image are strongly supportive to the development of marketing strategies. Finds evidence that shows that large‐sized companies see more prospects in terms of intensive growth strategies through market penetration in the domestic market, with future prospects being identified in terms of new product development in the domestic market, rather than in exploring new market development possibilities in overseas markets. Small/medium‐sized companies are more concerned with market development through identifying new untapped segments in the domestic market. Concludes that the majority of firms being small in size, strategic marketing planning as it is being practised requires much more consistency between company mission, objectives and stated growth strategies despite the dynamism in the mood of the industry itself.

Based on a series of thoughts, heavily influenced by the sun and rum, this paper attempts to synthesise a number of disparate influences including micro‐businesses in Barbados, marketing in rapid growth markets, mainstream texts, and creativity in marketing and in smaller firms. This journey is undertaken in order to seek inspiration for a theory of small firm marketing but questions are raised as to how far one all encompassing theory is either possible or desirable.

The purpose of this paper is to map out the soft and hard infrastructures that may have contribute to the SRI indices development in China. As part of the research, the author particularly focuses on the governance, reporting and transparency of corporate sustainability issues in China.

The author reviewed literature, new articles, research reports and documents of the two stock exchanges, Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange, in China, to understand the current SRI development and the challenges and opportunities for SRI indices in the market.

The major findings from this paper are four‐fold. First, as the government's influence in the market is still substantial, government leadership in promoting corporate sustainability and SRI is essential in China. Second, with the stock exchanges already taking a proactive role in corporate sustainability with the stringent listing regulations, they are the natural facilitators in having SRI indices and promoting corporate sustainability in the market. Third, the lack of transparency in China is a barrier for SRI development. While there are positive developments on corporate disclosure, “how much information the corporations are willing to disclose” or “whether they disclose the information you ask for” are the two key questions. And fourth, there are lots of interests from globalised SRI investors in China. Currently, majority of SRI investment in emerging markets (including China) is from globalised SRI investors. This trend will continue as the size of local SRI investors in emerging markets is still relatively small.

The paper highlights the current development of SRI in China and identifies the issues that contribute or hinder the development of SRI and SRI indices in the market. The analysis of the SRI development in China can shed some lights to the current research on SRI and SRI indices, which have largely focused on developed markets. With the rapid economic growth in emerging markets (especially China), the development in these markets could not be neglected. Furthermore, this paper will enhance global SRI investors' understandings on SRI in China.

Many marketers are missing an efficient means to grow their businesses and gain a competitive advantage by blindly implementing broadscale strategies and ignoring geographical segmentation. This introduces “Cluster Marketing,” a focused, local markets strategy based on two important principles of war: “economy of force” and “mass.”

The purpose of this study is to estimate different data models on house prices using statistical models and the variables which are controlled by real estate policy.

This study used several statistical techniques, such as Vector auto-regression (VAR), Johansen co-integration and variance decomposition, which aim to assess the significant effect of macroeconomic factors on Chinese house prices.

The results show that land supply and other variables have negative effects on house prices. The results also indicate that financial mortgages for real estate have positive effects on house prices and the area of vacant houses as well as the area of housing sold.

This study only covers three cities in China because of limitations of data for other cities.

This study proposes policy suggestions according to the empirical results obtained.