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Small States in a Legal World (The World of Small States #1)

by Petra Butler Caroline Morris

This book is a unique collection of high quality articles analysing legal issues with particular regard to small states. The small states of the world differ considerably in their geography, history, political structures, legal systems and wealth. Nevertheless, because of their size, small states face a set of common challenges including vulnerability to external economic impacts such as changing trade regimes and limited ability to diversify economic activity; limited public and private sector capacity, including the legal and judicial infrastructure; a need for regional co-operation; a vulnerability to environmental changes as well as a limited ability to engage with supranational bodies and the forces of globalisation. This is the first volume of an exciting and unique new series, The World of Small States. In this work, legal experts from small jurisdictions and those with a particular interest in legal issues facing small states explore inter alia ethics in small jurisdictions, legal education and the profession in small states, the challenges facing small states with mixed legal systems, the constitutional arrangements in small states, small states as tax havens, and intellectual property and competition law issues.

Small to Medium Sized Enterprises and Corporate Social Responsibility: The Role of International Networks

by Pia Popal

While the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities of small firms have been analysed to some extent, their engagement in international networks relating to CSR is less understood. Most of these networks primarily address the needs of multinational corporations. Surprisingly, however, the number of small firms participating in such institutions has substantially increased over recent years. But what is the reason for this new interest of SME in institutional forms of CSR? Based on a qualitative empirical study of German small firms’ participation in the most prominent CSR institution, the UN Global Compact, this book explores the drivers for small firm participation. The motivations are complex and do not follow the same hierarchical order associated with large business behaviour. Rather, reasons for institutional engagement suggest a heterarchical structure, where alignment is contingent upon factors such as individual CSR perception, self-conception or social environment. The book explains why small firms prefer to engage in sustainable development within institutionalised forms of CSR rather than act in isolation, and provides recommendations on how to support and thus increase SME participation in institutionalised forms of civic engagement.

Small to Medium Sized Enterprises and Corporate Social Responsibility: The Role of International Networks

by Pia Popal

While the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities of small firms have been analysed to some extent, their engagement in international networks relating to CSR is less understood. Most of these networks primarily address the needs of multinational corporations. Surprisingly, however, the number of small firms participating in such institutions has substantially increased over recent years. But what is the reason for this new interest of SME in institutional forms of CSR? Based on a qualitative empirical study of German small firms’ participation in the most prominent CSR institution, the UN Global Compact, this book explores the drivers for small firm participation. The motivations are complex and do not follow the same hierarchical order associated with large business behaviour. Rather, reasons for institutional engagement suggest a heterarchical structure, where alignment is contingent upon factors such as individual CSR perception, self-conception or social environment. The book explains why small firms prefer to engage in sustainable development within institutionalised forms of CSR rather than act in isolation, and provides recommendations on how to support and thus increase SME participation in institutionalised forms of civic engagement.

Smart Cities and Smart Governance: Towards the 22nd Century Sustainable City (Public Administration and Information Technology #37)

by Theresa A. Pardo Hans Jochen Scholl Elsa Estevez

This edited volume discusses smart cities and smart governance within the framework of the 22nd century sustainable city. Written by members of the Smart Cities Smart Government Research Practice Consortium (SCSGRPC), an international multidisciplinary consortium of researchers and practitioners devoted to studying smart governance, this book provides a foundation for global efforts to envision and prepare for the next generation city by advancing understanding of the nature of and need for novel policies, new administrative practices, and enabling technologies required to advance urban governance, governments, and infrastructure. The chapters focus on practical models and approaches, theoretical frameworks, policy models, emerging issues, questions and research problems, as well as including case studies from different parts of the world. A valuable addition to the body of knowledge on smartness in urban government, this book will be of use to researchers in the fields of public administration, political science, information science, and information systems, as well as policy makers and government officials working on implementing smart technology in their cities.

Smart Cities, Digitalisierung und Bürgerbeteiligung: Die Sicht von Politik und Verwaltung (Politik gestalten - Kommunikation, Deliberation und Partizipation bei politisch relevanten Projekten)

by Frank Brettschneider

Der Band beschäftigt sich mit Aspekten von Smart Cities, Digitalisierung und Bürgerbeteiligung. Digitalisierung mit Bürgerbeteiligung und Bürgerbeteiligung mit digitalen Instrumenten und Formaten – das sind zwei Seiten einer Medaille. Smart Cities erproben zahlreiche Facetten kommunaler Digitalisierung. Dialogorientierte Kommunikation ist notwendig, damit Politik, Verwaltung, Verbände sowie Bürgerinnen und Bürger dabei gemeinsam tragfähige Lösungen finden. Auch digitale Kommunikationsinstrumente sind hilfreich. Landesregierungen setzen Messenger-Dienste erfolgreich ein, und kommunale Bauämter nutzen Social-Media-Kanäle. Gemeinderäte und Bürgermeister*innen stehen digitalen Formaten der Bürgerbeteiligung aufgeschlossen gegenüber, wünschen sich aber oft mehr Informationen über deren Möglichkeiten und Grenzen.

Smart Citizens, Smarter State: The Technologies of Expertise and the Future of Governing

by Beth Simone Noveck

Governments make too little use of the skills and experience of citizens. New tools—what Beth Simone Noveck calls technologies of expertise—are making it possible to match citizen expertise to the demand for it in government. She offers a vision of participatory democracy rooted not in voting or crowdsourcing but in people’s knowledge and know-how.

Smart Citizens, Smarter State: The Technologies of Expertise and the Future of Governing

by Beth Simone Noveck

Governments make too little use of the skills and experience of citizens. New tools—what Beth Simone Noveck calls technologies of expertise—are making it possible to match citizen expertise to the demand for it in government. She offers a vision of participatory democracy rooted not in voting or crowdsourcing but in people’s knowledge and know-how.

Smart City: How to Create Public and Economic Value with High Technology in Urban Space (Progress in IS)

by Renata Paola Dameri Camille Rosenthal-Sabroux

This book presents a comprehensive overview of the various aspects for the development of smart cities from a European perspective. It presents both theoretical concepts as well as empirical studies and cases of smart city programs and their capacity to create value for citizens. The contributions in this book are a result of an increasing interest for this topic, supported by both national governments and international institutions. The book offers a large panorama of the most important aspects of smart cities evolution and implementation. It compares European best practices and analyzes how smart projects and programs in cities could help to improve the quality of life in the urban space and to promote cultural and economic development.

Smart City Implementation: Creating Economic and Public Value in Innovative Urban Systems (Progress in IS)

by Renata Paola Dameri

In a series of essays, this book describes and analyzes the concept and theory of the recent smart city phenomenon from a global perspective, with a focus on its implementation around the world. After defining the concept it then elaborates on the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as an enabler for smart cities, and the role of ICT in the interplay with smart mobility. A separate chapter develops the concept of an urban smart dashboard for stakeholders to measure performance as well as the economic and public value. It offers examples of smart cities around the globe, and two detailed case studies on Genoa and Amsterdam exemplify the book’s theoretical and empirical findings, helping readers understand and evaluate the effectiveness and capability of new smart city programs.

Smart Computing and Communication: Third International Conference, SmartCom 2018, Tokyo, Japan, December 10–12, 2018, Proceedings (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #11344)

by Meikang Qiu

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Third International Conference on Smart Computing and Communications, SmartCom 2018, held in Tokyo, Japan, in December 2018. The 45 papers presented in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 305 submissions. They focus on topics from smart data to smart communications, as well as smart cloud computing to smart security.

Smart Contracts: Technological, Business and Legal Perspectives

by Marcelo Corrales Compagnucci, Mark Fenwick and Stefan Wrbka

This book brings together a series of contributions by leading scholars and practitioners to examine the main features of smart contracts, as well as the response of key stakeholders in technology, business, government and the law. It explores how this new technology interfaces with the goals and content of contract law, introducing and evaluating several mechanisms to improve the 'observability' and reduce the costs of verifying contractual obligations and performance. It also outlines various 'design patterns' that ensure that end users are protected from themselves, prevent cognitive accidents, and translate expectations and values into more user-oriented agreements. Furthermore, the chapters map the new risks associated with smart contracts, particularly for consumers, and consider how they might be alleviated. The book also discusses the challenge of integrating data protection and privacy concerns into the design of these agreements and the broad range of legal knowledge and skills required. The case for using smart contracts goes beyond 'contracts' narrowly defined, and they are increasingly used to disrupt traditional models of business organisation. The book discusses so-called decentralised autonomous organisations and decentralised finance as illustrations of this trend.This book is designed for those interested in looking to deepen their understanding of this game-changing new legal technology.

Smart Contracts: Grundlagen, Anwendungsfelder und rechtliche Aspekte (essentials)

by Robert Wilkens Richard Falk

Dieses essential vermittelt einen Einblick in die Grundlagen von Smart Contracts. Smart Contracts sind kleine Computerprogramme, die vor allem im Zusammenhang mit der Blockchain-Technologie zum Einsatz kommen. Mit ihnen lassen sich Verträge digital abbilden, überprüfen und automatisiert vollziehen. Die damit verbundenen Potenziale sind bei weitem noch nicht ausgeschöpft, doch schon jetzt finden sich zahlreiche Anwendungsmöglichkeiten. Allerdings werfen Smart Contracts auch eine Reihe rechtlicher Fragen auf. Die Autoren erläutern die Bedeutung und die Struktur von Smart Contracts und geben einen Einblick in deren rechtliche Handhabung.

Smart Contracts: Technological, Business and Legal Perspectives


This book brings together a series of contributions by leading scholars and practitioners to examine the main features of smart contracts, as well as the response of key stakeholders in technology, business, government and the law. It explores how this new technology interfaces with the goals and content of contract law, introducing and evaluating several mechanisms to improve the 'observability' and reduce the costs of verifying contractual obligations and performance. It also outlines various 'design patterns' that ensure that end users are protected from themselves, prevent cognitive accidents, and translate expectations and values into more user-oriented agreements. Furthermore, the chapters map the new risks associated with smart contracts, particularly for consumers, and consider how they might be alleviated. The book also discusses the challenge of integrating data protection and privacy concerns into the design of these agreements and the broad range of legal knowledge and skills required. The case for using smart contracts goes beyond 'contracts' narrowly defined, and they are increasingly used to disrupt traditional models of business organisation. The book discusses so-called decentralised autonomous organisations and decentralised finance as illustrations of this trend.This book is designed for those interested in looking to deepen their understanding of this game-changing new legal technology.

Smart Contracts and Comparative Law: A Western Perspective

by Andrea Stazi

The book analyzes the most relevant developments in the relation between contracts and technology, from automatically concluded contracts to today's revolutionary "smart contracts" developed through blockchain, which are beginning to and will increasingly disrupt many economic and social relations. First of all, the author offers a broad analysis of the peculiarities and evolution of the relation between contracts and technology. The main features and elements of electronic contracts are then examined in depth to highlight the specific rules applicable to them in the international comparative legal framework. In turn, the book provides a detailed explanation of the technology, economic and social dynamics, and legal issues concerning blockchain and smart contracts. The analysis focuses on the question of the legal nature of smart contracts, the issues posed by their development and the first legal solutions adopted in some countries. The comparative approach pursued makes it possible to focus attention on the first solutions adopted until now in various systems, with particular regard to the circulation of models and ideas and to the specificities of their local variations, in terms of e.g. applicable law and jurisdiction. In reviewing the characteristics of distributed ledger technologies, and in particular of the blockchain technology on which smart contracts are based, above all the peculiarities of the latter are taken into consideration, especially automatic execution and resistance to tampering, which simultaneously present significant opportunities and complex legal issues. A comprehensive framework is then provided to reconcile smart contracts with comparative contract law, in order to define the scope and specificities of their binding force, legal effectiveness and regulation in various legal systems. Lastly, with specific reference to the elements, pathologies and contractual remedies for smart contracts, the book examines the peculiarities of their application and the main issues that emerge in comparative contract law in order to promote their harmonized use, in keeping with the transnational nature of such a revolutionary tool.

Smart Delivery Systems: Solving Complex Vehicle Routing Problems (Intelligent Data-Centric Systems: Sensor Collected Intelligence)

by Jakub Nalepa

Smart Delivery Systems: Solving Complex Vehicle Routing Problems examines both exact and approximate methods for delivering optimal solutions to rich vehicle routing problems, showing both the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. It shows how to apply machine learning and advanced data analysis techniques to improve routing systems, familiarizing readers with the concepts and technologies used in successfully implemented delivery systems. The book explains both the latest theoretical and practical advances in intelligent delivery and scheduling systems and presents practical applications for designing new algorithms for real-life scenarios.Emphasizes both sequential and parallel algorithmsUniquely combines methods and algorithms, real-life applications, and parallel computingIncludes recommendations on how to choose between different methods for solving applicationsProvides learning aids, end of chapter references, bibliography, worked examples and exercises

Smart Engagement: Why, What, Who and How

by John Aston Alan Knight

Businesses that thrive in the 21st century will be those that are smart about "engagement". These businesses are the best at adapting to changing societal concerns, expectations, risks and opportunities and they know how to generate sustainable outcomes.However, while many companies talk a lot about stakeholder engagement, very few do it in a way that genuinely contributes to business success. In many cases companies engage the wrong people on the wrong issues at the wrong time; they plan too much and do too little; they slide into PR-mode or they undermine relationships by creating expectations that can't be met.Smart Engagement can help you plan an engagement programme that is integrated into your core business. John Aston and Alan Knight draw on nearly 50 years of practical expertise in the field of natural resources, energy and infrastructure, chemicals, aeronautics, the financial sector, environmental management, social responsibility and capacity building. They distil the best from current research and offer a robust guide to best practice. This is not abstract process guidelines; it is a straightforward, no-nonsense and practical approach to engagement, focused on results and value creation.

Smart Engagement: Why, What, Who and How (Doshorts Ser.)

by John Aston Alan Knight

Businesses that thrive in the 21st century will be those that are smart about "engagement". These businesses are the best at adapting to changing societal concerns, expectations, risks and opportunities and they know how to generate sustainable outcomes.However, while many companies talk a lot about stakeholder engagement, very few do it in a way that genuinely contributes to business success. In many cases companies engage the wrong people on the wrong issues at the wrong time; they plan too much and do too little; they slide into PR-mode or they undermine relationships by creating expectations that can't be met.Smart Engagement can help you plan an engagement programme that is integrated into your core business. John Aston and Alan Knight draw on nearly 50 years of practical expertise in the field of natural resources, energy and infrastructure, chemicals, aeronautics, the financial sector, environmental management, social responsibility and capacity building. They distil the best from current research and offer a robust guide to best practice. This is not abstract process guidelines; it is a straightforward, no-nonsense and practical approach to engagement, focused on results and value creation.

Smart Geospatial Practices and Applications in Local Government: An Altogether Different Language

by David A. Holdstock

The demand on local government to do more with less by improving operations, increasing productivity, and making better and more informed decisions increases constantly. On a departmental level Geographic Information Systems are helping meet this demand but the majority of local government organizations do not take the time to understand the GIS needs and opportunities of each and every department. This book: Discusses how towns, cities and counties and their specific departments should actually use GIS Explains the best ways to use GIS tools through many specific case studies and step by step instructions Emphasises local government needs first before offering solutions Gives readers a practical and understandable way of thinking about managing and making GIS successful This book is the guide that details best GIS applications and practices for the 34 departments in local government that can, and should, use GIS technology. It explains in details how, why, and what each department should implement, a clear and understandable explanation of departmental GIS.

Smart Geospatial Practices and Applications in Local Government: An Altogether Different Language

by David A. Holdstock

The demand on local government to do more with less by improving operations, increasing productivity, and making better and more informed decisions increases constantly. On a departmental level Geographic Information Systems are helping meet this demand but the majority of local government organizations do not take the time to understand the GIS needs and opportunities of each and every department. This book: Discusses how towns, cities and counties and their specific departments should actually use GIS Explains the best ways to use GIS tools through many specific case studies and step by step instructions Emphasises local government needs first before offering solutions Gives readers a practical and understandable way of thinking about managing and making GIS successful This book is the guide that details best GIS applications and practices for the 34 departments in local government that can, and should, use GIS technology. It explains in details how, why, and what each department should implement, a clear and understandable explanation of departmental GIS.

Smart Giving Is Good Business: How Corporate Philanthropy Can Benefit Your Company and Society

by Curt Weeden

Answers to the 12 most common and critical questions about corporate giving In this groundbreaking resource, Weeden shows how to strategically plan, manage and evaluate corporate contributions. Questions include: Why Should We Give?; How Much?; Who Decides?; Does a Company Need a Foundation?; How to Give Products or Services?; How Do We Know What Works? The book covers a wide range of topics including: The case for conditional corporate philanthropy; increasing stewardship to give more; assigning responsibility for signature programs; how CEOs leverage contributions programs for maximum benefit; effectively staffing corporate contributions programs; the pros and cons of corporate foundations; and more. Offers benchmarks for determining if a business has a meaningful philanthropic program that fosters constructive corporate citizenship Reveals how an effective philanthropic program and commitment can be incorporated in any organization Contains a comprehensive review of the information corporations need to make informed decisions about giving The author offers a prescription for linking businesses with causes and the nonprofits addressing critical issues in a way that will preserve or restore services and activities essential to our quality of life.

Smart Giving Is Good Business: How Corporate Philanthropy Can Benefit Your Company and Society

by Curt Weeden

Answers to the 12 most common and critical questions about corporate giving In this groundbreaking resource, Weeden shows how to strategically plan, manage and evaluate corporate contributions. Questions include: Why Should We Give?; How Much?; Who Decides?; Does a Company Need a Foundation?; How to Give Products or Services?; How Do We Know What Works? The book covers a wide range of topics including: The case for conditional corporate philanthropy; increasing stewardship to give more; assigning responsibility for signature programs; how CEOs leverage contributions programs for maximum benefit; effectively staffing corporate contributions programs; the pros and cons of corporate foundations; and more. Offers benchmarks for determining if a business has a meaningful philanthropic program that fosters constructive corporate citizenship Reveals how an effective philanthropic program and commitment can be incorporated in any organization Contains a comprehensive review of the information corporations need to make informed decisions about giving The author offers a prescription for linking businesses with causes and the nonprofits addressing critical issues in a way that will preserve or restore services and activities essential to our quality of life.

Smart Grid Security (SpringerBriefs in Cybersecurity)

by Sanjay Goel Yuan Hong Vagelis Papakonstantinou Dariusz Kloza

This book on smart grid security is meant for a broad audience from managers to technical experts. It highlights security challenges that are faced in the smart grid as we widely deploy it across the landscape. It starts with a brief overview of the smart grid and then discusses some of the reported attacks on the grid. It covers network threats, cyber physical threats, smart metering threats, as well as privacy issues in the smart grid. Along with the threats the book discusses the means to improve smart grid security and the standards that are emerging in the field. The second part of the book discusses the legal issues in smart grid implementations, particularly from a privacy (EU data protection) point of view.

Smart Health rechtsverträglich gestaltet: Ubiquitous Computing in der Gesundheitspflege und -vorsorge (DuD-Fachbeiträge)

by Julia Zirfas

Julia Zirfas beschreibt die neuen Entwicklungen des Ubiquitous Computing, einer allgegenwärtigen Technik, die losgelöst von der Interaktion mit einem feststehenden Gerät zu einer für den Nutzer nahezu unsichtbaren Technikanwendung geworden ist. Diese Technik hat in der Gesundheitspflege und -vorsorge ein besonders großes Potenzial, die Behandlung von Patienten zu verändern und zu verbessern, sie kann hier aber auch die größten negativen Effekte zur Folge haben. Die Autorin untersucht das geltende Recht daraufhin, ob es diesen Entwicklungen gewachsen ist und leitet konkrete (technische) Handlungsempfehlungen für den Einsatz und die Entwicklung von Ubiquitous Computing ab.

Smart Legal Contracts: Computable Law in Theory and Practice

by Jason Grant Allen, Peter Hunn

Smart Legal Contracts: Computable Law in Theory and Practice is a landmark investigation into one of the most important trends at the interface of law and technology: the effort to harness emerging digital technologies to change the way that parties form and perform contracts. While developments in distributed ledger technology have brought the topic of 'smart contracts' into the mainstream of legal attention, this volume takes a broader approach to ask how computers can be used in the contracting process. This book assesses how contractual promises are expressed in software and how code-based artefacts can be incorporated within more conventional legal structures. With incisive contributions from members of the judiciary, legal scholars, practitioners, and computer scientists, this book sets out to frame the borders of an emerging area of law and start a more productive dialogue between the various disciplines involved in the evolution of contracts as software. It provides the first step towards a more disciplined approach to computational contracts that avoids the techno-legal ambiguities of 'smart contracts' and reveals an emerging taxonomy of approaches to encoding contracts in whole or in part. Conceived and written during a time when major legal systems began to engage with the advent of contracts in computable form, and aimed at a fundamental level of enquiry, this collection will provide essential insight into future trends and will provide a point of orientation for future scholarship and innovation.

Smart Legal Contracts: Computable Law in Theory and Practice


Smart Legal Contracts: Computable Law in Theory and Practice is a landmark investigation into one of the most important trends at the interface of law and technology: the effort to harness emerging digital technologies to change the way that parties form and perform contracts. While developments in distributed ledger technology have brought the topic of 'smart contracts' into the mainstream of legal attention, this volume takes a broader approach to ask how computers can be used in the contracting process. This book assesses how contractual promises are expressed in software and how code-based artefacts can be incorporated within more conventional legal structures. With incisive contributions from members of the judiciary, legal scholars, practitioners, and computer scientists, this book sets out to frame the borders of an emerging area of law and start a more productive dialogue between the various disciplines involved in the evolution of contracts as software. It provides the first step towards a more disciplined approach to computational contracts that avoids the techno-legal ambiguities of 'smart contracts' and reveals an emerging taxonomy of approaches to encoding contracts in whole or in part. Conceived and written during a time when major legal systems began to engage with the advent of contracts in computable form, and aimed at a fundamental level of enquiry, this collection will provide essential insight into future trends and will provide a point of orientation for future scholarship and innovation.

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