Management Crisis and Business Revolution / Edition 1

by John Harte

Overview

Management Crisis and Business Revolution describes the enormous gap between business theories on the one hand, and the realities of the workplace and uncertainties of the marketplace on the other. In place of reasoned management and disciplined organization John Harte depicts daily disorder, vagueness, and confusion; instead of the logical processes of classroom case histories with rational solutions. He provides tales of an abundance of irrational judgments, personal foibles, and business follies. Once a top operational manager with multinational organizations, Harte applies his hands-on knowledge of the business world to a realistic examination of workplace conditions. He describes methodically how to handle human limitations in the average business enterprise, as well as how to develop management strengths.

The author observed superior and inferior management firsthand, and therefore witnessed the painful demise of many companies—some of which, in his opinion, could have been saved. With thirty years' experience to draw on, he analyzes why so many businesses and products fail, while others succeed. He examines the amazing progress of Japan and other Pacific Asian countries; explains the decline of German, Canadian, British, and French management practices; and provides strategies for the marketplace.

The business sectors described in this all-encompassing book include: high-technology, fast-moving packaged consumer goods like detergents; manufacturing and retailing consumer durables like furniture and appliances; soft goods; fashion products; service sector industries; manufacturing, wholesaling, and retail trade; and a whole range of new service industries. Harte stresses that while management and trade are timeless, dedication in the West has declined. The challenge is how to manage change by innovating, and replacing senile customs, systems, and institutions with more progressive ones suited to the new business environment. This unusually tough-minded view from workplace and marketplace will benefit business entrepreneurs, managers and executives, as well as students and educators of business and marketing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781560003052
Publisher:	Transaction Publishers
Publication date:	03/31/1997
Pages:	478
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Preface to the Paperback Edition Foreword Introduction: The Management Jungle Part I: Principles 1. The Marketing Evolution2. Innovation—The Key to the Future3. The Killing Fields4. Disposition of Forces5. Satisfying Customers6. Planning for Survival and Growth7. Right Attitude8. What Motivates People Part II: Practices 9. The Power of Words10. Human Limitations11. Leadership and Management Styles12. Responding to Challenges13. Picking Winners14. Oiling the Works15. Hiring the Best Brains16. Dynamics of Change Appendix Notes Index

Editorial Reviews

This is a learned book about the mistakes made by top managers of all size companies in the areas of management and marketing… The appendix provides an excellent bibliography for each chapter, with scholarly, business, and newspaper citations. Graduate; faculty; professional.” —D. W. Huffmire, Choice "John Harte's book is a masterpiece, offering an Olympian panoramic view 'from the top’ in its treatment and scope of management practices, which must rank with the works of Peter Drucker, Michael Porter, John Kotter, Gary Hamel and C. K. Prahalad.

"This work...fills a long-standing void in the management literature. It addresses key issues of concern to any marketing executive aiming at future market leadership, as well as students wanting to understand the dynamics of their future business environment and its multiple relationships 'beyond the numbers.' The book imparts a tremendous amount of practical wisdom not found in other books on business or marketing management. Highly recommended! "One can only stand amazed at the breadth of Mr. Harte's understanding and his ability to present important business principles, facts and management practices in an interesting and thought-provoking whole-organization framework. The case this book makes for understanding the relationships involving business principles and practices, customer expectations and the global marketing environment, is an important one not found elsewhere. Most of these issues are still not taught at business schools." —James A. Schauer, president of Easton Marketing Services Limited "Extremely well researched. Extremely insightful. A book not to be missed by anyone following the marketing revolution of our time." —Marcio M. Moreira, vice chairman and chief creative officer, McCann Worldgroup "This is a substantial book written by one whose practical experience and business insights are evident on every page. Readers can expect a long read and in the end a very satisfying one. John Harte eschews the usual text book approach of endless references and citations. Instead, he unabashedly tells us how he sees things, and what his rich business life has taught him. This is of great value. It is a pity that more business leaders do not do the same." —Ronald McTavish, dean of the Faculty of Business and professor of marketing. Brock University, Ontario "A very thorough and extremely well researched book outlining the art and science of management. Drawing upon his extensive international management experience and marketing wisdom, John Harte gives us a broad view of management's many problems and possibilities." —Jim Clemmer, president and CEO, The Clemmer Group Inc., Ontario "This book draws attention to the realities of the workplace and explores the effectiveness of established management theories in our modern corporate society. The speed and extent to which modern technological change affects both commerce and society creates greater demands on management and the need to understand what the business enterprise is really about is paramount to ensure success. The author has successfully contributed to this debate and the book is recommended to all business managers and those involved in management education.” —Norman Waite, director of education, Chartered Institute of Marketing, United Kingdom

From the Publisher