LOCAL CULTURE MEETS SINGLE EUROPEAN MARKET - AN ASSESSMENT OF INTERNATIONALIZATION CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDEPENDENT ENTREPRENEURS IN THE FRENCH BOOK RETAIL SECTOR

1999 ◽  
Vol 07 (04) ◽  
pp. 365-388
Author(s):  
ELKE PIOCH ◽  
RUTH A. SCHMIDT

The introduction of the Single European Market (SEM) acted as a catalyst to internationalization activities throughout the European Union (EU). Set against the backdrop of a wider study of retail change within the SEM this industry case study examines the changing role of the independent sector within French book retailing in the face of a growing trend towards cross-border activity. The interplay between consumer culture and the dynamics of the changing structural components of the market is discussed against the backdrop of a wider EU context. Barriers and challenges as well as opportunities for international activities are examined and the respective positioning of the different types of retail capital considered. Conclusions highlight the importance of entrepreneurial style rather than the size of the firm as a driver of international activity and present a discussion of likely future trends in this market.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 4023
Author(s):  
Silvia Marcu

Using the case study of Romanians in Spain, this article highlights how the COVID-19 crisis presents both challenges and opportunities when it comes to human mobility and sustainability. Drawing on in-depth interviews with mobile people during the period of lockdown and circulation restrictions, and in accordance with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the paper advances and contributes to the relevance of sustainability and its impact on people’s mobility in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. I argue that even in the midst of the crisis, sustainable ways may be found to promote and protect human mobility. The paper raises the way sustainability acts as a driver, gains relevance and influence, and contributes to the creation of new models of resilient mobility in times of crisis. The conclusions defend the respect for the SDGs regarding human mobility and emphasise the role of people on the move as sustainable actors learning to overcome distance and the barriers to their mobility during the pandemic.


Author(s):  
V.B. Belov

The article examines the results of the last Bundestag elections. They marked the end of the Angela Merkel era and reflected the continuation of difficult party-political and socio-economic processes in the informal leader of the European Union. The main attention of the research focuses on the peculiarities of the election campaign of the leading parties and of the search for ways of further development of Germany in the face of urgent economic and political challenges. These challenges include the impact of the coronavirus crisis, the impact of the energy and digital transition to a climate-neutral economy, and the complex international situation. Based on original sources, the author analyzes the causes of the SPD victory and the CDU/CSU bloc defeat, the results of the negotiations of the Social Democrats with the Greens and Liberals, the content of the coalition agreement from the point of view of the prospects for the development of domestic and foreign policy and the economy of Russia's main partner in the west of the Eurasian continent. The conclusion is made about the absence of breakthrough ideas, the consistent continuation of the course started by the previous government for a carbon-free economy and the strengthening of the role of Germany in Europe and the world. For this course, conflicts and problems in achieving the set goals will be immanent due to the compromising nature of the coalition agreements.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9s1 ◽  
pp. 101-125
Author(s):  
Juliet Thondhlana ◽  
Roda Madziva ◽  
Evelyn Chiyevo Garwe

The importance of diaspora and transnational knowledge production, innovation, and development is of growing interest, particularly in the developing world. The phenomenal increase in high human capital migration from poor to rich countries has historically led to what is commonly known as brain drain, which has negatively impacted the capacity of such countries to innovate. Yet more recently the emergence of the phenomenon of transnationalism has demonstrated the potential to transform brain drain into brain circulation, for the mutual benefit of both sending and receiving contexts. This article uses the case of Zimbabwe to explore the role of diasporan professionals, scholars, and entrepreneurs in contributing to knowledge production, innovation, and development initiatives in their countries of origin. Zimbabwe is an example of many African countries that have experienced substantial attrition of highly qualified knowledge workers for various reasons. A qualitative approach, involving interviews and documentary evidence, enabled the researchers to engage with the Zimbabwean diaspora to capture their narratives regarding the challenges and opportunities, which were then used to develop successful transnational knowledge production initiatives.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 138
Author(s):  
Mayarni Mayarni ◽  
Mimin Sundari ◽  
Resa Vio Vani

This study aims to determine the management of Lake Napangga tourism objects in Kepenghuluan Tanjung Medan, Rokan Hilir Regency, which contributes to the economy of the surrounding community. Lake Napangga is one of the lakes located in the Rokan Hilir area which has promising tourism potential if managed properly. Therefore, the role of BUMDes as the manager of Lake Napangga should be able to become a spirit in developing this lake tourism object to empower the economy of the village community, but the management of this tourist attraction is not only influenced by the seasonal agenda but also the Coronavirus Disease pandemic that emerged in 2020 This study choosing the type of qualitative research with a case study approach, where data collection is done by observation and interviews. After the data and information are obtained, it will be analyzed in depth with triangulation techniques. The results of this study found that the management of Lake Napangga tourism objects has not run optimally by the BUMDes in this case due to the inconsistency in the number of tourists visiting Lake Napangga, the inconsistent seasonal agenda, the lack of promotional activities and the COVID-19 Pandemic that appeared regularly. Suddenly disrupting the sources of income for people who depend on this Lake Napangga tourist attraction. This reality is what makes community economic empowerment in order to increase income still not running optimally. And aspects of sustainability in this case are needed to develop the tourism potential of Lake Napangga in the face of unforeseen conditions, in this case COVID-19 becomes an example of problems that must be faced in order to run the economy of the community and maximize the management of potential tourist attractions.


2015 ◽  
pp. 1488-1507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Takavarasha, Jr. ◽  
Eldred V. Masunungure

This chapter uses Illich's (1973) concept of conviviality for analysing the challenges and opportunities of using email for political communication in authoritarian states. Based on evidence from a case study of Zimbabwe's Media Monitoring Project (MMPZ), it contends that while conviviality allows the use of ICTs for political mobilisation, it also enables a counterproductive “big brother” effect. In addition to constant censorship and overt operations, covert strategies are often used for disrupting communication platforms. This calls for a framework for harnessing ICTs for political mobilisation. This chapter is a case study on how perceived state surveillance disrupted a vibrant communicative space in Zimbabwe. Based on evidence from the volumes of email traffic transacted over two weeks of panic, anger, and heroism, the chapter discusses the challenges and opportunities of using email for political mobilisation and warns against uncritical celebration of the role of ICTs in political mobilisation. It concludes by suggesting how the adaption of e-strategies from email marketing to political communication is among the skills that could break the tie between political opponents armed with the same convivial tools for political communication in the information age.


Humanities ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Jan Alexander van Nahl

Many Humanities scholars seem to have become increasingly pessimistic due to a lack of success in their efforts to be recognized as a serious player next to their science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) colleagues. This appears to be the result of a profound uncertainty in the self-perception of individual disciplines within the Humanities regarding their role both in academia and society. This ambiguity, not least, has its roots in their own history, which often appears as an interwoven texture of conflicting opinions. Taking a stance on the current and future role of the Humanities in general, and individual disciplines in particular thus asks for increased engagement with their own past, i.e., histories of scholarship, which are contingent on societal and political contexts. This article’s focus is on a case study from the field of Old Norse Studies. In the face of the rise of populism and nationalism in our days, Old Norse Studies, with their focus on a ‘Germanic’ past, have a special obligation to address societal challenges. The article argues for the public engagement with the histories of individual disciplines to strengthen scholarly credibility in the face of public opinion and to overcome trenches which hamper attempts at uniting Humanities experts and regaining distinct social relevance.


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