Professor Wernerfelt has been a thought leader on various strategic management, economics, marketing, and management science topics for decades. His work on the resource-based view has set the tone for numerous studies and advances across many business fields (see Wernerfelt 1984, Strategic Management Journal). For this invited research presentation, Wernerfelt will focus on issues that he presented at the Copenhagen Business School recently when they awarded him an honorary doctorate. Specifically, his presentation titled Small Forces and Large Firms: Foundations of the RBV is a synthesis of several papers he has written since the publication of A Resource-based View of the Firm (Wernerfelt, 1984). The starting point is a very small force: The reduction in bargaining costs when several bargains are pooled into one. He shows that one can construct a theory of the firm based on this force and defend the theory by arguing that it makes predictions consistent with several stylized facts. In addition, the theory suggests that firms should decide on their strategy and scope based on excess capacity of productive resources – exactly like the RBV. More on Birger Wernerfelt can be found at http://mitsloan.mit.edu/faculty/detail.php?in_spseqno=41242)

JAMS Editor Tomas Hult will be at the University of Massachusetts April 11-12 to give a research talk and a presentation on publishing/JAMS.

Sparks will provide an overview of the natural gas industry and discuss many of the changes in recent years that have led to an increased energy supply and lower costs. He will also discuss Consumers Energys natural gas infrastructure, and how it enables Consumers Energy to pass on these lower natural gas fuel prices to its customers. Sparks has overall responsibility for daily energy supply operations, including natural gas and electricity purchasing and delivery. He previously was the director of fossil fuel supply and oversaw the procurement and transportation of fuel for the utilitys fossil-fuel generating plants. From 2001 to 2006, he served as director of electric system planning and protection and was responsible for the relay protection and planning of the utilitys high-voltage electric system. Before 2001, he held increasingly responsible engineering and management positions in the electric system operations and electric transmission areas. Sparks joined the company in 1990 as a graduate engineer who handled electric system, bulk power substation, distribution substation and customer substation planning for western Michigan. Sparks graduated from Michigan Technological University with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. He also received a master of business administration from Western Michigan University. Sparks is a registered professional engineer with the state of Michigan and a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Speaker Mr. Ning Shao, Director, Michigan China CenterChina is the third largest export market for the U.S., and China is Michigans third largest export market, with $3.3 billion in export sales last year. Michigans exports to China grew 21% from 2011-2012; is your business part of this growth? Mr. Ning Shao will present a brief history of Chinas reform over the past 30 years and Chinas five-year plan, and why they matter to Michigan. He will cover eight lessons for doing business in China, as well as potential business opportunities and challenges in China for Michigan businesses.The Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan focuses on global issues of interest to the mid-Michigan business community. The monthly GB Club luncheons provide outstanding speakers and relaxed networking opportunities. With extensive international experience, the speakers wrap personal insights around a practical and up-to-the-minute approach to conducting international trade.

Coface Country Risk events focus on the outlook for business-to-business trade around the world. Attendees include companies, banks, academics, and professionals from the international trade community.

The JAMS Editor will be at the AMS Annual Conference in Monterey, May 15-18, participating on meet the editors panels, presenting the JAMS best paper award, and more

In May 2012, Dart Container acquired Illinois-based Solo Cup Company and now has approximately 15,000 employees and more than 45 production, distribution center, and office locations in eight countries. Dart plans to build a new corporate headquarters building and warehouse facility as well as expand existing buildings on its Alaiedon Township campus to integrate Solo Cup corporate and administrative operations into Darts location in Michigan. The employment growth will be fueled both by the relocation of some Solo Cup Company staff from the Chicago area to Mason and new jobs that will be available to Michigan residents.

The 10th Biennial International Business Institute for Community College Faculty is a unique professional development program designed specifically for community and technical college faculty. The aim of the Institute is to provide participants with the knowledge, experience and resources they need to internationalize general business courses and/or develop specialized international business courses at the two-year college level.

Speaker Kendra Kuo, Director, Grand Rapids U.S. Export Assistance CenterKendra Kuo has been working with the U.S. Department of Commerce to help U.S. businesses grow sales through increased exports since 2000. Her office, in conjugation with partner offices around the country and around the globe, provides a large array of low-cost and free government assistance programs. These programs include matchmaking services, background checks, market research, and trade missions, all with the goal of helping U.S. business to grow and create jobs. Join us for lunch to network with colleagues and learn how to connect to with these important resources!The Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan focuses on global issues of interest to the mid-Michigan business community. The monthly GB Club luncheons provide outstanding speakers and relaxed networking opportunities. With extensive international experience, the speakers wrap personal insights around a practical and up-to-the-minute approach to conducting international trade.

The JAMS Editor will participate in the AMA Sheth Doctoral Consortium in Ann Arbor, June 6-9.