Strategic cost management: preliminary lessons from European companies
Entrepreneurial drive, technology, and productivity are three characteristics which give many European companies a role of worldwide importance. This article describes strategic cost management within the framework of strategic management reflecting the current European approach. The conclusion is that at present European companies: (1) are making core competencies the guiding ideas of their strategies, and (2) are striving aggressively to increase their value, first by reengineering practices, and second by "inventing" new markets and satisfying all stakeholders, not only the shareholders, better and quicker than the competitors or other reference companies are able to do.
The European way to lean management
Lean management is an integrated set of attitudes and decision and action methods with which a firm can achieve sustainable competitive advantages and increase its value in a turbulent environment. In 1992 lean management became a major priority for top management in German and Austrian firms. The article is written from the standpoint of strategic management and presents preliminary lessons to be learned from the experience in progress in leading European firms. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Interviewing In Context
PART ONE: PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS. An Introduction to Interviewing. Understanding Contextual Factors. PART TWO: BASIC CONSIDERATIONS: FOUNDATIONS FOR COMMUNICATION. Developing the Structure of the Interview. Understanding Questions. Using Questions. PART THREE: ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXTS. The Selection Interview: The Interviewer's Perspective. The Selection Interview: The Applicant's Perspective. The Performance Appraisal Interview. PART FOUR: PROFESSIONAL CONTEXTS. The In-Depth Information Gathering Interview. The Survey Interview. The Problem-Solving Interview. The Persuasive Interview