The Lean Communications Provider: Surviving the Shakeout through Service Management Excellence

Book Description

Communications providers operating in today's competitive business climate face the ultimate service management challenge: to balance the three key objective of reducing costs, improving services, and rushing new services to market as quickly as possible. Written by industry insiders and endorsed by the Network Management Forum, this guide provides a complete plan of action for achieving service management excellence and increased profitability. Filled with scenarios, case studies, and example solution sets, this highly readable resource is packed with hard-to-find information. It also reviews the results of extensive industry collaboration on improved service management, spearheaded by NMF.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent discussion of the challenges facing carriers........1998-05-05

This book discusses many of the operational issues facing telecom providers in the newly deregulated world of telecom. The foundation for this book is the work that Adams and Willet have performed as founders of the Network Management Forum, an industry group attempting to resolve many of the interoperability issues facing telecom providers today. I find the book informative and worthy of indepth review. The book is well organized and fun to read with antecdotal stories to make the material more palatible. Overall, this book is a must for anyone currently working in the telecommunications industry.

Book Description

A wide-ranging survey of labor's response to globalization. Despite frequent hostility from traditionally pro-labor political parties and opposition on the part of union leaderships, the threatened demise of organized labor across the globe had been greatly exaggerated. The mid-1990s have witnessed a remarkable upsurge in workers' militancy. From France, Germany and Belgium to Korea, Canada, and Brazil, the international labor movement has shown surprising resistance to the global reorganization of capital and the savage assaults of neoliberal state policy. In this comprehensive study of current labor relations worldwide, Moody surveys both sides of the picket lines. He provides a measured assessment of multinational managements' strategies to downsize, introduce flexible production and compel workers to accept less pay for more work. He emphasizes the need, in the face of these changes, for international coordination among national unions and provides examples of where and how this had been achieved. A bracing riposte to conventional wisdom concerning the irresistible power of globalization, Workers in a Lean World is a definite account of contemporary labor relations on an international scale.

Customer Reviews:

Workers of the lean world, unite!.......2003-07-06

Kim Moody's "Workers in a Lean World" is a scholarly but highly readable critique of the contemporary labor movement and its struggle with capital. The author discusses numerous instances from around the world where employees have resisted management to support his contention that today's workers movement remains a potent historical force. In fact, the author points to new forms of worker organization to posit that the working class may be closer to throwing off the mantle of capitalist rule than one might suspect.

Mr. Moody is a labor researcher and activist who displays a great deal of knowledge and passion for the subject. He is the director of 'Labor Notes', an organization that publishes and sponsors conferences for labor leaders. The book benefits from the author's solid scholarship and case studies shared by real-life contacts with people who are active in making history today. Rarely is labor's side of the story told as intelligently, persuasively and compellingly as it is here.

Mr. Moody presents an unique analysis of postmodern industrialization. Like others, he points to the crisis of accumulation in the mid-1970s as a catalyst for change. Lean production utilizes information technology, cross-border production chains, and deskilled labor in an attempt to restore corporate profitability. But at this point, the author departs from most other analysts in a number of ways.

Mr. Moody challenges postmodern theorists by demonstrating that material production remains at the heart of capitalism. Citing a wealth of statistics, the author explains that the Fordist model remains vital and Taylorism is integral to the success of lean production. We are reminded of the age-old reality that labor's gain is management's loss; but while acknowledging that many jobs have been recently transferred overseas to low-wage countries, the author contends that it is not as easy for companies to relocate production as one might think. In fact, most job losses in recent years have been attributable to the implementation of computer technology. Rather, corporate PR and the threat of relocation is most often used by management to wring concessions from a largely insecure workforce that has become disoriented in the face of these rapid changes.

One particular powerful aspect of Mr. Moody's analysis pertained to his blistering critique of Human Resources Management (HRM), a "propagandistic" ideology full of "hype about worker autonomy and empowerment" (pg. 89). HRM has been successfully used by many companies to create a more easily exploitable workforce. In general, HRM coerces workers to share information with management, which all too often leads to speed-up and job loading at individual factories. Such knowlege then quickly spreads throughout the industry as examples of these so-called "best practices" are shared in management circles. But the underpaid, deskilled and overstressed workforce that ultimately results from an HRM project exposes the inherently lopsided nature of the labor/management relationship.

Mr. Moody compares and contrasts the union movement in the industrialized North with the newly-industrialized South. The author finds that many unions in the North (the U.S., Europe and Japan) have been coopted by management and consequently have lost much of their effectiveness. In contrast, the author highlights the successes of some of the more dynamic unions in the South (Brazil, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan and elsewhere) to contend that a form of social-movement unionism that combines political and economic goals may help secure a better future for the working class as a whole. Importantly, the author believes that the same cross-border production chains that enable globalization to flourish must be used by unions in the North and the South to share ideas, coordinate actions and achieve shared goals. While one may not be as optimistic as the author that such a coordinated worker campaign might gain the upper hand anytime soon, the strength of the author's work is such that one can clearly see the contours of the movement beginning to form and imagine that its eventual success may certainly be within the realm of possibility.

Book Description

In the United States, less than one worker in five is currently in a labor union, while in Sweden, virtually the entire workforce is unionized. Despite compelling evidence for their positive effects, even the strongest European unions are now in retreat as some policymakers herald the U.S. model of market deregulation. These differences in union power significantly affect workers' living standards and the fortunes of national economies. What explains the enormous variation in unionization and why has the last decade been so hostile to organized labor? Bruce Western tackles these questions in an analysis of labor union organization in eighteen capitalist democracies from 1950 to 1990. Combining insights from sociology and economics in a novel way, Western views unions as the joint product of market forces and political and economic institutions.

The author argues that three institutional conditions are essential for union growth: strong working-class political parties, centralized collective bargaining, and union-run unemployment insurance. These conditions shaped the impact of market currents and explain variations across industries, across countries, and over time for the four decades since 1950. Between Class and Market traces the story of the postwar labor movements supported by a blend of historical investigation and sophisticated statistical analysis in an innovative framework for comparative research. Western tightly integrates institutional explanation and comparative method in a way that balances comparative generality with the unique historical experiences of specific cases.

Customer Reviews:

Difficult and fairly obvious, but interesting and useful.......2000-05-24

The author undertakes a highly complex statistical study of 18 OECD countries during the period from 1950 to 1989 that correlates the growth of union density with the extent of left political parties, the centralization of worker representation and bargaining, that is, union structure and function, and union-paid unemployment benefits. The main point is that it is the class power of workers as reflected in pro-worker institutions that insulates unions from market forces such as the business cycle and permits unions to grow or maintain their standing.

This is not a book that makes an effort to find the historical basis of worker class power: why it exists in some places but not others. Furthermore, the reader cannot discern from this study the relative importance of class power as reflected in left political parties versus that reflected in centralized union structures and roles. Which way do the arrows of dependency point? Which comes first?

The author does show that those nations that have a strong mix of pro-worker institutions have been best prepared to withstand the forces of political conservatism, large unemployment levels, and globalization that emerged in the 1980s and continue to the present day.

Book Description

Globalization and the growing integration of national markets have had profound effects on the operation of markets, not least labor markets. In this book, a range of leading commentators on globalization and labor markets present original contribution on the interaction between these two areas. This book assesses the impact of globalization on trade, cross-border investment, and migration from both a theoretical and econometric standpoint and discusses the possible applications of this analysis for both industrialized and developing countries.

Brookings Trade Forum 2006: Global Labor Markets

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Brookings Trade Forum 2006: Global Labor Markets

Manufacturer: Brookings Institution Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0815712960

Comparative Labour Law Principles and Methods Industrial Relations Inindustrialized Market Economies

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Comparative Labour Law Principles and Methods Industrial Relations Inindustrialized Market Economies

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 904111565X

Book Description

Comparativism is no longer a purely academic exercise but has increasingly become an urgent necessity for industrial relations and legal practitioners due to the globalisation of the economy, the massive introduction of new information technology, the growth of multinational enterprises and the impact of international and regional organizations aspiring to harmonize rules. The growing need for comprehensive, up-to-date and readily available information on labour law and industrial relations in different countries led to the publication of the International Encyclopaedia for Labour Law and Industrial Relations, in which almost 70 international and national monographs have been published thus far. This book, Comparative Labour Law and Industrial Relations in Industrialized Market Economies, goes a step further than the Encyclopaedia inasmuch as most of the chapters provide comparative and integrated thematic treatment. Our aim is to describe the salient characteristics and trends in labour law and industrial relations in the contemporary world. Encouraged by the warm reception of the first six editions, we hope that also the seventh edition will serve as a textbook and reference work to facilitate the task of teachers and students of comparative labour law and industrial relations.We hope, too, that the book will provide labour lawyers, HRM and industrial relations specialists with the necessary insights to cope with a world which is increasingly international.

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The Dynamics of Trade and Employment
Laura D'Andrea Tyson , and William T. Dickens
Manufacturer: Ballinger Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Exports & Imports | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Labor & Industrial Relations | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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Industry | Automotive | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0887301584

Economic Liberalization and Labor Markets (Contributions in Labor Studies)

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Economic Liberalization and Labor Markets (Contributions in Labor Studies)

Manufacturer: Greenwood Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0313303584

Book Description

Examining the premise that the process of economic liberalization has had a significant impact on the labor markets of many countries, this contributed volume studies that impact in different countries and regions from both theoretical and applied perspectives. While recognizing that liberalization entails many elements, the book focuses on how structural adjustment policies have contributed to the overall development effort. The first four chapters analyze the relationship between economic liberalization and labor markets, and then investigate this relationship within broader regions, such as North-South, transition economies, and Africa. The remaining chapters provide case studies of Greece, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turkey. All the country chapters treat political economy issues and related policy conclusions. Stressing the interrelationship between liberalization and labor markets, the chapters discuss the importance of institutional, political, and legal factors in considering the effects of liberalization policies on the structure of labor markets and its participants. The book is an important look at a previously unexplored area of economic analysis.

Europe Competing in the Global Economy: Reports of the Competitiveness Advisory Group

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Europe Competing in the Global Economy: Reports of the Competitiveness Advisory Group

Manufacturer: Edward Elgar Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Policy & Current Events | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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Strategy & Competition | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Production & Operations | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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Economic Policy & Development | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1858987067

Flexibilisation And Modernisation of the Turkish Labour Market (Bulletin of Comparative Labour Relations)

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Flexibilisation And Modernisation of the Turkish Labour Market (Bulletin of Comparative Labour Relations)

Manufacturer: Aspen Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Product Description

The creation of dynamic and flexible labour markets increasing flexibility by removing existing rigidities is widely seen as contributing to economic growth. Expectations from flexibility centre on the creation of employment and thus reducing unemployment, increasing the adaptability of enterprises, social inclusion of marginal groups on the labour market (particularly women and young first entrants), and combating undeclared work. Since the acquis communautaire includes instruments on flexible work, Turkey, while preparing itself for accession to the EU, has to take measures to increase flexibility. Moreover, flexibilisation contributes to modernisation of the Turkish labour market, as it has to increase the participation of women in work and it has to reduce the huge informal labour market. The studies and proposals underlying this book were initiated within the framework of the Matra Pre-accession Projects Programme of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. So many valuable information came to light in the course of the project that this revised and updated version of the reports is now presented to a wider audience. Its keen insights, applicable both in general and specifically to Turkey, shed light on such vital employment issues as the following: A general introduction to key actors in the Turkish labour market; models of linking security with flexibility; relation between the formal and informal labour markets; industrial relations and collective bargaining; reciprocal rights and duties of worker and employer; the application of existing labour legislation; protection of flexible workers in social security. In their analysis of the Turkish case the authors explore the role of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and its affiliated institutions: the Social Security Institution (Sosyal G venlik Kurumu) and -Kur (which has evolved from the former Public Employment Services Organisation BK); the consistency of the flexibliity clauses of the new Turkish Labour Act with the acquis; and Turkish solutions as compared with those of EU Member States. Although it focuses on Turkey and will be of particular interest to practitioners and scholars concerned with EU and Turkish law, the factual and descriptive analysis of labour flexibilisation that the study provides complete with various detailed models of flexibilisation will be of great value in assessing the state of employment law in any country experiencing the economic pressure of the current transitional period in worklife realities.

Global Competition and the Labour Market (Studies in Global Competition, Vol 3)

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Global Competition and the Labour Market (Studies in Global Competition, Vol 3)
N. Driffield
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

The author explains how many foreign-owned companies based in the UK pay higher wages in absolute terms than do domestically-owned firms, but not sufficiently high to match their even greater productivity. Hence, for foreign-owned firms the share of wages in output or in total income generated tends to be low. In view of this, important questions are raised regarding how global changes in the structure of production may affect labour markets and the organisation of work in the future.
Although labour market research is now highly topical, few studies have considered the impact of multinational firms and global competition on labour markets. This study combines an industry level and a firm level analysis on the wage and employment effects of multinational companies, which has not been attempted in any previous work.

Book Description

This unique annual collection of key economic and statistical data on the world's smallest states, those with fewer than five million inhabitants, is an essential reference for economists, planners, and policymakers. Data on sixty-five countries is included, grouped in three categories: low-, middle- and high-income, based on their 2003 per capita GNI. The book contains fifty-one tables covering selected economic and social indicators culled from international and national sources and presents information unavailable elsewhere. As well as basic demographic information, including gender-disaggregated information where available, the tables include information on the structure of production; the structure of demand; external payments, reserves, net transfers and finance flows; exchange rate, interest rate and money supply information; and labor force data.

A detailed parallel commentary on trends in Commonwealth small states looking at growth, employment, inflation and economic policy issues permits a deeper understanding of developments behind the figures. The book also includes two topical articles: "Culture as the Fourth Pillar of Sustainable Development" by Dr. Keith Nurse, Senior Lecturer, Institute of International Relations, University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago, and "Enhancing the Competitiveness of Small States" by Ms Monique Pollard, Economic Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat.

Small States: Economic Review and Basic Statistics

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Small States: Economic Review and Basic Statistics
Commonwealth Secretariat
Manufacturer: Commonwealth Secretariat
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0850928168

Book Description

Annual series, ninth volume
This publication is a unique source of information on small states. It is an analysis of the key issues concerning the security and development of small states. The book is in two parts. The first section provides a narrative focusing on the recent economic performance of Commonwealth small states. It also contains feature articles. The second part of the book provides social and economic data on small states. These are presented in 51 tables. In order to maintain the continuity of the series, the country coverage and country groupings based on income are the same as those used in previous issues of this publication.

Small States: Economic Review and Basic Statistics Volume 10

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Small States: Economic Review and Basic Statistics Volume 10
Commonwealth Secretariat
Manufacturer: Commonwealth Secretariat
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Economic Conditions | International | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0850928311

Book Description

This unique annual collection of key economic and statistical data on the world’s small states--those with fewer than five million inhabitants--is an essential reference for economists, planners, and policymakers. Data on sixty-five countries is included, grouped in three categories: low-; middle-; and high-income--based on their 2003 per capita GNI. The book contains fifty-one tables covering selected economic and social indicators culled from international and national sources and presents information unavailable elsewhere. As well as basic demographic information, including gender-disaggregated information where available, the tables include information on the structure of production; the structure of demand; external payments, reserves, net transfers and finance flows; exchange rate, interest rate, and money supply information; and labor force data.
A detailed parallel commentary on trends in Commonwealth small states, looking at growth, employment, inflation, and economic policy issues, permits a deeper understanding of developments behind the figures.

Small States: Economic Review and Basic Statistics, Volume 7 (Economic Review and Statistics)

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Small States: Economic Review and Basic Statistics, Volume 7 (Economic Review and Statistics)
Commonwealth Secretariat
Manufacturer: Commonwealth Secretariat
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0850927463

Book Description

As in the previous issues, the publication is in two parts. The first part provides a narrative focusing on the recent economic performance of Commonwealth small states. It also contains two feature articles: The first is a commentary on small states in the Lomé Convention and in the New ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, and the second analyzes the implications for small states of the OECD Harmful Tax Competition guidelines. These two items are of considerable interest to small states, in view of the challenges posed to their economies by globalization and the progressive liberalization of world trade. The second part of the publication provides social and economic data on small states. These are presented in 51 tables. In order to maintain the continuity of the statistical series, the “country” coverage and “country groupings based on income” are the same as those used in previous issues of this publication. The publication provides a unique source of information on small states.

Small States: Economics Review and Basic Statistics (Commonwealth Secretariat Annual Series)

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Small States: Economics Review and Basic Statistics (Commonwealth Secretariat Annual Series)
Commonwealth Secretariat
Manufacturer: Commonwealth Secretariat
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0850926106

Book Description

Comprehensive guide to the culture, etiquette and communication of Italy.

Customer Reviews:

Passport Italy- a useful book for some travelers.......2007-07-18

I think this book was helpful regarding some of the cultural differences between how Italians and other cultures might do business. I think it could be very helpful to business persons doing work overseas. I don't think it's necessary reading for a tourist/traveler.

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