The MacDowalls traces the glories, tragedies, and amazing accomplishments of MacDowall kindred from their beginnings in Scotland and Ireland hundreds of years ago to their illus-trious present in such countries as the United States, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, and Russia. The cast of characters ranges from kings and barons to artists and generals, farmers, homemakers, and teachers. Their stories unfold as a history in progress, as each has made a unique and significant impact on the world.

This book explores a century of business development of The South African Life Assurance Company, from a specific local focus to a national conglomerate expanding into global insurance markets. Established as a strategic vehicle to address Afrikaner economic marginalization and abject poverty at the beginning of the twentieth century, Sanlam has displayed both path dependence and a dynamic adaptability to complex changing contexts to become a global player. The strategic convergence of economic empowerment through the mobilization of savings into insurance products, as well as Afrikaner nationalism, assisted this growth. Sanlam has played an a-typical role in the economic empowerment of an ethnic entity through extensive investments into the industrializing South African economy. This strategic diversion created operational limitations that were only resolved early in the twenty-first century. As globalization, financial deregulation, and weakened Afrikaner political and social hegemony manifested, strategic change management relied on the path dependence of empowerment strategies to address new markets with similar needs to those of the early stakeholder market of 1918. The former mutual life office demutualized operations to become a diversified financial services group of companies operating across almost the entire African continent, as well as in India, Malaysia, and the UK. This volume presents a business history of strategic management of an insurance enterprise, and its transformation from a defined cultural context into an international empowerment strategy through innovation on all levels of business operation and organization. This book is an Open Access publication, available online under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license.

The Complete Works of John Buchan (Unabridged) is a comprehensive collection of the acclaimed author's novels, including the iconic 'The Thirty-Nine Steps.' Buchan's writing style is characterized by its mastery of suspense and adventure, making his works timeless classics in the world of literature. His ability to intertwine historical events with thrilling plots set him apart as a pioneering figure in the genre of spy fiction. The collection showcases Buchan's knack for creating intricate narratives that keep readers engaged from start to finish. With a keen eye for detail and a talent for crafting memorable characters, Buchan's work continues to captivate audiences around the globe. John Buchan, a Scottish author and historian, draws on his own experiences in diplomacy and intelligence to bring a sense of authenticity to his storytelling. His background as a war correspondent during World War I lends depth and credibility to his depictions of espionage and political intrigue. Buchan's unique perspective adds layers of complexity to his narratives, making them both entertaining and thought-provoking. I recommend The Complete Works of John Buchan (Unabridged) to readers who enjoy thrilling tales of adventure and espionage. Buchan's masterful storytelling and captivating characters make this collection a must-read for anyone seeking a literary escape into a world of suspense and intrigue.

Argues that landscapes are not only culturally produced, but they also influence governing ideas of political and religious life.