Strategic Positioning in Voluntary and Charitable Organizations

Strategic Positioning in Voluntary and Charitable Organizations
Author: Celine Chew
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 287
Release: 2009-05-07
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1135227233

Rekindling the critical analysis of the adoption of generic commercial (for-profit) management approaches in the non-profit context, Strategic Positioning in Voluntary and Charitable Organizations reveals that charities are positioning themselves in their evolving external environment in distinctive ways that are not adequately explained by existing positioning theories. Based on original research that examines, for the first time, the usefulness of contemporary theoretical perspectives and interpretations of strategic positioning derived from the existing literature in explaining the positioning activities of charitable organizations within the wider voluntary and non-profit sector. Using a three-stage approach, which involves an exploratory survey and multiple case studies, this book provides: • evidence showing the extent of strategic positioning, the components of a positioning strategy and the process of developing a positioning strategy in charitable organizations that are involved in the provision of public services, • analysis of the key factors that influence the choice of a positioning strategy in the charitable context, and the depiction of these factors in an original integrating model, and • an exploration into the extent to which existing strategy/marketing literature on positioning is applicable in the charitable context. By challenging the adoption of current perspectives on strategic positioning derived from commercial strategy and marketing management literatures into the non-profit and non-market contexts, the author develops a theoretical framework that accounts for the uniqueness of positioning strategy in the non-profit sector. This uniqueness is attributed to the difference in positioning goals, the process of developing a positioning strategy, and the influencing factors on the choice of a positioning strategy in charities compared to commercial organizations. The implications of the findings provide useful lessons for managers of voluntary and charitable organizations in planning and developing their positioning activities, and for other stakeholders, such as policy makers, funders, donors and industry bodies.

Changing Big Business

Changing Big Business
Author: Anna Hutchens
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
Total Pages: 247
Release: 2009
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1848447353

This is an important and valuable contribution both to our understanding of fair trade and the broader context in which it operates. Dr Hutchens develops an exciting new theory and presents extensive original empirical work to construct a rigorous and, at times, challenging argument concerning the limits and opportunities for the fair trade movement going forward. Alex Nicholls, University of Oxford, UK Drawing on candid accounts from practitioners, producers and industry representatives, this informative and proactive volume investigates the challenges facing today s fair trade movement and provides unique insights into the workings of social and economic power in world markets. Using original, in-depth empirical data, Anna Hutchens develops several new approaches to understanding power, governance and social change across the broad interdisciplinary fields of development, economics and politics. Emphasising fair trade s entrepreneurs, this book investigates the creation of innovative commercial fair trade business models that are often neglected in fair trade research but are crucial to the fair trade movement s survival in commercial markets. As corporate involvement in fair trade markets grows, these models will be the key variable for the sustainability of fair trade into the future. This book will be warmly welcomed by academics in the fields of economics, political science and sociology working on free trade and fair trade. International non-government organisations, such as Oxfam, and international fair trade networks will find this book invaluable. Government officials (particularly in the EU Commission and parliamentarians) working on fair trade and/or trade-and-development policy and analysis will also find this book of particular interest.

Sustainable Development Policy Directory

Sustainable Development Policy Directory
Author: W. Alan Strong
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 672
Release: 2008-04-15
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1405173394

This Directory means that a whole range of built environment professionals need never be caught out by the perversities of policy – in its formulation or on its journey into the real life of you and me. To have in one place the means of not only burrowing down into any one policy, but also of exploring the interconnections is a precious resource for any professional - ‘sustainability literate’ or not. Today, nobody who delivers our built environment can be excused from taking responsibility for the future. Armed with this Directory their contribution can only be made more effective. Sara Parkin OBE Forum for the Future This desk-top reference on sustainable development provides essential information for all who need to be up-to-date and familiar with the implications of the legal, fiscal and planning frameworks around the global and local sustainability agenda. It is relevant to a range of organisations and individuals - from national and local authorities, professional bodies, built environment professions, academia, environmental consultancies, non-governmental organisations and others. Carefully designed to facilitate access for a diverse range of stakeholders, it covers international, European, British and local policies in key built environment themes, and develops their inter-relationship to sustainable development. The Directory addresses each theme in a series of tables which summarise the policy purpose and also provide web-links to view the specific policy documents. The themes covered are: · Biodiversity · Climate Change · Construction · Energy · Environment · Planning · Pollution · Social Issues · Sustainable Development Policy and Practice · Transport · Urban Development · Waste Management · Water Other books of interest: The Green Guide to Specification Anderson ISBN: 1405119616 Smart & Sustainable Built Environments Yang Hardback ISBN: 1405124229 Sustainable Property Development Keeping Paperback ISBN: 0632058048 Previously Developed Land Syms Paperback 1405106972 Evaluating Sustainable Development Brandon 0632064862 Cover design by Garth Stewart www.thatconstructionsite.com

US Naval Strategy and National Security

US Naval Strategy and National Security
Author: Sebastian Bruns
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 310
Release: 2017-09-22
Genre: History
ISBN: 1317229681

This book examines US naval strategy and the role of American seapower over three decades, from the late 20th century to the early 21st century. This study uses the concept of seapower as a framework to explain the military and political application of sea power and naval force for the United States of America. It addresses the context in which strategy, and in particular US naval strategy and naval power, evolves and how US naval strategy was developed and framed in the international and national security contexts. It explains what drove and what constrained US naval strategy and examines selected instances where American sea power was directed in support of US defense and security policy ends – and whether that could be tied to what a given strategy proposed. The work utilizes naval capstone documents in the framework of broader maritime conceptual and geopolitical thinking, and discusses whether these documents had lasting influences in the strategic mind-set, the force structure, and other areas of American sea power. Overall, this work provides a deeper understanding of the crafting of US naval strategy since the final decade of the Cold War, its contextual and structural framework setting, and its application. To that end, the work bridges the gap between the thinking of American naval officers and planners on the one hand and academic analyses of Navy strategy on the other hand. It also presents the trends in the use of naval force for foreign policy objectives and into strategy-making in the American policy context. This book will be of much interest to students of naval power, maritime strategy, US national security and international relations in general.

ICT-Supported Innovations in Small Countries and Developing Regions

ICT-Supported Innovations in Small Countries and Developing Regions
Author: Ian A. Lubin
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 202
Release: 2017-10-11
Genre: Education
ISBN: 3319676571

This timely analysis brings greater clarity to the question of how ICT-supported innovations are experienced in small low- to middle-income countries and developing regions with implications for international education and development. By bringing together a group of international technologists, researchers, and scholars, this book explores the building of local capacity for educational technology policy and application in such regions and ably links theory to practice to illuminate how the issues at hand play out in professional practice. The volume offers itself as an invaluable resource by offering a salient assessment of the existent methodological and ecological challenges and constraints in developing, implementing, and evaluating technology and technology research, while simultaneously providing recommendations and strategy for future policy and implementation. Among the topics covered: The research agenda for technology, education, and development. ICT curriculum planning and development: policy and implementation lessons from small developing states. New challenges for ICT in education policies in developing countries. Playful partnerships for game-based learning in international contexts. Addressing persistent ICT-in-education challenges in small developing countries. ICT-Supported Innovations in Small Countries and Developing Regions is of significant interest to educational technology researchers, policymakers, and officials with influence over resource allocation and implementation of technology innovations. It is also relevant to administrators, teachers, instructional designers, and technology evaluators interested in advancing educational communications and technology in public and private settings.

The University in the Age of Globalization

The University in the Age of Globalization
Author: W. Bienkowski
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 268
Release: 2012-07-06
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1137023031

An informed discussion of the global education market, analysing the rankings system, and the determinants which help universities to advance. The authors examine possible improvements in the promotion and commercialization of university research, and the role of universities in the social and economic development of transition economies.

From Civil Strife to Peace Building

From Civil Strife to Peace Building
Author: Hany Besada
Publisher: Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press
Total Pages: 314
Release: 2011-04-07
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1554582083

From Civil Strife to Peace Building examines peace-building efforts in the fragile West African states of Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Côte d’Ivoire, with a focus on the role of the private sector in leading the reconstruction initiatives. Given that aid and debt relief, the traditional remedies for dependency and underdevelopment, have not been effective, the private sector is increasingly viewed as a major player in the revival of regional economies. Private sector support, however, requires government intervention to improve investment climates, curb corruption, strengthen the security sector, and reduce the cost of doing business. The contributors discuss ways in which West African governments can encourage the greater involvement of business in humanitarian support with incentives that demonstrate alignment with business objectives and profit margins, making humanitarian support simple and, more importantly, profitable and sustainable for both local and foreign investors. Co-published with the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)

Linguistic Minorities in Democratic Context

Linguistic Minorities in Democratic Context
Author: C. Williams
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 453
Release: 2007-11-28
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 0230597572

This blends discussion of the role of language minorities in politics with examples of language policy in a range of national contexts. It discusses minority rights and language protection, the policies of the state in privileging powerful majorities, the opportunities and challenges of both devolution and globalization.

The Politics of Libraries and Librarianship

The Politics of Libraries and Librarianship
Author: V. Kerry Smith
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 219
Release: 2008-09-30
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1780631391

This book covers aspects of the political environment which surrounds and engages libraries and their librarians. It includes anecdotes on the role of the political sphere in the business of library associations. - Provides recent stories and real examples of: The various political contexts under which libraries operate - Why it is important to be politically aware - How political climates influence decision making for libraries