Alliance: The new strategic focus

Alliance between companies has long been a major corporate strategy. However, the recession and increasing protectionism have combined to raise the costs of doing business which in turn have favoured the increasing use of business alliances. While alliances have proved to be valuable competitive manoeuvres, there are inherent risks in relying on alliances as the sole or the major strategy for a company. This article discusses the key factors behind the change in focus for alliance strategies and identifies the major alliance thrusts being adopted in response to changing conditions.     

THE EXACT DISTRIBUTION OF THE BELL-DOKSUM TEST OF INDEPENDENCE

An expression for the exact distribution of the Bell-Doksum test of independence based upon the use of order statistics from normally distributed random samples is derived and a table of critical values is provided. Two extensions of the theory are considered and possible applications to Poisson processes and queueing theory are noted.     

Producing Synergy: Innovation,IT, and Productivity

Bringing innovations to market is critical to industrial progress and economic growth. We explore the potential for information technology (IT) to enable innovations, and thus improve productivity. We hypothesize that a knowledge stock of process‐oriented research and development (R&D) increases total factor productivity growth by leveraging traditional forms of capital and labor, and further enhances the ability of IT capital to increase productivity. We estimate these relationships using two broad panels of U.S. industries covering the periods 1987–1998 and 1998–2005. The results indicate qualified support for a synergistic effect of R&D and IT investment in both periods.     

Talk About a Revolution: Social Media and the MENA Uprisings

This article examines the role played by social media in the popular uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). When discussing their role, it is important to note the wider research context on social media and political participation and to be aware of any ideological and normative interventions. A number of key questions are asked about the role played by social media in the uprisings. First is the importance of context when assessing the role and impact of social media with global reach. Second is the extent to which ‘old’ media in the guise of print and broadcast journalism have been displaced or downgraded as forums for public talk. Third is the variable use and significance of different information and communication technologies and formats. The fourth issue concerns the demeanor of activists and audience, while the fifth focuses on the effects of social media on the conduct of the uprisings and, insofar as this can be ascertained, on their outcomes.

Este artículo examina el papel que jugaron los medios en los famosos levantamientos a través del Medio Oriente y África del Norte (MENA, por sus siglas en inglés). Al analizar su papel, es importante notar una mayor amplitud en el contexto de la investigación sobre los medios sociales y la participación política, y de tener presente cualquier intervención normativa e ideológica. Se formularon varias preguntas claves sobre el rol que jugaron los medios sociales en los levantamientos. Primero, la importancia del contexto cuando se evalúa el papel e impacto de los medios sociales con el alcance mundial. Segundo, hasta qué punto los medios ‘antiguos’ en la forma de periodismo impreso y radio y teledifusión fueron desplazados o se redujeron a fórums de charlas públicas. Tercero, la importancia y el uso variable de las diferentes tecnologías y formatos de la información y la comunicación. El cuarto asunto analiza la conducta de los activistas y la audiencia, mientras que el quinto se enfoca en los efectos de los medios sociales sobre la conducta de los levantamientos, y en la medida que se pueda constatar, sobre sus consecuencias.

本文考察社会媒体在横贯西亚北非地区的民众反叛中扮演的角色。当讨论社会媒体的作用时,注意到社会媒体和政治参与广阔的研究范围并小心避免任何意识形态或价值标准干扰是很重要的。关于社会媒体在反叛中扮演的角色,存在若干关键问题。首先是当以全球性覆盖来评估社会媒体角色和影响时环境的重要性。第二是作为公众话题平台,以印刷和广播新闻形式出现的“旧”媒体在多大程度上被取代或其重要性降低了。第三是不同的信息、通信技术及形式的可变用途和重要性。第四个问题有关积极分子和接受者的行为,而第五个则聚焦于社会媒体对起义的进行以及在可确定范围内其结局的影响。     

Social impact: The Pharmaceutical Industry

Given the intensity, volatility and direction of social trends, the future of a pharmaceutical company can only be effectively appraised by evaluating the social context within which the contemporary pharmaceutical industry operates.There is an immediate need for pharmaceutical companies to regard the social environment as the key strategy issue in long range planning due to the pervasiveness of social influence. Through perceptions of need, society can influence resource allocation and exercise public control over most facets of innovation, production, distribution and marketing of drugs and in the funds available by controlling prices and profits. Unfortunately a recent attitude study on the future of the multinational pharmaceutical industry indicates that a low level of impact is accorded to the Social Environment.The Social Environment of the future can only be evaluated successfully by utilizing effective social forecasting techniques.Unless the Social Environment is regarded as the central strategy issue and effective social forecasting techniques are adopted there is a very real danger that a socially and economically valuable industry will be progressively less able to meet its commitment to contribute effectively to the future well-being of society.