The paper examines the conditions under which technological successions can occur in the presence of network externalities. A two-stage, multi-agent simulation model is presented in which product designs co-evolve with consumer preferences. It provides a rich framework in which to study the complex phenomenon of quality. Following an initial period, in which old technology firms develop their d...

Business succession in family firms has been one of the most investigated topics through theoretical, empirical and anecdotal studies (Brockhaus, 2004; Sharma, 2004; and Ward, 2004). However, we argue that this bulk of literature seems to neglect the role of the most intangible source of competitive advantage of firms: knowledge. At the same time, small family firms, although representing most ...

Eugene Odum’s 1969 paper, The Strategy of Ecosystem Development, marks a watershed moment in approaches to the study of succession, ecosystem change caused by discrete disturbances. He argued that succession is unique from other kinds of change with regard to mechanisms (modification of the physical environment by the community), trajectory (orderly, directional and predictable), and endpoint (...

In this paper we revisit the classic theory of forest succession that relates shade tolerance and species replacement and assess its validity to understand patch-mosaic patterns of forested ecosystems of the USA. We introduce a macroscopic parameter called the "shade tolerance index" and compare it to the classic continuum index in southern Wisconsin forests. We exemplify shade tolerance driven...

Analyzing the dynamic patterns of species diversity and spatial heterogeneity of vegetation in grasslands during secondary succession could help with the maintenance and management of these ecosystems. Here, we evaluated the influence of secondary succession on grassland plant diversity and spatial heterogeneity of abandoned croplands on the Loess Plateau (China) during four phases of recovery:...

arguing that human rights treaties by their nature are different from other international agreements, this article deals mainly with such questions as succession of states in respect of human rights treaties and reservations to such instruments.  in contrast to other treaties, which are generally “inter-states exchange of interests”, human rights documents are protective instruments according t...