Strathclyde University Affiliated Researchers and External Associates

Prof Joseph Francois. Department of Economics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, and Senior Research Fellow, Department of Economics, Strathclyde Business School.

Strathclyde University Affiliated Researchers and External Associates : I am professor of economics (with a chair in economic theory) with the Johannes Kepler Universität Linz.  I am also a fellow of the Centre for Economic Policy Research (London) and the Tinbergen Institute (Amsterdam/Rotterdam), director of the European Trade Study Group and the Institute for International and Development Economics, research fellow with the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, and a board member of the Global Trade Analysis Project. I serve on the editorial board of the Review of Development Economics, and the World Trade Review. I am also a member of the policy advisory group TradePartnership. Past professional incarnations have included professor of economics at Erasmus University Rotterdam, research economist for the World Trade Organization, and chief of research and acting director of economics for the U.S. International Trade Commission. I studied economics at the University of Maryland and the University of Virginia.

Strathclyde University Affiliated Researchers and External Associates: My current research interests are somewhat scattered. They include: trade linkages to recession and growth; globalization and in equality trends: trade in services; open economy competition policy and the regulation of firm behavior; financial market integration; open economy growth and development; economic integration (like EU enlargement and American hemisphere integration schemes); the multilateral trading system (including China’s accession); trade and investment policy under imperfect competition (including the location of industry); uncertainty in computable general equilibrium; the labor market impact of globalization; the role of the service sector (finance, margin and intermediate services, etc.) in trade and development; competition in the service sectors; computational partial and general equilibrium modeling; income distribution in general equilibrium models of trade and competition; and estimation and inference within nonlinear systems (like large scale, multi-sector general equilibrium econometric models).

Strathclyde University Affiliated Researchers and External Associates : Working papers & publications

You can find links to most of the papers listed below (published and unpublished) on the right. REPEC has the most complete collection of links. If you are looking for a book chapter of something of the sort, let me know and I will try to post it.

Recent working papers: Market Structure and Market Access,  Francois, J.  and I. Wooton,  fothcoming inWorld Economy. Services Trade and Policy , Francois, J.  and B. Hoekman, this version 2009,  forthcoming in the Journal of Economic Literature. Trading Profiles and Developing Country Participation in the WTO Dispute Settlement System, Francois, J., H.Horn and N. Kaunitz, this version 2008.  Heterogeneous Firms, the Structure of Industry & Trade under Oligopoly, Bekkers, E. and J. Francois, this version 2008.  Dynamic Factor Price Equalization and International Convergence, J. Francois and C. Shiells, this version 2008. Equity and International Trade, J. Francois and H. Rojas-Romagosa, 2008.  Economic perspectives for Central America after CAFTA, J. Francois, L. Rivera, and H. Rojas-Romagosa, this version 2008. Reassessing the relationship between inequality and development, J. Francois & H.Rojas-Romagosa, this version 2008. Cross-Border Trade and FDI in Services, C. Fillat-Castejon, J. Francois, and J. Woerz, this version 2008. Endogenous Protection in General Equilibrium: estimating political weights in the EU,  Francois, J., D. Nelson and A, Balaoing, this version 2008. Institutions, Infrastructure, and Trade,  Francois J and M. Manchin, this version 2007.

Strathclyde is a great place to study and enjoy life at the same time. And this is where you can find out everything about us - from how we teach, to what's on in Glasgow and how to get around. We want to help you make the most of your time here, so we hope you'll come back to these pages to get all the latest news about what's happening on campus and in and around the city.

Prof Peter Liesch : Strathclyde University Affiliated Researchers and External Associates Prof Peter Liesch. University of Queensland.

Strathclyde University Affiliated Researchers and External Associates : Professor Liesch researches the processes and nature of the internationalisation of the firm, both large and small firms. He also investigates the nature of international business operations abroad, from export through to wholly-owned subsidiaries. The manner in which interfirm and intrafirm exchange is undertaken through these international operations is part of his research.

Peter Liesch is Professor of International Business and Leader of the Enterprise and International Business Cluster. He joined The University of Queensland in 1999 after several years at The University of Tasmania where he was Professor of Management in International Business and Head of the School of Management. At The University of Queensland, he has served as Head of the previous, pre-merger School of Management and Director of the MBA Program.

Strathclyde University Affiliated Researchers and External Associates : His Ph.D in Economics, written on the topic of government mandated-countertrade, was awarded by The University of Queensland. He has a book by this title. He has published many book chapters, and widely in the academic journals which include: Journal of International Business Studies, Journal of Operations Management, Journal of World Business, Journal of Business Research, Journal of Management Studies, Management International Review, International Journal of Human Resource Management, International Journal of Technology Management, Prometheus, Industrial Marketing Management, European Journal of Marketing, International Journal of Innovation Management, International Marketing Review and others. Professor Liesch serves on the Editorial Boards of the Journal of International Business Studies and the Journal of International Management.

He is a Professional Member of the Economic Society of Australia (Qld. Inc) and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management. His primary research interests include: internationalisation of the firm (particularly the smaller firm), alternative systems of inter-firm exchange, and international business operations in their diversity, both their strategies and organisational forms. He has interests in research methodology. Professor Liesch is a CI on a current ARC Discovery Grant researching the early and rapid internationalisation of the firm, the so-called born global phenomenon. Professor Liesch has served on many university committees, and is a current member of The University of Queensland Standing Committee of its Academic Board.

Strathclyde is a great place to study and enjoy life at the same time. And this is where you can find out everything about us - from how we teach, to what's on in Glasgow and how to get around. We want to help you make the most of your time here, so we hope you'll come back to these pages to get all the latest news about what's happening on campus and in and around the city.

Prof George Tesar: Strathclyde University Affiliated Researchers and External Associates

Prof George Tesar. University of Umea, Sweden. Umeå School of Business, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå.

Current position / Job Summary  Professor of Marketing and International BusinessTeaching Area  Marketing Management, Strategic Marketing, Product Development and Management, Business Research Methods, Marketing Theory, International Marketing, Research in Marketing, and Marketing Theory.Research Area  Internationalization of smaller manufacturing firms, executive education in science and business management, technology transfer, and new product management.Awards / Honours  2004 Product Development and Management Association's Execellence Award; Life Member, Western Society of Engineers; Past Board member, Society of Automotive Analysts and Product Development and Management Association; Past member, Wisconsin International Trade Council.Other Merits  Chair, Academic Board, Brno International Business School, Czech Republic. Visiting Professor, Aalborg University, Denmark; Brno Technical University, Czech Republic; Czech Management Center, Czech Republic; and Helsinki School of Economics, Finland. Seminars and lectures, University of Oulu, Finland; University of St. Gallen, Switzerland; University of Turku, Finland; University of Vaasa, Finland; University of Veszprem, Hungary; Arnhem Business School, Netherlands; Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration, Helsinki, Finland; University of Calgary, Canada.

The University is right at the heart of Glasgow - Scotland's biggest and most cosmopolitan city. The city centre has a vibrant arts scene, cutting-edge music, legendary nightlife, an exciting selection of places to eat out and much more. So studying at Strathclyde goes hand-in-hand with having a great time.

Inter-campus bus service. There's a regular shuttle bus between the John Anderson Campus and the Jordanhill Campus.

Seeing more of Glasgow. There's a lot to see in and around Glasgow - stately homes and museums like the Burrell Collection and Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum are unmissable. And with Loch Lomond just half an hour away there's plenty of breathtaking scenery to enjoy too. Glasgow also has great shopping and inspiring architecture - why not take a look at www.glasgowarchitecture.co.uk and www.scotcities.com to get some ideas?

As the biggest city in Scotland and the third biggest in Britain, Glasgow has excellent national and international transport links. And it's easy to get around once you're here too. This section gives you all the information you need to find us - and some hints on what visitors should see in Glasgow.

Live music. Glasgow is home to many bands that are now international names and there's loads of new talent coming out of the city's live music venues. So whether you are into rock or indie, punk or even country music, there's a place where you can give your eardrums a treat.

High culture. As well as its thriving street culture, Glasgow has more than its fair share of high culture, with a year-round programme of arts and music. There are over 20 museums and galleries, and the city is home to Scottish Opera, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Scottish Royal Ballet.

Green spaces. People visiting Glasgow for the first time are often surprised at the amount of green space in the city centre - all the 19th-century landscaped parks and gardens are the perfect balance to the urban pace of life.

Sporting highlights. With a keenly contested rivalry between the country's two top football teams - Rangers and Celtic - an international stadium at Hampden and hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2014, Glasgow has a rightful claim to be Scotland's sporting capital.

The Highlands and Islands. With so much to do in the city centre, it's a wonder anyone finds time to venture out further - but with the highlands and islands less than an hour away, it's too tempting to resist.

Strathclyde is a great place to study and enjoy life at the same time. And this is where you can find out everything about us - from how we teach, to what's on in Glasgow and how to get around. We want to help you make the most of your time here, so we hope you'll come back to these pages to get all the latest news about what's happening on campus and in and around the city.

Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company

 We have recently purchased and shipped a large quantity of cement type HE: High Early Strength from Indonesia for one of our projects in Seoul, South Korea. Though we did extensive quality control testing on arrival in Seoul, we found substantial defects in the quality of the cement.
Though we do not wish to name the manufacturer, please be extra careful in your quality control testing. 
This was obviously blatant fraud and a scam. This sort of scamming is endemic and please be careful out there. 
“As mentioned our two main areas of expertise are construction materials and management personnel. In both these fields, there is some bad reputations in the area of fraud and fraudulent transactions. There are many scams and in the field of personnel, many scammers. We are proud of our reputation of checking and verifying all our products and personnel. Fraudulent financial transactions is the norm. Our checking procedures are second to none.”
For over 5 years, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company's professionals have been a leading Service Providers to the construction industry. Bringing together a wealth of Business, Legal, Financial, and Specialized Industry experience, Consolidated Construction Services helps industry professionals continue to thrive in an increasingly competitive and challenging business environment. 
We are very involved in clean room IT factories in Thailand and particularly the new Songdo International City near Seoul in Korea.
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company is passionate in the belief that from adversity comes opportunity. We believe that sustainable competitive advantage is always predicated upon the focused execution of a few core strengths or priniciples that are indemic to each particular company.

Challenging economic times provide the opportunity for companies to take the steps necessary to becoming more successful, to get leaner and more focused. Those actions taken today to make a company more successful, also provide the needed framework for eventual transition of the business.

We help companies find those core strengths and take those steps now.
Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Seoul, S Korea.

Strathclyde Police Warning on Credit Card Fraud and Other Associated Scams

Every year in the UK millions of pounds are lost as a result of credit card fraud. Criminals and their associates use various means to obtain your details, but there are steps you can take to help fight the problem. 
Strathclyde Police Warning on Card Skimming and Cloning 
In this type of fraud a device, created to look like the card entry point on the cash machine, is fitted over the genuine slot to passively skim the information encoded on the magnetic strip of the card. These details are stored and subsequently used fraudulently.

Once they have successfully obtained the cardholder's details, fraudsters will focus their attention on finding out the corresponding Personal Identification Number. PINs can be compromised in two ways. Firstly, by shoulder surfing, whereby the fraudster will tailgate behind the cardholder and look over their shoulder as they enter their number. 
Secondly, there is increasing evidence of micro cameras being concealed within the lighting or false trunking around the ATM machine to focus on PIN entry. Real-time images are often transmitted to a receiver attached to a hand held camera, typically within 100 metres of the cash machine. The details will then be matched with the corresponding card data. 
Once the threshold of compromised details has been reached the device will be removed and the information downloaded and used to create duplicate “cloned” cards. 
Strathclyde Police Warning on Stolen Card Fraud

When a card is lost or stolen, it can be used until it is cancelled. Thieves can potentially buy goods worth thousands of pounds, before the owners become aware that they have been robbed. The problem has been exacerbated by the number of businesses now offering transactions over the phone, by fax or online. Since 1999, online credit card payments have increased five-fold, with around ten percent of all credit card spending now happening via the internet. 
What you can do 
A high-tech chip and PIN card system was introduced in a bid to tackle the issue, but credit card crime continues to rise. 
So what can you do to stay secure and help foil the fraudsters? 
• Guard your card and details when making a transaction – do not let it out of your sight. 
• Shield your PIN when withdrawing cash from an ATM 
• Don’t write down information such as PINs, passwords or logins. 
• Don’t divulge your details in response to any emails, purporting to be from your bank or the police. When on the phone, only reveal your details if you made the call.

• Access internet banking or shopping sites only by typing the address in your web browser. 
• Always check for the locked padlock or unbroken key security icons. 
• Shred documents and receipts, which contain your personal information. 
• Secure your computer with anti-virus software and a firewall. 
• Contact your bank or building society immediately, if your card is lost or stolen or you believe it may have been used fraudulently. 

Strathclyde Associates: Our Corporate Profile

Providing services globally to a vast group of clients that include private individuals, financial institutions, governments and corporations.
At Strathclyde Associates we pride ourselves with comprehending each individual client’s unique financial needs and preferences.
A constant commitment to our clients is the strong foundation of the business culture at Strathclyde Associates.
We constantly develop  innovative solutions in order to accommodate the ever-changing tastes, desires and needs of our clients.
Strathclyde Associates is a full service brokerage firm with many years experience in providing a wide array of services globally to a vast group of clients that include private individuals, financial institutions, governments and corporations.
Through the Strathclyde Associates Institutional and Private Clients Divisions we provide our clients with services that include Securities, Investment Banking and Investment Management Services.
Above and beyond we are the first choice for individuals and institutions alike when considering a Premier Wealth Management Company. Excellence in market execution and the provision of the right information at the right price, at the right time has given Strathclyde Associates an enviable worldwide prestige of being able to ensure that our clients achieve their financial objectives and aspirations.
From natural resources to technology our fundamental strengths lie in innovative investment solutions combined with robust execution capabilities. At Strathclyde Associates we pride ourselves with comprehending each individual client’s unique financial needs and preferences.
Owing to the depth and quality of our understanding we construct long term relationships with our clients with a core focus on value creation and an ultimate commitment to helping our clients build and manage their wealth.
This specialized focus, an enviable reputation for quality and integrity and of course strong relationships nurtured with investors have made Strathclyde Associates a worldwide leader in wealth management.
Strathclyde Associates  Services: Equity. At Strathclyde Associates Equities we pride ourselves on the knowledge that our Equity Departments are a worldwide leader in the careful planning of investment strategies and capital raising functions in both the private and public equity markets.
Fixed Income. Strathclyde Associates Fixed Income is a global player in ensuring that interest rate currency swaps, debt securities and other derivative products are carefully integrated into our portfolio programs in a manner that accommodates investor preferences and objectives in the ever changing, constantly evolving debt markets.
Foreign Exchange. The Foreign Exchange Market is a 24-hour market and as such Strathclyde Associates provides its clients with a truly round the clock service of spot, forward futures and options trading in all the Forex markets of the world.??Commodities??Risk Management strategies are one of the growing sectors in the market today and as such Strathclyde Associates Commodities now competes in the commodities and derivatives markets providing services in markets which include metals, energy, oil and gas trading to name but a few.
Mergers and Acquisitions. At Strathclyde Associates Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) department our primary focus is in: Mergers , Joint ventures , Corporate Restructurings , Divestitures , Recapitalizations, Spin-offs , Exchange Offers , Leveraged Buyouts , Shareholder Relations and takeover defenses
Global Capital Markets. Through our Global Capital Markets Departments we can accommodate clients' needs for capital. For instance in the situation of an IPO, a leveraged buyout or a debt offering our global capital markets professionals combine Investment Banking and sales and trading functions to guarantee clients innovative solutions based on sophisticated advice. If necessary our professionals can develop, structure and execute public & private placement of equities, debt and related products. As a major force in the market we offer every assistance to clients to attain the greatest value from each and every stage of a transaction. Thus it is our responsibility to constantly develop capital market solutions to enable clients to rise above whatever the market may throw at them.
Strathclyde Associates is a full service brokerage firm with many years experience in providing a wide array of services globally to a vast group of clients that include private individuals, financial institutions, governments and corporations.

Sleazy home improvement scams- Strathclyde Associates Trading

Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Spring's the time homeowners get to work -- and shady contractors come of out of the woodwork. Here's how to smell a suspicious deal. By Bankrate

Like most homeowners, you probably spent the winter months talking about the home improvements you'd like to make. Now that spring is here, it's time to act on those remodeling impulses. After all, spring is a time of renewal, change and new beginnings.
Unfortunately, it's also a time when shady contractors come out of the woodwork to prey on innocent homeowners. "Some are actual scam artists, while others are just incompetent or unethical," says Ellis Levinson, a consumer reporter and the author of the book "Hiring Contractors Without Going Through Hell."
The good news is that you can protect yourself against these scams. In fact, many scams are easy to detect if you take the time to become an educated, savvy consumer. "Compare prices, call references and research the project you're undertaking in advance," says Bruce Johnson, the author of "50 Simple Ways to Save your House." It seems simple, but many people find this process overwhelming.
Levinson calls it emotional laziness. "It's amazing to me how much time people will put it into buying a TV because it's fun. But when it comes to remodeling a kitchen, people have no time. They see it as drudgery," Levinson says. Ultimately, he says, doing the research to protect yourself is much easier than paying for the consequences.
To help you differentiate a scam from the real deal, Bankrate has compiled a list of the most common remodeling scams. Beware of the following key phrases, and remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: 'I just happen to be working in your neighborhood'
This happens when contractors appear at your home unsolicited to inform you that they noticed some problems with your home's (insert: chimney, driveway, windows, plumbing, etc.) while working on a neighboring home. For example, a contractor might say he or she was on the roof of your neighbor's home and noticed missing shingles on your roof. This may be the case, but often no repair is needed.
More important, legitimate, established and reputable contractors tend to find enough work through word-of-mouth referrals that they don't need to be going door to door to attract customers. Be especially skeptical if the contractor drives a vehicle with no company name, no phone number or with out-of-state license plates. "Do not let these people enter your home," Johnson warns. "Often they want to be invited inside to see if something is worth stealing."
Also, be sure to ask for proof that he or she is insured, licensed and bonded. "Homeowners that check out contractors beforehand and research their credibility are usually more satisfied with the job than if they abruptly chose a contractor," says Jeremy Zidek, communications coordinator for the Better Business Bureau in Alaska.
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: 'I have materials left over'
Sometimes contractors will offer a discount for the job under the pretense that they have extra materials and want to use up their supply. Good contractors order just enough supplies to meet the needs of each job, as often the price for supplies is included in the contract.
If a contractor has materials left over from a previous job and is making them available to you, he either didn't finish the job or is cheating the previous customer. Or he didn't have a previous job but has materials to make it look like he did.
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: 'I need cash upfront'
This contractor will take your money and disappear before or (even worse) after your project gets under way. It can be frustrating trying to chase after him, getting him to come back and finish the job or hiring someone else to clean up a messy work site. Don't ever pay in full for a project before any work has been done.
However, you may be expected to pay a down payment. "The contractor may not want to block out time in his busy schedule without some money upfront," Levinson says. He recommends creating a payment schedule with the contractor at the start -- wherein you pay a sizable portion only upon completion of a project. Johnson swears by the one-third theory.
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company is passionate in the belief that from adversity comes opportunity. We believe that sustainable competitive advantage is always predicated upon the focused execution of a few core strengths or priniciples that are indemic to each particular company.

Home-renovation Scams - Strathclyde Associates Trading

Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Renovations are stressful, but if you rush through important details you could fall prey to one of these scams.

Scam artists are nothing new, but there are plenty of reasons to predict that even more of them will be around, due to tough economic times. While they tend to prey on the elderly, anyone who is not cautious and informed is a potential victim. Your best defense is a skeptical mind and knowing what to look out for when you hear about an offer that's "too good to refuse." Here are some of the most popular, and costly, home-improvement scams.
Home-renovation Scams - Strathclyde Associates Trading: One-time special
It's a rare business that's had only one sale in its entire history. The reality is that most businesses hold sales throughout the year, and that's not likely to change any time soon. If a contractor approaches you with a special offer, ask for concrete evidence that the quoted price is lower than what they have charged in the past for the same work. This could include a past catalog, special mailing, dated price list or evidence of identical work for a past customer.
Don't be pressured into accepting a deal that will expire before you've had a chance to do research, get competing bids and check references.
Home-renovation Scams - Strathclyde Associates Trading: I might as well
Be wary of the contractor who knocks on your door and says he's working just down the street. He tells you that he noticed a few things that need some work on your house and that you could save money by hiring him on the spot. Coincidentally, he just happens to have all the materials and tools to start right away.
This approach is often used to entice you into doing things that are visible from the outside, like roof repair, painting, window caulking, deck restoration, driveway coating and chimney repair. If the contractor claims to have all the materials, ask him where they came from and who paid for them. If they are left over from an earlier job, there's some chance that the previous homeowner footed the bill.
Cash before work
Nothing should set off more alarm bells than the contractor who wants to be paid in full for a project before it's started. This arrangement sets you up for a disappearing contractor who never starts the work.
A reasonable down payment is expected, to cover startup labor costs and materials. Normally, this should not exceed one-third of the total contract value; it's wise to make it as small as possible. The balance of the money can be tied to completion milestones to keep the contractor motivated to stay on schedule. Hold a sizable portion of the money until the project is finished, and make final payment dependent on your personal inspection and satisfaction.
Financing offers
Another warning flag is the offer to arrange financing to pay for your renovation, sometimes from a lender that the contractor knows personally. The offer may include a special interest rate for a limited time only. What won't be disclosed is that the contractor may be getting kickbacks or other favors from the lender.
If you don't review the loan papers carefully, you may later find out that you've signed up for a refinancing or high-interest home-equity loan, or unknowingly transferred your deed. If the money goes to the contractor, there's no incentive to complete the work. Always shop around for the best loan available, and consult an attorney if you need help understanding the terms and conditions.
Fly-by-night contractor
Be extremely wary if a contractor pulls into your driveway in an unmarked truck. If you talk to him, do it outside in public view. Anyone who enters your home is a potential burglar, or worse. If the truck has out-of-state plates, don't even waste your time.
For all contractors, you should apply due diligence. Verify name, business name and license number, address and telephone number. Ask for insurance papers, and verify that they are bonded in accordance with applicable laws.
Model home

Beware of the contractor who wants to fix up your home so he can show it off to other potential customers. You will likely be tempted by a deal that seems too good to pass up. But chances are pretty good that some or all of the work he's recommending doesn't really need to be done. Reputable contractors don't need models to showcase their work, and if they needed one, they wouldn't use an occupied home for that purpose.

Home-renovation Scams - Strathclyde Associates Trading: The bottom line
Use resources such as the Better Business Bureau, the Department of Consumer Protection and the local licensing board to check the contractor's business reputation and credentials. A history of consumer complaints, lawsuits and expired licenses are reasons to keep looking for a reliable contractor.

Common sense and good judgment offer the best protection from home-renovation scams. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. It's always wise to get multiple estimates before starting any project. If there are wide differences in the quotes, try to figure out why. Most importantly, don't sign any contract that you don't understand completely.

Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company is passionate in the belief that from adversity comes opportunity. We believe that sustainable competitive advantage is always predicated upon the focused execution of a few core strengths or principles that are indemic to each particular company.

Market Outlook June– Second Part: Strathclyde Associates

Market Outlook June 2010: “Strathclyde Associates, Korea”: The Greek situation remains in the eye of the storm, and has led to the decision to downgrade its debt to “junk” status despite a formal request for aid from the IMF and other member countries of the euro-zone to enable it to refinance its maturing debt and avoid a default. It is clear that the contagion is spreading to other members of the euro-zone, and so investors have continued to switch funds from the bond markets of the weaker countries and this has provided further support for the stronger markets. A significant development has been the strength of the US market.

The latest developments in Greece have shown that the warning is fully justified. Sovereign debt defaults may still occur, and the single currency system in Europe may not survive in its present form.Market Outlook June 2010: “Strathclyde Associates, Korea”: If the Greek authorities can implement the austerity measures that are being demanded before any loans are granted, then the threat of default on Greek bonds may be reduced, and there will be more time for other countries that are in similar difficulties, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, and even Italy, to take corrective action. But the situation clearly remains extremely uncertain, and this has persuaded investors to take evasive action, and to push yield spreads between stronger and weaker bonds to record levels. It was only after considerable hesitation that the Greek government made the formal request for aid. It was clearly concerned that the social unrest that has already occurred in the country would make it extremely difficult to implement even more extreme austerity measures; but in the end it had no choice.

The request has produced a provisional agreement for the IMF to provide €15 billion in loans, and for the other member countries of the euro-zone to provide €30 billion, with the amounts varying according to the respective size of the lending country. The odds still seem to favour a successful completion of the loan agreement; but each country has still to obtain the necessary parliamentary approvals, and this is producing particular difficulties in Germany. In order to secure the necessary approvals, the German government is insisting

that the Greek government produced detailed proposals to meet the budget deficit reductions that are required for 2011 and 2012, as well as for the current year, before it can qualify for the loans. This is not likely to be an easy task; but all the parties are aware of the possible consequences of failure, and so some kind of “fudged” agreement seems inevitable. This may provide a short-term respite in the markets; but the overall prospects remain unattractive. The gilt edged market has remained relatively stable over the past month, despite the uncertain situation in the UK. There has been evidence of a further modest improvement in the economic background, and the Bank of England is holding short-term interest rates at low levels.

But the UK also has very serious fiscal problems, and there are doubts whether the new government formed after the forthcoming general election will be able to cope adequately with those problems. It is possible therefore that it has been the disaster in the bond markets in mainland Europe that has been the main reason why the gilt edged market has performed so well. The economy is clearly continuing to benefit from the monetary and fiscal policies that were introduced to counter the recession; and so although unemployment remains high and the housing market recovery is very fragile, the recovery in activity is continuing.

Strathclyde Police Internet Auction Warning on Fraud, Scam and Boiler Room Associates

As technology advances, fraudsters have become increasingly sophisticated. The following pages from Strathclyde Associates Police highlight some recent types of fraud which are causing concern and give you advice about how to avoid being a victim. Internet auction sites like eBay and Yahoo provide a useful service for the public. However, like other areas of business, they have become the targets of fraudsters, with several thousand would-be traders falling victim every year. Strathclyde Associates Police highlights on How internet auction sites work These sites work as facilitators for transactions between sellers and buyers. Sellers post items for sale with terms and conditions set, and potential buyers make ‘bids’. The person who makes the highest offer within an allotted time wins. Arrangements are then made between the two parties for payment and delivery of the goods. Payment is often arranged through an escrow service. These services hold the buyer’s payment in trust until the goods have been received and checked. The buyer then authorises the escrow service to release the payment to the seller. How internet fraudsters operate Internet fraudsters operate in a variety of ways including the following: ‘Invisible goods' fraud The buyer sends the payment, but no goods are delivered and inevitably, the seller cannot be contacted, as false details were originally given. Using a legitimate escrow service can help protect the buyer from this type of fraud. Non-Payment fraud Buyers can also fail to pay. This can happen where the seller agrees to payment after delivery. It can also occur if a stolen credit card is used to make payment to an escrow service, and this is not discovered until after the goods are sent. Please bear in mind that this is different from the case where there is no payment made as a result of a dispute between buyer and seller. This is a civil matter. Strathclyde Associates Police highlights on online escrow fraud Unfortunately, a number of fraudsters have created apparently genuine websites offering escrow services in order to defraud would-be customers. The seller follows instructions on how to pay his money to the escrow site, usually by means of a cash transfer system such as Western Union. The escrow site then fails to pass the money on to the seller, and can no longer be contacted by either party. These fraudsters also use a number of other methods to maximise their gain from such a website. Escrow fraudsters can commit invisible goods frauds or can contact the losing bidders for genuine auctions, claiming to be the seller with a similar product for sale. In both cases, the fraudster insists that payment is made through their fraudulent escrow service, with the same result as before. In addition, escrow fraudsters can ensure winning bids on genuine auctions for high-value goods, again insisting that payment is made through them. When the seller checks the escrow service, he sees that payment has been made by the buyer and sends off the goods (usually to a foreign address). The seller thereafter loses contact with the buyer and the escrow service, and does not receive the promised payment. Don’t Be Caught Out There are a number of steps that can be taken to minimise the risks associated with carrying out business on the internet. • Familiarise yourself thoroughly with the auction site terms and conditions. • Get to know the seller/buyer - if possible, check the auction website for feedback on this person. Find out details, such as a permanent address and landline telephone number. Carry out online checks to verify that information. • Ask questions about the goods. Try to verify that a seller has the items in front of him Consider the payment arrangements requested. Fraudsters will often insist on high-risk payment methods such as cash, cheque, wire transfer or cash transfer systems such as Western Union or Nocheques. • Consider the seller/buyer's location. Very few internet auction frauds occur with the buyer and seller in the same police force area. Although these fraudsters do operate within the UK, they often prefer to commit their frauds in foreign countries, playing on the difficulties of international crime investigation. • Check out escrow services - especially if the other party insists on using a particular service. These sites are often well presented and appear genuine, but fraudulent sites may have a number of spelling and grammar mistakes. If you do find yourself a victim of internet auction fraud, report the fraudulent transaction to the internet auction site itself. You should then contact your local police office.

Strathclyde University and Associates: Boiler Room Movie Review

The Digital Information Office, Strathclyde University and Associates service for electronic resource management review by Bradley Null: America is the land of opportunity, and now more than ever, the opportunity that most Americans are preoccupied with is that of easy money. Our news media is saturated with stories of the instant millionaire, 25-year-old startup CEOs worth nine figures or the crafty investor that bought that startup on IPO and doesn't have to worry too much about his day job anymore either. There are a number of powerful cautionary tales waiting to be drawn from this unwholesome frenzy.

Strathclyde University and Associates: Boiler Room Movie Review

The Digital Information Office, Strathclyde University and Associates service for electronic resource management review by Bradley Null: America is the land of opportunity, and now more than ever, the opportunity that most Americans are preoccupied with is that of easy money. Our news media is saturated with stories of the instant millionaire, 25-year-old startup CEOs worth nine figures or the crafty investor that bought that startup on IPO and doesn't have to worry too much about his day job anymore either. There are a number of powerful cautionary tales waiting to be drawn from this unwholesome frenzy. Boiler Room tries to tell one of these stories, but sadly it fails to add much to the greed genre established by its two heavily referenced predecessors: Wall Street (1987) and Glengarry Glen Ross (1992).
Boiler Room is the story of Seth (Ribisi), a 19-year-old college dropout obsessed with the American dream of easy money. After concluding rather quickly that college isn't necessarily the fast track to a quick buck, he opens up an underground casino out of his house in Queens, providing a popular service for the local city college kids. After his disapproving father (Rifkin) finds out about the casino, Seth, feeling a repressed need to gain his father's approval, looks into an opportunity to become a stockbroker at the small firm of J.T. Marlin.

As it turns out, the firm, located in the heart of Long Island, conspicuously far from Wall Street, is a 'chop shop,' shorthand for a brokerage house more interested in pawning off securities for its own interests rather than serving its customers. When Seth's father discovers this, not only does Seth not find the approval he was hoping for, but he is excommunicated from the family.

Though he has only a minor part in the film, Ben Affleck is highlighted in trailers for the film, and the discerning observer will notice a strong similarity between his scene in the trailer, and Alec Baldwin's immortalized portrayal of a real estate shark in Glengarry Glen Ross. In fact, Affleck's big scene draws heavily on Baldwin's, though his performance (and the material he has to work with) does not live up to what is almost universally agreed upon as the best performance of Baldwin's career. This is not the only referencing of David Mamet's portrayal of the dark world of real estate cold-calling in this movie, however. Later in the film, when receiving some instructions on how to cold-call potential customers, Seth is told to remember one of Baldwin's catch phrases from that scene, 'A-B-C. Always Be Closing.' Boiler Room also liberally references, both directly and indirectly, its direct predecessor in the 'greed is good' category of filmmaking. Not only drawing its basic theme and plot structure from Wall Street, Boiler Room also draws its best dialogue during a scene in which a number of young stock brokers sitting in one of their sparely decorated mansions, compete with each other to quote lines from Wall Street, whose antagonist, Gordon Gecko, is obviously regarded as an idol within the group.

As a movie, Boiler Room is moderately entertaining. Vin Diesel in particular, off a strong turn in Saving Private Ryan, turns in another powerful performance as Chris, one of Seth's mentors at J.T. Marlin. Sadly though, Ben Younger, in his writing and directorial debut, adds very little to the filmic pantheon in his own voice. Even the film's most prolific statement on the American obsession with getting rich, 'either you're slinging crack rock or you've got a wicked jump shot,' is a quote of the rap star Notorious B.I.G. The most admirable outcome of this film might be that it leads viewers to check out its two predecessors. I would urge the same as well.

Strathclyde University and Associates: Boiler Room Movie Review

The Digital Information Office, Strathclyde University and Associates service for electronic resource management review by Bradley Null: America is the land of opportunity, and now more than ever, the opportunity that most Americans are preoccupied with is that of easy money. Our news media is saturated with stories of the instant millionaire, 25-year-old startup CEOs worth nine figures or the crafty investor that bought that startup on IPO and doesn't have to worry too much about his day job anymore either. There are a number of powerful cautionary tales waiting to be drawn from this unwholesome frenzy.

Strathclyde University And Associates: Boiler Room Movie Review | blogspot

The Digital Information Office, Strathclyde University and Associates service for electronic resource management review by Bradley Null: America is the land of opportunity, and now more than ever, the opportunity that most Americans are preoccupied with is that of easy money. Our news media is saturated with stories of the instant millionaire, 25-year-old startup CEOs worth nine figures or the crafty investor that bought that startup on IPO and doesn't have to worry too much about his day job anymore either. There are a number of powerful cautionary tales waiting to be drawn from this unwholesome frenzy.

Strathclyde University and Associates: Boiler Room Movie Review

The Digital Information Office, Strathclyde University and Associates service for electronic resource management review by Bradley Null: America is the land of opportunity, and now more than ever, the opportunity that most Americans are preoccupied with is that of easy money. Our news media is saturated with stories of the instant millionaire, 25-year-old startup CEOs worth nine figures or the crafty investor that bought that startup on IPO and doesn't have to worry too much about his day job anymore either. There are a number of powerful cautionary tales waiting to be drawn from this unwholesome frenzy. Boiler Room tries to tell one of these stories, but sadly it fails to add much to the greed genre established by its two heavily referenced predecessors: Wall Street (1987) and Glengarry Glen Ross (1992).
Boiler Room is the story of Seth (Ribisi), a 19-year-old college dropout obsessed with the American dream of easy money. After concluding rather quickly that college isn't necessarily the fast track to a quick buck, he opens up an underground casino out of his house in Queens, providing a popular service for the local city college kids. After his disapproving father (Rifkin) finds out about the casino, Seth, feeling a repressed need to gain his father's approval, looks into an opportunity to become a stockbroker at the small firm of J.T. Marlin.
As it turns out, the firm, located in the heart of Long Island, conspicuously far from Wall Street, is a 'chop shop,' shorthand for a brokerage house more interested in pawning off securities for its own interests rather than serving its customers. When Seth's father discovers this, not only does Seth not find the approval he was hoping for, but he is excommunicated from the family.
Though he has only a minor part in the film, Ben Affleck is highlighted in trailers for the film, and the discerning observer will notice a strong similarity between his scene in the trailer, and Alec Baldwin's immortalized portrayal of a real estate shark in Glengarry Glen Ross. In fact, Affleck's big scene draws heavily on Baldwin's, though his performance (and the material he has to work with) does not live up to what is almost universally agreed upon as the best performance of Baldwin's career. This is not the only referencing of David Mamet's portrayal of the dark world of real estate cold-calling in this movie, however. Later in the film, when receiving some instructions on how to cold-call potential customers, Seth is told to remember one of Baldwin's catch phrases from that scene, 'A-B-C. Always Be Closing.' Boiler Room also liberally references, both directly and indirectly, its direct predecessor in the 'greed is good' category of filmmaking. Not only drawing its basic theme and plot structure from Wall Street, Boiler Room also draws its best dialogue during a scene in which a number of young stock brokers sitting in one of their sparely decorated mansions, compete with each other to quote lines from Wall Street, whose antagonist, Gordon Gecko, is obviously regarded as an idol within the group.
As a movie, Boiler Room is moderately entertaining. Vin Diesel in particular, off a strong turn in Saving Private Ryan, turns in another powerful performance as Chris, one of Seth's mentors at J.T. Marlin. Sadly though, Ben Younger, in his writing and directorial debut, adds very little to the filmic pantheon in his own voice. Even the film's most prolific statement on the American obsession with getting rich, 'either you're slinging crack rock or you've got a wicked jump shot,' is a quote of the rap star Notorious B.I.G. The most admirable outcome of this film might be that it leads viewers to check out its two predecessors. I would urge the same as well.