Public Accountability: Evaluating Technology-Based Institutions

Book Description

Public Accountability: Evaluating Technology-Based Institutions presents guidelines for evaluating the research performance of technology-based public institutions, and illustrates these guidelines through case studies conducted at one technology-based public institution, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The aim of this book is to demonstrate that a clear, more precise response to the question of performance accountability is possible through the systematic application of evaluation methods to document value.
The authors begin with a review of the legislative history of fiscal accountability beginning with the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921, and ending with the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993. A discussion of existing applicable economic models, methods, and associated metrics follows. The book concludes with evaluation case studies.

Customer Reviews:

Would be relatively worthless even if it was timely.......2003-05-13

It is suprisingly how people could review such a weak book
on Japan positively, considering its author is a run of the mill journalist attempting to morph into an economist and write about Japan-- and doesnt live in Japan or speak Japanese, beside the fact that he has no experience in finance. Though writing on the topic may not demand in-country experience, experience working in finance or language ability- it certainly would help. It is a regurgitation of old comments and arguments published years after the fact- literally no original thought. Old wine in new bottle. The follow up is then a book about how Japan will return. Surprise. Japan: The Coming Collapse by Brian Reading was timely and though journalistic more substantive. Works by Chalmers Johnson (though dated) and Tag Murphy (former investment banker in Tokyo) are a lot more useful. See Japan's Policy Trap: Dollars, Deflation, and the Crisis of Japanese Finance by Akio Mikuni, R. Taggert Murphy, R. Taggart Murphy, Michael H. Armacost (the Katz book is just hopping to a certain extent on this more reputable bandwagon). Another important book is Arthritic Japan: The Slow Pace of Economic Reform by Edward J. Lincoln. Ed Lincoln is a real economist that speaks Japanese and has been dedicated to following Japan for a while. His previous work, Japan's Unequal Trade, was an important work.

Unfortunately, due to the decreased interest in Japan over the past decade, the number of quality books (especially on finance) has declined and, unfortunately, there are a good number of books written in Japanese that would be useful but are not translated into English.

Political economy of two Japans.......2002-09-15

Over more than a decade, Japan has baffled not only its citizens but also foreigners with its inability to sort the mess out. They call it the Heisei depression. What¡¯s the problem of Japan? It¡¯s been a daunting question. There have been numerous explanations. Those could be grouped into three camps in my view:
1. the problem is the financial macroeconomics not the fundamental disease of Japanese economy. Once the bad loans are cleared up, Japanese economy would be on the right track as before. (Posen at IIE: Cargill and his colleagues)
2. Japan is on the bad point at its long-term cycle. Each economy has its own long-term cycle of investment, determined by the level of sunk capital. In this view, ascendance of Japan and Germany over the States in ¡®70s and 80s could be attributed to this dynamic of cycle. In other words, the US was in a bad point at the time. Now Japan is on its own bad point. (Robert Brenner)
3. Depression or liquidity trap must be serious problems. But those are not the cause but the symptom of deep-seated malady. So-called Japanese miracle was propelled socioeconomic regime of ¡¯55 system, in Pempel¡¯s words. It was the key to Japan¡¯s epic story. But now it¡¯s the curse to Japanese economy. The vested interests of the regime¡¯s alliance, or iron triangle, has hamstrung the overall competitiveness of economy. (Pempel, Tilton, Porter, Bai Gao, Brookings Institute, OECD, and The Economist)
Richard Katz is on the side of the third camp. His argument is like this: Infamous industrial policy fostered various industries with policy pair of promotion/protection. But not all sectors succeeded in world market. Those sectors should be liquidated to free resources up to competitive sectors in the view of rational policy makers. But such massive exit or restructuring is not of political rationale. The first oil shock exacerbated things around exit options. Such an attempt would be political suicide. So Japanese government prop them up. But uncompetitive sectors have taxed out competitive sectors and consumers with artificially high prices far above international market prices. It has resulted in weakening competitiveness and aggregate demand in economy-wide. To make up for weak domestic demand, export-drive set in motion. Up to mid-1980s, competitive Japan like electronics, automobile industry could feed up uncompetitive Japan like petrochemicals, steel, service sector at the expense of overseas competitors¡¯ market share. But overdependence on overseas market invited super-strong yen in 1985. So export-drive hurts its very condition. There was 2 consequences: Competitive sectors responded with FDI, so-called the problem of ¡®hollowing out¡¯;s Now overseas market couldn¡¯t make up for the feeble domestic demand. So there should be alternative demand in domestic side. Government boosted the demand with pouring down money. Buddle swelled. At last bubble busted. The problem of Japan is not financial mess but the political economy of two Japans. It has weakened the competitiveness and aggregate domestic demand. Deregulation is the answer. But it¡¯s near impossible for political reasons. So the problem lies not in economic side but in political side.
Katz follows the mainstream line of Japanese studies. So His account of Japanese political economy is not that unheard-of. but he articulates the points with simple and clear economic modeling. The picture he draws up is amazingly lucid and plain. His work could be counted as the constellation of a decade¡¯s debates.

Well-Written and Thoroughly-Researched Gem.......2002-02-25

...This is a thoroughly researched book backed by an extensive list of references, compiled over extensive period of time. "Useless" is not a fair adjective to qualify this book. Even disregarding all the author's argument about the state of Japan economy as related to its need to adjust its "investment-led economy", the body of research and the related references and bibliographies about Japan post-war economy is amazing and could be used as a starting point for anyone doing a research thesis for its PhD program. While I am not a Japan specialist, I have learned a great deal not only about trade policies in Japan, but also about those policies elsewhere. So in a nutshell, this book is not just about "how the Japan economic system soured", but also about trade policies and productivities (author emphasizes the Total Factor Productivity) in any economy. This should be a must-read for any aspiring economist that want to learn about trade policies: what to do and what not do do.

This book can also be used as a self-contained textbook for any graduate course on Japan and NIC economies. The reference section summaries some of the arguments presented in the main body of the book (Appendix A: Why Industrial Policy Only Works in the Catch-Up Era), some of technical skills need to get the most out of the book (Appendix B: Reading the Econometric Tables), economic growth model (Appendix D: From Superstar to Laggard: The Growth Model), actual trade data (Appendix F: Japan¡¦s Peculiar Trade).

Any negative? Too much information packed into this 463-page well-researched book, so this is not your typical bed-time story book. Yet if you want a book from an "ivory-tower economist" looks elsewhere, but how about one from a down to earth journalist publishing daily article on Japanese economic affairs?

A raging bore.......2001-10-18

Japan: A System That Soured is a pretty useless book. Katz, a very so-so journalist cum economist, spends ages getting to two very simple conclusions. One, economies which grow quickly in the early stages of development slow down when they reach maturity. Two, Japan cannot grow any faster over the longer term unless its economy is liberalised and its markets thrown open to competition. My goodness. Really? Whatever made you think that...

Excellent analysis of Japanese economy.......2001-05-25

Richard Katz, a senior editor at The Oriental Economist shows his grasp of the Japanese economy in an excellent text. He shows why the system that helped Japan to become the great maufacturing power, became a liability. Taking into account the writings of both traditional economists and the views of political scientists, this book is a must-read for intelligent Japan watchers.

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Good Tips on Customer Service for Anyone in Sales

Crisp: Retailing Smarts Series: Completing the Sales Transaction, Workbook #8 (Retailing Smarts Series)
Crisp Publications
Manufacturer: Crisp Learning
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1560525738

Book Description

This book teaches sales associates how to handle cash, process charge cards and checks, and complete other paperwork in the final step of the sales process.

Customer Reviews:

Good Tips on Customer Service for Anyone in Sales.......2005-10-14

While Building a Continuing Relationship is tailored towards those in retail, anyone in outside sales can benefit from the book's tips in handling customer complaints.

The booklet's main theme is using the acronym "THANKS" in addressing customer complaints:

T - Thank the customer. By doing this, the customer is put at
ease and shows appreciation for his business.
H - Hearing the problem. Allow the customer to fully state the
and be prepared to be a good listener.
A - Apologize. By apoligizing for the customer being upset, you
are not accepting blame but instead are acknowledging the
customer's displeasure.
K - Know a solution. Find out what solution best satisfies the
customer.
S - Solve the problem. Resolve the complaint not to get rid of a
nuisance. Instead, take action to retain the loyalty and
trust of a valued customer.

In summary, a good and brief reminder of the importance of taking care of the customer in the sales process.

Crisp: Retailing Smarts: Workbook 8: Completing the Sales Transaction: Selling and Promoting Products

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Crisp: Retailing Smarts: Workbook 8: Completing the Sales Transaction: Selling and Promoting Products
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Book Description

In Workbook 8: Completing the Sales Transaction, the retail sales associate will learn how to use the register, how to accept checks and credit cards, how to complete the sales paperwork, and how to package or deliver customers' purchases carefully. By concluding each sales transaction politely, accurately, and efficiently, the sales associate can help customers look forward to returning to the store again and again.

Book Description

China, with the world's largest population, is set to become the second largest market in the world by 2010. The importance of understanding the environment for foreign direct investment (FDI) in China has never been more apparent. br With this as a context, this book examines FDI in China with the emphasis on the 'where to locate' question. Japanese direct investment is used as a case study elucidating the key locational determinants and characteristics thereof. This is the first book focusing on the 'where to locate' question with respect to the China market. All companies with a China strategy and all university business departments will find this book of vital importance.

Japanese Direct Investment in China: Locational Determinants and Characteristics.(Book Review): An article from: Transnational Corporations

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Japanese Direct Investment in China: Locational Determinants and Characteristics.(Book Review): An article from: Transnational Corporations
Xiaolan Fu
Manufacturer: United Nations Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B0009755OK
Release Date: 2006-07-14

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Transnational Corporations, published by United Nations Publications on December 1, 2004. The length of the article is 1036 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Japanese Direct Investment in China: Locational Determinants and Characteristics.(Book Review)
Author: Xiaolan Fu
Publication: Transnational Corporations (Refereed)
Date: December 1, 2004
Publisher: United Nations Publications
Volume: 13 Issue: 3 Page: 147(4)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Japanese Direct Investment in China: Locational Determinants and Characteristics

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Japanese Direct Investment in China: Locational Determinants and Characteristics
John F. Cassidy
Manufacturer: Taylor & Francis, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Book Description

This book addresses these questions in a comprehensive way. It delves into the inter-relations between the major factors of developmental performance and looks at their effects on sustained societal development. A vast amount of statistical data on social and economic factors in selected European countries is grouped into 31 easy-to-handle tables and analyzed along the following constructs: civilizational competence; social capital; cognitive mobilization; quality of governance; entrepreneurial spirit; social cohesion; and openness to the international environment.

The analysis, based on theories and indicators of development, reveals that, in spite of the progress since the fall of Communism, countries in Central and Eastern Europe still fall short of having been transformed into propulsive, "vibrant" societies, with intellectually open-minded, socially and technologically innovative environments.

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This report contains business intelligence information for succesful export-import, business and investment operations, strategic contacts and more... The report also contains selected information on investment and business opportunities, international economic projects, tenders, government projects, as well as, marketing and export-import opportunities information.

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This digital document is an article from ASEAN Economic Bulletin, published by Thomson Gale on August 1, 2005. The length of the article is 1045 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Developing Asian Bondmarkets.(Book Review)
Author: Sakulrat Montreevat
Publication: ASEAN Economic Bulletin (Magazine/Journal)
Date: August 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 22 Issue: 2 Page: 242(2)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

In a remarkable book based on prodigious research, Morton J. Horwitz offers a sweeping overview of the emergence of a national (and modern) legal system from English and colonial antecedents. He treats the evolution of the common law as intellectual history and also demonstrates how the shifting views of private law became a dynamic element in the economic growth of the United States.

Horwitz's subtle and sophisticated explanation of societal change begins with the common law, which was intended to provide justice for all. The great breakpoint came after 1790 when the law was slowly transformed to favor economic growth and development. The courts spurred economic competition instead of circumscribing it. This new instrumental law flourished as the legal profession and the mercantile elite forged a mutually beneficial alliance to gain wealth and power.

The evolving law of the early republic interacted with political philosophy, Horwitz shows. The doctrine of laissez-faire, long considered the cloak for competition, is here seen as a shield for the newly rich. By the 1840s the overarching reach of the doctrine prevented further distribution of wealth and protected entrenched classes by disallowing the courts very much power to intervene in economic life.

This searching interpretation, which connects law and the courts to the real world, will engage historians in a new debate. For to view the law as an engine of vast economic transformation is to challenge in a stunning way previous interpretations of the eras of revolution and reform.

Customer Reviews:

What Laissez-Faire?.......2006-01-23

Laissez-Faire means live and let live. In this history by Morton Horwitz, we see that along with the rise of corporatism in America was the demise of laissez-faire through the interventionist hand of the state's judicial system:

Mill owners were allowed by government to destroy other people's property by flood;

Canals and railroads were built by seizing land through "eminent domain";

The right of juries to decide judgements for damages in tort cases was taken from them and given to judges;

Contract labor laws - "if a worker signed a contract to work for a year, and left before the year was up, he was not entitled to any wages, even for the time he had worked. But the courts at the same time said that if a building business broke a contract, it was entitled to be paid for whatever had been done up to that point".

Horwitz shows us that laissez-faire was replaced by corporatism, but he doesn't tell us that because the corporatists label their actions behind a false label, Horwitz rails against their false label rather than the actual label of corporatism that accurately describes their actions: "By the middle of the nineteenth century the legal system had been reshaped to the advantage of men of commerce and industry at the expense of farmers, workers, consumers, and other less powerful groups". Included in these other less powerful groups was the laissez-faire entrepeneur, the sole-proprietor and/or partner(s) in business who were responsible for their actions as businessmen unlike the owners of corporations who hid behind hired managers and the law that held the owners exempt. The worst fraud committed on the American people was the deeming of the corporation as an artificial person with constitutional rights.

Tough nut to crack, yes. But a brilliant work no less........2004-05-15

As one reviewer and the publisher had pointed out, the basic premise of the book is how the common law sought to accommodate the economic changes (and actually sought to allocate wealth) during the formative years of this republic. Some commentators have criticized this book as a Marxian dialectic attack of the American law--in particular from the Chicago School quarters. (Chicago Law Review published a very scathing review in the 70s with the aim, I suspect, to discredit Horwitz's argument) But I thought Professor Horwitz did a wonderful job in supporting his argument with citation and documentation. Is he a revisionst? Maybe. But he's more of an E.P. Thompson than a Howard Zinn. In any event, this book presents a very convincing argument despite its tendentiousness.
P.s. For those of you who want to avoid "legal arcana" or those who want a more eclectic treatment of the development of the American law, I would recommend Lawrence Friedman's History of the American Law.

reviews shouldn't say how hard a book is on the intellect.......2003-03-23

it should say how valuable the knowledge is. The lawyer who said the book is tough-going should be ignored as he addressed no content in the book. He only manipulated several people into not reading the book. What a way to manipulate people into remaining ignorant! Get it from ANY library, read one chapter, and pursue YOUR interest in our wretched government's tyranical tendency! If the 1st chapter hits, buy the book anywhere you want and study it! Be free!

Tough but interesting........1999-06-19

I have both a J.D. and a Ph.D. in American history, and this book is tough sledding for me. In short, the subject matter -- the way judges adapted American law to accommodate economic change in the first half of the nineteenth century -- is interesting, but the reader is dragged through lots of legal arcana _en route_. I don't recommend this title for the faint of heart.

The Transformation of American Law, Two Volume Set, 1780-1860 and 1870-1960

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The Transformation of American Law, Two Volume Set, 1780-1860 and 1870-1960
Morton Horwitz
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000WMGVXG

Transformation of American Law, 1780-1860

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Transformation of American Law, 1780-1860
Morton Horwitz
Manufacturer: Harvard University Press
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Unsolicited Commercial Electronic Mail Act of 2000 : report (to accompany H.R. 3113) (including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office) (SuDoc Y 1.1/8:106-700)
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ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B000113ABE

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Book is not designed for mystery shoppers

Surprising Secrets of Mystery Shoppers
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Manufacturer: Word Association
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Are your employees attracting customers or driving them away? How would your business fare if a mystery shopper came snooping today? Corporate leaders, front line managers, and hourly employees will find insights in this book that can positively affect productivity, customer relations, and bottom-line profits. • What are the three worst words

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Customer Reviews:

Book is not designed for mystery shoppers.......2006-01-31

I purchased this book with the idea that the focus was on surprising secrets for the mystery shopper assignee. It is the other way around.
This is a great book for retailers and not for the mystery shopper.

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For 30 years, the Labour Party was wracked by conflict over membership in the European Community, swinging back and forth, pro and anti, when in and out of office. It was a conflict that helped keep the party in opposition for 18 years until it abandoned its socialist basis under New Labor. As a journalist and European Union official, Roger Broad knew many of the major and minor players and brings this experience to bear.

Labour's European Dilemmas Since 1945: From Bevin to Blair (Contemporary History in Context)

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This book provides the first comprehensive and quantitative assessment of the impact of reform policies on the Chinese domestic economy at the detailed sectoral level. Beginning with a survey of China's economic reform progress, the author quantitatively measures China's trade performance and the comparative advantage for tradable-good-producing industries over the reform period.

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