The farm machinery industry, though dominated by three large companies, is a complex sector of the global manufacturing economy that encompasses many smaller manufacturers as well. While contributing a small percentage to gross world product, it is vitally important to another key sector of the economy agriculture. Consequently, the recent rise in global crop prices has allowed the industry to be more resilient than other mature manufacturing sectors, like automobiles. The proposed book will provide a concise but comprehensive look at the farm machinery industry: its history, organization, competitors, and the challenges and opportunities the industry faces as a result of regulations, globalization and outside market forces. This will be done as a means of understanding a crucial building block to the success of agriculture's ability to feed the expanding world population.

The agricultural industry is dealing with enormous challenges across the globe, including the limited availability of arable lands and fresh water, as well as the effect of climate change. Machinery plays a crucial role in agriculture and farming systems, in order to feed the world’s growing population. In the last decade, we have witnessed major advances in agricultural machinery and technologies, particularly as manufacturers and researchers develop and apply various novel ways of automation as well as the data and information gathering and analyzing capabilities of their machinery. This book presents the state-of-the-art information on the important innovations in the agricultural and horticultural industry. It reviews and presents different novel technologies and implementation of these technologies to optimize farming processes and food production. There are four sections, each addressing a specific area of development. Section I discusses the recent development of farm machinery and technology. Section II focuses on water and irrigation engineering. Section III covers harvesting and post-harvest technology. Section IV describes computer modelling and simulation. Each section highlights current industry trends and latest research progress. This book is ideal for those working in or are associated with the fields of agriculture, agri-food chain and technology development and promotion.

The textile manufacturing industry (NAfICS 313) has played an important role in the history of the United States and continues to be a major industrial employer, not only in the US, but also around the world. Textiles are mainly considered a component part of the supply chain, with end uses ranging from apparel to home textiles to industrial goods to medical textiles. Even though apparel is the largest end use of textiles and has increasingly moved offshore to low-cost labor countries, there remains a growing textile manufacturing industry in the US for capital and technology-intensive products, such as nonwovens and those with military end uses.

Software plays a critical role in today’s global information economy. It runs the computers, networks, and devices that enable countless products and services. Software varies in size from vast enterprise and communications systems like the enormous enterprise resource planning system from SAP to the tiny app Angry Birds. This book offers a profile of the software industry and the companies in the industry. It describes the primary products and services produced; reviews its history; explains how the industry is structured; discusses its economics and competitive environment; and examines important trends and issues including globalization, workforce, regulation, and the emergence of new software business models. Software runs the computers and networks that support the flow of information in the global economy, and this book provides a real look at the intricacies of this industry.

Attending a live concert or theatrical performance can be a thrilling experience. At their best, the performing arts represent the height of human creativity and expression. But the presentation on stage, whether it is Shakespeare, Beethoven, or The Lion King, depends on a business backstage. This book provides an overview of both the product on stage and the industry that makes it possible. While the industry’s product is unique—with unique supply and demand characteristics—it is still an industry, with supply inputs, organization structures, competitors, business models, value chains, and customers. We will examine each of the major segments (Broadway, regional theater, orchestra, opera, and ballet) along these business dimensions. This book will give lovers of the performing arts an understanding of the business realities that make live performances possible. Managers, board members, and performers will be better equipped to take on the strategic challenges their companies face. People contemplating any of these roles will have a better idea of what to expect. Business analysts and students of strategy will discover how economic frameworks apply in this unique setting where culture and commerce converge.