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Decentralized Autonomous Organizations: Innovation and Vulnerability in the Digital Economy (Routledge Studies in the Economics of Innovation)
by Sven Van Kerckhoven Usman W. ChohanDecentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) constitute a comparatively novel area in academic research and scholarship, but the budding interest in this category of digital and algorithmic organization across various disciplines provides an indication of the possibilities that DAOs wield in terms of informing and advancing our understanding of the potentialities of the digital economy's forthcoming iterations. It also points towards practical use cases to solve problems that the increasing decentralization and amorphization of the structures of the digital economy portend. At the same time, DAOs are afflicted by various strands of skepticism that are attributable to their vulnerabilities, subjacent hype, ultimate purpose, and usefulness. This skepticism also requires scholarly attention and careful study through multidisciplinary perspectives, as further research may come to either dispel or confirm the array of concerns that continue to loom large about DAOs as technological, governance, societal, and economic instruments in the future.With all this in mind, the aim of this book is to offer multiple studied perspectives that explore DAOs from a variety of perspectives across several disciplinary prisms. It does not seek simply to weigh the balance of DAO's merits and demerits, but rather to conceive, appreciate, and discover various elements of ultimate import to DAOs over their future evolutionary course. Drawing upon the insights of interdisciplinary subject matter experts, this book allows for a holistic enquiry into the role, potential and limitations of DAOs. The book will thus be of interest to a multidisciplinary audience of scholars in organizational studies, computer science, economics, sociology of technology, philosophy, law, and the governance of innovation.
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations: Innovation and Vulnerability in the Digital Economy (Routledge Studies in the Economics of Innovation)
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) constitute a comparatively novel area in academic research and scholarship, but the budding interest in this category of digital and algorithmic organization across various disciplines provides an indication of the possibilities that DAOs wield in terms of informing and advancing our understanding of the potentialities of the digital economy's forthcoming iterations. It also points towards practical use cases to solve problems that the increasing decentralization and amorphization of the structures of the digital economy portend. At the same time, DAOs are afflicted by various strands of skepticism that are attributable to their vulnerabilities, subjacent hype, ultimate purpose, and usefulness. This skepticism also requires scholarly attention and careful study through multidisciplinary perspectives, as further research may come to either dispel or confirm the array of concerns that continue to loom large about DAOs as technological, governance, societal, and economic instruments in the future.With all this in mind, the aim of this book is to offer multiple studied perspectives that explore DAOs from a variety of perspectives across several disciplinary prisms. It does not seek simply to weigh the balance of DAO's merits and demerits, but rather to conceive, appreciate, and discover various elements of ultimate import to DAOs over their future evolutionary course. Drawing upon the insights of interdisciplinary subject matter experts, this book allows for a holistic enquiry into the role, potential and limitations of DAOs. The book will thus be of interest to a multidisciplinary audience of scholars in organizational studies, computer science, economics, sociology of technology, philosophy, law, and the governance of innovation.
Decentralized Control and Filtering in Interconnected Dynamical Systems
by Magdi S. MahmoudBased on the many approaches available for dealing with large-scale systems (LSS), Decentralized Control and Filtering in Interconnected Dynamical Systems supplies a rigorous framework for studying the analysis, stability, and control problems of LSS. Providing an overall assessment of LSS theories, it addresses model order reduction, parametric un
The Decentralized Energy Revolution: Business Strategies for a New Paradigm
by C. Burger J. WeinmannThe global energy system stands at the verge of a far-reaching paradigm shift. The established model of centralized supply services will be challenged by new, decentralized technologies, with Germany being an international role model for energy efficiency and renewable energy generation.
Decentralized Finance: From Core Concepts to DeFi Protocols for Financial Transactions (Financial Innovation and Technology)
by Thomas K. Birrer Dennis Amstutz Patrick WengerThis book addresses the main concepts of Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and the well-known economic problem of inflation within traditional financial systems (TradFi). The authors discuss how both systems are connected and describe how they influence each other. Furthermore, new technological developments in the finance sector are considered and explained. The book provides not only a theoretical background to understand how money has evolved over time but also many practical cases and advise to navigate the digital money era. While digitalization and innovation are evolving rapidly, this book aims to be time-independent in its content and in its focus on concepts. The book appeals not only to an academic audience but also to professionals working in the field.
Decentralized Finance: How Decentralized Applications (dApps) Disrupt Banking (Business Guides on the Go)
by Cordelia Friesendorf Alena BlütenerThis book explores how decentralized finance (DeFi) can disrupt traditional centralized finance including the business areas of insurance companies, banks, money markets, and bonds. DeFi is not a company or a single product, rather it is a collection of products or services. As part of the Ethereum ecosystem, DeFi services are provided as Decentralized Applications (dApps), which require smart contracts to lock in assets for processing transactions. Changing consumer expectations, the availability of affordable technologies, and entrepreneurial drive create space for DeFi. Geopolitical crises and trust deterioration exacerbate the need. This book explains the concept of DeFi, the technological opportunities, the current reality and status quo of business transactions, and demonstrates the potential for future use and the eventual transformation of the financial industry. It further provides a comprehensive analysis of the real-world applications of DeFi, the Decentralized Ledger Technology (DLT), and digital assets, as well as their potential risks to consumers and financial institutions to bankers, managers, investors, and policymakers.
Decentralized Lending: Empirical Analysis of Interest and Liquidation Mechanisms (BestMasters)
by Matthias SchaibleThis book deals with the concept of Decentralized Lending on the Blockchain.In order to familiarize with the topic, the basic principles of the underlying technology, such as blockchain, smart contracts or the general architecture of Decentralized Finance, are highlighted. More specific points of Decentralized Lending, such as the principle of supplying and borrowing, lending pools and the underlying logic of overcollateralization will be presented in more detail subsequently. Furthermore, the principle of liquidation is explained, with a focus on the underlying reasons for this. The aim is to provide an overview of how Decentralized Loans work and how the interest rates for them are composed. In addition, the empirical part addresses the question of the extent to which price fluctuations of the deposited collateral have an influence on its liquidation.
Decentralized Solutions for Developing Economies: Addressing Energy Poverty Through Innovation (Springer Proceedings in Energy)
by Sebastian Groh Jonas Straeten Brian Edlefsen Lasch Dimitry Gershenson Walter Leal Filho Daniel M. KammenThe volume presents innovative approaches to improving energy access in underprivileged communities. A core theme is the use of previously underutilized or unrecognized resources that can be found through synergies in supply and value innovation, novel financing methods, and the use of leapfrog technologies. The contributors illustrate how decentralized approaches and small-scale localized solutions can promote climate change mitigation and adaptation and increase the resiliency of vulnerable communities. This book gathers selected articles from the 2014 Micro energy Systems Conference at UC Berkeley that focus on technical, financial, human, institutional, and natural resource capital. The contributions reflect the latest concepts, theories, methods and techniques, offering a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners and governmental institutions engaged in the field of energy access for developing countries.
Decentralizing Finance: How DeFi, Digital Assets, and Distributed Ledger Technology Are Transforming Finance
by Kenneth BokA Practitioner's Guide to Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Digital Assets, and Distributed Ledger Technology In Decentralizing Finance: How DeFi, Digital Assets and Distributed Ledger Technology Are Transforming Finance, blockchain and digital assets expert Kenneth Bok offers an insightful exploration of the current state of decentralized finance (DeFi). As distributed ledger technology (DLT) increasingly optimizes and democratizes financial ecosystems worldwide, this book serves as a comprehensive guide to the most salient aspects of the ongoing transformation. The text delves into both crypto-native DeFi and DLT applications in regulated financial markets, providing: Comprehensive analysis of crypto-native DeFi across key areas such as its competitive landscape, infrastructure, financial instruments, activities, and applications Coverage of key risks, mitigation strategies, and regulatory frameworks, analyzed through the perspective of international financial standard-setting bodies Insight into how DLT is reshaping traditional financial systems through innovations like central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), tokenized assets, tokenized deposits, and institutional-grade DeFi platforms In a world where financial technology is rewriting the fundamental code of digital currency, the future of money is undeniably DLT-centric. How will this seismic shift interact with existing financial infrastructures? Can decentralization and traditional banking coexist and potentially synergize? This book endeavors to answer these pressing questions for financial professionals navigating these transformative times. Authored by a former Goldman Sachs trader, past Head of Growth at Zilliqa, and an early Ethereum investor with extensive experience in both traditional finance and the crypto ecosystem, Decentralizing Finance provides you with an insider's perspective on the revolution that is DeFi.
Decentralizing Finance: How DeFi, Digital Assets, and Distributed Ledger Technology Are Transforming Finance
by Kenneth BokA Practitioner's Guide to Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Digital Assets, and Distributed Ledger Technology In Decentralizing Finance: How DeFi, Digital Assets and Distributed Ledger Technology Are Transforming Finance, blockchain and digital assets expert Kenneth Bok offers an insightful exploration of the current state of decentralized finance (DeFi). As distributed ledger technology (DLT) increasingly optimizes and democratizes financial ecosystems worldwide, this book serves as a comprehensive guide to the most salient aspects of the ongoing transformation. The text delves into both crypto-native DeFi and DLT applications in regulated financial markets, providing: Comprehensive analysis of crypto-native DeFi across key areas such as its competitive landscape, infrastructure, financial instruments, activities, and applications Coverage of key risks, mitigation strategies, and regulatory frameworks, analyzed through the perspective of international financial standard-setting bodies Insight into how DLT is reshaping traditional financial systems through innovations like central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), tokenized assets, tokenized deposits, and institutional-grade DeFi platforms In a world where financial technology is rewriting the fundamental code of digital currency, the future of money is undeniably DLT-centric. How will this seismic shift interact with existing financial infrastructures? Can decentralization and traditional banking coexist and potentially synergize? This book endeavors to answer these pressing questions for financial professionals navigating these transformative times. Authored by a former Goldman Sachs trader, past Head of Growth at Zilliqa, and an early Ethereum investor with extensive experience in both traditional finance and the crypto ecosystem, Decentralizing Finance provides you with an insider's perspective on the revolution that is DeFi.
Decentring Development: Understanding Change in Agrarian Societies (Anthropology, Change, and Development)
by T. JakimowThe ways we understand processes of agrarian change are pressing issues for policy makers and development practitioners. Interpreting changes in two agrarian societies in India and Indonesia, the author reveals how transformations to self are critical factors shaping change, as well as under-recognized consequences of development initiatives.
Decentring Health and Care Networks: Reshaping the Organization and Delivery of Healthcare (Organizational Behaviour in Healthcare)
by Mark Bevir Justin WaringNetworks have become a prominent template for public service governance. Often seen as an alternative to hierarchies and contracts, networks cross institutionalized organizational or sectoral boundaries to promote collaboration and the sharing of resources when addressing complex problems. Nowhere is this more the case than in the field of health services modernization and improvement. Comprising unique empirical contributions, drawn primarily from the experience of the UK National Health Service (NHS), this edited collection develops a ‘decentred’ analysis of health and care networks. Contributors look beyond particular structures or patterns of governance and focus instead on the interpretation of the meaningful practices of policy actors as they encounter and enact policy instruments and structures. The approach offers a distinct form of analysis that deepens and enriches more traditional public policy accounts of network governance. It recognizes the influence of local history, highlights the influence of dominant economic, technical and corporate narratives, and acknowledges the continued influence of biomedical knowledge and professional expertise. Offering practical insight for current and future service leaders about the challenges of implementing, managing and working within networks, this book draws out key messages for practitioners and researchers alike.
Deception at Work: Investigating and Countering Lies and Fraud Strategies
by Michael J. Comer Timothy E. StephensDeception at Work tells you how to recognize and deal with lies, in meetings, negotiations, discussions and in writing. It is guaranteed to make you a more effective and confident operator, no matter what job you do. Simply leaving the book on your desk for others to see will improve your chances of not being deceived. The book exposes deception in all of its forms, linking the authors' 40 years of experience in dealing with fraudsters with the most recent findings on MRI scanning and the human brain. It explains how, why and in what circumstances both achievement and exculpatory lies are told, and how they can be resolved. It sets out a low key but effective plan for dealing with liars in all shapes and sizes, from confidence tricksters to malingerers and hard-nosed fraudsters. This ground-breaking work includes the most comprehensive summary of the clues to deception of any book currently in print.
Deception at Work: Investigating and Countering Lies and Fraud Strategies
by Michael J. Comer Timothy E. StephensDeception at Work tells you how to recognize and deal with lies, in meetings, negotiations, discussions and in writing. It is guaranteed to make you a more effective and confident operator, no matter what job you do. Simply leaving the book on your desk for others to see will improve your chances of not being deceived. The book exposes deception in all of its forms, linking the authors' 40 years of experience in dealing with fraudsters with the most recent findings on MRI scanning and the human brain. It explains how, why and in what circumstances both achievement and exculpatory lies are told, and how they can be resolved. It sets out a low key but effective plan for dealing with liars in all shapes and sizes, from confidence tricksters to malingerers and hard-nosed fraudsters. This ground-breaking work includes the most comprehensive summary of the clues to deception of any book currently in print.
Deception In The Marketplace: The Psychology of Deceptive Persuasion and Consumer Self-Protection
by David M. Boush Marian Friestad Peter WrightThis is the first scholarly book to fully address the topics of the psychology of deceptive persuasion in the marketplace and consumer self-protection. Deception permeates the American marketplace. Deceptive marketing harms consumers’ health, welfare and financial resources, reduces people’s privacy and self-esteem, and ultimately undermines trust in society. Individual consumers must try to protect themselves from marketers’ misleading communications by acquiring personal marketplace deception-protection skills that go beyond reliance on legal or regulatory protections. Understanding the psychology of deceptive persuasion and consumer self-protection should be a central goal for future consumer behavior research. The authors explore these questions. What makes persuasive communications misleading and deceptive? How do marketing managers decide to prevent or practice deception in planning their campaigns? What skills must consumers acquire to effectively cope with marketers’ deception tactics? What does research tell us about how people detect, neutralize and resist misleading persuasion attempts? What does research suggest about how to teach marketplace deception protection skills to adolescents and adults? Chapters cover theoretical perspectives on deceptive persuasion; different types of deception tactics; how deception-minded marketers think; prior research on how people cope with deceptiveness; the nature of marketplace deception protection skills; how people develop deception protection skills in adolescence and adulthood; prior research on teaching consumers marketplace deception protection skills; and societal issues such as regulatory frontiers, societal trust, and consumer education practices. This unique book is intended for scholars and researchers. It should be essential reading for upper level and graduate courses in consumer behavior, social psychology, communication, and marketing. Marketing practitioners and marketplace regulators will find it stimulating and authoritative, as will social scientists and educators who are concerned with consumer welfare.
Deception In The Marketplace: The Psychology of Deceptive Persuasion and Consumer Self-Protection
by David M. Boush Marian Friestad Peter WrightThis is the first scholarly book to fully address the topics of the psychology of deceptive persuasion in the marketplace and consumer self-protection. Deception permeates the American marketplace. Deceptive marketing harms consumers’ health, welfare and financial resources, reduces people’s privacy and self-esteem, and ultimately undermines trust in society. Individual consumers must try to protect themselves from marketers’ misleading communications by acquiring personal marketplace deception-protection skills that go beyond reliance on legal or regulatory protections. Understanding the psychology of deceptive persuasion and consumer self-protection should be a central goal for future consumer behavior research. The authors explore these questions. What makes persuasive communications misleading and deceptive? How do marketing managers decide to prevent or practice deception in planning their campaigns? What skills must consumers acquire to effectively cope with marketers’ deception tactics? What does research tell us about how people detect, neutralize and resist misleading persuasion attempts? What does research suggest about how to teach marketplace deception protection skills to adolescents and adults? Chapters cover theoretical perspectives on deceptive persuasion; different types of deception tactics; how deception-minded marketers think; prior research on how people cope with deceptiveness; the nature of marketplace deception protection skills; how people develop deception protection skills in adolescence and adulthood; prior research on teaching consumers marketplace deception protection skills; and societal issues such as regulatory frontiers, societal trust, and consumer education practices. This unique book is intended for scholars and researchers. It should be essential reading for upper level and graduate courses in consumer behavior, social psychology, communication, and marketing. Marketing practitioners and marketplace regulators will find it stimulating and authoritative, as will social scientists and educators who are concerned with consumer welfare.
Deception in Selection: Interviewees and the Psychology of Deceit
by Max A. EggertThe latest research suggests that 33% of people lie deliberately to achieve employment. The costs of mis-hires are significant in terms of management time, selection and reselection costs and potential legal costs. There are 101 opportunities for applicants to economize with the truth, exaggerate or simply lie, both on their CV and at interview. They may be desperate in a competitive job market; they may think that exaggeration is an expected part of the process or they just rely on the fact that many employers still fail to make the most rudimentary of checks of what they are told. Max Eggert’s Deception in Selection will help you, the recruiter, to understand how and why candidates deceive. The book examines proven techniques and tactics to balance the interview game, to restore equity in the face of the clever approaches that sophisticated candidates bring to the interview. Although there is no foolproof way of identifying deception, you can, with practice, become amazingly accurate if there is a commitment to master the basics. The object of this book is to learn how to detect more effectively the fabrications that candidates present in selection situations that would have a direct adverse effect on their performance in the job. Reading it will encourage you to look at lying and truth telling in a new light and discover how pervasively lies and self-deception influence selection decisions. This is a must read guide from a best-selling business author for all those who participate in the selection process.
Deception in Selection: Interviewees and the Psychology of Deceit
by Max A. EggertThe latest research suggests that 33% of people lie deliberately to achieve employment. The costs of mis-hires are significant in terms of management time, selection and reselection costs and potential legal costs. There are 101 opportunities for applicants to economize with the truth, exaggerate or simply lie, both on their CV and at interview. They may be desperate in a competitive job market; they may think that exaggeration is an expected part of the process or they just rely on the fact that many employers still fail to make the most rudimentary of checks of what they are told. Max Eggert’s Deception in Selection will help you, the recruiter, to understand how and why candidates deceive. The book examines proven techniques and tactics to balance the interview game, to restore equity in the face of the clever approaches that sophisticated candidates bring to the interview. Although there is no foolproof way of identifying deception, you can, with practice, become amazingly accurate if there is a commitment to master the basics. The object of this book is to learn how to detect more effectively the fabrications that candidates present in selection situations that would have a direct adverse effect on their performance in the job. Reading it will encourage you to look at lying and truth telling in a new light and discover how pervasively lies and self-deception influence selection decisions. This is a must read guide from a best-selling business author for all those who participate in the selection process.
Decide: Work Smarter, Reduce Your Stress, and Lead by Example
by Steve McClatchyHow to make better decisions and achieve your goals What shapes a person's career and life, and defines them as a leader? Their decisions. We all want to be more productive and deliver our best results. But doing this effectively—and consistently over time—is a significant challenge. Managing it all is hard, and leading in today's hyper-paced world is even harder. The good news is that leadership expert Steve McClatchy makes it easier. In Decide, McClatchy—who works with Fortune 1000 people every day to help them achieve outstanding levels of performance—shows you how to cut through the complexities and excuses to start realizing real gains simply by changing one thing: the way you make decisions. With McClatchy's help, you can quickly begin to: Use the time you have each day to move your business and your life forward Make decisions that yield better results Waste less time, reduce stress and regain balance Again and again, McClatchy has helped people learn for themselves how great decision-making habits yield a lifetime of accomplishments. Follow McClatchy's no-nonsense and practical approach, and you'll soon manage—and even lead—at your highest level of personal performance.
Decide: Work Smarter, Reduce Your Stress, and Lead by Example
by Steve McClatchyHow to make better decisions and achieve your goals What shapes a person's career and life, and defines them as a leader? Their decisions. We all want to be more productive and deliver our best results. But doing this effectively—and consistently over time—is a significant challenge. Managing it all is hard, and leading in today's hyper-paced world is even harder. The good news is that leadership expert Steve McClatchy makes it easier. In Decide, McClatchy—who works with Fortune 1000 people every day to help them achieve outstanding levels of performance—shows you how to cut through the complexities and excuses to start realizing real gains simply by changing one thing: the way you make decisions. With McClatchy's help, you can quickly begin to: Use the time you have each day to move your business and your life forward Make decisions that yield better results Waste less time, reduce stress and regain balance Again and again, McClatchy has helped people learn for themselves how great decision-making habits yield a lifetime of accomplishments. Follow McClatchy's no-nonsense and practical approach, and you'll soon manage—and even lead—at your highest level of personal performance.
Decide: Better Ways of Making Better Decisions
by David WetheyLife presents us with a steady stream of decisions that we have to make. So, like it or not, we need to practice this skill every day - at work, at home, and in every aspect of our lives. Yet, we often make decisions without properly considering the context, options and implications of our actions. Or worse still, we end up managing the consequences of avoiding taking difficult decisions.Decide sets out a clear and easy to follow model that will enable you to make or contribute to effective decisions, proving that it does not have to be a long drawn out process, as long as you use a mixture of rational and lateral thinking. Free from business jargon, and filled with relevant case studies, Decide is a vital book for everyone whose life revolves around successful decision making. Thought-provoking and practical, it will help you always make the right decisions, and choose from your options wisely, whether you have 60 days, 60 minutes or just 60 seconds.
Decide: Better Ways of Making Better Decisions
by David WetheyLife presents us with a steady stream of decisions that we have to make. So, like it or not, we need to practice this skill every day - at work, at home, and in every aspect of our lives. Yet, we often make decisions without properly considering the context, options and implications of our actions. Or worse still, we end up managing the consequences of avoiding taking difficult decisions.Decide sets out a clear and easy to follow model that will enable you to make or contribute to effective decisions, proving that it does not have to be a long drawn out process, as long as you use a mixture of rational and lateral thinking. Free from business jargon, and filled with relevant case studies, Decide is a vital book for everyone whose life revolves around successful decision making. Thought-provoking and practical, it will help you always make the right decisions, and choose from your options wisely, whether you have 60 days, 60 minutes or just 60 seconds.
Deciphering Economics: Timely Topics Explained
by David E. O'ConnorThis compact yet comprehensive guide provides a wealth of information that is timely, easy to understand, and relevant to the academic and civic lives of students, teachers, researchers, and the general public.Economics surround us, impacting the decisions people make as consumers, producers, workers, savers, investors, taxpayers, and voters. This guide offers a thorough and understandable overview of basic economic concepts and principles, providing building blocks for understanding the systems of economics in today's complex world. It then explores contemporary, economics-related topics, issues, and challenges that exist within local communities, the U.S. economy, and the global economy. Using language that is clear, precise, and accessible to high school and community college students as well as to general readers, the book covers microeconomic topics, macroeconomic topics, and international economics. It connects theory and practice as it examines how economic decisions are made and looks at the roles of the private and public sectors in achieving growth, stability, and employment. In addition, the author explores overarching trends in the global economy and the prospects for economic development in emerging nations and offers specific ways to locate other quality print and online resources on economics.
Deciphering Economics: Timely Topics Explained
by David E. O'ConnorThis compact yet comprehensive guide provides a wealth of information that is timely, easy to understand, and relevant to the academic and civic lives of students, teachers, researchers, and the general public.Economics surround us, impacting the decisions people make as consumers, producers, workers, savers, investors, taxpayers, and voters. This guide offers a thorough and understandable overview of basic economic concepts and principles, providing building blocks for understanding the systems of economics in today's complex world. It then explores contemporary, economics-related topics, issues, and challenges that exist within local communities, the U.S. economy, and the global economy. Using language that is clear, precise, and accessible to high school and community college students as well as to general readers, the book covers microeconomic topics, macroeconomic topics, and international economics. It connects theory and practice as it examines how economic decisions are made and looks at the roles of the private and public sectors in achieving growth, stability, and employment. In addition, the author explores overarching trends in the global economy and the prospects for economic development in emerging nations and offers specific ways to locate other quality print and online resources on economics.
Deciphering the Enterprise Culture: Entrepreneurship, Petty Capitalism and the Restructuring of Britain (Routledge Revivals)
by Roger BurrowsThe idea of the ‘enterprise culture’ has been much vaunted over the last few decades: the growth of self-employment and small business ownership has been an important feature of the restructuring of the British economy. Because it is a concept that is difficult to evaluate, controversial and politically sensitive, social scientists were slow to analyse it. Consequently, it had been caricatured and many questions about its impact on society and the economy had been left unanswered. This collection, which was first published in 1991, presents a critical analysis of the various manifestations of the enterprise culture. Drawing upon a range of research, it deals with a number of related topics. The result is a powerful analysis of the material and ideological role of the petty bourgeoisie in contemporary capitalism. Its multidisciplinary approach, which contributions from leading scholars in the field, makes this book of interest to anyone wanting to make sense of the socio-economic restructuring of Britain.