"Facebook is not just a fund-maker, it's a firm-maker".
As well as losing money, it has alienated developmentalists by investing in such unbucolic areas as telecoms, Internet firms, makers of hiking gear and Canadian airport builders.In response to a blast of criticism this week from the press and the opposition, Clare Short, secretary of state for development, has refined the government's concept for the rudderless CDC.
According to Iansiti and Levien (2004), a platform is collection of services, tools and technologies, which is the foundation for an ecosystem - a loose network of suppliers, distributors, outsourcing firms, makers of related products or services, technology providers, etc.
Most of these potential buyouts by Chinese companies center on life sciences -- namely pharmaceutical firms, makers of medical devices and drug distributors.
The Kroll-O'Gara Company, a private detective firm and maker of armored cars and security systems, said yesterday that the private investment bank the Blackstone Group had terminated its $422 million agreement to buy the company.
Examples of businesses involved in the program include a music studio, a natural body product producer, contractor, a marketing firm, jewelry makers, a green printing business and a doll maker, among others.
(That solemn end note about the two Tampa outlets is comic genius worthy of The Onion - gotta to keep the local angle in there).Now it is the turn of the German firm Kärcher, makers of high pressure water cleaners.
British firm Smarter, makers of the iKettle, has a range of products on show at CES that are considerably cheaper - all under £100.
By turning themselves into global firms, car makers can cut costs and improve efficiency.
Many other firms, including makers of laptops and flat-panel displays, are also entering the market.
