Business is increasingly affected by the impacts of globalization. The technological progress, as well as monetary systems have made prices comparable beyond borders. If German companies want to withstand the global competition, they have to develop sustainable internationalization strategies. Since the risks of entering into a strategic alliance are comparatively low in contrast to other internationalization options, this topic has gained in importance. But a sound preparation is inevitable in order to succeed. While technological and economical risks of alliances can be reduced easily by a solid preparation, the social risks are highly dependent on the individuals involved and thus hard to prevent. Especially in international strategic alliances including the additional complexity of different national cultures, social problems can be of high importance. German companies which prefer to enter into foreign markets should carefully get acquainted with the foreign country?s cultural norms and values. Up to today, many approaches have been made to define culture and various studies have been performed driven by the desire to understand and provide explanations for cultural differences. The results of those studies can be used to evaluate the impacts of a national culture and its specifics on strategic alliances. Yet, a theoretical study of a foreign culture cannot replace practical experiences. However, it can provide a starting point which helps to understand and accept the behavior of a foreign culture. Research results provide a good foundation for the identification of basic assumptions which underlie a foreign national culture. The general framework of another culture can be investigated, understood, and even be learned to a certain extent. Nevertheless, nothing can substitute personal experiences with another culture and its specific beliefs and values. Due to the enormous population, especially in China and India, broadly diversified cultural norms and values according to cultural subcategories can be presumed. As the volume of international trade is likely to further grow, German companies will be faced with internationalization strategies also in the future. If they want to gain a sustainable competitive advantage while going international, German companies will continuously be forced to deal with cultural matters. A broadly diversified workforce will contribute to this understanding and hence to the international success. Nevertheless, the cultural values and beliefs of a nation cannot be completely generalized. Rather, geographical differences and other cultural subcategories have to be borne in mind. Some studies about cultural differences have already included such approaches to regional or religious differences, but further research is necessary in this field. Yet, social risks in international strategic alliances which are related to the individuals involved can never be excluded altogether.

Iran has long been regarded as an international pariah state in some parts of the international community. However, its negative image in many countries disguises its history of tourism and rich cultural and natural heritage. Following the July 2015 nuclear deal and the reduction in sanctions, Iran is focusing on international tourism as a means to generate economic growth in addition to its substantial domestic tourism market. Given the significance of tourism in the Middle East and in international politics, as well as restrictions on international mobility, this volume brings together the first contemporary collection of research on tourism in Iran. Written by experts based both within and outside of Iran, the chapters engage with a number of crucial issues including the importance of religion, the role of women in society, sustaining Iran’s cultural heritage, Iran’s image and the resistive economy to provide a benchmark assessment of tourism and its potential future in a troubled political environment. The book will undoubtedly be of interest not only to those readers who focus specifically on Iran but also those who seek a wider understanding of Iran’s role in the region and how tourism is utilised as part of national and regional economic development policies.

"The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic marks the most significant, singular global disruption since World War II, with health, economic, political, and security implications that will ripple for years to come." -Global Trends 2040 (2021) Global Trends 2040-A More Contested World (2021), released by the US National Intelligence Council, is the latest report in its series of reports starting in 1997 about megatrends and the world's future. This report, strongly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, paints a bleak picture of the future and describes a contested, fragmented and turbulent world. It specifically discusses the four main trends that will shape tomorrow's world: - Demographics-by 2040, 1.4 billion people will be added mostly in Africa and South Asia. - Economics-increased government debt and concentrated economic power will escalate problems for the poor and middleclass. - Climate-a hotter world will increase water, food, and health insecurity. - Technology-the emergence of new technologies could both solve and cause problems for human life. Students of trends, policymakers, entrepreneurs, academics, journalists and anyone eager for a glimpse into the next decades, will find this report, with colored graphs, essential reading.

Seventeen in a series of annual reports comparing business regulation in 190 economies, Doing Business 2020 measures aspects of regulation affecting 10 areas of everyday business activity.

Provides a detailed overview of the best business schools across North America, including information on each school's academic program, competitiveness, financial aid, admissions requirements and social scenes. Original.

While Americans are generally aware of China's ambitions as a global economic and military superpower, few understand just how deeply and assertively that country has already sought to influence American society. As the authors of this volume write, it is time for a wake-up call. In documenting the extent of Beijing's expanding influence operations inside the United States, they aim to raise awareness of China's efforts to penetrate and sway a range of American institutions: state and local governments, academic institutions, think tanks, media, and businesses. And they highlight other aspects of the propagandistic “discourse war” waged by the Chinese government and Communist Party leaders that are less expected and more alarming, such as their view of Chinese Americans as members of a worldwide Chinese diaspora that owes undefined allegiance to the so-called Motherland.Featuring ideas and policy proposals from leading China specialists, China's Influence and American Interests argues that a successful future relationship requires a rebalancing toward greater transparency, reciprocity, and fairness. Throughout, the authors also strongly state the importance of avoiding casting aspersions on Chinese and on Chinese Americans, who constitute a vital portion of American society. But if the United States is to fare well in this increasingly adversarial relationship with China, Americans must have a far better sense of that country's ambitions and methods than they do now.

To explore what extended competition between the United States and China might entail out to 2050, the authors of this report identified and characterized China’s grand strategy, analyzed its component national strategies (diplomacy, economics, science and technology, and military affairs), and assessed how successful China might be at implementing these over the next three decades.

Volume 1 (A and B) covers international organizations throughout the world, comprising their aims, activities and events.

This new eighth edition provides a leading edge text that provides insight for interacting with other cultures, working on cross-cultural teams and provides a framework for building long-lasting relationships in a diverse global business environment.