Page 10 - Encyclopedia of Business and Finance

eobfv1fm 7/5/06 3:07 PM Page VIII

PREFACE

marketing, intellectual capital, and social marketing), international topics (such as interna-
tional business and international marketing), and new organizations and legislation. Fur-
ther, all articles in the Encyclopedia have been thoroughly reviewed and updated in content
and references to 2006.
Entries are arranged in alphabetical order. The Encyclopedia includes extensive cross-
referencing of two types: “See” and “See Also” references. “See” references fall within the
body of the work and refer the reader to articles diuscussing that topic. For example, if one
wanted to find information about bait-and-switch advertising and looked under “Bait and
Switch,” there would not be an article, but rather the instruction to “SEE Ethics in Market-
ing; Ethics in Law for Business; Government Role in Business.” “See Also” cross-references fall
at the end of articles and direct the reader to one or more other articles that may shed more
light on the topic. At the conclusion of the article on Insurance, for example, you will find
“SEE ALSO Investments; Personal Financial Planning.” At the end of Volume 2, there is an
extensive Index to terms and concept in the articles.
Is the knowledge contained in this work the definitive and final word on each topic?
The answer is “most certainly not!” In this day and age of dynamic and rapidly growing
knowledge, a positive answer would be quite inappropriate. However, this is not necessarily
a negative. The information contained in this edition of Encyclopedia of Business and Finance
is valid and reliable and enables readers to do further research by going to easily accessible
sources. Today’s technology offers a unique opportunity to extend one’s knowledge of every
topic presented, an opportunity not available so easily to previous generations.
This work was designed for different types of users. The middle school student may be
looking for a starting point for a paper on careers. The high school student may be seeking
background information on a major research topic, such as international trade. The busi-
nessperson may be seeking a summary of antitrust laws. The business teacher may be
preparing a lesson on the history of computing. The interested layperson may simply want
to learn something new about such topics as the No Child Left Behind legislation or invest-
ments.
Encyclopedia of Business and Finance, Second Edition can serve as a survey document for
the many aspects of business or as a guide to those aspects. It can be the starting point for
a lengthy secondary research project, or the ending point for a specific item covered within
its pages. It can be used to help ask questions or to find answers. It can be used as a sum-
mary of existing knowledge or the basis for acquiring new knowledge.
A number of individuals deserve special mention for their contributions to this project.
First I must thank the four associate editors: Dorothy Maxwell, Jim Maxwell, Mary Ellen
Oliverio, and Allen Truell. Without their tireless efforts at securing quality writers, we
would have a very small work. Second, great appreciation goes to Miranda Ferrara, the edi-
tor at Macmillan Reference USA/Thomson Gale in charge of this project, for her organiza-
tion, efficiency, and human kindness throughout this entire project. In addition special
thanks go to Mike Weaver and Luann Brennan also at Thomson Gale, who handled many
of the technical details of the Encyclopedia. Lastly, I must thank all of the contributors for
the best effort that each put forth to codify and record knowledge in each article. Writing
for an encyclopedia is hardly a financially rewarding activity; however, it is a contribution
to posterity, so what each contributor has written is of great value to current and future
scholars. And, speaking for all of us, thanks to our families for their encouragement and
support.
Burton S. Kaliski

VIII ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BUSINESS AND FINANCE, SECOND EDITION