Business Strategies in Transition Economies or Economic Revitalization

Business Strategies in Transition Economies

Author: Michael W Peng

"This is the first book to comprehensively summarize and extend cutting strategy research with a focus on transition economies. It provides a readable and refreshing overview for seasoned scholars and executives working in this field, as well as valuable insights for newcomers. The book combines theoretical rigor with up-to-date evidence on a highly relevant topic. Mike Peng is already one of the world's leading strategy and management scholars working on transition and emerging economies, and this book adds significantly to his standing."--John Child, Guiness Professor of Management Studies, University of Cambridge, England and Visiting Professor of International Management, Tel-Aviv University, Israel"The widespread shift from centrally planned to market-based economies has been the most profound change in the world economy since World War II. While a great deal of work has examined the broad economic implications of this transition, far less work has examined its implications for firms and managers. In this seminal work, Professor Peng draws on his extensive experience in transition economics, together with his knowledge of strategic management, to describe how firms in these economies can seize opportunities for growth and success." --Jay Barney, Bank One Professor of Corporate Strategy, Ohio State University "A welcome contribution towards our understanding of firm -- level issues in transition economies. A particular strength is the chapter-by-chapter consideration of how strategies vary depending on whether one is a state-owned enterprise, a privatized firm, an entrepreneurial start-up, or a foreign investor." --Paul Beamish, Royal Bank Professor of InternationalBusiness,University of Western Ontario, Canada A comprehensive account of transition economies from a firm strategy perspective. Thoroughly researched and thought provoking, this book is a most valuable tool for both academics and business executives seeking to operate in this promising yet uncertain territory. --Oded Shenkar, Ford Motor Professor of Global Management, Ohio State University and Professor of International Management and Tel-Aviv University, Israel Business Strategies in Transition Economies probes into the workings of business strategies in former socialist countries in East Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, and the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union, which are collectively called "transition economies." It provides a rich and in-depth understanding of fundamental strategic issues confronted by domestic and foreign firms competing in these newly opened markets. Written by one of the leading scholars in the field, this timely book is comparative, interdisciplinary, and relevant. Focusing on firm-level issues confronting top executives acting as organizational strategists in transition economies, this book covers business strategies of 1.) state-owned enterprises, 2.) privatized and reformed firms, 3.) entrepreneurial start-ups, and 4.) foreign companies. Since transition economies, taken together, promise to be the world's largest emerging markets in the 21st century, this book will be an invaluable resource for students, scholars, and managers seeking a better understanding of business challenges and opportunities in these markets.

Booknews

Argues that the economic success of economies making the transition from socialism depends on the ability of firms to choose business strategies that suit the situation of each country's institutional imperatives and constraints, and demonstrates that multinational corporations have a significant part to play in assisting the development of transition economies. Emphasizes that local and international firms must work together, and gives detailed analysis of strategic choices open to firms in transition economies, eschewing the assumption that existing strategic approaches taken out of context can offer a quick fix. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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Economic Revitalization: Cases and Strategies for City and Suburb

Author: Joan Fitzgerald

Economic Revitalization is unique in that it discusses leading revitalization strategies in the context of both city and suburban settings, offering case studies of program development and implementation.

In Economic Revitalization: Cases and Strategies for City and Suburb Fitzgerald and Leigh answer the need for a text that incorporates social justice and sustainability into how we think about and practice economic development. It is one of the first to talk about how revitalization strategies are implemented in both cities and suburbs, particularly inner-ring suburbs that are experiencing decline previously associated only with inner-city neighborhoods. After setting the context with a brief history of economic development practice and its shortcomings, Fitzgerald and Leigh focus on six economic development strategies: sectoral strategies, Brownfield redevelopment, industrial retention, commercial revitalization, industrial and office property reuse, and workforce development. Each of these chapters begins with an overview of the strategy and then presents cases of how it is being implemented. The cases draw from Atlanta, Chicago and its suburbs, Emeryville, Kalamazoo, Louisville, New Haven, Portland, Sandy Springs, and Seattle (and suburban King County). They illustrate the tradeoffs often made in achieving one goal at the expense of another. Although they admit that some of the cases come up short in illustrating a more equitable and sustainable economic development practice, Fitzgerald and Leigh conclude with an optimistic view that the field is changing.

The book is aimed at students and practitioners of economic development planning whoseek to foster stronger economies and greater opportunity in inner cites and older suburbs. It is also meant to assist planners in thriving new towns and suburban communities seeking to avoid future economic decline as their communities mature.

Economic Revitalization:

• Discusses practice in both suburban and inner-city settings
• Integrates the planning values of social justice and sustainability into the discussion of implementation strategies
• Includes cases that reveal the political nature of the planning process and the types of tradeoffs that often must be made
• Provides insights for planners seeking to adopt "best practice" programs from other localities 

Table of Contents:

Introduction

1. Redefining the Field of Local Economic Development

2. Sectoral Development Strategies for New and Old Industries

3. Brownfield Redevelopment for Equitable Community Revitalization

4. Industrial Retention: Multiple Strategies for Keeping Manufacturing Strong

5. Commercial Revitalization in Central Cities and Older Suburbs

6. The Reuse of Office and Industrial Property for Sustainable Urban Development

7. Job Centered Economic Development: Linking Workforce and Local Economic Development

8. Conclusion: Strategies and Progress for Local Economic Development

Bibliography

About the Authors