CRC Press Strategic Management for the Plastics Industry: Dealing with Globalization and Sustainability, Second Edition

Any general management book can give you the basics of quality assurance, strategic planning, logistics, and more. But how do you apply that knowledge to a company that requires not only sound business practices but also sound science to succeed? And how do you deal with the impact of globalized competition, a fluctuating world economy, and growing pressure from environmental groups and government regulators? Revised and updated throughout, Strategic Management for the Plastics Industry: Dealing with Globalization and Sustainability, Second Edition continues to combine coverage of management best practices with coverage of issues specific to the plastics industry. The author outlines the fundamentals of polymer manufacturing, compounding, distribution, processing, and auxiliary products that make this industry unique, and shows how these factors affect management decisions. Using case studies and examples, he demonstrates the thinking behind successful managerial choices and illustrates what errors to avoid. The book also explains the interrelationships between technologies, markets, business sectors, and strategies in the plastics industry. Topics include company culture, staffing, how to manage internal growth, the "dos and don’ts" of acquisitions, and much more. The material is based on the author’s more than 55 years of experience, extensive research, and interviews with managers throughout the industry. What’s New in This Edition A new chapter on globalization and sustainability All chapters revised and updated Updated case studies, and one new case study The book is written for a broad audience, including aspiring professionals who wish to become managers, managers who want to round out their skills, consultants to the industry, and university students and faculty in plastics engineering and polymer chemistry departments. The combination of experience-based in About the Author Roger Franklin Jones’ 55-plus-years’ career in the plastics industry has covered a broad range of technical and management functions as well as types of companies. In 2004, he joined an investor consortium that founded PlastiComp LLC, and was elected board chairman; he has continued to serve on the board as chairman emeritus since 2011. He is a widely published authority on plastics and related topics. In the United States and overseas, he has authored/edited four books, authored more than 100 articles and papers, and is inventor of record for 20 patents. His honors include the Honor Scroll of the American Institute of Chemists and election as a Fellow by both the Society of Plastics Engineers (1975) and the American Chemical Society (2012). He is a Life Fellow of the American Institute of Chemists. He served as an officer in the United States Navy on active duty for three years at the end of the Korean War. He continued his military career in the Naval Reserve for an additional 30 years, retiring with the rank of captain.