In social science terms, the `Arctic' is a relative, not an absolute concept, relating to several dimensions, such as constitutional and geographic status, remoteness, socioeconomic status, and demographic/anthropological factors. There is only one sovereign state with all its territory situated in the Arctic (Iceland), but many other areas of the globe have shared characteristics (Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories, areas of Norway, Sweden and Finland north of the Polar Circle, Greenland, the Faroes). Remoteness has to do with distance from the centre as well as accessibility, transportation and communication. Socioeconomically, the Arctic is characterised by a low population density, a fragile natural environment, and overwhelming economic dependence on one or a few resources, often coupled with income transfer. Demographically, the region has a large number of indigenous peoples, heavy immigration from the South (albeit only seasonal), minority problems, immigrant majorities, high infant mortality, low expected lifespan. The present book is the first to present a large number of articles on the contemporary social, economic and political development in the Arctic, written by social scientists from Russia and the western world, many of whom live and conduct their research in the region. The book thus presents a much more complete picture of the modern world of the Arctic, offering a unique opportunity to compare what is happening in the different parts of the region.

Offering a comprehensive review of reform policy, followed by an examination of major approaches to institutional restructuring, Shulin Gu explores the way in which China's industrial technology has responded to economic reforms. At the heart of the work is the argument that market reform and organisational change are closely interdependent. Gu outlines the interaction of the two in China and reveals the damage which may result if market reform is not accompanied by new organisational design. Analysis of these issues is drawn from first-hand experience of Chinese technology systems, supported by insights from technological innovation economics and transaction cost economics.

Based on a 1999 NATO Advanced Research Workshop titled "Reform of Government Scientific Laboratories" held at the U. of Manchester, with which the editors are affiliated, these 14 selected papers analyze the global trend toward "new public management" of university labs. Selections feature case studies illuminating the themes of: government research amidst political and economic crisis in Central and Eastern Europe; lab reform in the market economies of Western Europe and Canada; and responses in the US and elsewhere to such challenges as funding, brain drains to the private sector, and changing relationships among actors in an increasingly commercialized innovation system. Lacks a subject index. c. Book News Inc.