There are a number of distinctive features of this book that makes it different from other on Six Sigma. It recognizes that there are two diametrically opposing views expressed on Six Sigma, those that are strongly in favour, and those that are not, for various reasons. The book deals, head on, with the principle reasons for such hostility. It cuts through the hype associated with the brand name. It proposes simple remedies for certain defined frailties in the standard approach, particular...

During the past decade Japanese companies have derived many of their competitive advantages from streamlined work-flow processes. Desperate to replicate the Japanese systems, American managers have bought into countless theories advanced by management consultants which, lacking a methodology, have proved fruitless and frustrating. Now, from inside a world-renowned learning organization, comes that methodology.Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) is an improvement and problem-prevent...

From the best-selling quality management author, David Hoyle, Quality Management Essentials is the perfect brief, yet authoritative, introduction to the fundamentals of quality management.Quality in organizations, large or small, is achieved with intelligent use of various concepts, principles, tools and techniques. For those coming to the subject for the first time, these philosophies associated with quality management can be quite overwhelming. This very readable book pr...

'Managing Cultural Diversity in Technical Professions' provides managers of technical professionals with clear and tested strategies to improve communication and increase productivity among culturally diverse technical professionals, teams, and departments.Dr. Laroche outlines the differences in education and training, career expectations, communication styles, and management expectations in countries around the world. He explains cross-cultural concepts and presents his case for t...

The one-of-a-kind how-to book that puts effective agency management strategies at your fingertipsThe classic text that describes in detail how to successfully manage and market a public relations firm, has been completely updated with three new chapters and is now more than 50% longer. This one-of-a-kind new edition is bursting with creative tips, instructions, philosophies, theories, and guidance, all to help you steer your firm to success. It demonstrates how to market, promote, ...

The Economics of Information Technology is a concise and accessible review of some of the important economic factors affecting information technology industries. These industries are characterized by high fixed costs and low marginal costs of production, large switching costs for users, and strong network effects. These factors combine to produce some unique behavior. The book consists of two parts. In the first part, Professor Varian outlines the basic economics of these industries. In th...

In this new work, Arthur O. Eger and Huub Ehlhardt present a 'Theory of Product Evolution'. They challenge the popular notion that we owe the availability of products solely to genius inventors. Instead, they present arguments that show that a process of variation, selection, and accumulation of 'know-how' (to make) and 'know-what' (function to realize) provide an explanation for the emergence of new types of products and their subsequent development into families of advanced versions. Thi...

OverviewFleet Purchasing and Maintenance is a concise, easy to understand guide on vehicle purchasing and fleet maintenance for the benefit of business and maintenance managers at all levels, plus students and academics. Not a textbook full of formulas but a guide containing both detail and insights for the practicing fleet and financial manager.The book first covers all aspects of the vehicle and fleet purchasing process from the perspective of th...

Empirical Studies in Industrial Organization brings together leading scholars who present state-of-the-art research in the spirit of the structure-conduct-performance paradigm embodied in the work of Leonard W. Weiss.The individual chapters are generally empirically or public policy oriented. A number of them introduce new sources of data that, combined with the application of appropriate econometric techniques, enable new breakthroughs and insights on issues hotly debated ...

In this volume, David B. Audretsch and Charles F. Bonser present a view of Globalization and Regionalization that holds that the interaction between a more open trading system and the new telecommunications and computer technology has substantially increased productivity and facilitated the fragmentation of the production process. The fragmentation of the production process has resulted in a new international organization of production. It has accelerated the globalization of national econ...

The internationalization of research and technology is one key component of the globalization of trade and business, with potentially major impacts on patterns of economic development and public policies worldwide. Although certain aspects of this internationalization trend are well documented, and some effects can be quantified, the overall processes are extremely complex and the outcomes are highly uncertain. The existence of the phenomenon is generally accepted, but its importance and t...

This Palgrave Pivot uses modeling from microeconomic theory and industrial organization to demonstrate how consumers and producers have responded to major changes in the music industry. Byun examines the important role of technology in changing its structure, particularly as new methods of creating and accessing music prove to be a double-edged sword for creators and producers. An underlying theme in the project is the question of how the business of music affects creativity, and how artis...