- Email: [email protected]
Managing technology in the decentralized firm
Book Managing
Technology in the Decentralized Firm, ALBERT H. Wiley (1989), 476 pp., 635.85.
RUBENSTEIN, John
The most difficult task for any organization is the introduction of new technology, or other radical changes. This book provides a valuable overview of the trends and issues in the field, with special emphasis on how the organization and management of technology within the decentralized firm affects the firm’s ability to survive and grow profitably. The more change that is taking place, the more important this subject becomes; although there is the perennial difficulty of getting the ‘right’ balance between structure and entrepreneurialism. A textbook for all students and practioners of the subject. There are few ‘right’ answers, but there is plenty of scope to learn from the mistakes of others.
Technology Publications
Transfer Annual Report 1988, (1989), 185 pp., El80.
World
Business
Compiled from 1988 issues of ‘Technology Transfer International’; this study covers licensing, and joint-venture propositions. A specialized area where it is important, and difficult, to know what is going on. Ideally suited to computerized text retrieval, using keyword indexing; but that is for the 199Os?
Directory of Online Databases, Cuadra/Elsevier $75.00 (single issue).
(1989), 313 pp.,
Contains current information on 4062 databases and distinctly named files within database families. These databases are
Reviews
163
available through one or more of the 600 online services world-wide. Another volume in this area is &it>
Transport in London: Task Force Report, CBI (1989), 32 pp., ElO.00 (non-members). Congestion cost is estimated at Q5bn, almost two thirds of which relates to waste in London and the South East. The need for effective radical thinking in this area is long overdue; but there was little recognition in this report that congestion is primarily a peak hour problem, and the long term solution lies in rethinking what goes on in offices and what is meant by office work. The other problem areas for the 1990s is tourist generated demand. There is certainly a need for a transport strategy for London, but it is essential that it starts by asking the right questions. Transport related activities need to be managed efficiently, but any long term strategy must examine where, and why, demand is generated in the first place. The case for a public transport based (rather than a car based) solution, and an effective planning body for London, is contained in The Big Choke, (report by TEST for London Weekend Television and the London Programme (1989), 33 pp., L3.50) but, again, there was little discussion of the scope for changing the way we work as a key factor in both the problem and the solution. Unfortunately, such Strategic Thinking that does exist in this critical area appears to be generated more by a combination of vested interests and political prejudices, than by any real understanding of Strategic Planning.
Technology in the Decentralized Firm, ALBERT H. Wiley (1989), 476 pp., 635.85.
RUBENSTEIN, John
The most difficult task for any organization is the introduction of new technology, or other radical changes. This book provides a valuable overview of the trends and issues in the field, with special emphasis on how the organization and management of technology within the decentralized firm affects the firm’s ability to survive and grow profitably. The more change that is taking place, the more important this subject becomes; although there is the perennial difficulty of getting the ‘right’ balance between structure and entrepreneurialism. A textbook for all students and practioners of the subject. There are few ‘right’ answers, but there is plenty of scope to learn from the mistakes of others.
Technology Publications
Transfer Annual Report 1988, (1989), 185 pp., El80.
World
Business
Compiled from 1988 issues of ‘Technology Transfer International’; this study covers licensing, and joint-venture propositions. A specialized area where it is important, and difficult, to know what is going on. Ideally suited to computerized text retrieval, using keyword indexing; but that is for the 199Os?
Directory of Online Databases, Cuadra/Elsevier $75.00 (single issue).
(1989), 313 pp.,
Contains current information on 4062 databases and distinctly named files within database families. These databases are
Reviews
163
available through one or more of the 600 online services world-wide. Another volume in this area is &it>
Transport in London: Task Force Report, CBI (1989), 32 pp., ElO.00 (non-members). Congestion cost is estimated at Q5bn, almost two thirds of which relates to waste in London and the South East. The need for effective radical thinking in this area is long overdue; but there was little recognition in this report that congestion is primarily a peak hour problem, and the long term solution lies in rethinking what goes on in offices and what is meant by office work. The other problem areas for the 1990s is tourist generated demand. There is certainly a need for a transport strategy for London, but it is essential that it starts by asking the right questions. Transport related activities need to be managed efficiently, but any long term strategy must examine where, and why, demand is generated in the first place. The case for a public transport based (rather than a car based) solution, and an effective planning body for London, is contained in The Big Choke, (report by TEST for London Weekend Television and the London Programme (1989), 33 pp., L3.50) but, again, there was little discussion of the scope for changing the way we work as a key factor in both the problem and the solution. Unfortunately, such Strategic Thinking that does exist in this critical area appears to be generated more by a combination of vested interests and political prejudices, than by any real understanding of Strategic Planning.