Working in Organisations

First published in 2004, this volume recognises that, as society changes, so must its organisations; as organisations change, so must their management competencies. The requirement for organisations to be flexible, innovative and adaptable in environments of increasing complexity and uncertainty is also a requirement of any organisation?s most essential resource: its people. They not only work for the organisation ? they are the organisation.

The second edition of this highly successful book provides a comprehensive and thought-provoking examination of the operational and strategic skills, demands and responsibilities of the modern workforce, and in particular its management. Reflected here are the manager?s new and changing priorities. Attention is given to the manager?s role, the motivation to work and succeed, and teamworking. Also emphasised is the new psychological contract, highlighting reliance on self whilst maintaining sensitivity to diversity concerns.

Providing clear and decisive leadership requires the projection of a vision that captures the imagination of others, but inevitably managers face conflict and adversity. Working in Organisations therefore discusses how power and politics can be moulded to positive advantage. The challenges facing organisations go beyond cost and profitability, as political and environmental challenges have forcefully entered into managerial responsibility. The book asks 'What is the ultimate purpose and contribution of organisations?' and highlights profound governance and ethics concerns. The design of organisations is also explored, and how creating appropriate structures will in turn focus resources to achieve desired ends.

This book provides a broad coverage of key issues, ranging from a close examination of the manager's job to a discussion of the corporate and social forces that determine our lives. Written in an easy-to-read style and bursting with case examples, Working in Organisations acts as mentor and guide to those whose quest is for ever greater sustainable accomplishment.

Written by a distinguished team of authors, this book will continue to be welcomed as the definitive text on organisational culture and change for academics, researchers and managers around the world.

'Working in Organisations is an outstanding book, which explores the challenges and opportunties for people working in both public and private sector organisations. It is in a class by itself, highlighting what managers need to know about selection, motivation, organisational politics, power, communication and many more invaluable topics. It is extremely well written, entertaining and with case studies which make it come alive - this book is not to be missed - read it, you will learn from it and enjoy it enormously.' Professor Cary L. Cooper, CBE, Lancaster University, UK Kudos to Kakabadse, Bank, and Vinnicombe for making the second edition of Working in Organisations a stupendous resource for today's manager! Pivotal questions arising as a result of dramatic changes in the business environment during the past two decades have been captured and answered. Equally valuable for professionals engaged inorganisational research and academic endeavers, the text is thorough yet succinct. Working in Organisations provides a solid knowledge base punctuated by practical examples and reality checks. Concise and relevent. If one book could be selected as a reference for managers working in today's organisations, this is the one! Bookshelf July 2005 'All organisations - whether private, public or not-for profit - exist to serve society not the other way round. Today there is a pressing need to understand how they can do that more effectively. Too often in the past people have been prisoners of the organisation. In the future, they will increasingly expect to be liberated by it. 'The days when organisation man or woman unquestioningly surrendered their individuality to the organisation are over. Future generations will expect the organisation to support them in achieving their individual aspirations. Andrew Kakabadse, Sue Vinnicombe and John Bank are among the most thoughtful commentators on organisations anywhere. The second edition of this book is an important guide to many of the issues that face us now and in the future. Read it - for the sake of your organisation and the generations that follow.' Des Dearlove, business journalist and commentator 'Rather than being overloaded with case study relevance, this extremely well-written text offers crisp and cutting "reality checks" - vignettes that render the text not only contemporary but with a critical eye for the longer term within management development programmes. The authors, from one of the leading management schools in Europe, bring decades of research, teaching and consulting together and place, in proper perspective, the limitations as well as the opportunities afforded to people "working in organisations." A must read for the uninitiated and the reader jaded by airport-dispensed rendering of rather sophisticated organisational issues.' Professor Alexander Kouzmin, Southern Cross University, Australia

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