With over 7,000 islands, the Philippines is the world’s largest group of islands. For hundreds of years, the beautiful Southeast Asian archipelago was fairly isolated from its neighbouring as well as western countries. Only since 2000, the Philippines began to open its business markets to foreign investors. In his book, Timo Priester scrutinizes the Philippine retail structure. He offers interesting insights about the organization of Manila’s (the country’s dominant capital) retail trade. The principal focus is on three different business markets: The Mobile, the Home Appliances and the Audio Visual Market.

This study evaluates the value generation potential of private equity for German mid-cap companies. A discussion of the private equity industry and the analysis of the value generation levers serve as a basis to further explore private equity value generation in the German market. First, the special features of German mid-cap companies are examined with a special focus on their financing needs. Second, the German private equity market is introduced and its differentiating features are revealed. The comparison of the findings assesses the general suitability of private equity as a financing option for German mid-cap companies and suggests that many mid-cap companies are not (yet) suited for private equity investments. Finally, the applicability of the identified value generation levers on the German mid-cap segment is analyzed with the help of a conceptual framework in order to evaluate the value generation potential. The results show that the traditional value generation levers are applicable but have to be adjusted with respect to national differences. Private equity associations have to specifically address the strong social considerations in the German business culture and the traditional unity of management, ownership, and supervision in the mid-cap segment in order to realize high rates of return. Anecdotal and recent empirical evidence indicates the relevance of many theoretical conclusions.

The human resource (HR) profession has been on a long and challenging journey. Globalisation and sweeping policy changes have re-defined and re-aligned HR and its role. It is important for HR professionals to develop and become innovators in their respective industries. The Changing Role of the Human Resource Profession in the Asia Pacific Region is based on case-studies of retail, tourism, healthcare, security, education, and energy, spread across the greater Asia Pacific (AP) region. The book rests on the principle of the laws of attraction, that ‘thoughts become things’ and argues that acknowledging good human resource policies and practices can be a key influence on all aspects of an organisation. After an introduction, five chapters cover key topics: six major industries; changing HR practices across the AP; an insider’s view on best practices; the role of HR in sustaining growth across the AP; and a conclusion looking towards the future of HR in the Asian Pacific Region. Based on real and contemporary case studies with a focus on six industries (Retail, Tourism, Healthcare, Security, Education and Energy) spread across the Greater AP region Highlights industry specific key HR challenges and suggests ways forward Records recent developments

Ideal for students, this comprehensive thematic encyclopedia focuses on the Philippines, an important archipelago nation in Southeast Asia. The Philippines is a nation that has experience being ruled by two separate colonial powers, home to a people who have had strong attachments to democratic politics, with a culture that is a rich mix of Chinese, Spanish, and American influences. What are important characteristics of contemporary daily life and culture in the Philippines today? This volume explores the geography, history, and society of this important island nation. Thematic chapters examine topics such as government and politics, history, food, etiquette, education, gender, marriage and sexuality, media and popular culture, music, art, and more. Each chapter opens with a general overview of the topic and is followed by alphabetically arranged entries that home in even closer on the topic. Sidebars and illustrations appear throughout the text, and appendixes cover a glossary, facts and figures, holidays chart, and vignettes that paint a picture of a typical "Day in the Life" of students and adults in the country. A bibliography rounds out the work. Modern Philippines is a comprehensive volume on this leading Southeast Asia island nation.