Introduction to Business


Book Description

Introduction to Business covers the scope and sequence of most introductory business courses. The book provides detailed explanations in the context of core themes such as customer satisfaction, ethics, entrepreneurship, global business, and managing change. Introduction to Business includes hundreds of current business examples from a range of industries and geographic locations, which feature a variety of individuals. The outcome is a balanced approach to the theory and application of business concepts, with attention to the knowledge and skills necessary for student success in this course and beyond. This is an adaptation of Introduction to Business by OpenStax. You can access the textbook as pdf for free at openstax.org. Minor editorial changes were made to ensure a better ebook reading experience. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.







Economic and Business Management


Book Description

With the rapid development and drastic change of the world economy, "Digital Finance", "Internet Finance", "Science and Technology Finance" have become new hotspots, which also represent the future trend of economy development in the era of big data. Enterprises are facing more uncertainty, opportunities coexist with challenges. There are more possibilities for economic development and enterprise management to accelerate the integration of cutting-edge research results, to deepen hot topics discussion and to promote opinion exchanges among academic and business circles. The Sixth International Conference on Economic and Business Management (FEBM2021) was successfully held online on October 16-17, 2021, and aimed to provide a platform for researchers, engineers, academics as well as industry professionals from all over the world to present their latest research findings and development activities in economic and business management. These proceedings include 51 accepted articles selected from 94 submissions.




Handbook of Business Practices and Growth in Emerging Markets


Book Description

The Handbook of Business Practices and Growth in Emerging Markets consists of a collection of specially commissioned chapters that describe the current business environment, organizational culture, consumer behavior, financial investment climate, and examples of best prevailing practices in emerging markets. It covers all the major functional areas of business OCo marketing, strategy, operations and finance OCo in all continents. The focus of each chapter is on the identification of different business issues in different emerging markets (including Asia, Africa and South America) and on the implementation of a proposed set of recommendations, using both qualitative and quantitative techniques to assist in decision-making and in improving organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Readers will also appreciate the multidimensional view of financial and non-financial performance measurement of businesses. Specifically, the goal of this research-based handbook is to provide a comprehensive guide for business students and managers by discussing a range of issues from the diverse emerging markets and enabling them to develop a strategic mindset for a market-oriented culture. Given the changing business dynamics, government policies and demands in industries, this handbook is both timely and topical. Sample Chapter(s). Foreword (28 KB). Chapter 1: Introduction (69 KB). Contents: Introduction (S Singh); China: New Product Development in Emerging Markets (N Grigoriou); Competing with Multinationals: Entry and Evolution of Latecomer Firms in China''s Handset Industry (W Xie & S White); Current Business Practices of Top Fortune Global Emerging Multinationals (C-H Liu & K-K Wei); Between Information System Integration and Performance, What are the Missing Links? (R P Lee & Q-M Chen); Legal Cases and Auditing in China (G Chong); Commonwealth of Independent States: CSR in the Emerging Market of Russia: Finding the Nexus Between Business Accountability, Legitimacy, Growth and Societal Reconciliation (O Kuznetsova); The Russian System of Corporate Governance: Promises and Realities (O Kuznetsova); Brand Management in Emerging Markets: Private Labels in Croatian Grocery Retailing and the Case of Dona Trgovina D O O (M Martinovic & J Branch); Baltic Tiger or Wounded Lion OCo Retail Trade and Shopping Behavior in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania (B McKenzie); Latin America: Data Mining as a Decision Tool for Materials Procurement in a Multinational Company Headquartered in Brazil (D C C Barbosa et al.); The Importance of Natural Resources-Based Industry Clusters in Latin America: The Case of Chile (C Felzensztein); Inserting Small Holders into Sustainable Value Chains (M F Neves & L T e Castro); Franchise as an Efficient Mode of Entry in Emerging Markets: A Discussion from the Legitimacy Point of View (C Gauzente & R Dumoulin); Africa: Public Procurement Reform in Emerging Economies: A Case Study of Kenya (P M Lewa & S K Lewa); Rural Tourism in South Africa: The Case of Damdoryn and Bufflespoort (K P Quan-Baffour); An Institutional Network Approach of Partnership Mode of Interest-Free Microfinance and Islamic Banking: A Case Study (M N Alam & M M Hussain); Challenges of Internet Adoption of Banks in Ghana (N O Madichie et al.); Middle East: Does the Religious Nature of Organizations Affect Performance Measurement? A Case of GCC Banks (E K A Mohamed & M M Hussain); Challenges and Opportunities for International Marketers in Kuwait (C P Rao); Glimpses at Society and Management in Iran (H Yeganeh); Internet Consumer Behavior in Cyprus (A Thrassou et al.); Asia: Corporate Social Performance of Indonesian State-Owned and Private Companies (H Fauzi et al.); Does Individual Stock Futures Affect Stock Market: Volatility in India? (N Tripathy et al.); Philippines in the 21st Century: Business Opportunities and Strategic Marketing Implications (E P Garrovillas); Papua New Guinea OCo An Emerging Economy in the South Pacific: Challenges and Prospects (R Rena); Conclusion (S Singh). Readership: Students of business administration courses which focus on organizational culture, managers and management consultants dealing with issues related to emerging markets."




Surviving Supply Chain Integration


Book Description

The managed flow of goods and information from raw material to final sale also known as a "supply chain" affects everythingâ€"from the U.S. gross domestic product to where you can buy your jeans. The nature of a company's supply chain has a significant effect on its success or failureâ€"as in the success of Dell Computer's make-to-order system and the failure of General Motor's vertical integration during the 1998 United Auto Workers strike. Supply Chain Integration looks at this crucial component of business at a time when product design, manufacture, and delivery are changing radically and globally. This book explores the benefits of continuously improving the relationship between the firm, its suppliers, and its customers to ensure the highest added value. This book identifies the state-of-the-art developments that contribute to the success of vertical tiers of suppliers and relates these developments to the capabilities that small and medium-sized manufacturers must have to be viable participants in this system. Strategies for attaining these capabilities through manufacturing extension centers and other technical assistance providers at the national, state, and local level are suggested. This book identifies action steps for small and medium-sized manufacturersâ€"the "seed corn" of business start-up and developmentâ€"to improve supply chain management. The book examines supply chain models from consultant firms, universities, manufacturers, and associations. Topics include the roles of suppliers and other supply chain participants, the rise of outsourcing, the importance of information management, the natural tension between buyer and seller, sources of assistance to small and medium-sized firms, and a host of other issues. Supply Chain Integration will be of interest to industry policymakers, economists, researchers, business leaders, and forward-thinking executives.




The Art of Managing Middle: Medium-sized Business Management and Its Ecosystem in Long-run Stagnation


Book Description

With economic stagnation continuing to take a toll, it's more important than ever for medium-sized enterprises to thrive. These businesses can stabilize national economies and are expected to increase in number throughout the world - and we need to create an environment where they can succeed. Yoshiyuki Oba, who has twenty-seven years of experience in multinational SME banking and related fields, explores what managers, business partners, service providers, bankers, and politicians can do to help medium-sized enterprises thrive in this guide. He answers questions such as: What are the common great ideas of excellent, medium-sized business managers? How are medium-sized enterprises defined? He also highlights policies governing medium-sized enterprises, management tools and consulting services to avoid, and why people still aren't paying enough attention to this niche in the middle. While medium-sized enterprises are often the most difficult to manage, you can master The Art of Managing Middle.




Start-Ups and SMEs: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications


Book Description

Smaller companies are abundant in the business realm and outnumber large companies by a wide margin. To maintain a competitive edge against other businesses, companies must ensure the most effective strategies and procedures are in place. This is particularly critical in smaller business environments that have fewer resources. Start-Ups and SMEs: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications is a vital reference source that examines the strategies and concepts that will assist small and medium-sized enterprises to achieve competitiveness. It also explores the latest advances and developments for creating a system of shared values and beliefs in small business environments. Highlighting a range of topics such as entrepreneurship, innovative behavior, and organizational sustainability, this multi-volume book is ideally designed for entrepreneurs, business managers, executives, managing directors, academicians, business professionals, researchers, and graduate-level students.




Sustainable Partnership and Investment Strategies for Startups and SMEs


Book Description

Sustainable development is a bigger issue than it has ever been before. The relationship between present needs and future imperatives defines our contemporary challenges, especially within the realms of societal aspirations, business enterprises, startups, and SMEs. The dynamic nature of today's entrepreneurial landscape, characterized by ceaseless challenges and constant change, underscores the urgency to align strategies with the imperatives of sustainable development. Sustainable Partnership and Investment Strategies for Startups and SMEs examines this issue and the intersection between sustainable development and the practical nuances of navigating the modern entrepreneurial landscape. The book serves as a comprehensive scholarly source, providing in-depth insights into the challenges of formulating strategies for ventures within the framework of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From 'no poverty' to 'Partnerships for the Goals,' it scrutinizes the latest research, theoretical frameworks, and powerful approaches that lie at the heart of sustainable and responsible entrepreneurship. Against the backdrop of a constantly evolving world, the objective of the book comes to the forefront. Today's business and entrepreneurial practices grapple with an ever-changing environment, demanding contemporary and flexible business and investment strategies. Focusing on a select set of SDGs is not just a strategic imperative but a requirement for societal well-being and enduring business success.




Sustainability, Green Management, and Performance of SMEs


Book Description

In a world facing environmental challenges and socio-economic inequalities, SMEs can drive positive change by integrating sustainability principles into their business practices. This book examines the relationship between sustainability, green management, and SME performance, providing insights, strategies, and case studies to guide SMEs towards a more sustainable future and long-term viability. Drawing from extensive research, the book analyzes the drivers, barriers, and motivations influencing SMEs' adoption of sustainability practices. It offers practical recommendations on overcoming resource constraints, awareness gaps, regulatory complexities, and resistance to change. It explores emerging trends such as digital technologies, circular economy approaches, clean energy transitions, and social innovation and discusses collaboration among SMEs, academia, and government agencies as a crucial factor for innovation and scaling up sustainable practices. Sustainability, Green Management and Performance of SMEs is a comprehensive and practical guide for SMEs seeking to integrate sustainability into their business strategies. It inspires and supports SMEs on their journey towards environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and long-term profitability, thus enabling them to unlock new business opportunities, gain a competitive edge, and secure their future in a changing global economy.




Managing Human Resources in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises


Book Description

Well-managed employment relationships can be a secret to business success, yet this factor is relatively poorly understood when it comes to small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s). Written by active researchers with teaching experience, this book brings together the fields of entrepreneurship and human resource management for the first time, providing entrepreneurship students with a solid grounding in HRM as well as a platform for further critical engagement with the research. The concise and authoritative style also enables the book to be used as a primer for researchers exploring this under-developed terrain. As the only student-focused specialist book on human resource management in entrepreneurial firms, this is vital reading for students and researchers in this area, as well as those interested in small business and management more generally.