Routledge Research Companions in Business and Economics – serie

Entrepreneurship is now unanimously considered a major engine for socio-economic development, mainly because it creates jobs and innovation. Governments around the world pay special attention to removing entrepreneurial barriers in order to support development via different policies, especially entrepreneurial finance. Developing, emerging and transition economies (DETEs) significantly differ from industrialized countries because of their specific conditions: institutions, infrastructure facilities, and bureaucratic procedures within the administrative system. Thus, firms and their entrepreneurs in and from DETEs may behave differently, particularly in terms of their financial strategies. Therefore, contextualizing is critical to better understand the relationship between entrepreneurial finance, innovation, and development in DETEs. This book provides a systematic and profound understanding of how finance, entrepreneurship, innovation, and their interactions contribute to economic development in DETEs, which cover a large number of countries in Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Africa. The book mainly includes empirical studies and is divided into four parts. Part A includes four chapters which adopt a multinational approach to examine different sources and types of finance for entrepreneurship and small business in different groups of countries classified as DETEs. Part B also includes four chapters and focuses on entrepreneurial finance in specific countries belonging to the DETEs. Part C goes beyond the business scope of entrepreneurial finance and includes three chapters concerned with the relationship between finance, women's entrepreneurship, and poverty. Part D includes three chapters focusing on the comparison within developing countries as well as between developing and developed countries. This essential and comprehensive resource will find an audience amongst academics, students, educators, and practitioners, as well as policymakers and regulators.

Entrepreneurship is now unanimously considered a major engine for socio-economic development, mainly because it creates jobs and innovation. Governments around the world pay special attention to removing entrepreneurial barriers in order to support development via different policies, especially entrepreneurial finance. Developing, emerging and transition economies (DETEs) significantly differ from industrialized countries because of their specific conditions: institutions, infrastructure facilities, and bureaucratic procedures within the administrative system. Thus, firms and their entrepreneurs in and from DETEs may behave differently, particularly in terms of their financial strategies. Therefore, contextualizing is critical to better understand the relationship between entrepreneurial finance, innovation, and development in DETEs. This book provides a systematic and profound understanding of how finance, entrepreneurship, innovation, and their interactions contribute to economic development in DETEs, which cover a large number of countries in Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Africa. The book mainly includes empirical studies and is divided into four parts. Part A includes four chapters which adopt a multinational approach to examine different sources and types of finance for entrepreneurship and small business in different groups of countries classified as DETEs. Part B also includes four chapters and focuses on entrepreneurial finance in specific countries belonging to the DETEs. Part C goes beyond the business scope of entrepreneurial finance and includes three chapters concerned with the relationship between finance, women's entrepreneurship, and poverty. Part D includes three chapters focusing on the comparison within developing countries as well as between developing and developed countries. This essential and comprehensive resource will find an audience amongst academics, students, educators, and practitioners, as well as policymakers and regulators.

Practicing business with a conscience leaves no sector untouched. It trickles into how we treat our employees; approach our work in general; address stakeholders; engage in accounting, financial, and production management practices; implement and manage information technology; communicate on a direct and indirect basis; and market what we stand for. Business has encountered an interesting evolution in the first two decades of the twenty-first century, with social media as a catalyst aiding greater understanding and improvement regarding the critical value of soft skills, workplace diversity, change readiness, moral responsibility, sustainable awareness, and a general socially responsible mindset. This amalgamate spirit of business as we envision it in both the near and far future has found its way in all segments of business education, research, and practice. Adhering to the global trend of increased responsibility and evoking a constructive change in the narrative of business, this Research Companion serves as a critical reference work for business scholars and practitioners in various settings. It brings together contributing scholars from multiple business areas, from a variety of cultures and locations of the world, in order to achieve the compilation of a reference work that will find an expansive appeal. Including insights from the broad business spectrum ranging from internal managerial practices to strategic applications, including international sensitivity, this volume highlights the urgency for increased awareness in business decision-making on all fronts. It will be of great value to researchers, academics, practitioners, and students in the fields of corporate social responsibility, business ethics, leadership, organizational studies, and entrepreneurship.

Practicing business with a conscience leaves no sector untouched. It trickles into how we treat our employees; approach our work in general; address stakeholders; engage in accounting, financial, and production management practices; implement and manage information technology; communicate on a direct and indirect basis; and market what we stand for. Business has encountered an interesting evolution in the first two decades of the twenty-first century, with social media as a catalyst aiding greater understanding and improvement regarding the critical value of soft skills, workplace diversity, change readiness, moral responsibility, sustainable awareness, and a general socially responsible mindset. This amalgamate spirit of business as we envision it in both the near and far future has found its way in all segments of business education, research, and practice. Adhering to the global trend of increased responsibility and evoking a constructive change in the narrative of business, this Research Companion serves as a critical reference work for business scholars and practitioners in various settings. It brings together contributing scholars from multiple business areas, from a variety of cultures and locations of the world, in order to achieve the compilation of a reference work that will find an expansive appeal. Including insights from the broad business spectrum ranging from internal managerial practices to strategic applications, including international sensitivity, this volume highlights the urgency for increased awareness in business decision-making on all fronts. It will be of great value to researchers, academics, practitioners, and students in the fields of corporate social responsibility, business ethics, leadership, organizational studies, and entrepreneurship.

Humans have long neglected to fully consider the impact of their behaviour on the environment. From excessive consumption of fossil fuels and natural resources to pollution, waste disposal, and, in more recent years, climate change, most people and institutions lack a clear understanding of the environmental consequences of their actions. The new field of behavioural environmental economics seeks to address this by applying the framework of behavioural economics to environmental issues, thereby rationalizing unexplained puzzles and providing a more realistic account of individual behaviour.This book provides a complete and rigorous overview of environmental topics that may be addressed and, in many instances, better understood by integrating a behavioural approach. This volume features state-of-the-art research on this topic by influential scholars in behavioural and environmental economics, focussing on the effects of psychological, social and cognitive factors on the decision-making process. It presents research performed using different methods and data collection mechanisms (e.g. laboratory experiments, field experiments, natural experiments, online surveys) on a variety of environmental topics (e.g. sustainability, natural resources).This book is a comprehensive and innovative tool for researchers and students interested in the behavioural economics of the environment and in the design of policy interventions aimed at reducing the human impact on the environment.

Humans have long neglected to fully consider the impact of their behaviour on the environment. From excessive consumption of fossil fuels and natural resources to pollution, waste disposal, and, in more recent years, climate change, most people and institutions lack a clear understanding of the environmental consequences of their actions. The new field of behavioural environmental economics seeks to address this by applying the framework of behavioural economics to environmental issues, thereby rationalizing unexplained puzzles and providing a more realistic account of individual behaviour.This book provides a complete and rigorous overview of environmental topics that may be addressed and, in many instances, better understood by integrating a behavioural approach. This volume features state-of-the-art research on this topic by influential scholars in behavioural and environmental economics, focussing on the effects of psychological, social and cognitive factors on the decision-making process. It presents research performed using different methods and data collection mechanisms (e.g. laboratory experiments, field experiments, natural experiments, online surveys) on a variety of environmental topics (e.g. sustainability, natural resources).This book is a comprehensive and innovative tool for researchers and students interested in the behavioural economics of the environment and in the design of policy interventions aimed at reducing the human impact on the environment.

The field of talent management has grown and advanced exponentially over the past several years as an essential area of research. While interest in the field is growing, and recent research has provided valuable insight into various topics, there remain many opportunities for additional exploration and research. One such opportunity is to examine talent management topics related to the modern workforce and organizations – an area identified as contemporary talent management. Divided into two thematic sections that provide a unique overarching structure to organize 18 chapters written by leading and renowned international scholars, this Research Companion assesses essential knowledge, trends, debates, and avenues for future research in a single volume. Some of the topics examined from a contemporary talent management perspective include Executive Search, Gifted Early Career Individuals, Managing Diverse Talents, Gender Sensitive Talent Management, Aging Global Workforce, Leadership Wisdom, Learning Agility, Employee Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Intrapreneurship, Small Business Enterprises, Talent Flow, Green HR, Gig Workers, and Mergers and Acquisitions. In this way, the Research Companion is essential reading for anyone involved in the scholarly study of contemporary talent management, including academic researchers, advanced postgraduate and graduate students, and management consultants. For further debate on traditional talent management, readers might be interested in the supplementary volume, The Routledge Companion to Talent Management, sold separately.

The field of talent management has grown and advanced exponentially over the past several years as an essential area of research. While interest in the field is growing, and recent research has provided valuable insight into various topics, there remain many opportunities for additional exploration and research. One such opportunity is to examine talent management topics related to the modern workforce and organizations – an area identified as contemporary talent management. Divided into two thematic sections that provide a unique overarching structure to organize 18 chapters written by leading and renowned international scholars, this Research Companion assesses essential knowledge, trends, debates, and avenues for future research in a single volume. Some of the topics examined from a contemporary talent management perspective include Executive Search, Gifted Early Career Individuals, Managing Diverse Talents, Gender Sensitive Talent Management, Aging Global Workforce, Leadership Wisdom, Learning Agility, Employee Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Intrapreneurship, Small Business Enterprises, Talent Flow, Green HR, Gig Workers, and Mergers and Acquisitions. In this way, the Research Companion is essential reading for anyone involved in the scholarly study of contemporary talent management, including academic researchers, advanced postgraduate and graduate students, and management consultants. For further debate on traditional talent management, readers might be interested in the supplementary volume, The Routledge Companion to Talent Management, sold separately.

Over the past 50 years the global labour market is transforming from reliable employment to low-wage and unstable informal and precarious jobs. This ineluctable shift is a consequence of the concentrated application of neoliberalism since the 1980s, as capitalism is converting standardised labour markets in the developed Global North into contingent and informal labour. Platform Labour and Global Logistics: A Research Companion examines the most important developments and features of global logistics and the emergence of the platform economy through historical comparative chapters and case studies. Part I surveys the logistics revolution and its impact on labour in key sectors of the global economy and probes the viability of the platform as a generator of economic and financial growth and innovation. The chapters of Part 1 offer a fulsome analysis and critique of the economic and technical reconfiguration brought on by neoliberal capitalism and the diffusion of the platform and logistics as a feasible model into the future. Part II examines labour restructuring from standardized to informal work through the platform and information technology, and the political and environmental challenges to labour. Part III provides global case studies on the informal economy through case studies of crucial economies where the platform has become dominant, and Part IV examines how the platform has contributed to geographic mobility and labour migration, and the consequences on workers. Platform Labour and Global Logistics: A Research Companion presents a unique contribution to the political economy literature through highlighting the significance of the impact of the platform and logistics on the working class and potential challenges from labour across the world. This book is intended for academics, researchers and students studying technological innovation, global supply chains, labour restructuring, and worker resistance.

Over the past 50 years the global labour market is transforming from reliable employment to low-wage and unstable informal and precarious jobs. This ineluctable shift is a consequence of the concentrated application of neoliberalism since the 1980s, as capitalism is converting standardised labour markets in the developed Global North into contingent and informal labour. Platform Labour and Global Logistics: A Research Companion examines the most important developments and features of global logistics and the emergence of the platform economy through historical comparative chapters and case studies. Part I surveys the logistics revolution and its impact on labour in key sectors of the global economy and probes the viability of the platform as a generator of economic and financial growth and innovation. The chapters of Part 1 offer a fulsome analysis and critique of the economic and technical reconfiguration brought on by neoliberal capitalism and the diffusion of the platform and logistics as a feasible model into the future. Part II examines labour restructuring from standardized to informal work through the platform and information technology, and the political and environmental challenges to labour. Part III provides global case studies on the informal economy through case studies of crucial economies where the platform has become dominant, and Part IV examines how the platform has contributed to geographic mobility and labour migration, and the consequences on workers. Platform Labour and Global Logistics: A Research Companion presents a unique contribution to the political economy literature through highlighting the significance of the impact of the platform and logistics on the working class and potential challenges from labour across the world. This book is intended for academics, researchers and students studying technological innovation, global supply chains, labour restructuring, and worker resistance.

This comprehensive volume explores the phenomenon of refugee entrepreneurship and advances the discussions and debates in the domain.The growing number of refugees across the world creates a compelling need to study the social and economic activities of refugees in different contexts, and to share experiences and debate how to better support refugee populations. This book covers academic, practical, and policy issues in refugee entrepreneurship, seeking to present the current status of research in this evolving field. The topics include how to identify and differentiate refugee entrepreneurship; refugees’ business practices; the personal, economic, and social values and impacts of refugee entrepreneurship; and the institutional support and role of ecosystems in facilitating refugee entrepreneurship. Future research directions are also outlined.This book provides scholars with the theoretical foundations and evidence base to advance refugee entrepreneurship research. Support agencies will learn from the experiences of others about the delivery of tailored support and policymakers will recognise the need for empathy and consistency in developing host country strategies for refugees.

This comprehensive volume explores the phenomenon of refugee entrepreneurship and advances the discussions and debates in the domain.The growing number of refugees across the world creates a compelling need to study the social and economic activities of refugees in different contexts, and to share experiences and debate how to better support refugee populations. This book covers academic, practical, and policy issues in refugee entrepreneurship, seeking to present the current status of research in this evolving field. The topics include how to identify and differentiate refugee entrepreneurship; refugees’ business practices; the personal, economic, and social values and impacts of refugee entrepreneurship; and the institutional support and role of ecosystems in facilitating refugee entrepreneurship. Future research directions are also outlined.This book provides scholars with the theoretical foundations and evidence base to advance refugee entrepreneurship research. Support agencies will learn from the experiences of others about the delivery of tailored support and policymakers will recognise the need for empathy and consistency in developing host country strategies for refugees.

This book provides an overview of recent and current research which defines and scopes the field of responsible marketing in one single edited book. It brings together diverse perspectives from contributors at Birmingham University, leading the academic development of knowledge of the subject, to contribute to the learning curriculum and reach out to those interested in improving marketing practices and standards. Responsible Marketing for Well-being and Society draws together a rich and diverse body of scholarly research from a variety of perspectives from individual to global, macro and micro, producer and consumer, environmental, stakeholder, supply chain, and other intermediary viewpoints. The embryonic research in this field involves different philosophical and methodological positions, theoretical approaches, and research communities including aspects of corporate social responsibility, marketing ethics, critical marketing, consumer culture theory, and macromarketing.The book takes a predominantly organisational or enterprise-level perspective in order to understand and explain how individuals and organisations can manage their marketing activities and relationships responsibly. The actions of other stakeholders are also a crucial component in achieving responsible outcomes; therefore, a broader perspective on the impacts of marketing decisions and actions on other stakeholders, such as consumers, employees, the environment, and society, is also taken as a basis for analysis and discussion. The book provides an authoritative overview for the academic market, including university libraries, research teams, PhD students, and independent researchers.The topics and contents of responsible marketing are relevant to several disciplinary fields of study including, marketing, advertising, retailing and other business subjects, consumer studies, sustainability, ethics, public policy, media studies, psychology, economics, and other social sciences.

This book provides an overview of recent and current research which defines and scopes the field of responsible marketing in one single edited book. It brings together diverse perspectives from contributors at Birmingham University, leading the academic development of knowledge of the subject, to contribute to the learning curriculum and reach out to those interested in improving marketing practices and standards. Responsible Marketing for Well-being and Society draws together a rich and diverse body of scholarly research from a variety of perspectives from individual to global, macro and micro, producer and consumer, environmental, stakeholder, supply chain, and other intermediary viewpoints. The embryonic research in this field involves different philosophical and methodological positions, theoretical approaches, and research communities including aspects of corporate social responsibility, marketing ethics, critical marketing, consumer culture theory, and macromarketing.The book takes a predominantly organisational or enterprise-level perspective in order to understand and explain how individuals and organisations can manage their marketing activities and relationships responsibly. The actions of other stakeholders are also a crucial component in achieving responsible outcomes; therefore, a broader perspective on the impacts of marketing decisions and actions on other stakeholders, such as consumers, employees, the environment, and society, is also taken as a basis for analysis and discussion. The book provides an authoritative overview for the academic market, including university libraries, research teams, PhD students, and independent researchers.The topics and contents of responsible marketing are relevant to several disciplinary fields of study including, marketing, advertising, retailing and other business subjects, consumer studies, sustainability, ethics, public policy, media studies, psychology, economics, and other social sciences.

This book argues that focusing on the green economy and green finance is essential to counteract the catastrophic, socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, while numerous research initiatives in the context of the green economy and/or finance have been observed in different parts of the world, to date, no comprehensive work has been published on the topic of green finance in relation to the discipline of Shari’ah. This timely book provides a comprehensive guide and offers practical solutions to the core issues of green finance within the principles of Maqasid al-Shari’ah.It contends that Islamic green finance serves to promote global financial stability and mitigate the financial risks associated with climate change and environmental degradation: by integrating Islamic finance principles with sustainable and environmentally friendly practices; by encouraging ethical investments and prioritising long-term social and environmental benefits; and by redirecting capital towards sustainable projects and fostering a more sustainable and inclusive financial system. Islamic green finance’s emphasis on transparency, governance, risk-sharing, and responsible investing helps lessen systemic risks and supports the transition towards a more stable and sustainable global financial landscape. The book’s holistic approach to green finance in Maqasid al-Shari’ah aims to ensure that financial actions align with Islamic principles and help create a more sustainable and responsible economic system.The book is a detailed reference, which sheds light on the pressing issues of our time. It encompasses various aspects of Islamic economics and serves as a guide to implementing green financing in accordance with Islamic principles and ethics, and as such, it will appeal to academics, researchers, students and policymakers alike.

This book argues that focusing on the green economy and green finance is essential to counteract the catastrophic, socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, while numerous research initiatives in the context of the green economy and/or finance have been observed in different parts of the world, to date, no comprehensive work has been published on the topic of green finance in relation to the discipline of Shari’ah. This timely book provides a comprehensive guide and offers practical solutions to the core issues of green finance within the principles of Maqasid al-Shari’ah.It contends that Islamic green finance serves to promote global financial stability and mitigate the financial risks associated with climate change and environmental degradation: by integrating Islamic finance principles with sustainable and environmentally friendly practices; by encouraging ethical investments and prioritising long-term social and environmental benefits; and by redirecting capital towards sustainable projects and fostering a more sustainable and inclusive financial system. Islamic green finance’s emphasis on transparency, governance, risk-sharing, and responsible investing helps lessen systemic risks and supports the transition towards a more stable and sustainable global financial landscape. The book’s holistic approach to green finance in Maqasid al-Shari’ah aims to ensure that financial actions align with Islamic principles and help create a more sustainable and responsible economic system.The book is a detailed reference, which sheds light on the pressing issues of our time. It encompasses various aspects of Islamic economics and serves as a guide to implementing green financing in accordance with Islamic principles and ethics, and as such, it will appeal to academics, researchers, students and policymakers alike.

In 2020 Noam Chomsky asserted that the time to panic about the existential threats posed by nuclear war, global warming, and the stifling of informed debate in supposedly open and democratic societies was upon us, and that it was the duty of concerned citizens to act accordingly. Hastened by the lingering aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, the proxy war in Ukraine, the decline of US economic hegemony, and increasing hostility between the US and China, he concluded in early 2023 that unless the US could be persuaded to cooperate with its declared adversaries and capitalism could be overthrown or ‘defanged’, there was little hope for survival. The authors of this book argue that achieving these ends will depend greatly on effective individual and collective worldwide dissent.The book analyses and exemplifies dissent in the main domains of institutionalised capitalist control and the manufacture of uninformed consent, namely: political economy; education; the media and IT; work and trade unions; the commons and communities; and culture. And thereby gives voice and hope to the downtrodden and marginalised, including indigenous peoples and those of the global south. It provides an uplifting counter to the otherwise seemingly overwhelming expression of uninformed consent, one that will inspire by example and be an antidote to the fear and defeatism instilled by capitalist intransigence, indoctrination, and control.The book is addressed to students, scholars and researchers primarily, but its breadth of coverage, authenticity and plain writing style will appeal to activists, community organisers, and concerned citizens, both in industrialised countries and the global south.

This book provides a comprehensive and contemporary exploration of consumer behaviour in tourism, offering interdisciplinary perspectives that connect theory, research, and real-world industry practices to support strategic decision-making and development of consumer-centric tourism.Integrating foundational theories of consumer behaviour alongside the psychological, cultural, and social influences that shape tourist decision-making and experiences, the book addresses the impact of digital technologies, social media, artificial intelligence, and data-driven marketing on tourism consumption patterns. The chapters include empirical-studies and international case-studies that illustrate evolving market trends and consumer expectations across different tourism contexts. Bringing together perspectives from tourism, marketing, psychology, business-management, and geography, each chapter provides both conceptual understanding and practical insights into tourism consumers and their behaviour.Offering readers critical analytical tools, contemporary theoretical insights, and practical guidance, this volume is particularly valuable for academics, researchers, postgraduate students, and industry practitioners in tourism, marketing, business, psychology, and related disciplines.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of Islamic finance and sustainability, showcasing how Islamic financial instruments can support environmentally sustainable initiatives.It delves into recent efforts to develop a Shariah-compliant financial and banking system that is sustainable, efficient, and stable. Contributors focus on Islamic financial products and tools, highlighting their potential to advance environmental sustainability. The discussions are organized around key themes, including the principles of sustainability in Islamic finance, risk assessment and mitigation, the Islamic stock market and sustainability, Green Fintech in Islamic banking and finance, and Green Sukuk in developing and emerging markets. The book addresses how Islamic finance can bridge the gap in green financing globally. Particular emphasis is placed on Green Sukuk, a Shariah-compliant bond created to fund environmentally sustainable projects, including those aimed at combating climate change and promoting ecological conservation.This comprehensive volume on Islamic finance and sustainability will be invaluable for policymakers, researchers, and academics interested in Islamic economics and finance, sustainable finance, and the green economy.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of Islamic finance and sustainability, showcasing how Islamic financial instruments can support environmentally sustainable initiatives.It delves into recent efforts to develop a Shariah-compliant financial and banking system that is sustainable, efficient, and stable. Contributors focus on Islamic financial products and tools, highlighting their potential to advance environmental sustainability. The discussions are organized around key themes, including the principles of sustainability in Islamic finance, risk assessment and mitigation, the Islamic stock market and sustainability, Green Fintech in Islamic banking and finance, and Green Sukuk in developing and emerging markets. The book addresses how Islamic finance can bridge the gap in green financing globally. Particular emphasis is placed on Green Sukuk, a Shariah-compliant bond created to fund environmentally sustainable projects, including those aimed at combating climate change and promoting ecological conservation.This comprehensive volume on Islamic finance and sustainability will be invaluable for policymakers, researchers, and academics interested in Islamic economics and finance, sustainable finance, and the green economy.

Rituals, Consumption, and Marketing: A Research Companion is a compendium of cutting-edge scholarship exploring the relevance, roles, and functions of rituals in consumer culture—a topic that has burgeoned within the marketing field.The volume theoretically expands on the understanding of rituals in marketing and consumer culture and how consumption rituals emerge and evolve through seven key parts: 1) conceptual understandings of ritual; 2) rituals and marketing strategy; 3) culturally rooted rituals; 4) rituals and well-being; 5) rituals in childhood and adolescence; 6) rituals, media, and technology; and 7) writing rituals. With contributions from international scholars, ranging from early-career researchers to those who pioneered ritual scholarship in marketing, it showcases the ways rituals can contribute both to the well-being of consumers and the business objectives of marketers.This book will be a valuable resource for academics in the marketing field pursuing ritual scholarship. It will act as a rich resource for creating assignments, cases, and projects in courses on consumer culture, consumer behavior, and marketing strategy. It will also inspire practitioners to make their customers’ experiences more meaningful and memorable.

Cooperatives are traditionally recognized as marginal players in the economic sector, but their role in policymaking and in social arenas has garnered even less attention. Over the past two decades, an extensive body of literature in management science and economics has arisen, designating non-capitalistic enterprises as subjects of particular attention. In the context of rising global challenges like economic inequality, environmental sustainability, and labor rights, the role of cooperatives has become increasingly relevant. This book examines the practical and policy dimensions and implications of cooperative economics and movement(s). It delves into the more politicized aspects of cooperatives, exploring how they intersect with global movements, social justice, policymaking, and grassroots activism and provides insights into real struggles tackled by this enterprise form. It offers an understanding of how communication in cooperatives plays a role in promoting principles, values and practices and how these are transferred across generations of cooperators. It provides a deeper understanding of the elements of intergenerational evolution within cooperatives in concepts on employment and labour as new policies are raising expectations. Further, it offers a broad variety of global case studies pertinent to issues of relevance to cooperative economics and management, profiling how different types of cooperatives on six continents can promote sustainability and self-organized community wealth-generation, connecting to development studies, ethics and political economy, while revealing how cooperatives can address the current challenges of the digital age, especially including issues of data governance and artificial intelligence. The book will serve as an invaluable tool for anyone seeking to understand the broader implications of cooperative models in today's globalized world.The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC-BY-SA) 4.0 license.

Philanthropy Multidisciplinary Perspectives is a reference for academics and professionals engaged in philanthropy. It brings together scholars from fields such as economics, finance, law, philosophy, and sociology, showcasing the power of a multidisciplinary approach in providing a comprehensive view of this complex subject.The book addresses foundational questions in philanthropy and is divided into four parts. The first part asks the crucial question of why philanthropy matters, exploring the motivations behind giving and how beneficiaries are selected. The second part looks at the interaction between business and philanthropy. It examines the rise of social enterprises, the shift toward purpose-driven businesses, and the evolution of corporate social responsibility into sustainable enterprises. This part also addresses tax considerations that impact philanthropy's ability to scale. The book explores the synergies between finance and philanthropy to foster sustainable development and how philanthropy is addressing or could address specific SDGs. It concludes with key ingredients for good governance in philanthropy.The book tackles major challenges, such as diversity, compensation, and data management, while tracing the evolution of best practices in foundation governance. It identifies areas for improvement and discusses the relationships between governance in philanthropic organizations and important issues such as trust, equality, and democracy.The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license.

This edited volume provides coverage of international trade and investment in Africa. Trade and investment are crucial to promoting to economic growth and development, and have important policy implications for governments, and other stakeholders in economies of the global South. The book offers an extensive examination of critical issues in trade and investment, encompassing a wide range of areas such as trade policy and development, international trade, investment and economic growth, finance, payment systems, and trade development, as well as contemporary issues in international trade. It focuses on emerging, cutting-edge research on the broad areas of trade and investment, contributes significantly to contemporary literature, and informs policy design in these areas.This distinctive, topical, and accessible work is intended for a wide range of readers interested in international trade and investment, including policymakers, practitioners, academics, researchers, and students at all levels studying international trade, economics, and finance. Overall, it serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge and understanding of international trade, investment, and economic development in today's complex and rapidly changing global economy.

The book is a research-led companion for anyone seeking to understand how fashion futures are already being made. It brings together a curated collection of conceptual, empirical, and practice-based chapters that reflect fashion’s complexity while remaining grounded in rigorous and reflexive research. Organised around four interconnected themes, Innovation, Ecosystem, Education, and Values, the book explores how technological change, circular systems, community practices, pedagogy, and ethics collectively shape fashion today. Chapters explore innovation as a multidimensional process, rethink fashion as a network of relationships, position education as a driver of systemic change, and foreground values such as justice, care, and cultural accountability. Across the volume, dominant narratives rooted in extractive, exclusionary, and short-term thinking are critically challenged.Written in an accessible and engaging style, the book is designed for fashion educators, researchers, students, and practitioners who want to think critically while remaining oriented towards action. Each chapter analyses current transformations and offers future research agendas or critical questions to support reflection beyond the page. This book benefits readers by providing intellectual depth, global perspectives, and practical inspiration. It serves as both a snapshot of contemporary fashion research and a catalyst for shaping more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable fashion futures.