Welcome to the publications page
Industrial Systems Research publishes books and reports on a wide range of industrial-commercial and related subjects. In addition to printed publications, we produce documents online and in CD-ROM and other formats. Full details of publications are available via this page. Please scroll down to read brief descriptions – and click on the links for more information on individual titles.
Books may be ordered direct from us or from most larger bookstores worldwide – e.g. http://www.amazon.co.uk/books
Technology, management, and business growth studies
Technological Development In Industry: A Business-Economic Survey and Analysis
Engineering Firms: A Survey Of Factors Affecting Their Growth and Performance
Industrial Technological Products: Key Influences On Buying, Selling, and Market Growth
Housebuilding and The New Homes Market: A Survey
New Technology In Housebuilding: A Review
Business and the political-legal environment studies
British Democracy: Its Restoration and Extension
Political Barriers To Housebuilding In Britain: A Critical Case Study Of Protectionism and Its Industrial-Commercial Effects
British Withdrawal From The European Union: A Guide To The Case For
Statutory Minimum Wage Controls: A Critical Review Of Their Effects On Labour Markets, Employment, and Incomes
Two Treatises On Government: A Translation Into Modern English
The Pound and Monetary Economic Policy Independence: A Summary Of The Case For Retention
A New British Bill Of Rights: The Case For
Business finance and investment studies
The Business Finance Market: A Survey
The Management Of Business Lending: A Survey
The Mortgage Loans Industry and Market: A Survey
Small and Medium-Sized Business Finance: A Review
Economic growth and performance studies
Industry and Enterprise: An International Survey Of Modernization and Development
Manufacturing and Investment Around The World: An International Survey Of Factors Affecting Growth and Performance
Manufacturing In Britain: A Survey Of Factors Affecting Growth and Performance
Theories Of Industrial Modernization and Enterprise Development: A Review
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Technology, management, and business growth studies
g Technological Development In Industry: A Business-Economic Survey and Analysis
This book surveys and analyses key aspects of the technological development process in manufacturing firms and industries.
It covers the genesis of technical-product inventions and innovations; the impact of new technologies on jobs, firms, and industries; and major business-economic and other factors facilitating and hampering change.
The findings of published research on the subject are reviewed – and detailed case studies presented of the introduction and utilization of new technologies in a wide range of firms in engineering, construction, food and drugs, textiles, petrochemicals, and other industries.
Contents:
1. Technological Development In Industry: An Overview
2. The Economics Of Technological Development
3. Technological Development and Organization (1): General
4. Technological Development and Organization (2): Change Management, Job Satisfaction, and
Productivity
5. Technological Development and Organization (3): Twenty-Five Company Case Studies
6. Trade Unions and Technological Development
7. The Political and Legal Environment
8. Education, Training, and Technological Development
9. Technological Development, The Labour Market, and Employment
10. Finance and Investment In New Technology
2nd. Revised edition 2003. New impression 2009
ISBN 9780906321294
120 2-column pages
Binding: Hard spine with double-laminated flexi-covers
Price £59.95 (Overseas £64.95) including postal delivery
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This ISR business and management survey provides a concise comprehensive account of business-economic and other factors affecting the growth and performance of engineering firms.
It covers a wide range of companies and firm types – in all the main engineering sectors – in Britain, the United States, Continental Europe, and Japan. It also combines the findings of original field research with an extensive review of the key business managerial and economic literature on the subject.
The study is intended for senior managers in engineering firms, production management consultants, business school academics, and investment analysts and others with an interest in production engineering/manufacturing.
Contents:
1. The Growth and Performance Of Engineering Firms: An Overview
2. Engineering Firms and The Economy
3. Engineering Markets, Product Developments, and Demand Trends
4. Technological Development and Product Innovation In Engineering
5. Organization & The Growth and Performance Of Engineering Firms
6. Managerial, Organizational, and Technological Aspects Of The Growth and Performance Of
Engineering Firms: 24 Company Case Studies
7. The Political and Legal Environment
8. The Supply and Demand For Engineering Labour
9. Investment and The Growth & Performance Of Engineering Firms
Second revised edition 2003. New impression 2009
ISBN 9780906321287
125 2-column pages
Binding: Hard spine with double-laminated flexi-covers
Price £89.95 (Overseas £94.95) including postal delivery
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g Industrial Technological Products: Key Influences On Buying, Selling, and Market Growth
This online article looks at technological product selling points, the main benefits to firms from buying new capital equipment, and cost-reduction and other payoffs from industrial technological investment in general.
Major obstacles to industrial technological product sales and market growth are summarized; and typical causes of low demand, prices, and sales profit margins in particular industries and markets are listed.
Free 106 KB online guide.
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g Housebuilding and the New Homes Market: A Survey
This widely used study provides a detailed business-economic account of housebuilding and the new homes market.
Though focused mainly on the UK, the book examines factors affecting company growth and profitability, market competitiveness, and innovation (etc.) relevant to advanced industrial countries generally.
The main industrial-commercial trends and issues are surveyed. Technical-production developments at site level are analysed; and key influences on demand, prices, and marketing success in the main new homes sub-markets as well as the market as a whole are examined.
Contents:
1. Housebuilding and the New Homes Market: An Overview
2. Housebuilding and Land (1): Economic Aspects
3. Housebuilding and Land (2): Political and Legal Influences
4. Building Materials and Components
5. Labour, Employment, and Training
6. Financial Investment, Company Growth, and Profitability
7. Size Of Firms, Economies Of Scale, and Diversification
8. Technological Development, Production Organization, and Product Innovation
9. The New Homes Market, Demand, and Prices
10. Marketing New Homes
Price £89.95 (Overseas £94.95) including postal delivery
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g New Technology In Housebuilding: A Review
In recent times, a range of technical advances has helped to improve the quality of conventionally built new homes. Computers are now used extensively in the design, building, and marketing of dwellings. Some firms have also utilized new industrial materials and factory-based production methods to manufacture highly innovative forms of residential accommodation.
However, housebuilding is still somewhat technologically traditionalistic by comparison with other durable consumer goods manufacturing industries. The quest for a high quality low cost factory-made housing product with mass-market appeal has been going on for a long time – and manifestly, still has far to go.
This article looks at the capacity of new industrial methods and materials to produce good quality homes faster and more cheaply. The specific advantages of particular technologies are examined; and the scope for manufacturing and marketing yet more radically innovative housing products in the future is considered.
Free 130 KB online guide
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Business and the political-legal environment studies
g British Democracy: Its Restoration and Extension
Modern parliamentary democracy was first established in Great Britain and Britons played a major role in spreading democracy around the world via the Commonwealth (etc.). However, at the start of the 21st century, Britain itself had ceased to be a fully independent democratic country. As part of the European Union bloc, unelected and immoveable foreign authorities determined a large part of its laws, policies, and taxes. Domestically meanwhile, democracy had been diminished by such things as the growth of extra-parliamentary bureaucratic lawmaking, curbs on local political autonomy, and government restrictions on the private funding and advertizing of political parties.
This study provides a detailed review of the main political independence and constitutional reform requirements for restoring and extending democracy in contemporary Britain.
Contents
1.The Restoration and Extension Of British Democracy: An Overview Of The Main Requirements
2. National Political Independence and Democracy:Withdrawal From The European Union
3. The Reform Of Parliament and Central Government
4. Judicial Independence and The Rule Of Law
5. The Legal Protection Of Democracy and Freedom: The Case For A New Written Constitution and Bill Of Rights
6. The Restoration Of Local Democracy
7. Electoral System Reform: Increasing Competition and Voter Choice and Influence
First published 2006. New impression 2009
ISBN 9780906321317
167 2-column pages
Binding: Hard spine with double-laminated flexi-covers
Price £59.95 (Overseas £64.95) including postal delivery
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g Political Barriers To Housebuilding In Britain: A Critical Case Study Of Protectionism and Its Industrial-Commercial Effects
Over the years, political barriers to housebuilding in Britain have severely hampered urban growth, reduced the cost-efficiency and modernity of housebuilding firms, and excluded numerous lower income households from owner-occupation. This study analyses political barriers to housebuilding as basically a special form of political-economic protectionism – analogous to such things as quotas and tariffs on international goods imports.
The book will be of interest to anyone concerned about deficiencies in the supply and the high costs of good quality new homes – not just in Britain, but modern industrial countries generally.
Contents:
1. Political Barriers To Housebuilding In Britain: A Critical Overview
2. Greenbelt Barriers To Urban Expansion
3. Housing Output Planning and Quota Fixing
4. Housing Development Taxes and Quasi-Taxes
5. New Housing Class Discrimination
6. Controls On Technological Development and Product Innovation
7. The Effects On The Land Market and New Housing Location
8. The Effects On Housebuilders and Housing Production
9. The Effects On Household Consumer Choice, House Prices, and Housing Quality
10. The Removal Of Political Barriers To Housebuilding
Second revised edition 2002. New impression 2009
ISBN 9780906321218
101 large pages
Binding: Hard spine with double-laminated flexi-covers
Price £59.95 (Overseas £64.95) including postal delivery
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g Statutory Minimum Wage Controls: A Critical Review Of Their Effects On Labour Markets, Employment, and Incomes
Around the world, statutory minimum wage controls have excluded low cost competitors from labour markets, hampered firms in reducing wage costs during trade downturns (etc.), and generated various industrial-economic inefficiencies as well as unemployment, poverty, and price rises. This study analyses national minimum wage fixing as basically a special form of political-economic protectionism – the functional equivalent or analogue of such things as tariff barriers to low cost imports. As such, it is regarding as violating Treaty of Rome and other basic guarantees of free trade and markets in labour services in Europe.
The second edition of this widely used study contains a comprehensive critique of the recently established British national minimum wage fixing regime.
Contents:
1. Minimum Wage Controls and Their Effects: An Overview
2. Minimum Wage Control and De-Control In Particular Countries
3. Legal Aspects Of Minimum Wage Control
4. Minimum Wage Control and Unemployment
5. The Effects Of Minimum Wage Controls On Employers and The Demand For Labour
6. The Effects Of Minimum Wage Controls On Employees and The Supply Of Labour
7. The Effects Of Minimum Wage Controls On Incomes and Welfare
Second revised edition 2000. New impression 2007
ISBN 9780906321225
94 large pages
Binding: Hard spine with double-laminated flexi-covers
Price £59.95 (Overseas £64.95) including postal delivery
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g British Withdrawal From The European Union: A Guide To The Case For
Businesses and business representative organizations are constantly complaining about the effects of European Union laws, policies, and regulations.
In 1992, Britain benefited considerably by withdrawing from the European Union’s Exchange Rate Mechanism and programme of Economic and Monetary Union. This study provides a detailed guide to the economic and political case for British withdrawal from the EU bloc as a whole. Major general arguments for withdrawal are that:
(a) the economic costs of EU membership substantially exceed the benefits, and
(b) withdrawal is necessary to restore democracy, business and market freedom, the rule of law, and other basic features of a modern liberal social order
“Clear and thorough … Examining many of the key aspects of EU membership… students of European business or politics will find this guide useful and interesting reading.”
(European Access, & European Access Plus online)
Contents:
1. The Case For Britain’s Withdrawal From The European Union: An Overview
2. The Main Non-EU Sources Of British Wealth
3. The Economic Costs Of EU Membership
4. The Political Constitutional Case For EU Withdrawal
5. The Free Trade Case For EU Withdrawal
6. The Removal Of EU Regulatory Burdens
7. The Benefits Of Monetary and Economic Policy Independence
8. The Case For Fiscal Independence
First published 2002. New impression 2009
ISBN 9780906321232
151 2-column pages
Binding: Hard spine with double-laminated flexi-covers
Price £59.95 (Overseas £64.95) including postal delivery
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g Two Treatises On Government: A Translation Into Modern English
John Locke’s 1690 book is one of the most important and influential works on government ever published. The first part demolishes the main authoritarian/totalitarian ideology of its day: the doctrine of the divine right of kings to absolute arbitrary power over their subjects. The second sets out the real social origins, functions, and limits of government. Locke demonstrates that far from God and natural law ordaining all-powerful hereditary dictatorship, the only legitimate form of government is one established by the consent of the people and committed to upholding their fundamental human rights to life, liberty, and property.
The book justified the Glorious Revolution establishing parliamentary government in England and was an inspiration behind the American Declaration of Independence a century later. Around the world, it continues to have a profound influence on the theory and practice of limited representative government and the protection of basic rights and freedoms under the rule of law.
However, the book is now well over 300 years old and contemporary readers find its language difficult to follow and understand in places. This version translates the work into current English and generally seeks to make its substantive content clearer.
Literalness and original word order and grammar are retained as far as possible. Nonetheless, the primary objective of the exercise has been to improve the readability of the text in order to better convey its meaning. The considerable distance in time between the two documents has inevitably meant a considerable difference in conventional writing styles. In addition, much of Locke’s analysis is intrinsically highly complex and subtle. Thus, this new version tends to diverge significantly from the original throughout.
Contents:
Treatise 1
“The Divine Right of Kings”: A Refutation of the Doctrine of Sir Robert Filmer and His Followers
Treatise 2
The Real Origins, Functions, and Limits of Government
First published 2009
ISBN 9780906321478
154 2-column pages
Binding: Hard spine with double-laminated flexi-covers
Price £59.95 (Overseas £64.95) including postal delivery
This online article summarizes the main economic and political arguments for Britain’s retention of the pound and national monetary-economic policy independence. It is an edited extract from British Withdrawal from the European Union: A Guide to the Case For, published by Industrial Systems Research.
The article looks at the costs of Britain’s past involvement in the European Union bloc’s monetary economic unification project before outlining the key arguments for permanently keeping the pound and independent flexible national interest and exchange rates.
The case in short for Britain to stay out of the EU single currency project is that the overall business-economic and political-constitutional costs would substantially exceed any benefits.
Free 79 KB online guide
Basic legal limits on state power have existed for centuries in Britain. However, various major official subversions of liberty, democracy, and equality before the law have taken place of late.
This online article reviews the case for a new Bill of Rights to better protect basic economic, political, judicial, communications, and personal rights and liberties.
Essentially, an effective modern Bill of Rights would prohibit a much wider range of abuses of authority than the original 17th century Bill. It would also establish a new independent Supreme Court with the power to actually nullify government laws and policies that violated its provisions.
The article is an edited extract from the book British Democracy: Its Restoration and Extension, published by Industrial Systems Research.
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Business finance and investment studies
g The Business Finance Market: A Survey
This book provides a comprehensive survey of supply and demand, product innovation, pricing, and other matters in the business finance market.
It looks at the major factors affecting the competitiveness (growth, performance) of banks and other business finance suppliers. It examines in-depth the principal business finance products, new product developments, and marketing and distribution issues; and it reviews key influences on businesses' demands for particular types of finance.
The book will be of interest to academics, commentators, and practitioners on both the supply and demand sides of the market – including executives in the business finance industry, industrial-commercial firms and their finance managers, and independent professional advisers and accountants.
Contents:
1. The Business Finance Market: An Overview
2. Banks and The Supply Of Business Finance
3. The Economic and Political-Legal Environment Of Business Financing
4. The Financing Requirements Of Different Types Of Firm
5. Business Financing Requirements In Different Industries
6. The Uses Of Finance By Businesses
7. Factors Influencing Businesses' Demands For Particular Types Of Finance
8. The Demand For Overdrafts and Other Short-Term Credit Facilities
9. The Demand For Medium-Term Loans and Other Facilities
10. The Demand For Large-Scale Long-Term Finance
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g The Management Of Business Lending: A Survey
This business and management survey provides a detailed comprehensive account of trends, issues, and factors affecting performance in the field of business lending.
The study examines the main factors affecting the overall growth and profitability of banks in this area. New developments in business loan assessment, monitoring, risk-management, and pricing procedures are reviewed; and the book scrutinizes in-depth the nature and reliability of the major sources of business-financial information on which lending decisions are actually based.
The study will be of interest to senior managers in business/corporate banking, business financial advisers and consultants, academic specialists in business finance, and banking industry economists and investment analysts.
Contents:
1. The Management Of Business Lending: An Overview
2. Organizational Aspects Of Business Lending and Management
3. Cultural & Personnel Aspects Of Business Lending and Management
4. Technology and Efficiency In Business Lending
5. Economic Aspects Of Business Loan Management
6. Lending Risks and Risk Reduction
7. Business Loan Assessment, Monitoring, and Management (1): General
8. Business Loan Assessment, Monitoring, and Management (2): Information
Second revised edition 2002. New impression 2009
ISBN 9780906321188
108 2-column pages
Binding: Hard spine with double-laminated flexi-covers
Price £89.95 (Overseas £94.95) including postal delivery
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g The Mortgage Loans Industry and Market: A Survey
This widely used study provides a detailed business-economic account of mortgage lending and borrowing.
Though focused mainly on the UK, the book examines factors affecting business growth and profitability, market competition, and innovation (etc.) relevant to mortgage lending in advanced industrial countries generally.
The main industrial-commercial trends and issues are surveyed. The policies and practices of the major lending organizations are analysed; and key influences on the behaviour of mortgage borrowers and personal savers and investors generally are examined.
Contents:
1. The Mortgage Loans Industry and Market: An Overview
2. The Mortgage Loans Industry In The UK
3. The Growth and Performance Of Institutions
4. The Mortgage Loans Market (1): Economic Aspects
5. The Mortgage Loans Market (2): Political and Legal Influences
6. The Mortgage Loans Market (3): Demand and Demand Trends
7. The Development Of New Products and Services
8. Marketing
9. Mortgage Lenders and The Savings Market
Price £89.95 (Overseas £94.95) including postal delivery
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g Small and Medium-Sized Business Finance: A Review
Small and medium-sized businesses are a major part of the economy and the effective financing of such businesses makes a significant contribution to economic growth and performance generally.
This article reviews key on-going issues and topics in SMB financing in Britain, the US, and other countries. It looks at the main forms and factors affecting the supply, demand, and costs of business finance; the different financing requirements of different kinds of enterprise; & wider economic and political-legal influences on the business finance industry and market.
The article draws on material from a number of ISR books published in this field – including The Business Finance Market: A Survey & The Management of Business Lending: A Survey.
Free 184 KB online guide
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Economic growth and performance studies
g Industry and Enterprise: An International Survey Of Modernization and Development
The latter part of the twentieth century was a period of radical global political-economic change. Numerous non-Western countries industrialized and made the transition from statist-collectivism to modern market-capitalist democracy. However, others stagnated or even regressed in economic developmental and other terms. This book provides a concise comprehensive account of the factors facilitating and hampering industrial-economic modernization and enterprise development in a wide range of countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Contents:
1. Industrial Modernization and Enterprise Development
2. Other Societal Influences: Politics, Economics, and Diffusion
3. The Geography Of Industrial Modernization and Enterprise Development
4. Cultural and Personality Influences
5. Historical Studies
6. The Economics Of Modernization and Development
7. Industry and Enterprise Development In The Far East
8. Industry and Enterprise Development In China
9. Industry and Enterprise Development In India
10. Industry and Enterprise Development In The Middle East
11. Industry and Enterprise Development In Latin America and The Caribbean
12. Industry and Enterprise Development In Africa
13. Manufacturing Firms and Industries
14. Agriculture
15. Trade, Markets, and Development
16. Finance, Investment, and Development
17. Educational, Political, and Wider Social-Cultural Aspects
Second revised edition 2003. New impression 2009
ISBN 9780906321270
126 2-column pages
Binding: Hard spine with double-laminated flexi-covers
Price £59.95 (Overseas £64.95) including postal delivery
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g Manufacturing and Investment Around The World: An International Survey Of Modernization and Development
This book provides a comprehensive cross-national survey and analysis of factors affecting manufacturing growth, performance, and investment. The main focuses are on the nature and sources of the considerable variations that occur internationally in levels of manufacturing and wider industrial-economic growth; in competitiveness; and in attractiveness to foreign direct investors.
The study begins with an overview of existing published research on general manufacturing development before turning to particular key aspects of the process. Production and investment in a range of Western and non-Western countries is compared; and case studies are presented of growth and performance in individual major industries and market-economic sectors.
Contents:
1. Manufacturing and Investment Around The World: Introduction and Overview
2. Manufacturing Growth and Performance: A Review Of Research Findings
3. Manufacturing In Western Countries: International Comparisons
4. Manufacturing In Non-Western Countries: International Comparisons
5. International Trade, Markets, and Demand Trends
6. Finance & Investment In Manufacturing
7. Industrial Manufacturing Facilities and Services
Second revised edition 2002. New impression 2009
ISBN 9780906321256
104 2-column pages
Binding: Hard spine with double-laminated flexi-covers
Price £59.95 (Overseas £64.95) including postal delivery
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g Manufacturing In Britain: A Survey Of Factors Affecting Growth and Performance
Britain was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and remains one of the most attractive countries in the world for direct foreign investment. However, in terms of productivity and a number of other major performance measures, British manufacturers have often lagged behind their overseas competitors. The favourableness of the UK political-legal environment for industry has also been diminished of late by increases in taxation and regulation (etc.).
This study provides a detailed review and analysis of key factors affecting growth and performance in an important sector of the British economy.
Contents:
1. Manufacturing In Britain: An Overview Of Factors Affecting Growth and Performance
2. General Economic Influences On Manufacturing In Britain
3. Manufactured Goods Markets and Demand Trends
4. Technological Development and Product Innovation In British Manufacturing
5. Management andProduction Organization
6. Manufacturing Industries: Cases
7. The Political and Legal Environment
8. The Labour Market, Employment, and Education & Training For Manufacturing Jobs
9. Capital Investment and The Growth & Performance Of Firms
Third revised edition 2003. New impression 2009
ISBN 9780906321300
129 2-column pages
Binding: Hard spine with double-laminated flexi-covers
Price £59.95 (Overseas £64.95) including postal delivery
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g Theories Of Industrial Modernization and Enterprise Development: A Review
This review of social science theory, research, and methods of analysis covers a wide range of studies of socio-cultural and related aspects of industrial-economic modernization and the creation and growth of individual enterprises.
In addition to macro-level aspects, the book examines role-relationships and other micro-organizational factors influencing industrial-commercial growth and performance. It also looks at the nature and sources of some of the significant variations occurring amongst contemporary Western societies.
“An admirable source of reference or starting point for research. Having identified the main areas of study, there are many numbered references appended to each chapter. A lot has been put into the book and researchers will find that much time may be saved by using it.”
(British Book News)
Contents:
1. Theories Of Industrial Modernization
2. Industrial Organization and Enterprise Development In Modern Societies
3. The Sociology Of Industrial Organization and Enterprise Development: Evolutionary and
Comparative Perspectives
4. Industrial Modernization and Markets
5. The Modernization Of Management and Employment Relations
6. Industrial Organization In Modern Western Societies: Cross-National Studies
7. Modern Manufacturing and Investment: National and International Studies Of Growth and
Performance
Second revised edition 2003. New impression 2009
ISBN 9780906321263
118 2-column pages
Binding: Hard spine with double-laminated flexi-covers
Price £59.95 (Overseas £64.95) including postal delivery
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