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We've listened. Boone/Kurtz, Essentials of Contemporary Business is the flexible, current, and easy-to-use resource that today’s students and teachers want. Our commitment to delivering solutions at the speed of business has produced the perfect combination of current material, illustrative examples and a storytelling narrative -- all in a brief, valued-priced package. Covering all of the major topics of the introduction to business course, Boone/Kurtz, Essentials of Contemporary Business offers shorter chapters and a visually pleasing design paired with a comprehensive suite of resources to help you make business concepts come alive. Experience a textbook program that supports your goals to stimulate curiosity, show relevance, promote creativity, and prepare students for what's ahead, in both their academic and business careers.

PART 1 Business in a Global Environment

1 The Changing Face of Business 1

2 Business Ethics and Social Responsibility 17

3 Economic Challenges Facing Contemporary Business 33

4 Competing in World Markets 51

PART 2 Starting and Growing Your Business

5 Small Business and Forms of Business Ownership 67

6 Starting Your Own Business 83

PART 3 Management: Building Organizational Capability for Superior Performance

7 Management, Leadership, and the Internal Organization 99

8 Human Resource Management: From Recruitment to Labor Relations 115

9 Top Performance through Empowerment, Teamwork, and Communication 131

10 Production and Operations Management 147

PART 4 Marketing Management

11 Customer-Driven Marketing 163

12 Product and Distribution Strategies 179

13 Promotion and Pricing Strategies 195

PART 5 Managing Technology and Information

14 Using Technology to Manage Information 211

PART 6 Managing Financial Resources

15 Understanding Accounting and Financial Statements 227

16 The Financial System 247

17 Financial Management 261

Glossary 275

Notes 286

Name Index 294

Subject Index 300

International Index 311