John A. Davis – författare

In Naples and Napoleon John Davis takes the southern Italian Kingdom of the Two Sicilies as the vantage point for a sweeping reconsideration of Italy's history in the age of Napoleon and the European revolutions. The book's central themes are posed by the period of French rule from 1806 to 1815, when southern Italy was the Mediterranean frontier of Napoleon's continental empire. The tensions between Naples and Paris made this an important chapter in the history of that empire and revealed the deeper contradictions on which it was founded. But the brief interlude of Napoleonic rule later came to be seen as the critical moment when a modernizing North finally parted company from a backward South. Although these arguments still shape the ways in which Italian history is written, in most parts of the North political and economic change before Unification was slow and gradual; whereas in the South it came sooner and in more disruptive forms. Davis develops a wide-ranging critical reassessment of the dynamics of political change in the century before Unification. His starting point is the crisis that overwhelmed the Italian states at the end of the 18th century, when Italian rulers saw the political and economic fabric of the Ancien Régime undermined throughout Europe. In the South the crisis was especially far reaching and this, Davis argues, was the reason why in the following decade the South became the theatre for one of the most ambitious reform projects in Napoleonic Europe. The transition was precarious and insecure, but also mobilized political projects and forms of collective action that had no counterparts elsewhere in Italy before 1848, illustrating the similar nature of the political challenges facing all the pre-Unification states. Although Unification finally brought Italy's insecure dynastic principalities to an end, it offered no remedies to the insecurities that from much earlier had made the South especially vulnerable to the challenges of the new age: which was why the South would become a problem - Italy's 'Southern Problem'.

The Short Oxford History of Italy series, in seven volumes, will offer a complete History of Italy from the early middle ages to the present and, in each period, will present the most recent historical perspectives on Italian history. This means setting Italian history in the broader context of European history as a whole. It also means questioning accepted interpretations of Italian history in each of these periods and, in particular, the idea that Italy's history has been significantly different from that of the rest of Europe. Each volume will emphasise how developments in Italy in each period are best understood as variants on broader European patterns of political, economic social and cultural change. This volume covers the period from the French Revolution to the end of the Nineteenth Century. Consisting of nine essays written by leading British and American historians, the volume shows how Italy's unexpected political unification and independence were inseparable from the impact of the broader processes of modernisation that were changing the face of Europe and the fabric of European society. The social and political tensions that fuelled the struggles for independence were rooted in Italy's difficult modernisation, which continued thereafter to threaten the consolidation of the new Italian state. But Italy's difficult modernisation did not preclude real change, and although Italy entered the twentieth century as a highly imperfect democracy it was not noticeably more imperfect, illiberal or divided than its nineteenth century European counter-parts, nor did the new challenges posed by the rise of mass society make fascism an inevitable outcome of the Risorgimento. Italy in the Nineteenth Century provides both the general and specialist reader with a critical but concise introduction to the most recent historical debates and perspectives.

The Short Oxford History of Italy series, in seven volumes, will offer a complete History of Italy from the early middle ages to the present and, in each period, will present the most recent historical perspectives on Italian history. This means setting Italian history in the broader context of European history as a whole. It also means questioning accepted interpretations of Italian history in each of these periods and, in particular, the idea that Italy's history has been significantly different from that of the rest of Europe. Each volume will emphasise how developments in Italy in each period are best understood as variants on broader European patterns of political, economic social and cultural change. This volume covers the period from the French Revolution to the end of the Nineteenth Century. Consisting of nine essays written by leading British and American historians, the volume shows how Italy's unexpected political unification and independence were inseparable from the impact of the broader processes of modernisation that were changing the face of Europe and the fabric of European society. The social and political tensions that fuelled the struggles for independence were rooted in Italy's difficult modernisation, which continued thereafter to threaten the consolidation of the new Italian state. But Italy's difficult modernisation did not preclude real change, and although Italy entered the twentieth century as a highly imperfect democracy it was not noticeably more imperfect, illiberal or divided than its nineteenth century European counter-parts, nor did the new challenges posed by the rise of mass society make fascism an inevitable outcome of the Risorgimento. Italy in the Nineteenth Century provides both the general and specialist reader with a critical but concise introduction to the most recent historical debates and perspectives.

Naples and Napoleon rewrites the history of Italy in the age of the European revolutions from the perspective of the South. In contrast to later images of southern backwardness and immobility, Davis portrays the South as a precocious theatre for political and economic upheavals that sooner or later would challenge the survival of all the pre-Unification states. Focusing on the years of French rule from 1806 to 1815, when southern Italy became the arena for one of the most ambitious reform projects in Napoleonic Europe, Davis argues that this owed less to Napoleon than to the forces unleashed by the crisis of the Ancien Regime. However, an examination of the earlier Republic and the popular counter-revolutions of 1799, along with the later revolutions in Naples and Sicily in 1820-1, reveals that the impact of these changes was deeply contradictory.This major reinterpretation of the history of the South before Unification significantly reshapes our understanding of how the Italian states came to be unified, while Davis also shows why long after Unification not just the South but Italy as a whole would remain vulnerable to the continuing challenges of the new age.

Competitive Success: How Branding Adds Value explains how companies can realize substantial competitive advantages and gains in financial and perceptive value if they develop a brand-centric philosophy. It describes the latest brand frameworks, emphasizing their practical applications.  The book presents a comprehensive review of the entire brand spectrum, including: Brand strategyImplementationCustomer/brand insightResource allocationPerformance measurement

Society and Politics in the Age of the Risorgimento contains ten essays written in honour of Denis Mack Smith by leading British and Italian specialists. The volume is intended both as a tribute to Denis Mack Smith's outstanding contribution to Italian history and as an attempt to open up wider debate on Italian society and politics in the period of the Risorgimento, bringing aspects of nineteenth-century Italian politics and social history into a comparative European context. Topics discussed in the volume include the collapse of the ancien régime in southern Italy; the Italian armies in the Napoleonic period; debates on poverty in Italy and Europe in the early nineteenth century; family and marriage; the origins of the mafia in Sicily; peasant protest in the Po valley; Garibaldi and England in the 1860s; the emergence of an Italian middle class; women workers; and the politics of the critic Francesco De Sanctis.

Society and Politics in the Age of the Risorgimento contains ten essays written in honour of Denis Mack Smith by leading British and Italian specialists. The volume is intended both as a tribute to Denis Mack Smith's outstanding contribution to Italian history and as an attempt to open up wider debate on Italian society and politics in the period of the Risorgimento, bringing aspects of nineteenth-century Italian politics and social history into a comparative European context. Topics discussed in the volume include the collapse of the ancien régime in southern Italy; the Italian armies in the Napoleonic period; debates on poverty in Italy and Europe in the early nineteenth century; family and marriage; the origins of the mafia in Sicily; peasant protest in the Po valley; Garibaldi and England in the 1860s; the emergence of an Italian middle class; women workers; and the politics of the critic Francesco De Sanctis.

Generation to Generation presents one of the first comprehensive overviews of family business as a specific organizational form. Focusing on the inevitable maturing of families and their firms over time, the authors reveal the dynamics and challenges family businesses face as they move through their life cycles. The book asks questions, such as: what is the difference between an entrepreneurial start-up and a family business, and how does one become the other? How does the meaning of the business to the family change as adults and children age? How do families move through generational changes in leadership, from anticipation to transfer, and then separation and retirement? This book is divided into three sections that present a multidimensional model of a family business. The authors use the model to explore the various stages in the family business life span and extract generalizable lessons about how family businesses should be organized.

Sir William Hamilton personified the age of the Enlightenment. He was a collector and connoisseur, amateur scientist and archaeologist, vulcanologist, anthropologist and above all a gentleman of taste and intellectual curiosity. In Naples, one of the most fascinating stations on the Grand Tour, he had found his ideal setting and, as King George III's ambassador to the Kingdom of Naples from 1764-1800, Sir William was witness to some pivotal events in European history.This is the first collection of his complete correspondence with the English court between 1797 and 1799. It sheds vivid light on the history of the Kingdom of Naples on the cusp of the Napoleonic Wars, as France and Spain jostled for control in the region, and examines the nature of power and government at the end of the eighteenth century. This collection includes Sir William's own account of Nelson's betrayal of the Neapolitan Republic when, rather than granting the royalist leaders safe passage back to France as agreed, Nelson turned his guns on them - a hugely controversial decision, both for contemporary audiences and ever since, and one in which Sir William's own role is still hotly contested.Offering an engaging portrait of a complex and sophisticated figure and bringing a dynamic period of history to life, this is an invaluable guide to the period which will enthrall anyone interested in eighteenth century Europe.

The next decade will be transformative for the higher education sector. Government funding is decreasing. Through their marketing activities universities have created the 'student consumer.' The student consumer is prepared to shop around, compare prices and value, and once purchased expects a return on their investment. Disruptive innovations are challenging traditional forms of learning and in many cases are viewed as better alternatives to traditional learning in the classroom. Competition from private educational providers is increasing. Their cost base is lower, and their customer focus is superior. In short, universities around the world are facing a perfect storm. While experts don't expect the higher education sector to collapse under these challenges, they do believe that for some institutions the future looks bleak. If universities are to avoid closures or mergers, they will need to adopt a market-oriented approach. This timely book urges readers to view students as customers and focuses on how universities need to reinvent themselves in order to stay relevant. Striking a difference between market-oriented and marketing, the authors provide various examples of institutions around the world that are making efforts to reposition themselves. Additionally, this book delves into the issue of undervalued faculty, arguing that education practices are in desperate need of being reimagined due to the abundance of MOOCs and adaptive and experiential learning practices within universities these days. Both university and academic leaders alike, including presidents, provosts, deans, and faculty will find value in the instructional aspects of this book as they relate to their involvement with institutional advancement agendas as well as providing insight into the changing nature of higher education and the evolving definition of what an academic career now entails.

Written in an accessible and succinct style, the textbook illustrates key themes with clear graphics and relevant real-world examples. It discusses significant elements of marketing theory and the latest practices to allow undergraduate and graduate students to understand both traditional and more recent sports marketing practices.Sports Marketing explores the latest sports marketing business practices, helping marketers make effective management and marketing investment decisions. This comprehensive textbook discusses relevant marketing theory and related practices within sports marketing. Each theme will:Define key sports marketing ingredientsProvide mini-case examples of various sports around the worldOffer end-of-chapter questions and exercises designed to affirm key topics and stimulate the reader's thinking, andDescribe measures of the various sports marketing activities.This textbook will prove an essential companion to students on marketing, business and various sport courses at an undergraduate and postgraduate level.Contents: Introduction 1. Sports Marketing Value Chain: Roles and Interdependencies 2. The Sports Marketing Context 3. Sports Histories and Sports Fans 4. Fans - Delivering Value through Deep Relationships 5. Association Benefits of Sports Marketing 6. Sports Marketing Measures 7. Sports Marketing Strategy and Activation Planning 8. The Sports Marketing Fusion 9. Sports Marketing Touchpoints and Customer Journeys 10. Sports Marketing - Leadership and Organizations 11. Traditional Advertising 12. Social and Digital Advertising 13. Sports Marketing Revenues 14. Sponsorship and Event Management 15. Licensing and Merchandising Index

The next decade will be transformative for the higher education sector. Government funding is decreasing. Through their marketing activities universities have created the 'student consumer.' The student consumer is prepared to shop around, compare prices and value, and once purchased expects a return on their investment. Disruptive innovations are challenging traditional forms of learning and in many cases are viewed as better alternatives to traditional learning in the classroom. Competition from private educational providers is increasing. Their cost base is lower, and their customer focus is superior. In short, universities around the world are facing a perfect storm. While experts don't expect the higher education sector to collapse under these challenges, they do believe that for some institutions the future looks bleak. If universities are to avoid closures or mergers, they will need to adopt a market-oriented approach. This timely book urges readers to view students as customers and focuses on how universities need to reinvent themselves in order to stay relevant. Striking a difference between market-oriented and marketing, the authors provide various examples of institutions around the world that are making efforts to reposition themselves. Additionally, this book delves into the issue of undervalued faculty, arguing that education practices are in desperate need of being reimagined due to the abundance of MOOCs and adaptive and experiential learning practices within universities these days. Both university and academic leaders alike, including presidents, provosts, deans, and faculty will find value in the instructional aspects of this book as they relate to their involvement with institutional advancement agendas as well as providing insight into the changing nature of higher education and the evolving definition of what an academic career now entails.

We live in an age of global crises, from spiralling income inequality to the climate emergency. Businesses have been major contributors to the problems we face, but they are also uniquely well-placed to effect positive change. So what can businesses do to shift from being a makers of goods to a force for good? In Radical Business, John Davis argues the changes needed are surprisingly simple. The difficulty lies in the effort to change human behavior and to dismantle decades of investment that reinforces obsolete practices. He offers examples of companies that are already taking action and presents a simple framework to help C-suite leaders and executive teams develop their own blueprint for putting societal value at the heart of their business.;We can no longer ignore that established ways of doing business pose real existential threats to humankind. We cannot change what has occurred, but we can change how we do things from now on.

Sir William Hamilton personified the age of the Enlightenment - a collector and connoisseur, amateur scientist and archaeologist, vulcanologist, anthropologist and above all a gentleman of taste and intellectual curiosity - and in Naples, one of the most fascinating stations on the Grand Tour, he had found his ideal setting.As King George III's ambassador to the Kingdom of Naples from 1764-1800, Sir William was witness to some pivotal events in European history. "The Hamilton Letters" is the first collection of his complete correspondence with the English court between 1797 and 1799. It sheds vivid light on the history of the kingdom of Naples on the cusp of the Napoleonic Wars as France and Spain jostled for control in the region as well as on the nature of power and government at the end of the 18th century. Included here is Sir William's own account of Nelson's betrayal of the Neapolitan Republic when, rather than granting the royalist leaders safe passage back to France as agreed, Nelson turned his guns on them - a hugely controversial decision, both for contemporary audiences and ever since, and one in which Sir William's own role is still hotly contested."The Hamilton Letters" offers an engaging portrait of a complex and sophisticated figure and brings a dynamic period of history to life. It is an invaluable guide to the period which will enthrall anyone interested in the colourful world of 19th-century European history.