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The purpose of this study is to examine the existence of the glass ceiling in Texas.

Data on publicly traded corporations registered in the state of Texas was used to examine the existence of the glass ceiling effect in Texas. The data for this study were gathered from ReferenceUSA, which is a subscription database that contains information on more than 12 million US businesses and one million Canadian businesses.

The study found the existence of the glass ceiling based on the analysis of the sample. Of the 257 corporations in the sample, there were only two that had women chief executive officers (0.78 percent).

The dataset used was not a comprehensive list of corporations registered in Texas.

Given the increase in ethnic and gender diversity at the work place, it is critical that women feel assured of an equal opportunity to reach top‐management positions.

Although there have been other studies in the field, none have focused on Texas which is the second largest US state in area (after Alaska) and in population (after California). It is hoped that the results add value to the existing literature.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of issues that are involved in forming joint ventures (JVs) as well as subsequent operation of the venture.

This paper looked at a wide range of literature on international joint ventures (IJVs) to analyze issues managers face during the formation and implementation of these ventures. This paper aims to provide not only avenues for further research in the area but also practical advice to managers in what they need to be aware of while deciding whether to enter an IJV.

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the literature with respect to IJVs. Issues with formation include such topics as trust, motives for formation, control issues, and culture. An integrated framework is suggested by the author to look at a diverse range of issues together. This paper takes the small pieces of the IJV literature and connects them into a big picture to make it easier for practitioners as well as academicians to understand the complexities.

This paper could not review all the possible relationships and variables that affect IJVs.

A useful source for managers who manage JVs as well as for business executives who are thinking about forming a JV with a foreign partner.

Although many papers have studied the issues relating to JVs, not too many have identified an integrated framework to show the relationships between the various factors that affect JVs.

The motivation for this study is triggered by the fact that lately contract manufacturers in China have to deal with a number of unprecedented cost pressures such as currency fluctuations, the VAT rebate reduction, and minimum wage enforcement. As cost pressures in China continue to mount, this paper aims to analyze whether the US manufacturing outsourcing pendulum is swinging away from China and back to nearby Mexico, or towards emerging low‐cost countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, South Africa, Turkey or Argentina.

Analysis consists of comparing major cost drivers such as labor, currency, freight, and raw material and determined per unit price and the potential impact of currency fluctuations over the next five years. An example of Easle Pads (paper‐based non‐adhesive coated) is used to present the detailed analysis.

The outsourcing landscape today may change again in the near future as the VAT rebate is further reduced or eliminated or the impact of the Olympic Games finish. Assumptions will need to be updated to reflect any changes in the future. Though other countries such as Vietnam appear to be viable options, managers will need to take other factors into consideration when making outsourcing decisions. They will need to identify specific suppliers in a country and obtain quotes in order to finalize their decision.

The data analysis is supposedly very high‐level. Many assumptions were applied lacking full detail, and duties and customs were not specifically addressed for each country. However, this organized approach is useful as a strategic decision tool in performing supplier searches to identify potential countries.

The paper helps shed light on the opportunities that exist in the emerging low‐cost countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia. Other countries, such as Turkey and Argentina, also offer low labor costs, but may be better considered as regional sources of supply, rather than US outsourcing destinations.

The majority of studies on manufacturing outsourcing in relation to China concentrate on the reasons why one should choose China. The paper looks at manufacturing outsourcing away from China and identifies possible alternatives for contract manufacturing.