- Email: [email protected]
Virtual teams: Reaching across space, time, and organizations with technology
ing the Effectiveness of Non-Governmental Organisations in International Development, ALAN FOWLER, Earthscan (1997), 298 pp.,~&14.95. Some specialist issues are discussed in a selection of papers presented to a Colloquium of the European Group for Organizational Studies (Istanbul 1995) in State, Market and Organizational Form, Edited by AYSE BUGRA and BEHLUL SDIKEN, Walter de Gruyter (1997), 323 pp., DM 148.00 (pity no index). Some of the key issues are covered in a brief, readable form in Markets in the Firm: A MarketProcess Approach to Management, TYLER COWEN and DAVID PARKER, The Institute of Economic Affairs, (1997), 92 pp., f8.00.
The Digital Organization: Allied Signal’s Success with Business Technology, JAMES D. BEST, Wiley (1997), 234 pp., E22.50. Shows how to develop and implement a business strategy that can transform your organisation into a successful digital organisation. Based on the experience of the author responsible for Allied Signal’s Computing and Network Operations. At the very least the twelve “Natural Laws of Computing” (p. 224) are well worth noting but pity more attention was not given to the nature and structure of learning. A very detailed introduction to the subject is Sysprovided by Modern Information tems for Managers, HOSSEIN MIDGOLI, Academic Press (19971, 438 pp., $54.95. But probably the most useful recent volume on the subject is The Praxis Equation: Design Principles for Intelligent Organisation, MICHAEL D. MCMASTER, Knowledge Based Development (1997), 212 pp., E25.00.
Standards in the Services Industry, BRIAN ROTHERY, Gower (1997) 177 pp., E39.50. Detailed guidance on how to frame specifications for services of every kind to meet the requirements of customers and of environmental and health and safety regulations. Particularly relevant for those concerned with IS09000 and ISO14000. Invaluable background information and statistics on important Book Reviews and Review Briefs
aspects of probably the largest service industry in the world (especially if Health, Government and The Military are excluded?) is provided by The Hotel Industry Benchmark Survey 1997, Arthur Anderson (1997), 29 pp., E750.00. (The Arthur Anderson Hospitality & Leisure Executive Report is available free to appropriate applicants.) And United Kingdom Hotel Industry 2997, BDO Hospitality Consulting (1997), 113 pp.,E125.00 (E85.00 academic).
First Line Management: A Practical Approach, DIANA BEWARD, CHRISTINE REXWORTHY, CAROL BLACKMAN, ANDROTHWELL and MARGARET REW Butterworth-Heinemann WEAVER, (1997), 401 pp., E16.99. A basic introduction to the practice of management of Certificate in Management Studies students and others at a similar level. Also relevant The Management Task, ROB DIXON Butterworth-Heinemann (1997), 2nd edition, 148 pp., El5.99. Some of these issues are approached from a different direction in Engineers in Top Management, RICHARD BARRY, DEREK BosWORTH and ROB WILSON, Institute for Employment Research, The University of Warwick (1997), 128 pp., E30.00. The importance of people is emphasised by Mind Skills for Managers, SAMUEL A. MALONE, Gower (19971, 256 pp., E25.00; Brain SfX, TONY BUZAN and RICHARDISRAEL, Gower (1997), 263 pp., E14.95. Edward de Bono’s Textbook of Wisdom, EDWARD DE BONO, Penguin (1997), 278 pp., E7.99.
The Political Economy of Economic Freedom, ALAN PEACOCK,Edward Elgar (1997), 341 pp., E39.95. Brings together a selection of the author’s views on economic freedom, its philosophy and its influence on economic policy. A serious exercise for serious students of economics and political economy. Other aspects are discussed in the repackaging of twelve articles from Wall Street Journal Europe in Miracle or Mirage? Britain’s economy seen from abroad, KEITH
MARSDEN, Centre for Policy (1997), 51 pp., E7.50.
The
Future
of
the
Studies
Organisation:
Achieving Excellence through Business COULSONTransformation, COLIN THOMAS, Kogan Page (1997), 414 pp., E25.00. Stresses the importance of flexibility and intuition experienced within roles, competencies and behaviours, rather than the mechanical approaches dominated by procedures and structures. The author strongly believes the future of any organisation is dependent on the management of people. Not new but it still bears repeating. The final chapter is perceptively sub-headed by the sound advice: “Do the work and leave your boasting”. I hope it was the publisher, not the author, who wrote the introductory remarks on the cover!
Architects of the Web: 1000 Days that Built the Future of Business, ROBERT H. REID, Wiley (1997), 370 pp., $27.95. Presents the fascinating history of the Web’s creation and evolution, as well as its emergence as a dynamic business tool, through revealing the people behind the whole process. Again both an invaluable case study and a good read on its own account.
Cosmopolitan London: Past, Present b Future, London Research Centre (1997), 60 pp., E25.00. Full of fascinating facts and figures on the ethnic minority community in London.
Virtual Teams: Reaching across space, time, and organizations with technology, JESSICA LIPMACK and JEFFREY STAMPS, Wiley (1997), 262 pp., E22.50. Teams are the key to smart, flexible and cost-effective organizations for the 21st century. But technology can dramatically change the nature of team work. How can these be made to work?
How can failures be avoided? Based on 75 in-depth interviews, this relevant and readable book helps provide the answers. Also, perhaps, in any 2nd edition, more attention could be given to the issues associated with learning and knowledge management. Another challenging approach which attempts to encourage you to re-think the way to work and yourself is in Reality Hacking: Unusual ideas and provocations for reinvesting your work, NICOLAPHILLIPS, Capstone (1997), 210 pp., E17.99.
Beyond Business Process Re-engineering: Towards the Holonic Enterprise, PATRICKMCHUGH, GIORGIOMERLI and WILLIAM A. WHEELER III, Wiley (1997), 212 pp., El6.00. Aims to give business the agility to rapidly change product and service capabilities to meet rapidly changing market demands. In view of the failure rate of BPR initiatives, those involved in this high risk area are strongly recommended to reflect on the experience of these authors. Another approach is reflected in Business Process Analysis, GEOFFREY DARNTON and MOSKSHA DARNTON,International Thomson Business Press (1997), 311 pp., E25.99. Presents a broad range of techniques, and explains the key features, often by detailed questioning of conventional approaches. Essential to integrate with the overall issue of managing innovation. An approach reflected in Innovation: Managing Integrating Technological, Market and Organizational Change, JOE TIDD, JOHN BESSANT and KEITH PAVITT, Wiley (1997), 377 pp., E21.50. The authors attempt to integrate the identification and development of core competencies, the condifferent straints imposed by technologies and markets, and the structures and processes for organizational learning. It is no longer sufficient (was it ever?) to focus on a single dimension of innovation. Full of sound (long overdue?) sense. Chapters on Learning from markets; Learning through alliances and Learning through new ventures are particularly relevant and well-focused but it is all essential reading for anyone concerned with this fundamental issue in corporate organisation and success.
Education Training and the Global Economy, DAVID ASHTON and FRANCIS GREEN, Edward Elgar (1996), 227 pp., E49.95 (hbk), f16.95 (pbk). An in-depth multi-disciplinary investigation of the link between modern economics and their education and training systems. Other dimensions are covered in The Impact of Universities and Colleges on the U.K. Economy, I. H. MCNICOLL with K. MCCLUSKEY and U. KELLY, CVCP (1997), 51 pp., ;ElO.OO. And Noble’s Higher Education Financial Yearbook 1997, Noble Financial Publishing (1997), 290 pp., jX195.00. A comprehensive financial guide to universities and colleges in the U.K.‘s higher education sector. The next step is to relate these figures more closely to performance. A useful investigation of the principles and practice of the education, training and development of Board Directors and their relationship, if any, to the performance of Middle Market Companies is considered in The Middle Market: How They Perform: Education, Training and Development, The Foundation for Manufacturing and Industry (1997), 40 pp., fZ45.00. A big difference was found between what respondents believed in principle and what companies did in practice, partly due to the difficulty in finding a direct link. But there is often a considerable variation in the quality of education, training and developmental experiences. Few people contributed more to thinking about American education than John Dewey and serious students of his work could try John Dewey and the High Tide of American Liberalism, ALAN RYAN, W. W. Norton (1997), 414 pp., E11.95.
The Book that’s Sweeping America! or Why ZLove Business, STEPHENMICHAEL PETER THOMAS, Wiley (1997), 165 pp., fZ14.99. An irreverent approach to five powerful Learnings: Leadership is Hard; Communication is Important; Change is Different; People are Human and The Future is Tomorrow. Much effective learning comes from irreverent directions! Another challenge to the more conventional approach is Great Mflhs of Business, WILLIAM DAVIS, Kogan Page (1997), 219pp., g18.99. Provides a
controversial review of the way we all view, and/or do, business today.
Managing and Sustaining Radical Change, CAROL KENNEDY and DAVID HARVEY, Business Intelligence (1997), 278 pp., E495.00. Reveals the techniques, processes and approaches that separate winners from losers in the change game. Uses valuable case insights from British Airways, BP Exploration, General Electric, Rolls Royce, Ericsson, Smith-Kline Beecham and Sun Microsystems. The volume might look expensive but it pales into insignificance when compared with the cost of the many mistakes in this particularly challenging area. The need to manage radical change effectively is also at the core of many other publications that, in essence, deal with a dimension. These more specific include: Facilitating Change: Ready-touse Training Materials for the Manager, BARRY FLETCHER, Gower (1997), 320 pp., E49.50. A useful collection of thirty-five learning activities.
The Insight Edge: An Introduction to the Theory and Practice of EvolERVIN LASZLO utionary Management, and CHRISTOPHER LASZLO, Quorum (1997), 145pp., npq. An attempt to integrate management and chaos theories into a new “evolutionary paradigm”. Serious thinking for serious students of the subject. Leadership continues to be the focus of many useful studies as reflected in Helping Leaders Take Effective Action: A Program Evaluation, DIANNE P. YOUNG and NANCY M. DIXON, Center for Creative Leadership (1996), 44 pp., $18.00; Managing Across Cultures: A Learning Framework, MEENA S. WILSON, MICHAEL H. HOPPE and LEONARD R. SAYLES, Center for Creative Leadership (19961, 37 pp., $15.00; Formal Mentoring Programs in Organizations: An Annotated Bibliography, CHRISTINA A. DOUGLAS, Center for Creative Leadership (1996), 104 pp., $20.00; Four Essential Ways that Coaching can help Executives, ROBERT WITHERSPOON and RANDALLP. WHITE,
Long Range Planning Vol. 31
February 1998
The Digital Organization: Allied Signal’s Success with Business Technology, JAMES D. BEST, Wiley (1997), 234 pp., E22.50. Shows how to develop and implement a business strategy that can transform your organisation into a successful digital organisation. Based on the experience of the author responsible for Allied Signal’s Computing and Network Operations. At the very least the twelve “Natural Laws of Computing” (p. 224) are well worth noting but pity more attention was not given to the nature and structure of learning. A very detailed introduction to the subject is Sysprovided by Modern Information tems for Managers, HOSSEIN MIDGOLI, Academic Press (19971, 438 pp., $54.95. But probably the most useful recent volume on the subject is The Praxis Equation: Design Principles for Intelligent Organisation, MICHAEL D. MCMASTER, Knowledge Based Development (1997), 212 pp., E25.00.
Standards in the Services Industry, BRIAN ROTHERY, Gower (1997) 177 pp., E39.50. Detailed guidance on how to frame specifications for services of every kind to meet the requirements of customers and of environmental and health and safety regulations. Particularly relevant for those concerned with IS09000 and ISO14000. Invaluable background information and statistics on important Book Reviews and Review Briefs
aspects of probably the largest service industry in the world (especially if Health, Government and The Military are excluded?) is provided by The Hotel Industry Benchmark Survey 1997, Arthur Anderson (1997), 29 pp., E750.00. (The Arthur Anderson Hospitality & Leisure Executive Report is available free to appropriate applicants.) And United Kingdom Hotel Industry 2997, BDO Hospitality Consulting (1997), 113 pp.,E125.00 (E85.00 academic).
First Line Management: A Practical Approach, DIANA BEWARD, CHRISTINE REXWORTHY, CAROL BLACKMAN, ANDROTHWELL and MARGARET REW Butterworth-Heinemann WEAVER, (1997), 401 pp., E16.99. A basic introduction to the practice of management of Certificate in Management Studies students and others at a similar level. Also relevant The Management Task, ROB DIXON Butterworth-Heinemann (1997), 2nd edition, 148 pp., El5.99. Some of these issues are approached from a different direction in Engineers in Top Management, RICHARD BARRY, DEREK BosWORTH and ROB WILSON, Institute for Employment Research, The University of Warwick (1997), 128 pp., E30.00. The importance of people is emphasised by Mind Skills for Managers, SAMUEL A. MALONE, Gower (19971, 256 pp., E25.00; Brain SfX, TONY BUZAN and RICHARDISRAEL, Gower (1997), 263 pp., E14.95. Edward de Bono’s Textbook of Wisdom, EDWARD DE BONO, Penguin (1997), 278 pp., E7.99.
The Political Economy of Economic Freedom, ALAN PEACOCK,Edward Elgar (1997), 341 pp., E39.95. Brings together a selection of the author’s views on economic freedom, its philosophy and its influence on economic policy. A serious exercise for serious students of economics and political economy. Other aspects are discussed in the repackaging of twelve articles from Wall Street Journal Europe in Miracle or Mirage? Britain’s economy seen from abroad, KEITH
MARSDEN, Centre for Policy (1997), 51 pp., E7.50.
The
Future
of
the
Studies
Organisation:
Achieving Excellence through Business COULSONTransformation, COLIN THOMAS, Kogan Page (1997), 414 pp., E25.00. Stresses the importance of flexibility and intuition experienced within roles, competencies and behaviours, rather than the mechanical approaches dominated by procedures and structures. The author strongly believes the future of any organisation is dependent on the management of people. Not new but it still bears repeating. The final chapter is perceptively sub-headed by the sound advice: “Do the work and leave your boasting”. I hope it was the publisher, not the author, who wrote the introductory remarks on the cover!
Architects of the Web: 1000 Days that Built the Future of Business, ROBERT H. REID, Wiley (1997), 370 pp., $27.95. Presents the fascinating history of the Web’s creation and evolution, as well as its emergence as a dynamic business tool, through revealing the people behind the whole process. Again both an invaluable case study and a good read on its own account.
Cosmopolitan London: Past, Present b Future, London Research Centre (1997), 60 pp., E25.00. Full of fascinating facts and figures on the ethnic minority community in London.
Virtual Teams: Reaching across space, time, and organizations with technology, JESSICA LIPMACK and JEFFREY STAMPS, Wiley (1997), 262 pp., E22.50. Teams are the key to smart, flexible and cost-effective organizations for the 21st century. But technology can dramatically change the nature of team work. How can these be made to work?
How can failures be avoided? Based on 75 in-depth interviews, this relevant and readable book helps provide the answers. Also, perhaps, in any 2nd edition, more attention could be given to the issues associated with learning and knowledge management. Another challenging approach which attempts to encourage you to re-think the way to work and yourself is in Reality Hacking: Unusual ideas and provocations for reinvesting your work, NICOLAPHILLIPS, Capstone (1997), 210 pp., E17.99.
Beyond Business Process Re-engineering: Towards the Holonic Enterprise, PATRICKMCHUGH, GIORGIOMERLI and WILLIAM A. WHEELER III, Wiley (1997), 212 pp., El6.00. Aims to give business the agility to rapidly change product and service capabilities to meet rapidly changing market demands. In view of the failure rate of BPR initiatives, those involved in this high risk area are strongly recommended to reflect on the experience of these authors. Another approach is reflected in Business Process Analysis, GEOFFREY DARNTON and MOSKSHA DARNTON,International Thomson Business Press (1997), 311 pp., E25.99. Presents a broad range of techniques, and explains the key features, often by detailed questioning of conventional approaches. Essential to integrate with the overall issue of managing innovation. An approach reflected in Innovation: Managing Integrating Technological, Market and Organizational Change, JOE TIDD, JOHN BESSANT and KEITH PAVITT, Wiley (1997), 377 pp., E21.50. The authors attempt to integrate the identification and development of core competencies, the condifferent straints imposed by technologies and markets, and the structures and processes for organizational learning. It is no longer sufficient (was it ever?) to focus on a single dimension of innovation. Full of sound (long overdue?) sense. Chapters on Learning from markets; Learning through alliances and Learning through new ventures are particularly relevant and well-focused but it is all essential reading for anyone concerned with this fundamental issue in corporate organisation and success.
Education Training and the Global Economy, DAVID ASHTON and FRANCIS GREEN, Edward Elgar (1996), 227 pp., E49.95 (hbk), f16.95 (pbk). An in-depth multi-disciplinary investigation of the link between modern economics and their education and training systems. Other dimensions are covered in The Impact of Universities and Colleges on the U.K. Economy, I. H. MCNICOLL with K. MCCLUSKEY and U. KELLY, CVCP (1997), 51 pp., ;ElO.OO. And Noble’s Higher Education Financial Yearbook 1997, Noble Financial Publishing (1997), 290 pp., jX195.00. A comprehensive financial guide to universities and colleges in the U.K.‘s higher education sector. The next step is to relate these figures more closely to performance. A useful investigation of the principles and practice of the education, training and development of Board Directors and their relationship, if any, to the performance of Middle Market Companies is considered in The Middle Market: How They Perform: Education, Training and Development, The Foundation for Manufacturing and Industry (1997), 40 pp., fZ45.00. A big difference was found between what respondents believed in principle and what companies did in practice, partly due to the difficulty in finding a direct link. But there is often a considerable variation in the quality of education, training and developmental experiences. Few people contributed more to thinking about American education than John Dewey and serious students of his work could try John Dewey and the High Tide of American Liberalism, ALAN RYAN, W. W. Norton (1997), 414 pp., E11.95.
The Book that’s Sweeping America! or Why ZLove Business, STEPHENMICHAEL PETER THOMAS, Wiley (1997), 165 pp., fZ14.99. An irreverent approach to five powerful Learnings: Leadership is Hard; Communication is Important; Change is Different; People are Human and The Future is Tomorrow. Much effective learning comes from irreverent directions! Another challenge to the more conventional approach is Great Mflhs of Business, WILLIAM DAVIS, Kogan Page (1997), 219pp., g18.99. Provides a
controversial review of the way we all view, and/or do, business today.
Managing and Sustaining Radical Change, CAROL KENNEDY and DAVID HARVEY, Business Intelligence (1997), 278 pp., E495.00. Reveals the techniques, processes and approaches that separate winners from losers in the change game. Uses valuable case insights from British Airways, BP Exploration, General Electric, Rolls Royce, Ericsson, Smith-Kline Beecham and Sun Microsystems. The volume might look expensive but it pales into insignificance when compared with the cost of the many mistakes in this particularly challenging area. The need to manage radical change effectively is also at the core of many other publications that, in essence, deal with a dimension. These more specific include: Facilitating Change: Ready-touse Training Materials for the Manager, BARRY FLETCHER, Gower (1997), 320 pp., E49.50. A useful collection of thirty-five learning activities.
The Insight Edge: An Introduction to the Theory and Practice of EvolERVIN LASZLO utionary Management, and CHRISTOPHER LASZLO, Quorum (1997), 145pp., npq. An attempt to integrate management and chaos theories into a new “evolutionary paradigm”. Serious thinking for serious students of the subject. Leadership continues to be the focus of many useful studies as reflected in Helping Leaders Take Effective Action: A Program Evaluation, DIANNE P. YOUNG and NANCY M. DIXON, Center for Creative Leadership (1996), 44 pp., $18.00; Managing Across Cultures: A Learning Framework, MEENA S. WILSON, MICHAEL H. HOPPE and LEONARD R. SAYLES, Center for Creative Leadership (19961, 37 pp., $15.00; Formal Mentoring Programs in Organizations: An Annotated Bibliography, CHRISTINA A. DOUGLAS, Center for Creative Leadership (1996), 104 pp., $20.00; Four Essential Ways that Coaching can help Executives, ROBERT WITHERSPOON and RANDALLP. WHITE,
Long Range Planning Vol. 31
February 1998