Eleanor J. Morgan

Determinants of innovation in small food firms

This paper focuses on innovation in small food‐ and drink‐manufacturing enterprises in two Belgian regions. The aim of the research was to identify patterns of innovative activities. Based on both literature and empirical analyses, a framework was developed to help in understanding some aspects of the determinants of innovation in small food firms. Two conclusions can be drawn from the research. On the one hand, it is clear that innovation was regarded as essential by most small food firms. Such firms tended to continuously introduce new products, develop new processes, make changes in the organisational structure and explore new markets. On the other hand, the research demonstrated that some aspects of innovation depend on the age of the company, company size and regional economic performance.

Marketing higher education: the MBA experience

Given the increasing competition in higher education, including that on MBA degrees, it is surprising that more attention has not been paid to marketing issues, such as are educational institutions really “customer‐oriented”?; do they choose the most appropriate market segments?; the complexities of the decision processes of the “buyers”. Looks first at general issues facing educational marketers, and then examines the marketing of MBA degrees in the light of theory, of previous survey data and of evidence arising from their collective experience. Concludes that, whether the “customer” is an individual student or a company, a greater understanding of buyer behaviour is needed; business schools should improve their marketing or stand accused of not practising what they preach.

Transatlantic divergence: GE–Honeywell and the EU's merger policy*

This paper analyses the reasons for the severe EU–US disagreement over the proposed merger of two US firms, General Electric and Honeywell, which would have been the largest industrial merger in history. The case, one of the relatively rare instances where the European Commission prohibited a merger, is interesting because the EU and US authorities took opposing decisions even though the merger affected world markets. The paper argues that the Commissions investigation of this complex case was undermined by its relative autonomy, combined with procedures, processes and a lack of resources that left it vulnerable to inadequate analysis. The deal broke down not because of failures in communication between US and EU officials, but rather because of the limited and flawed assessment by Brussels which the EU system allowed.

Innovation and Merger Decisions in the Pharmaceutical Industry

There is increasing public policy concern about the potentialeffects of mergers on innovation. This paper provides acomparative analysis of approaches to innovational competitiontaken by the E.U. and U.S. merger authorities in a sample of threerecent, major, pharmaceutical mergers. The European Commissionsapproach appears lighter handed and places more explicit emphasison effects in downstream markets. The uncertainties in the analysisof dynamic effects of mergers on innovation, even in pharmaceuticals,suggest the need for a cautious approach and for careful framingof any merger remedies where R & D projects and components, ratherthan approved drugs, are involved.

A Decade of EC Merger Control

The introduction of the EC Merger Control Regulation in September 1990 plugged a serious gap in European competition policy. This paper examines aspects of its record over the first ten years. These include the changing scope of the policy and the much higher level of activity than originally anticipated. Developments in the appraisal of mergers are assessed with particular reference to oligopoly, the treatment of non-competition effects and dynamic competition, especially in high tech industries. The risks of an increasing tendency towards remedial settlements are also discussed and some future challenges highlighted .

Reviewing investment after completion: an exploratory analysis

The need for formal appraisal of proposed investment has long been accepted. It is now being recognized however that post-investment monitoring and review is also important. This study examines the usage benefits and difficulties of post- completion reviews in two service sectors. The article concludes that respondents undertaking such reviews see substantial benefits, although they are also aware of the technical problems.

Mba Courses: Learning From Diversity and Similarity:

The School of Management at the University of Bath has offered and concurrently run four different MBA (Master of Business Administration) degrees. They differ in length, content, and in the audiences for which they cater. Course delivery varies in style of presentation and geographical location, that is, the extent to which the course is university campus-based. This article looks briefly at the design and delivery of the four courses, and asks what can be learned from the experience of tailoring MBA education to four different groups of people.

Managerial Issues in International Business

List of Tables List of Figures Foreword J.Clegg Notes on the Contributors Managerial Issues in International Business: Introduction F.M.Fai & E.J.Morgan The Relevance of Internationalization Theories: A Contingency Framework C.A.Solberg & V.Askeland Cheating and Incentive Schemes in International Joint Ventures U.F.Ott Managerial Perspectives on Business Purpose: Values, National Values and Institutions S.Harris & C.Carr A New Perspective on Parenting Spin-offs for Cluster Formation M.P.Ferreira, W.Hesterley & A.T.Tavares Towards an Explanation of MNE FDI in the City of London Financial Services Cluster N.R.Pandit, G.A.S.Cook & P.N.Ghauri International Entrepreneurship Strategy and Managing Network Dynamics: SMEs in the UK Advertising Sector D.K.Boojihawon Cross-Border Management Issues in International Law Firms S.Segal-Horn & A.Dean The Performance Management-Training Interface in Australian Firms in China S.McGrath-Champ & X.Yang Country of Origin Effects on Knowledge Transfers from MNEs to their Chinese Suppliers: An Exploratory Investigation J -L.Duanmu Foreign Direct Investment Flows into an Integrating Europe: MNE Strategy and Location Decisions1981-2001 D.Dimitropoulou & R.Pearce New Directions in International Business S.Collinson, P.Buckley, G.Yip & J.Dunning Index

Between Experience and Knowledge Learning within the MBA Programme

Much has been written on what is taught in MBA courses, and legs on how it is taught and the kinds of learning that are encouraged. This paper offers an analysis of different types of learning and their place within an MBA programme; it considers some of the dilemmas for staff and students between analogue and digital learning; between learning about ideas and learning how to do things; between learning about techniques and learning how to learn; and between learning by acquaintance and learning by description. Within these dilemmas it considers the connection between the experience that managers bring to an MBA course, the frameworks and theories that are offered to them within the course, and the merged knowledge and experience that they take from the course, which should enable them to learn more rapidly from experience in the future. The paper describes one particular educational device that has proved effective in enabling MBA students to integrate their knowledge and experience.

Steering Mergers Through the EU's Regulatory Rocks:: Remedies Under the EU Merger Control Regulation

Remedies are increasingly used to modify merger proposals and obtain clearance under the EU Merger Control Regulation. Although remedial policy is one of the most rapidly evolving areas of European merger control and is of considerable importance to firms seeking to frame their deals to win regulatory approval, it has received comparatively little attention. This paper examines features of the policy from a managerial perspective in the light of the European Commissions recent guidance notice (press release IP/00/1525, 21 December), case evidence and related literature. An understanding of the Commissions approach should decrease the risk of proposed deals either being damaged unnecessarily or breaking up on the EUs regulatory rocks.