Publisher's note

Citation

Healy, N.A. and Wood, P. (2003), "Publisher's note", Journal of Business Strategy, Vol. 24 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/jbs.2003.28824eaa.001

Publisher's note

This is not entirely an editor's note, but rather an editor's and publisher's note. In the last issue, Managing Editor Paul Wood announced that the Journal of Business Strategy was now part of the portfolio of Emerald, an international publishing company with more than 120 journals. While Emerald is based in the UK, the new editor is American, as were most of her predecessors. But we intend to make JBS more international in scope, so the geographic location of editor and publisher are almost irrelevant, especially considering how electronic delivery systems create a virtual global reach.

When major publications acquire new editors, there is often as much media hype about the new hire as about the publication itself. This in part is because the new editor wants immediately to put her or his imprint on the magazine and be known by the results. But with a publication such as JBS, where articles are contributed and accepted months in advance, the new editor may have to wait it out for a few issues before any imprint is noticeable.

That is the case with this issue and, probably, the next few issues of JBS. Nanci Healy, our new editor, is eager to retain all the best aspects of JBS and add new features and approaches to the broad topic of business strategy. So the journal will evolve over time, and readers are urged to let us know what you like and do not like.

As evidence of our commitment to more articles from European contributors, we have in this issue a piece by two professors from Universiteit Nyenrode in the Netherlands. Professors Jagersma and Van Gorp, both experts in global competitive strategy, describe the results of a survey of foreign business managers in China. Foreign businesses still have much to learn about the Chinese cultural norms that influence the way they do business and alliances as the key to success.

Also in a global vein is an article by Jorge Fernandez on how to develop international executives who are effective in situations where they are charting new territory. Some of the most important characteristics of successful international executives are innate, some can be taught and developed, and some emerge with experience.

From Ingersoll-Rand, the huge global manufacturer originally known best for construction and mining equipment, comes an article on how the company has employed a "dual citizenship" strategy to create a unified entity. I-R is now a leader in four diversified sectors climate control, industrial solutions, infrastructure, and security and safety – so creating a cohesive organization is not easy. But the company continues to grow at a rapid pace by concentrating on its existing businesses and leveraging them against one another in a masterful strategy of organic growth.

While I-R's acquisitions have certainly been value-enhancing, such is not always the case. Dr. C. Gopinath looks at why some acquisitions go awry despite seemingly careful strategic planning. He examines five major acquisitions to see why they sapped investors of value and met disappointing fates.

Donald Mitchell and Carol Coles use a sports analogy to explain how moving fast and, sometimes, doing exactly what the competition does not expect, yields the highest score. They describe the concept of "continuing business model innovation" as the best way to ensure a company stays at the leading edge.

The last feature article in this issue concerns employee training more popular than ever, recipient of huge investments, yet still not reaching its potential because too many organizations do not view it strategically but rather as a tactical fix for specific problems.

Catherine Daily and Dan Dalton offer their third column in a new series on governance, this one on women in the boardroom, guaranteed to pique readers' attention. Patrick Marren contributes his usual lively opinion on the amusing side of business strategy.

Please e-mail us with your comments, suggestions, and papers at jbseditorial@emeraldinsight.com

Nanci A. HealyEditorPaul WoodManaging Editor