Globalisation, ICT and Developing Nations Sub-Title: Challenges in the Information Age Author: Sumit Roy, Bok Review Johnson Thomas

Book Title: Globalisation, ICT and Developing Nations
Sub-Title: Challenges in the Information Age
Author: Sumit Roy.
Publisher: New Delhi, Sage Pub.,
Year of publication:2005, No of Pages:247 p., tables,Price: $30/Rs.340.
ISBN 81-7829-487-7.
‘Globalisation, ICT and Developing Nations: Challenges in the Information Age’ authored by Sumit Roy, a Senior Visiting Fellow at the Department of economics, City university London, is focused on the critical relationship between globalisation and Information and communications technology(ICT). It is not an exhaustive study of globalisation but aims to complement existing texts. The analytical framework is based on a comparitive political economy approach and offers conceptual and policy insights into the core themes interlocking globalisation.
The force driving globalisation in the 21st century is undoubtedly Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Enabling instant communication over vast distances and in real time, ICT has far-reaching implications for transnational relationships. However, the core relationship between globalisation and ICT, a major area of inquiry, has hitherto been somewhat neglected and inadequately studied.
Focusing on this important relationship, this book emphasises that increasingly non-state institutions, as opposed to the state, are transforming economies. The author also highlights the critical need for developing regions to shape ICT which can stimulate development and usher in the information age. This book emphasises that increasingly non-state institutions, as opposed to the state, are transforming economies. The author also highlights the critical need for developing regions to shape ICT which can stimulate development and usher in the information age. Globalisations historic process encapsulates a vision of shared universal values, goals and measures to advance society. The contemporary phase of globalisation according to Roy, has served to extend and remold relationships. Contemporary globalisation is complex and is constantly redefined as world trends keep shifting and changing. The relationship between gobalisation and structural change unfolds integration and fragmentation. Attempts to create a homogenous world are matched by social forces opposing such moves.
Sumit Roy provides a comparative study of the political economies of East and South Asia (particularly India) and Africa which enables new analytical and policy insights into the linkages between globalisation and ICT.
With its original approach and fresh analytical and policy insights, this cogent and well argued book will be of interest to students and teachers of globalisation, economics, new media, development studies, politics and international relations. Policy makers, too--especially those in international aid agencies--NGOs and multilateral bodies will find it invaluable.

Johnson Thomas
johnsont307@gmail.com



Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Globalisation, international political economy and structural change. 3. Globalisation, information and communications technology and development. References. Index.
"The force driving globalisation in the 21st century is undoubtedly Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Enabling instant communication over vast distances and in real time, ICT has far-reaching implications for transnational relationships. However, the core relationship between globalisation and ICT, a major area of inquiry, has hitherto been somewhat neglected and inadequately studied.
Focusing on this important relationship, this book emphasises that increasingly non-state institutions, as opposed to the state, are transforming economies. The author also highlights the critical need for developing regions to shape ICT which can stimulate development and usher in the information age.
Sumit Roy provides a comparative study of the political economies of East and South Asia (particularly India) and Africa which enables new analytical and policy insights into the linkages between globalisation and ICT. Among the key features of this book are:
· It discusses the concepts and policies underscoring the shift from state to non-state institutions in furthering the impetus of globalisation as also its implications for development. This is set against a backdrop of the transition from an agricultural to an industrial and eventually an information-based society.
· It explores the scope of different developing regions to participate in globalisation based on a comparison of their experience of growth and development--namely, the different phases of integration, disintegration, marginalisation, and reintegration into the international economy.
· It explores the ways in which policies on ICT can be both a challenge and a unique opportunity for paving the way for development.
With its original approach and fresh analytical and policy insights, this cogent and well argued book will be of interest to students and teachers of globalisation, economics, new media, development studies, politics and international relations. Policy makers, too--especially those in international aid agencies--NGOs and multilateral bodies will find it invaluable."

Customer Value Investment, Gautam Mahajan, Book Review by Johnson Thomas

Book Title: Customer Value Investment
Sub-Title: Formula for sustained business successes
Author: Gautam Mahajan
Response, Business Books from Sage publications
www.sagepublications.com
Paperback edition, 187 pages , Price:Rs.295/-
ISBN 978-0-7619-3604-6

Gautam Mahajan, the internationally acclaimed expert in Business Strategy, Management and globalisation, resident of Interlink services Pvt.Ltd(an international consulting firm) and former President of the Indo-American chamber of Commerce has authored this book in the interests of Customer Value Management(CVM). In his own words , “Ever since I discovered that satisfaction did not lead to loyalty, which led to the concept of Customer Value Management, I have been interested in promoting CVM, it’s art and it’s science. It has been proven that creating a competitive advantage through customer value leads to increased market share, profitability and shareholder value,” he says. Gautam is CVM Inc.’s associate in India. He is also one of the finest consultants in the field. He has great ideas and practical advice and it’s all there in this book of his. He definitely delivers what he promises.
The customer is the ultimate driver of business. Customers buy products and services which in turn give them added vale , which in-turn lends a winning edge to one company over the other. The customer-in-center concept is the USP that Gautam uses to rng added profitability to companies big and small. Gautam’s book tells us why CVM is important and it’s main focus is on it’s implementation. Through this book he shows us how a company transforms itself into a customer-centric organization and what are the benefits that accrue thereafter. Gautam Mahajan makea a strong case for CV Investment by companies. He shows us how this special outlay can bring in sustained business success, generating a huge return on investment(ROI) and improving the value of the company for it’s stakeholders. In this book he literally shows us step-by-step, how the customer juggernaut gets right behind the company to spell it’s long-term success. Gautam uses examples to show the different ways in which a company can invest in the customer. The book explains how companies can move beyond customer management and satisfaction to loyalty, become market leaders and improve business results, understand the value they provide to customers, improve service quality and loyalty, set up customer Circles and build customer conduits, understand competitive strategies and pre-empt competition and measure customer capital. He also answers many other business questions while extolling the virtues of CVI. He also explains how superior customer value ensures loyalty and creates an emotional bond with the brand, thus leading to increased market share and profitability. This is a classic must-read for all business executives. It works as a powerful and practical guide to make businesses of any size successful by truly lacing customers at the center of it’s business strategy. This book is extremely user friendly and easily readable. But will the powers that be in Organizations both big and small stoop to reading this book? Only time and the depletion of the long waiting list at the consumer courts will tell the truth on this one.

Johnson Thomas

Business to Business Marketing,Book Review by Johnson Thomas

Title: Business to Business Marketing
Authors: Ross Brenan, Louise Canning, Raymond MacDowell.
ISBN: 978-1-4129-1970-8
Sage Publications www.sagepub.co.uk
Paperback Edition, 359 pages, Price:


The expression business to business marketing is synonymous with ‘business marketing’. It is therefore important not to suppose that business to business marketing is synonymous with marketing goods and services to the manufacturing industries. Over the period 1978-2003 there has been a prominent trend away from manufacturing employment and towards service sector employment. So this book certainly seems opportune at a time when B2B employment seems to have to become the most return-heavy form of employment for the young and fresh out of college wannabes.
Modern economies are becoming increasingly service orientated. In fact the service industries account for close to 75% employment in such countries as Australia, Canada, UK and USA in 2000 and the trend is towards even higher levels of service sector employment.
This book under review acknowledges that Business to business marketing involves both the processes of marketing mix management and of relationship/network management. The chapters inside have interesting case studies and theory that provide some essential background definitions, addresses the question of buying and selling processes in organizational markets, useful information about organizational buyers and buying teams, examining the interaction between buyers and sellers in a business relationship, discuss the importance of customer value and look at the ways in which marketers seek to organize te strategic effort to enhance the value that they deliver to customers, importance of marketing ethics, key analytical processes in business to business marketing, business to business marketing management, integrated marketing communications in B2B marketing management, marketing communications methods deployed at the level of the inter-firm relationship, communications within inter-firm relationships, how to manage a firm’s portfolio of customer relationships and management of routes in markets.
'Business-to-Business Marketing’ will help students examine views that argue for or against B2B marketing being simply a variant of consumer marketing or only concerned with inter-organizational relationship management. Written from an European perspective and recognizing that organizational markets can be very different, the ideas and examples used in this book are as claimed by the authors, based on the latest research and scholarship and hence of great import to all connected with or belonging to the B2B industry.

Johnson Thomas.