This article examines the emergence of Italy and the Netherlands as new competitors in the European steel industry after the Second World War and compares it to similar developments in other parts of the world. It examines the factors which made it possible for these two countries to challenge...

The last five years have witnessed a steady growth in the use of agency workers to fill core professional roles in public sector organizations. Whereas in the past the use of agency workers was driven mainly by employer demands for improved flexibility, this current expansion is predominantly...

<italic>The paper investigates the presence and impact of clinicians on the boards of National Health Service (NHS) acute care trusts on efficiency over a three-year period (2006--2009). The analysis shows an increase, albeit marginal, in the number of clinically qualified directors in the period under...</italic>

In recent years marked changes have occurred in the way employers recruit and select agency workers, with this activity increasingly being outsourced to third party organizations providing ‘vendor managed services’ (VMS). Drawing on data from a study of English social services, this...

For over two decades there have been attempts across many countries to reform the management of public services and substitute market based provision for bureaucracy. But while these changes have been pursed vigorously, doubts about their appropriateness, feasibility and effectiveness remain....

In recent years, there has been a trend towards the negotiation of closer contractual relationships between employers and employment agencies. However, little is known about this change or its likely consequences. In theory, such relationships can benefit employers by lowering fees and also...

Around the world clinical professionals have increased their involvement in the management of health services. However the evidence to suggest that these changes will lead to improved performance remains fragmented. In this paper we address this matter focussing on the impact of clinicians...