Market Orientation in the Transition Economies of Central Europe:: Tests of the Narver and Slater Market Orientation Scales

The Narver and Slater (Narver, J.C., and Slater, S.F.: The Effect of Marketing Orientation on Business Profitability. Journal of Marketing 54 (1990): 20–35.) market orientation scale is tested in the context of the transition economies of central Europe and found to be both valid and reliable. Relationships between market orientation and both marketing strategy and performance broadly follow predictions from the Western literature indicating that the adoption of a market orientation is equally applicable in transition as in Western economies. A number of different approaches, however, are evident in the transition economies suggesting that other business orientations may coexist with a market orientation creating a richer and more complex set or organizational drivers.     

The Nature of Business Planning Undertaken by General Practitioner Fundholding Practices in the North West Region

This article focuses on a central feature of the former Conservative Government's approach to the National Health Service (NHS), the introduction of General Practitioner Fundholding. It examines the nature of business planning undertaken by fundholding practices in the North West Region by looking at the participation of various stakeholders in the business planning process, the business planning techniques adopted and the extent to which fundholding practices set and monitor their objectives.     

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN SUPPORTING THE EXTENDED SUPPLY CHAIN

The emergence of the Internet and new software applications has provided an opportunity for some companies to move towards an extended enterprise business model–one that enhances value across the total supply chain. The prime driver of this trend has been the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. The research investigates whether traditional technology infrastructures, including information systems, have failed to deliver the level of support required to enable organizations to take advantage of the new extended business model. The research identifies a series of new and distinctive capabilities that influence the adoption of an extended business model. Supported by innovative technologies, leading companies are exploiting these distinctive capabilities to meet the challenge of the New Economy.     

Media constructions of risk: a case study of the Stainforth Beck incident

In October 2000 two schoolgirls were swept away from their party whilst ‘river walking’ in Stainforth Beck near Settle in North Yorkshire. The paper examines this incident with reference to media coverage of the events at the time and the subsequent reportage. The discussion contributes to the debate concerning the appropriateness of an agenda of broadening education. We argue from a position that supports the principle of breadth, particularly when such activities are part of adventure education with its propensity to engage with outdoor risk settings. Whilst lessons must be learnt from such a tragic incident, it is important that outdoor professionals continue to disseminate the positive potential of adventure in order to offset the negative messages concerning risk promoted by the media in general.     

Environmental protection and management: A water pollution case study within the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area,Australia

The Grose River is contained almost entirely within a World Heritage Area. While sewage pollution in the area has been addressed, pollution at damaging levels continues from a disused coal mine, closed in 1997. Despite some surface rehabilitation, no action has occurred to remediate zinc polluted waters emanating from the mine. We examine the historical regulation and management of the Australian Commonwealth and New South Wales governments and highlight gaps in both regulatory systems. We conclude that there is an urgent need to improve regulation of water pollution, mining and management of the environment in highly valued world heritage areas.     

How important are commercial revenues to today's airports?

This paper investigates the importance of commercial revenues to today's airports. It establishes that on average commercial revenues now account for about half of all revenues, although this varies considerably by region and individual airport, with retail being the most significant commercial source. It explores some of the key factors, such as consumer trends, security developments and political changes, which have led to a much more challenging time for commercial managers since the late-1990s. With growing pressure to control levels of aeronautical revenues, even greater focus on commercial revenues may be needed in the future and the paper concludes by discussing the implications of this.     

Changes in Indirect Taxes in Australia: A Dynamic General Equilibrium Analysis

Over the last thirty years, the effects of indirect taxation changes have been analysed using comparative static general equilibrium models. We use a new method to analyse current changes in Australia's indirect taxes: dynamic computable general equilibrium modelling. Comparative static methods compare the situation in a given year (usually unspecified) with and without a policy change. The dynamic method shows the effects of a policy change through time. Comparative static methods are usually restricted to estimates of long-run changes in allocative efficiency. The dynamic method provides information not only on efficiency but also on adjustment processes, including variations in employment. With our dynamic method, the effects of policy changes are analysed as deviations from explicit forecasts. We find that these forecasts are important for the policy results. For Australia's current set of indirect tax changes, our main conclusions are (i) the short-run employment effects depend critically on the wage response; (ii) merchandise exporters benefit but tourism is harmed; and (iii) the long-run welfare effectsare likely to be negative, reflecting a decline in the terms of trade and increased compliance costs.     

Transforming the NHS: what chance for the new government?

This paper reviews Labour's record on the NHS since the 1997 general election. The record shows increased financial investment especially since 2002, coupled with a marked centralisation of strategy and management which is proving counter-productive to further modernisation.     

Local economic development: Policy and practice in South Africa

The policy of local economic development (LED) is currently attracting considerable attention in government and development circles in South Africa. This article seeks to critically examine and assess the key contextual considerations which influence LED, its emergence and its chances of success. In this regard, the notions of post‐Fordism and the important role of government are examined. It then outlines and assesses evolving LED policy and practice in the country in the light of current experiences in various centres. The article concludes with an examination of various practical considerations which appear to be affecting the further application of the concept in the country. These issues are deemed to be of relevance to policymakers if LED is to be successfully implemented.     

Business Ethics on the Internet: 2

In a previous article the authors provided an introduction to using the internet as a resource for business ethics. In this sequel they look at newsgroups and chatrooms, and conclude by looking at the websites of Shell and a Shell critic on the controversial ethical aspects of its corporate policy and behaviour. Ben Fairweather is a Research Fellow, and Steve Dixon is Webmaster, at the Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester LEl 9BH, England (email: ccsr@dmu.ac.uk) (website http://www.ccsr.cms.dmu.ac.uk/).