YoungWon Park

Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC) are among the largest and fastest-growing economies in the world. The enormous size of the customer base in these emerging markets is the strategic concern of global business firms. Successful market performance in these markets requires sound understanding of dynamic environmental factors and timely investment of appropriate resources. This book presents strategies for recognizing the challenges and optimizing the opportunities for building network capabilities and competitive advantage within the context of these emerging markets. Building Network Capabilities in Turbulent Competitive Environments provides a thorough review of the literature and an unparalleled abundance of fascinating case studies featuring Japanese, Korean, and indigenous business examples. To gather real-world information, research teams made numerous field visits to many firms in the BRIC markets to meet and interview executives and observe their manufacturing and supply chain practices. The information in this book is presented within a fully formulated theoretical framework of three core competencies: technology competence (capability to offer innovative products that fit these markets), customer competence (capability to understand and satisfy different customer needs), and linkage competence (ability to integrate technology and customer competence). The book also covers the concepts of product architecture and supply chain management to provide a more in-depth analysis of global firms operating in BRIC markets.

This book compares Milton's "Paradise Lost" and the Book of Isaiah, by illustrating that both reflect the essential points of the whole Bible - rebellion, retribution, repentance, and restoration. Thematically, Milton's epic can be called a drama of salvation, which not only re-creates the Genesis story of the Fall of man, but also connects that first episode to the final restoration through Christ. What this study finds in Isaiah and Milton are theological themes and doctrines as the prophetic voice, the providential view of history, disobedience, the -saving remnant-, the leader who is paradoxically a Suffering Servant, and the key virtue of humility. In this reading of "Paradise Lost," Milton moves beyond the privileging of political activism to a position in which he gives absolute value to the reformation of the individual soul or, as the author terms it, the -inner self-."