Descripciones mejoradas de Syndetics:

Provides current and prospective managers with the classical foundations of management thought. Draws on the studies of Taylor, Skinner, and others to uncover diverse ways to motivate and lead employees. Spells out the lessons that can be applied to present-day management problems and situations.

Reseñas proporcionadas por Syndetics

CHOICE Review

The final chapter's title tells the tale: "Enduring Lessons from Classical Management Literature." Duncan (University of Alabama) begins his readable and continuously fascinating survey with the pathbreaking giants: Taylor, the Gilbreths, Gantt, Barnard, and others. The approach--although emphasizing historical contributions--is actually topical, for the author not only proceeds by tracing themes in management thought but also injects current relevance by touching on the state of the art today. Thus, in addition to digesting the work and ideas from the earliest roots (e.g., scientific management, efficiency, and specialization), Duncan brings the story forward in considering the process of decision making and the question of rationality as related to issues still very alive: organizations' purposes, values, accountability; motivation; leadership and authority; and, organizational design and change. Such an assimilated retrospection has to confront natural criticisms: limited relevance (as such) for today's managers; foreshortened views of modern currents in these historic streams; even preference for ideas of the "greats" in their own words and contexts, rather than in Duncan's restatements. But taken for what it is, this is a fine piece of work--a potential vade mecum--by a well-regarded scholar. Recommended without reservation for upper-division and graduate collections. -J. C. Thompson, University of Connecticut

Notas de autor provistas por Syndetics

W. JACK DUNCAN W. Jack Duncan is professor and University Scholar in Management in the Graduate School of Management at the University of Alabama, Birmingham.