The introduction explains that multinational enterprises (MNEs) have become central actors in the global economy through their investments, production networks, innovation, and international operations. The authors discuss how globalization, technological change, and the liberalization of trade and investment have transformed the role of MNEs in economic development. They introduce a comprehensive framework for understanding why firms expand across national borders, how they organize their international activities, and the effects of these activities on host and home countries. The introduction also highlights the importance of institutions, government policies, and competitive advantages in shaping multinational business. The book aims to provide students, researchers, policymakers, and business professionals with an integrated understanding of the theories, strategies, and economic impacts of multinational enterprises in an increasingly interconnected world.

The introduction explains that network management is a critical part of operating modern computer networks because organizations increasingly depend on reliable network services for daily operations. It introduces network management as the process of monitoring, maintaining, controlling, and improving networks so that they remain available, efficient, secure, and capable of supporting business needs.

The author emphasizes that network management is not limited to managing hardware devices such as routers and switches. It also involves managing the services, applications, performance, security, and user experience that depend on the network. As networks become larger and more complex, effective management becomes essential for reducing costs, maintaining quality, and ensuring reliable service delivery

1. What is programming?

Programming means writing instructions that tell a computer what to do. A programming language such as C++ allows humans to communicate these instructions to a computer.

2. What is C++?

C++ is a general-purpose programming language that supports several programming approaches, including object-oriented programming (OOP). The book introduces C++ syntax and programming principles before moving to more advanced concepts.

3. What is Object-Oriented Programming?

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is a programming approach in which a program is organized around objects.

An object can represent something from the real world, such as:

• Student
• Employee
• Bank account
• Car
• Product

An operating system (OS) is the fundamental software that manages a computer’s hardware and software resources. It provides a connection between applications and the computer’s hardware, allowing users and programs to use the system efficiently.

The book provides a comprehensive introduction to how modern operating systems are designed, organised and implemented. It focuses not only on what an operating system does, but also on the design decisions and mechanisms used to make operating systems work efficiently and securely.

Main topics introduced

1. Computer system overview — processors, memory, caches, interrupts and multiprocessor systems.
2. Operating system functions — what an OS does and how operating systems have developed.
3. Processes and threads — how programs are executed and managed.
4. Concurrency — how multiple processes operate at the same time and how conflicts are controlled.
5. Memory management — how the OS manages main memory, paging, segmentation and virtual memory.

Operations management is concerned with designing, managing, and improving the processes through which organisations transform inputs—such as materials, labour, information, and equipment—into goods and services.

The book emphasizes applying operations-management concepts to real business situations through examples, solved problems, cases, and practical exercises.

Main topics

• Operations strategy – aligning operations with organisational goals.
• Product and service design – developing products and services that meet customer needs.
• Forecasting – predicting future demand.
• Capacity planning – determining how much production capacity an organisation needs.
• Process selection and facility layout – designing efficient production processes and workplaces.
• Quality management – maintaining and improving product and service quality.
• Supply chain management – managing suppliers, purchasing, logistics, and distribution.
• Inventory management – deciding how much stock to keep and when to reorder.
• Aggregate planning – balancing production, workforce, and demand.
• MRP and ERP – coordinating materials, resources, and organisational activities.
• JIT and Lean operations – reducing waste and improving efficiency.
• Scheduling – planning when jobs, employees, and resources should be used.
• Project management – planning and controlling projects.
• Waiting lines and capacity analysis – managing congestion and service capacity.

The book introduces organizational behavior (OB) from a strategic perspective. Its main argument is that people are a major source of an organization’s performance, competitive advantage, and long-term success.

Main ideas

• People are important organizational resources. Employees provide knowledge, skills, creativity, and ideas that can help an organization succeed.
• Organizational behavior affects performance. How employees think, behave, communicate, cooperate, and make decisions can directly influence organizational results.
• OB should support strategy. Employee behavior should be connected to the organization’s strategic goals rather than treated as a separate management issue.
• Individual behavior matters. The book examines learning, perception, personality, attitudes, values, motivation, stress, and leadership.
• Groups matter. Communication, decision-making, teamwork, conflict, power, and politics influence how organizations function.
• The organizational environment matters. Structure, culture, diversity, globalization, and organizational change also shape employee behavior

The Introduction explains what power means, how theories of power have developed, and why power is important for organizational leadership.

1. Meaning of power

Power is the ability to influence people, decisions, behaviour, or outcomes.

In an organization, power can help people:

• Influence decisions
• Gain cooperation
• Obtain resources
• Coordinate activities
• Achieve personal and organizational objectives
• Bring about change

The book focuses especially on personal and interpersonal power in organizational settings.

2. Power and leadership

Power is closely related to leadership because leaders must influence others to accomplish objectives.

A leader’s influence may come from:

The introduction explains that perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) are an emerging display and lighting technology based on metal halide perovskite materials. These devices have attracted significant attention because of their potential for high color purity, efficient light emission, low operating voltage, and relatively simple device structures.

The chapter introduces the unique properties of perovskite materials, including their adjustable optical characteristics, strong light absorption and emission capabilities, and tunable bandgaps. These features make them promising candidates for next-generation displays, flexible electronics, and advanced photonic devices.

The introduction explains the importance of understanding the modern state as a central institution in political life. David Held examines how political theory has developed different explanations of the state, its sources of authority, and its relationship with society. The book explores debates between major traditions such as liberalism and Marxism, focusing on questions of power, legitimacy, democracy, and political participation. The introduction highlights that the modern state is not only a structure of government but also a site of social conflict, decision-making, and the organization of collective life. The essays aim to critically analyze the changing role of the state and consider the future possibilities of democracy and political autonomy in a complex world.

The introduction explains that positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life meaningful, fulfilling, and worth living. Rather than focusing only on psychological problems and disorders, positive psychology examines human strengths, positive experiences, personal growth, and the conditions that allow individuals and societies to flourish.

The author explains that psychology has traditionally devoted much attention to understanding and treating human difficulties. Positive psychology adds another perspective by studying areas such as happiness, strengths, virtues, talents, relationships, and well-being using scientific research methods.