Li Ning last week said it wants to move to a more consumer-oriented model, opening more of its own shops and factory outlets rather than franchising them out to third parties or relying on wholesalers to distribute their products.

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The yuan's acceptance among investors would also require the kind of reform China needs to wean its economy from its investment-heavy, export-oriented growth model.

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The ongoing role of the floor traders and specialists is still a matter of debate, but the planned Archipelago transaction has boosted optimism that at least the NYSE is heading into the future with a more competitive, electronic-oriented business model.

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Still, the 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD plus-powered touchscreen display, HDMI output, and relatively compact size (26% smaller than the HC1) may actually help this cam live up to Sony's hype and become the first consumer-oriented HD model to the gain a foothold in the coveted soccer mom demographic upon its April debut.

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These join the luxury-oriented limited-production Tesla Model S all-electric and Fisker Karma extended-range electric sedans.

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Company officials believe that by raising the expectations of Chinese customers, Caterpillar can steer China's equipment industry toward a new business model that favors Caterpillar's service-oriented approach.

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In former West Germany the traditional family model of the male breadwinner with a home-oriented wife was still dominant.

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