William Kerr – författare

This book offers a coherent perspective on the transition to a market-based agri-food system in the Central and Eastern European Countries and the New Independent States of the former Soviet Union. It provides a formal analysis of the entire food chain from farm inputs to final consumers including imports and exports. Major components of the agribusiness sector (inputs, farm-level marketing, processing, distribution and retailing) are all dealt with in separate chapters. In addition there is coverage of food security, multinationals, commercial law, finance and building market institutions. Theoretical chapters are devoted to problems concerning prices, transactions costs and bilateral monopoly. This theoretical discussion gives an in depth discussion of the difficulties underlying the process of transition to a market-based agri-food system and forms a consistent focus for the book as a whole. Overall, the book makes a highly original contribution to the literature on this topical subject and will be indispensable for agricultural and food economists, as well as general economists and others interested in the topic of economies in transition.

This book examines how government, industry and society interact to reach a level of regulation that is deemed satisfactory for the newly-emerged transformative technology that is agricultural biotechnology. It considers issues of risk and trust surrounding genetically modified plants for the production of food and pharmaceuticals. It describes how regulations have been produced to manage, or in some cases ignore, the risks from GM products. The scope is international and the book makes a significant contribution to the literature in this growing field of interest.

This MBA textbook provides a guide to the international institutions, both public and private, that exist to regulate and facilitate international business. William Kerr and Nicholas Perdikis explain how international business decision making should take into account the ideas and institutions that make up the international commercial environment, such as why trade theories are important to business; the ways in which governments can restrict trade; the role of international trade rules in reducing risk; the threats that anti-dumping and countervail actions pose; the pros and cons of operating multilaterally; the role of trading houses and the advantages of using private sector institutions to settle international business disputes.Key features include:Economic theory presented in a business-friendly style;Major arguments in international trade theory outlined and critically assessed;An explanation of the role and rules of international organizations, such as the WTOBarriers to trade and how they can affect competitiveness;An exploration of the organizational choices (e.g. direct exporting, becoming a multinational, joint ventures, etc.) open to those participating in international business; andDiscussion of the international private sector arrangements which ensure payment, facilitate the movement of products and resolve disputes.This book will be essential reading for senior executives needing to familiarize themselves with the international commercial environment. It will also be an excellent resource for executive and international MBAs, as well as upper level international business students.

This MBA textbook provides a guide to the international institutions, both public and private, that exist to regulate and facilitate international business. William Kerr and Nicholas Perdikis explain how international business decision making should take into account the ideas and institutions that make up the international commercial environment, such as why trade theories are important to business; the ways in which governments can restrict trade; the role of international trade rules in reducing risk; the threats that anti-dumping and countervail actions pose; the pros and cons of operating multilaterally; the role of trading houses and the advantages of using private sector institutions to settle international business disputes.Key features include:Economic theory presented in a business-friendly style;Major arguments in international trade theory outlined and critically assessed;An explanation of the role and rules of international organizations, such as the WTOBarriers to trade and how they can affect competitiveness;An exploration of the organizational choices (e.g. direct exporting, becoming a multinational, joint ventures, etc.) open to those participating in international business; andDiscussion of the international private sector arrangements which ensure payment, facilitate the movement of products and resolve disputes.This book will be essential reading for senior executives needing to familiarize themselves with the international commercial environment. It will also be an excellent resource for executive and international MBAs, as well as upper level international business students.

Efforts to improve food security in the developing world have been hampered due to myths surrounding GM agriculture. This book explores the theory, evidence and rhetoric of the impact of food production on the environment, and the impact of the environment on food production. The chapters address: food security and technology; expertise and opportunism; the promise of technology; the politicization of risk; industrial agriculture; the meaning of 'natural'; the potential of the local food movement; food labelling; genetic diversity in the agro-industrial era; sustainability and chemical application; plant vitality; and future prospects for food security. Each chapter includes a personal introduction from the authors about the issues at hand, followed by a detailed analysis with further references. The book considers the origins of concerns and then examines the evidence around the issues, and the impacts in terms of policy, regulation and agricultural practice. It also: - Refutes common consumer and environmental organization myths about biotechnology. - Highlights the importance of food security in both the developing and developed world. - Provides a pro-science approach to increasing food security. This book will be of interest to students and researchers in biotechnology, food security and public understanding of science, and also to policy makers, regulators and industry managers.

Efforts to improve food security in the developing world have been hampered due to myths surrounding GM agriculture. This book explores the theory, evidence and rhetoric of the impact of food production on the environment, and the impact of the environment on food production. The chapters address: food security and technology; expertise and opportunism; the promise of technology; the politicization of risk; industrial agriculture; the meaning of 'natural'; the potential of the local food movement; food labelling; genetic diversity in the agro-industrial era; sustainability and chemical application; plant vitality; and future prospects for food security. Each chapter includes a personal introduction from the authors about the issues at hand, followed by a detailed analysis with further references. The book considers the origins of concerns and then examines the evidence around the issues, and the impacts in terms of policy, regulation and agricultural practice. It also: - Refutes common consumer and environmental organization myths about biotechnology. - Highlights the importance of food security in both the developing and developed world. - Provides a pro-science approach to increasing food security. This book will be of interest to students and researchers in biotechnology, food security and public understanding of science, and also to policy makers, regulators and industry managers.

This book introduces the value of a Darwinian social evolutionary approach to understanding social change. Kerr brings together social change theory and theories on nationalism, whilst also providing concrete examples of the theories at work.

This book introduces the value of a Darwinian social evolutionary approach to understanding social change. Kerr brings together social change theory and theories on nationalism, whilst also providing concrete examples of the theories at work.