"Promoting a comparative perspective, this comprehensive Research Handbook aids in the understanding of alternative finance and its values in a global setting. Readers are encouraged to view alternative finance through the lens of economic mechanisms rather than terminology. Providing a holistic...

In this valuable new book, a distinguished group of authors takes stock of the existing state of knowledge in the field of finance and the development process. Each chapter offers a comprehensive survey and synthesis of current issues. These include such critical subjects as savings, financial...

This third book in the series focuses on how small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) contribute to achieving and sustaining growth and performance in their economies, as well as the ways in which governments can assist and enhance that contribution. This is of particular concern given the...

pt. 1. The financial community's perspective on the role of private equity -- pt. 2. The entrepreneur's perspective on the role of private equity -- pt. 3. Private equity and the role of public policy in Europe.

1. Introduction -- 2. The intangible economy -- 3. Patent information and corporate credit ratings : an empirical study of patent valuation by credit rating agencies -- 4. IPR management and company valuation in the pharmaceutical industry : an exploratory study -- 5. IPR management, corporate...

1. The microcredit sector in the United Kingdom : the role of CDFIs / Niamh Goggin, Karl Dayson and Sarah McGeehan -- 2. Microcredit in France : financial support for social inclusion / Stefanie Lämmermann -- 3. The microcredit sector in Italy : small initiatives in a dynamic scenario / Simone...

Bottom-up approaches towards a global climate agreement : an overview -- Carlo Carraro, Christian Egenhofer and Noriko Fujiwara -- Regional and subglobal climate blocs : a cost-benefit analysis of bottom-up climate regimes / Barbara Buchner and Carlo Carraro -- Do regional integration approaches...

During the current economic crisis recurring questions on the validity of the liberal economic system have resurfaced concerning the role of the state and the free market, the proactive use of fiscal policies, economic nationalism, and environmental sustainability. However, due to the depth and...

Against the backdrop of the financial crisis that unfolded in 2008, this book deals with policy challenges going forward, focusing in particular on the ongoing catching-up process in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern European countries