Disaster recovery programs and policies are becoming even more important with the increase in numbers and frequencies of disasters and their widespread damage. This special issue examines approaches and recovery methods that have succeeded and identifies common elements. The authors in this volume note several key ingredients including collaboration among agencies providing services to disaster victims, educating residents about potential hazards and how to adequately prepare for them, and developing a coordinated set of public policies that can be communicated. Likewise, engaging in sound community development practices involving interactions among those affected is vital to successful outcomes. Recognizing the key roles that special groups such as the elderly can play in recovery efforts is also important as is building on customs and traditions in developing countries. The research in this volume adds to the literature on disaster recovery approaches and can help policymakers to build local capacity and remediate the impacts of disasters in the future.
Insight into the development of the medicinal biotechnology sector of China is provided through interviews of 19 Shanghai-based companies. Two commonly accepted strategy typologies are used to provide a predictive frame towards understanding their potential in the market. Most of the companies interviewed use the Miles & Snow Analyser Strategy. Two companies were clearly Prospectors, with founders of both discovering their technologies in laboratories of developed countries. The Porter Generic Strategy typology indicated that most are using Cost Leadership strategies. The strategic choice of these companies is problematic given the dynamics of the global market in which they could participate but are more sensible within the context of a protected market. For example, it appears that government-sponsored monopoly policies are driving low-cost strategies rather than innovation-based differentiation strategies.
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