Suchergebnisse

The aim of this study is to discuss different motives behind the perceived transition from economic sanctions towards smart sanctions. The human rights aspect is also considered in the study, in terms of the wider humanism which is associated with smart sanctions. Does this relate to the fact that human rights have got an increased esteem in society, whereas economic, social and cultural rights be on equality with civil and political rights? Economic sanctions have been used extensively during the 1990s, both by the UN and by different regional organisations and countries. The hardest sanction regime has been imposed on Iraq. In this study, Iraq is used to highlight economic sanctions and the outcome is discussed in order to highlight the transition towards smart sanctions. Smart sanctions have been imposed three times till now, where Zimbabwe was the last example in February 2002. The effects of these sanctions are put in contradiction to Iraq, and the differences them between are discussed. Conclusions are that the ongoing transition and development towards smart sanctions have a multilateral character, where economic, efficiency, ideological, and humane motives areof considerable importance. The humane motives are of most significance for this development. Smart sanctions will continue to develop and be implemented, when international society find it necessary to maintain or restore peace or emphasise the existing rules or norms in the prevailing world. Despite the motives behind the transition towards smart sanctions, the dividing line between the two groups of human rights is still distinct. But due to new initiatives from both the UN and NGOs such as Amnesty International this dividing line is slowly starting to erase. It is not possible now to state that economic, social and cultural rights have got an increased esteem and be on equality with civil and political rights, but if the beginning consciousness is here to stay, it is likely to see an increased esteem in the near future.

Traditionally the relationships between competitors in the industrial market have been based on competition. The network approach and literature about strategic alliances have provided new insights into cooperation between firms based on the value chain. The empirical findings from two in‐depth studies, the rack and pinion industry and the lining industry, show that a firm can be involved in four different types of horizontal relationships at the same time. Apart from relationships consisting of competition or cooperation, a firm can live in symbiosis by coexisting with other relationships, or being involved in a relationship simultaneously containing elements of both cooperation and competition. Consequently, a successful firm needs to focus on relationship management in order to achieve a portfolio consisting of the four types of relationships to other horizontal firms.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework that describes three contending market regimes in converging industries, and to use this framework to study clashes between different regimes and the implication they have on firms' competitive strategies. More specifically, the challenges of competitors simultaneously acting in accordance with a competitive, a cooperative, and a co‐opetitive market regime.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory case study of the interaction between firms within the IT and telecom industry is conducted.FindingsThe paper brings forward clashes between different market regimes in converging industries and six propositions are formulated. The study furthermore shows how firms respond differently to a demand‐driven convergence, some act in accordance with a competitive regime and try to exclude others whereas others act in accordance with the co‐opetitive regime and cooperate with competitors to develop new product offers.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper concludes that there are several challenges in transforming from a competitive to a co‐opetitive regime, and there is therefore a need to further explore the clashes observed in this study.Originality/valueFew empirical studies have been conducted of the converging IT and telecom industries and this paper reveals several new insights about this market context and the challenges it provides. The paper develops a theoretical framework for an analysis of converging industries and provides an insight about clashes that develop between different market regimes. It also describes the challenges firms are facing as a result of these clashes.