We examine the evolution and role of multinational corporations (MNCs) in the restructuring of the automotive industry in the West Midlands (WM), traditional heartland of the UK automotive industry. We critically assess the activities of... more
We examine the evolution and role of multinational corporations (MNCs) in the restructuring of the automotive industry in the West Midlands (WM), traditional heartland of the UK automotive industry. We critically assess the activities of the vehicle assemblers and tier-one component suppliers in the WM in the process of knowledge creation and innovation, while focusing on inter-firm relationships. In the pursuit of creating differentiated networks of dispersed operations, multinational corporations seek locations that can bring some added value in terms of competencies and capabilities. As the manufacturing industry that makes up a significant share of WM activities faces global challenges, the future prosperity of the region depends on how MNCs perceive the location-bound advantages that it offers. As part of an ongoing research, this paper proposes some future research questions and argues that the automotive industry retains considerable potential for future development of the region, providing it manages a process of restructuring. This process of strategic transformation of the West Midlands may involve a process of specialisation based on premium manufacturing, engine design and development, and further local collaboration at different levels. Increasing interdependencies between vehicles manufacturers and first tier component suppliers are also taken into account. This paper provides further understanding of the impact of these changes on the position and economic performance of the region, while discussing some policy implications.
Abstract – Social Networks: Digital and social reality Social networks have become an unavoidable part of our reality. The growth in popularity of these networks has been exponential ever since the advent of Myspace, Facebook and other... more
Abstract – Social Networks: Digital and social reality
Social networks have become an unavoidable part of our reality. The growth in popularity of these networks has been exponential ever since the advent of Myspace, Facebook and other similar tools. It is argued that the technological developments underpinning these networks were not fundamentally specific or special. The fact was that such simple solutions revolutionsied the way people communicated both at the personal, social and business levels. The next change materialised by the creation of other supporting technologies such as Google Translator which in turn created an opportunity for people as well as businesses across the world to overcome the first hurdle in communication, i.e., the language. With the new revolution in digital mobile technologies the extent of networking has gone even further. The growing number of Applications that are written everyday are chaining the face of communication and networking in a deeper manner.
This paper provides an insight into the recent changes in the social networking and their entry into another revolutionary phase as combined with mobile telephone technologies. It is shown that the use of mobile phone Apps is taking the concept of communication into another level. Recent social upturns in Iran, Egypt, Libya have vastly benefitted from the presence of social network facilities such as Twitter and Facebook.
By analysing some of emerging patterns in social networking as a means of communication among individuals as well as the business community we will demonstrate how the digital world is changing the real world.
"...the industry has to learn from manufacturers how to study its customers' needs and develop products that meet those needs.." Sir John Egan Rethinking Construction, July 1998 Entering an architectural space we react to it...most... more
"...the industry has to learn from manufacturers how to study its customers' needs and develop products that meet those needs.."
Sir John Egan Rethinking Construction, July 1998
Entering an architectural space we react to it...most of the time our reaction is neutral or indifferent, but just occasionally an aspect of the design can affect our emotions - perhaps the space will excite or depress us.
This Guide provides a compilation of issues and techniques relevant to the definition of building users, identification of their needs, prioritising and structuring the collected information into an accessible format to facilitate communication within organisations.
A well-established technique from manufacturing (Quality Function Deployment, QFD) has been modified to suit the needs of architectural design and to help organisations in their pursuit for user friendly designs. The processes described here are deliberately not prescriptive and therefore do not encourage creativity and organisational input. It is hoped that by learning from theories developed in social sciences and the methods practised by the manufacturing industries the construction industry can improve quality ot its products.
This Guide is designed to stand alone, but it can also be read in conjunction with the Final Report and the Executive Summary under the CPDT project.
The slow rate of innovation in the construction sector has been regularly subject of discussion and criticism by construction professionals, the academic community and the wider public. Building design is the result of many interactions... more
The slow rate of innovation in the construction sector has been regularly subject of discussion and criticism by construction professionals, the academic community and the wider public. Building design is the result of many interactions among various parties who are directly or indirectly involved in the process. The key concern here is that the design and construction teams are not innovative enough, however this paper claims that that many advances in building technology and design are influenced, created or shaped by the end-users. Repeat clients such as the National Health Service (NHS)
How can the Triple Helix enhance universities as interactive partners in our innovation systems, and what are the challenges to the absorptive capacity of academic knowledge within firms and by other users? How can the Triple Helix... more
How can the Triple Helix enhance universities as interactive partners in our innovation systems, and what are the challenges to the absorptive capacity of academic knowledge within firms and by other users? How can the Triple Helix enhance place-based innovations, and what is the role of local innovation systems and local key institutions to build and accelerate regional clusters?
This paper provides an analysis of the current structure of the UK property industry and those drivers of liquidity within that market. The focus of the paper is on property sales, as opposed to rentals, and the factors that drive the... more
This paper provides an analysis of the current structure of the UK property industry and those drivers of liquidity within that market. The focus of the paper is on property sales, as opposed to rentals, and the factors that drive the constituents of the market to revolve and evolve through being under construction through various state changes to being demolished and their land being again available for further development. The paper describes the main factors that have gone into the production of a System Dynamics simulation of the property industry. The role and potential areas of impact of governmental policy are outlined. The effects of tightening worldwide credit regimes on the UK construction industry are included in the model. The relationships between the credit crunch and the behaviour of the construction industry are identified and are explored. The analysis presented in the paper concludes with potential scenarios for determining the future behaviour of the market.
This paper sets the scene for a participatory approach in creating a new cluster for Arts, Crafts and Technology in London around the London Bridge Area. The paper presents the outcome of an ongoing collaboration between academia, local... more
This paper sets the scene for a participatory approach in creating a new cluster for Arts, Crafts and Technology in London around the London Bridge Area. The paper presents the outcome of an ongoing collaboration between academia, local businesses and community in order to guide regeneration plans for this part of London which suffers from an above average rate of unemployment, crime, poverty and other social ills. Following a review of theories of urbanisation and regeneration we examine the context of the project and illustrate how the existing urban structure is unable to fertilise the talents and entrepreneurial opportunities in the area. This Action research project aims to apply novel approaches in creating a participatory process to develop a bottom-up approach to policy making with the use of various media and by combining the sensory and cognitive experiences of stakeholders. The argument is largely in favour of market forces in shaping the future opportunities while it is envisaged that policy instruments can be used to facilitate action but only as a support mechanism. Novel methodological approaches will be fully reported in the revised version of the paper to be submitted later.
Since the early 1990s there has been increased environmental awareness, legislative pressure and growing public interest in environmental issues. Consequently, the UK construction industry has been encouraged to seek more appropriate... more
Since the early 1990s there has been increased environmental awareness, legislative pressure and growing public interest in environmental issues. Consequently, the UK construction industry has been encouraged to seek more appropriate strategies to respond to the environmental pressures. It is evident that many UK firms in general, and construction firms in particular, have embarked on the adoption of some form of corporate environmental policies. This paper draws from a study of the top 12 UK construction firms over a six-year period from 1989 to 1994. The study offers an insight into the degree to which these firms have in fact incorporated current environmental regulations into their corporate strategies. The results suggest that during this period most of the firms in the sample have adopted such policies. However, content analysis of these policies reveals that firms' responses in different areas of concern such as energy, pollution, waste, raw materials and recycling are quite varied.
This paper will examine the changes in government policies across the world in the past few decades with a view to show the tendencies of the national governments to create favourable environments to attract foreign direct investment. The... more
This paper will examine the changes in government policies across the world in the past few decades with a view to show the tendencies of the national governments to create favourable environments to attract foreign direct investment. The general belief has been that the positive spillovers from MNEs justify the negative impacts such as crowding out and disadvantaging indigenous firms. Following a review of the policy changes particularly those relating to corporation tax we offer the arguments for and against inward investment by MNEs. Using the case studies of two countries (United Kingdom and The Netherlands) we review the governments industrial and taxation policies and examine the way such policies have impacted on the presence of the MNEs in those markets.
The research will examine the effectiveness of the corporate taxation as a mechanism to overcome market failure but this study also argues that these mechanisms can also work as a mechanisms that promotes market failure. The aim of this study is to review alternative ways for more effective distribution of wealth within and between countries. We argue that the national policies cannot be designed in isolation and a joint effort at an international level is needed if the gap in income and equality is to be narrowed in a meaningful manner.
Keywords: Income inequality, Corporate taxation; industrial policy, Externalities, MNEs
Energy plays a vital role in the development of any country. In the context of the developing economies, the growth in energy consumption is associated with urbanisation and economic development through the transfer of mobile factors of... more
Energy plays a vital role in the development of any country. In the context of the developing economies, the growth in energy consumption is associated with urbanisation and economic development through the transfer of mobile factors of production from rural to urban areas, and by the transition of the economy from a dominantly agricultural based economy to a relatively more industrialised type. Nigeria as one of the key economies in the African continent faces many challenges in this transitionary path; population growth and the growing movement of population from rural to urban areas creates a challenge for policy makers in terms of planning energy and other infrastructure needs. Planning for future may involve accurate estimation of energy needs and while there are some attempts made at understanding the patterns of demand for energy in industrial sectors, there are scant amount of research into the patterns of consumption by households. Sources of energy for households are numerous and many traditional sources of energy are commonly used for their availability, low or no cost. However, such energy sources can be harmful for the environment and are gradually being replaced by the use of electricity due to its convenience and compatibility with the modern style of living in cities. Following an initial literature review of the most commonly used estimation modelling techniques in the field of energy consumption this paper will report on the outcomes of a model of energy consumption for the residential sector, followed by a large survey of the household behaviour in selected parts of Nigeria. The research reported here challenges the use of traditional models used for estimation of energy consumption in developed countries for countries such as Nigeria. The existence and size of the black economy as relating to the use and abuse of electricity is highlighted and various hypotheses of this research reject the Energy Ladder theory which assumes a step wise transition into more sophisticated types of energy (i.e. electricity). The paper makes a number of contributions which are important in the debate on planning for energy in developing countries.
