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In this dueling two novel sensation a low-end sci-fi tale about navigating the future work place and debtor?s prison, follows the lead of a present day office horror story. A depressed ad writer for a weekly paper in Los Angeles watches his hopes for a meager life erode away under the bristling greed of incompetent and clueless management. As a catharsis, he writes a novel that follows his own life very closely, but is set four years in the future where everyone works for commission only. Anyone in debt, caught with intoxicants, or who becomes sick falls into the black hole of work camps for the poor, or hospital prisons where self-surgery is the only help available. The camps are massive subsidiaries of the major fast food industries, and prisoners spend their days working giant hog nut grinding machines and curly fries mixers at a pay rate that is guaranteed to keep them inside for years. The one way out of these massive fast food factories? Distinguish yourself as a soldier in the combat of the culture wars. And our hero, Ralph Pearcy, attempts to do just that. The last word in modern office novels, the prescient gallows humor of this one will have you choking before sending you home with your ass kicked.

`Alan Bryman has expanded on his internationally well-known work on Disney theme parks and Disneyization to create a fascinating and highly readable book. It should prove of interest to beginning students in a number of different courses and fields, as well as to scholars interested in culture and consumption. There is no question that the model created by Disney, and emulated in whole or in part by many organizations and in many settings, will continue to influence social structure and culture well into the future. This is an important book about a significant social process. And, it manages to be a fun read, as well!' - George Ritzer, author of McDonaldization and Professor of Sociology, University of Maryland `Bryman's analysis of contemporay consumption is full of detail and provides a host of examples ranging from restaurants and hotels, to theme parks, zoos and sports stadia. Without doubt students will find it an accessible text, one that should allow them to think about consumption, familiar consumer products, settings and activities, sociologically' - Barry Smart, Professor of Sociology, University of Portsmouth `Bryman's dissection of Disneyization is a timely and significant contribution to the growing literature on Disney. In fact, his excellent analysis of the extension of Disneyization throughout society explains why we should care about the Disney phenomenon at all. This is not only an important book for Disney scholars, but for any one interested in the future of modern society' - Janet Wasko Professor of Communication Studies, University of Oregon This is an agenda-setting new work in the sociology of culture and modern society. It argues that the contemporary world is increasingly converging towards the characteristics of the Disney theme parks. This process of convergence is revealed in: the growing influence of themed environments in settings like restaurants, shops, hotels, tourism and zoos; the growing trend towards social environments that are driven by combinations of forms of consumption: shopping, eating out, gambling, visiting the cinema, watching sports; the growth in cachet awarded to brands based on licensed merchandise; and the increased prominence of work that is a performance in which the employees have to display certain emotions and generally convey impressions as though working in a theatrical event. This insightful book demonstrates the importance of control and surveillance in consumer culture. Of interest to a wide variety of students studying in business, sociology, cultural studies, media studies and leisure studies courses this will also be of interest to anybody interested in understanding the intricacies of modern society.

Get a comprehensive research-based look at real life hospitality industry issues from leaders in the field Global Cases on Hospitality Industry is a comprehensive examination into hospitality issues around the world. This detailed look at the industry’s dynamics uses an international perspective that provides reader understanding by spanning several strategic and functional areas in management practices. Leading academics, trainers, and consultants from around the globe offer research-based perspectives on real life issues in this competitive industry. This important text extensively explores various aspects of the industry from both Asian and Western countries, providing important insights into policymaking, research, consulting, and teaching. Global Cases on Hospitality Industry presents extensively-researched illustrative case studies and accounts of revealing management practices from experts around the world. This book explains both the positive and negative impact of certain real life policy and management decisions in various aspects of the industry. This text discusses topics such as marketing, human resources, strategy, entrepreneurship, the use of technology, and ethics, using inside looks into different hospitality and travel and tourism companies. The book includes numerous figures and tables to clearly illustrate research data. Topics in Global Cases on Hospitality Industry include: consumer marketing research price promotions consumer behaviors bed and breakfast expectation analysis assessment of service quality company organizational structure labor productivity human resource issues franchise restaurants impact around the world tour operator strategies similarity of problems between the hospitality and tourism industries heritage tourism societal effects of tourism development ethical challenges and much more! Global Cases on Hospitality Industry is essential reading for hospitality management educators, students, trainers, and researchers in services management.

Praise for Engaged Leadership, Second Edition "Engaged Leadership is the best of both worlds: an engaging business story coupled with a primer on the practical skills all leaders need. In the book, Swindall provides many useful tools for successfully meeting twelve major leadership challenges. I recommend it." —Mark Sanborn, author of The Fred Factor and You Don't Need a Title to Be a Leader "This creatively inspiring book not only encourages the leaders of tomorrow, but also inspires the leaders of today to step up and meet the challenges of a changing world. Business leaders will find true substance at the core of each page." —Nido Qubein, President, High Point University; and Chairman, Great Harvest Bread Co. "Give this book to anyone aspiring to be an effective leader and you've put them ahead of the curve. Clint Swindall has done a masterful job of bringing leadership to life in a book that's engaging and effective. Create a leadership culture in your company by getting this book now!" —Joe Calloway, author of Work Like You're Showing Off! and Becoming a Category of One "This book is so engaging, you'll forget you're learning. If you only have time for one book this year, make it Engaged Leadership—you won't be disappointed." —Bradford D. Beldon, President and CEO, Beldon Roofing Company "This book contains simple yet very effective management techniques that can improve every leader's ability to inspire and get the most out of their employees. Swindall shows us what employees want from leaders and how leaders can motivate employees using practical yet effective stories." —John Wight, President and CEO, BF&M Insurance Group "This is a slam dunk by Swindall! What a powerful read for any team member of an organization. A fun, enjoyable, insightful, and impactful lesson on how to apply the key concepts of engaged leadership to move your team forward." —Joe Clark, Vice President of Ticket Sales and Services, Spurs Sports & Entertainment

From 1861–1865, the Great American Civil War raged. It is generally taught as though it were a well-scripted movie with a definitive beginning and end. Images and stories from the horribly littered Gettysburg battlefield to the Appomattox surrender from General Lee to General Grant have all the trappings of a powerfully executed drama, and with the coda of Lincoln’s assassination, the story could not be more complete. But while the massive engagements on the innumerable fields of battle were relegated to the history books and museums, the hearts and minds that fed the fire that nearly consumed the country have never truly surrendered. In 2008, with the election of a descendant of the slavery system to the highest office in the land, it seemed the perfect moment to finally declare, once and for all, that America had healed itself from that wretched war and was ready to fold the flags for good—at least in a poetic sense. Sadly, it turned instead to be the beginning of a shabby sequel to one of the greatest films ever made. In 2015, we’ve come to view divided as the new norm in American society: red state and blue state. And while it might make for good television, it has left us with a lousy, dysfunctional society. This novel is drawn from both Civil Wars. If you enjoy a good yarn filled with the incredulous that simultaneously addresses the politics of the present, you hold in your hands a rare treat. So get your flags out, get loud and get proud, and rock this bad boy for all it’s worth!

Attending Hamburger University, Robin Leidner observes how McDonald's trains the managers of its fast-food restaurants to standardize every aspect of service and product. Learning how to sell life insurance at a large midwestern firm, she is coached on exactly what to say, how to stand, when to make eye contact, and how to build up Positive Mental Attitude by chanting "I feel happy! I feel terrific!" Leidner's fascinating report from the frontlines of two major American corporations uncovers the methods and consequences of regulating workers' language, looks, attitudes, ideas, and demeanor. Her study reveals the complex and often unexpected results that come with the routinization of service work. Some McDonald's workers resent the constraints of prescribed uniforms and rigid scripts, while others appreciate how routines simplify their jobs and give them psychological protection against unpleasant customers. Combined Insurance goes further than McDonald's in attempting to standardize the workers' very selves, instilling in them adroit maneuvers to overcome customer resistance. The routinization of service work has both poignant and preposterous consequences. It tends to undermine shared understandings about individuality and social obligations, sharpening the tension between the belief in personal autonomy and the domination of a powerful corporate culture. Richly anecdotal and accessibly written, Leidner's book charts new territory in the sociology of work. With service sector work becoming increasingly important in American business, her timely study is particularly welcome.

Contains small bits to full-scale stories and screenplays all stuffed into one giant suitcase. The view backwards and forward 20 years after leaving art school; Guys With Guns; Mark and Peter's wild ride from Indianapolis to Los Angeles; New York to LA road trip in the year 2001 before the towers went down; The Un-Produced X-Files scripts; and then some. Great airline reading. It is guaranteed to eliminate unwanted conversation with the fellow traveler sitting next to you!