Search results for ""Author Martin Heidenreich""

Multinational companies are crucial actors in a global knowledge-based economy, combining the advantages of global and locally coordinated production and innovation strategies with specific regional and national factors. This book questions how MNCs can best exploit institutionally embedded knowledge, explores the utilization of external institutionally embedded knowledge in corporate innovation processes, and addresses the challenges of embeddedness. The expert contributors draw on managerial, economic, geographic and sociological perspectives to explore the essential roles of regional and national knowledge infrastructures and the cultural and political environment of MNCs. They build upon, update, and extend the discussion on the regional and national embeddedness of MNCs with new country case studies and comparative analyses, focusing on the relationship between innovation in companies and regional studies. Significantly, the book also establishes a link between two important debates that have hitherto been largely disconnected: regional studies and international business studies separately address issues that fall within the scope of the book, but do not provide an integrated analysis of the embeddedness of MNCs. This path-breaking book goes some way to fill this gap in the literature and as such, will prove invaluable to academics, R&D managers, regional policy makers and students with an interest in international business, business economics, regional studies and organization studies. Contributors: P. Ahrweiler, B.T. Asheim, E. Baier, C. Barmeyer, P. Cooke, J.R. Diez, B. Ebersberger, N. Gilbert, J. Guimon, B. Hancke, M. Heidenreich, S.J. Herstad, S. Iammarino, B. Klement, K. Koschatzky, J.-P. Kramer, K. Kruth, E. Marinelli, J. Mattes, R. Narula, A. Pyka, D. Rehfeld, M. Schilperoord, Ö. Sölvell, S. Strambach

Read more less

Europe has become a dominant frame for the generation, regulation and perception of social inequalities. This trend was solidified by the current economic crisis, which is characterised by increasing inequalities between central and peripheral countries and groups. By analysing the double polarisation between winners and losers of the crisis; the segmentation of labour markets; and the perceived quality of life in Europe, this book contributes to a better understanding of patterns and dynamics of inequality in an integrated Europe.The contributions from experts in the field offer a multi-level perspective. They explore links between objective inequalities and subjective perceptions and frames of reference. They combine the analysis of growing inequalities between different social groups and between central and peripheral countries. Analysis of unemployment and income inequality is based on European-wide micro datasets and the editor argues for both European and national frames of reference for analysis of unemployment and income inequality.Offering new insights on the increasing unemployment and income inequalities in Europe before and during the current financial and Eurozone crisis this is a vital text. Anyone interested in the challenges of social cohesion in Europe will find this book a rich, innovative resource.Contributors include: F. Buttler, M. Heidenreich, C. Ingensiep, S. Israel, J. Preunkert, C. Reimann,

Read more less

Though the importance for social outcomes of improved local coordination of social and employment policies is widely acknowledged, it has to date been the object of only limited research in comparative welfare state studies. Based on detailed and systematic empirical research in 18 localities across six European countries, this innovative volume begins to redress this imbalance. The novel insights it offers into the complex determinants of effective policy coordination in contrasting national and local contexts will be of great interest to scholars and policy makers alike.'- Daniel Clegg, The University of Edinburgh, UK'This edited volume, based on internationally comparative research, provides a valuable contribution to the growing body of academic literature on the local governance of social and employment policies. Through national case study as well as comparative chapters, the book takes up the challenging task of investigating the complex processes of coordinating various politico-administrative levels, a variety of private and public actors, and diverse policy fields, focusing specifically on how these processes take shape at the local level.'- Rik van Berkel, Utrecht School of Governance, the Netherlands'Activation has been the latest leit motiv of labour market policies since the Nineties. Activation measures require extensive coordination across levels of government, service providers and administrative agencies operating in different sectors. This volume provides an excellent empirical analysis of six European countries, highlighting the light and shadows of real-world activation experiences at the local level. The authors provide precious insights not only for welfare state scholars, but also for policy makers faced with the challenge of modernizing work and welfare through a more effective governance.'- Maurizio Ferrera, Università degli Studi di Milano, ItalyA central goal of European activation policies is to provide coherent and actively inclusive employment and social services. This book offers new insights on the effective governance and implementation of such policies.Utilizing empirical studies from six European welfare states, expert contributors explore how different institutional contexts influence localized service delivery and how local authorities deal with the associated coordination challenges. Acknowledging that neither decentralization nor provider networks necessarily prevent fragmented service provision, Martin Heidenreich and Deborah Rice illustrate that an understanding of the European budgetary context, as well as individual network brokerage, is vital for a successful integration of employment and social policies at the local level.Timely and engaging, this innovative book will provide new theoretical perspectives and invaluable empirical materials for academics and students in the field of comparative social policy. Policy makers and officials will also appreciate the editors' practical approach.Contributors: P. Aurich-Beerheide, M. Bassoli, T. Berthet, C. Bourgeois, S.L. Catalano, V. Fuertes, C. Garsten, P.R. Graziano, M. Heidenreich, K. Hollertz, K. Jacobsson, S. Mandes, R. McQuaid, D. Rice, K. Sztandar-Sztanderska, K. Tourné Languin, K. Zimmermann

Read more less