Investments Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in associated company	$ 32,803	$ 23,936
ModusLink \| Handy & Harman Ltd.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of shares owned (in shares)	8,368,076	6,383,005
ModusLink \| SPLP
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of shares owned (in shares)	16,408,091
Ownership percentage (as a percent)	31.40%
ModusLink \| SPH GP
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of warrants purchased (in shares)	2,000,000
Exercise price of rights (in dollars per share)	$ 5.00
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Level 1 \| ModusLink
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in associated company	$ 32,800	$ 23,900

Equity Method Investment, Number of Shares Owned

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- Definition

Equity Method Investment, Number of Warrants Purchased

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Exercise price per share or per unit of warrants or rights outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(i)(4))

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- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

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Total investments in (A) an entity in which the entity has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method, and (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. Includes long-term advances receivable from a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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