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The handmade bicycle industry has grown exponentially over the past decade. Although existing for decades in much smaller numbers, the popularity and credibility of framebuilder entrepreneurship–custom, handmade bike frames–has increased significantly in the past 10 years. The companies that specialize in custom-producing bicycle frames vary in size, scope, reputation, profitability, and even building materials.

In emerging economies, internationalization endeavors have been historically complex and uncertain. Issues such as competitiveness and financial volatility often act as detractors for exploring foreign markets. Nevertheless, state policies and commercial agreements have been boosting an increased participation in host economies, particularly relating to the metalworking sector. This study explores the underlying factors related to the internationalization of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in two rising Latin American economies: Mexico and Peru. Comparisons are presented with the aim of understanding the global arena through both perspectives.

The history of technology records many attempts to reduce the friction of wheeled vehicles by some form of rolling element bearing. The problem remained unsolved when Henry Timken, a German immigrant to the USA, established his own carriage building business in the mid‐19th century. Timken devoted much effort to attempts to improve axle bearings, and in 1898 formed the Timken Roller Bearing Axle Company to make his patented integral shaft and taper roller bearing assemblies for wagons. The design reduced running friction by up to 50 per cent, could accommodate side loads, and adjustment for wear was simply by tightening up the nut at the end of the axle.

This column aims to investigate the possibilities of web services for the integration of information with relevant services.

This is a viewpoint paper.

This column encourages the exploration of web services based on careful analysis and semantic ontologies in order to provide relevant integration of services and information.

The rapid proliferation of web services – whether RESTful or SOAP based – offers many opportunities both internally and externally for libraries, but the adoption of web services needs to be tempered with careful planning and analysis.

The column offers some interesting suggestions for exploring theoretical options in the adoption of web service information and services. Some technical aspects of web service technology are discussed and then related to the core mission of librarianship, which is to assist patrons in navigating the great breadth of data available in increasing quantities via web service technology.

Purpose – This chapter traces the development of cycling in several European countries over the period from the 1880s to the present, with special focus on the two cycling nations, Denmark and The Netherlands.

Methodology – Drawing on a wide array of research on bicycle use in Europe in the twentieth century as well as primary sources, the chapter pays particular attention to the users of the bicycle, their organisations and the mixture of male and female, young and old, and rich and poor, because these users were the people who actually shaped cycling cultures.

Findings – While acknowledging that geographical conditions cannot be fully ruled out as contributing factors, the authors point out that political, social and cultural aspects were all woven together into what would become increasingly distinctive national cycling cultures.

Value – This study provides historical context for recent efforts to increase cycling participation by identifying relevant cultural, social and political factors, and providing insights into the trajectories of Dutch and Danish cycling cultures.

Purpose – This chapter provides an introduction to the bicycle as a means of transport and sustainability as a development concept. It discusses the three pillars of sustainability and introduces the subsequent chapters in the book.

Approach – The chapter takes a historical view of the development of the bicycle and sustainability and provides a contemporary view of the relation between the bicycle and society, the environment and the economy.

Findings – The chapter provides an overview of the discussions to be presented in the subsequent chapters and, through a resumé of each chapter, the reader is presented with a comprehensive context in which to read each individual chapter.

Implications – While the implications are preliminary on the basis that the arguments have not been fully expounded, it is suggested that cycling needs a well-defined system in which to operate, and that system needs to be closely allied to the needs of the user at the human scale.

Scholars have primarily focused on how language represents categories. We move beyond this conception to develop a discursive perspective of market categorization focused on how categories are constructed through communicative exchanges. The discursive perspective points to three under-researched mechanisms of category evolution: (1) the interaction between market participants, (2) the power dynamics among market participants and within the discourse, and (3) the cultural and material context in which categories are constructed. In this theoretical paper, we discuss how each of these mechanisms shed light on different phases of category evolution and the methods that could be used to study them.

The aim of this paper is to examine marketing practices within the bicycle industry.

The paper utilizes both primary and secondary sources to provide a retrospective analysis of marketing strategy at the largest Italian bicycle company.

The paper explains how marketing works at the Bianchi company and provides a detailed analysis of how it built its brand identity over time.

Very few primary sources were available. There was neither a company archive nor other archives. For the most part, the paper is based on secondary sources.

The paper tries to fill the gap in current marketing literature that usually neglects the bicycle as a relevant topic, despite bicycle companies being a predecessor to the automobile industry. Moreover, the paper demonstrates that bicycle companies developed a rather sophisticated approach to marketing that is still in use.

The paper focuses on legitimation and legitimation strategies applied by companies. Following the process of systematic review, we analyse empirical studies exploring legitimation and legitimation strategies from different theoretical perspectives. Using the key findings by reconnoitering and comparing the theoretical background, approaches, methodologies and findings of these empirical studies, we outline potential directions for research in the legitimation strategies of firms engaged in international business operations.