The Handbook is the first substantive, multidisciplinary academic work to make coherent analysis of supply systems from the perspective of purchasing and supply, operations management, logistics, supply chain management, service management, industrial or relationship marketing, and inter-organisation networks. Selected by a team of leading international scholars, chapters examine key issues in the context of globalization and the move towards co-operative interorganisation network working. Expert contributors examine supply at different systems levels and differentiate between supply policy, strategy, management and operations. Organised into themed parts, the insightful introduction provides the framework for the Handbook that is divided into themed parts; it positions empirical research in the current academic context and highlights possible directions for future exploration. The Handbook will be the touchstone of any researcher interested in broadening and deepening their understanding of supply systems.

Today all companies either source globally, sell globally, or compete with some company that does. This handbook provides a comprehensive understanding and assessment of the field of global logistics and supply chain management.

Ten years ago, critical theory and postmodernism were considered new and emerging theories in business and management. What will be the next new important theories to shape the field? In one edited volume, Daved Barry and Hans Hansen have commissioned new chapters that will allow readers to stay one step ahead of the latest thinking. Contributors draw on research and practice to introduce ideas that are considered ′fringe′ and controversial today, but may be key theoretical contributions tomorrow. Each chapter sets these ideas in their historical context, lays out the key theoretical positions taken by each new approach and makes it clear why these approaches are different to more mainstream concepts. Throughout, contributors refer to existing studies that show how these developing themes will change the business and management arena. Researchers, teachers and advanced students who are interested in the future of Business and Management scholarship will want to read this Handbook.

Ordered as part of a set on ID 7574134.

This volume analyzes group purchasing organizations (GPOs) and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in order to better understand the significant roles that these entities play in the healthcare supply chain. It examines who they contract with, on what terms, and who they represent and answer to while charting their historical development. The analysis reveals that the current roles of both players have historical roots that explain why they behave the way they do. Finally, the book reviews the evidence base on the performance results of these two players. This work fills a void in our understanding about two important and controversial players in the healthcare value chain. Both organizations are cloaked in secrecy — partly by virtue of the private sector contracts they negotiate, partly by virtue of the lack of academic attention. Both play potentially important roles in controlling healthcare costs, albeit using contracting strategies and reimbursement mechanisms that arouse suspicion among stakeholders. This timely text explicates how these organizations arose and evolved to shed more light on how they really operate.

Now available as a 60 day review copy in Paperback! ISBN: 1-4129-2121-X"Finally! We have a comprehensive, reflective and critical overview of the field of strategy in the new Handbook of Strategy and Management." -Cynthia Hardy, Head of Department of Management, University of Melbourne Presenting a major retrospective and prospective overview of strategy, this Handbook is an important benchmark volume for management scholars worldwide. The Handbook frames, assesses and synthesizes the work in the field. Chapters are grouped under four specific areas of strategy and management: Mapping a Terrain; Thinking and Acting Strategically; Changing Contexts; and Looking Forward. Within these parts, leading international scholars provide historical overviews of the key themes, address the central approaches which have characterized these themes, critically assess the quality of current theory and knowledge, and set out agendas for future theoretical and empirical development. The resulting volume is a unique overview of the inputs and dynamics to shape strategy and management and will be crucial reference for academics and students.