Seychelles Institute of Management

Our aim is to focus on the particular management challenges as faced by managers in small islands settings. Shared examples of the management challenges posed by operating in small and remote markets, with small populations, and with what has been termed ‘a lack of critical mass'.

In this, the first volume of JoSIM, you will find an eclectic selection of Papers which we hope will serve to provide the reader with a better understanding of some of these challenges. From issues such as decentralisation away from the capital of education programmes to the wider island population, through managing supply chains volatility in remote small islands locations, to the impact of ICT and change management issues in small islands operations.

In addition, there is a Paper discussing the issue of: how to start the research writing process, which we hope will encourage those who are more reticent to come forward.

The United Nations officially lists fifty two small island developing states (SIDS) *. Thirty eight of these are, like The Seychelles independent sovereign territories, with independence coming as early as 1804 for Haiti, and as late as 2002 for Timor-Leste.

The remaining fourteen still retain varying degrees dependency on their overseas based administrations, which are based thousands of miles away in France, Gt. Britain or the USA. Island based MDIs management development institutes have assisted the nation building of small islands, and you will find a Paper on the role of MDIs in governance and development.

Economic stability features strongly in determining the success of small islands, you will find a Paper on monetary policy and a research paper delving into the area of personal finance.

The recent UN brokered claims process (May 2009) for the apportionment of international continental shelf territory, has provided some small islands with opportunities to greatly increase their bank of natural resources. It has also provided renewed excitement and interest from the former colonial country capitals of London and Paris, in a massive expansion of their Overseas Dependency territories in such geographically dispersed island locations such as: |Ascension, South Georgia, Kerguelen, Chagos, St Pierre & Miquelon and many others worldwide.

Small islands have in the past, and continue to attract, much geopolitical debate and controversy.

We welcome submissions of Papers for future issues of JoSIM, and you will find a set of guidelines for you to follow in order to ensure that your submission meets our acceptance criteria, this is located inside the back cover.

Papers from authors based in small islands are particularly warmly welcomed, and we look forward to developing networks with academics and practicing managers in small islands across the oceans of the world!

There is a concern that much of the good work that is being carried out within small islands remains solely within the confines of that territory's institutions and organisations. Collaboration and networking, the sharing of good practice, will prove to be one of the best ways for ideas to circulate.

Our mission at JoSIM is to create a community of best practice and idea sharing across the map of small islands.

We extend ‘en lakey salere pour zot tou' Seychelles Creole for: a very warm welcome to you all.