Product Description

In this exploration of the function of management, the author focuses on how companies work, challenging traditional assumptions from a "grass roots" point of view. He answers questions such as "how do organizations function and structure themselves?", "how do their power relationships develop and their goals form?" and "by what processes do managers make important strategic decisions?". He shows how the elements for successful business strategy is rarely born in solitary contemplation suggesting that they often come together in the heat of battle. The author is co-winner of the McKensey Award for the best Harvard Business Review article for 1987.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #438670 in Books
• Published on: 1989-07-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 418 pages

Customer Reviews

Fantastic collection from Canadian management guru
Henry Mintzberg is Professor of Management at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. This book is split up in three parts, with each part consisting of three-to-nine chapters.
The first part is on management, "that process by which the people who are formally in charge of whole organizations or part of them try to direct or at least to guide what they do." This section builds largely on Mintzberg's early work, in particular on his research as PhD-student. In these chapters, Mintzberg really knocks down some famous myths and folklore about management.

The second and largest part is on organizations. Much of this section is based on Mintzberg's research into trying to classify organizations, "first from the perspective of structure and later from the perspective of power." There is an introduction into classification, seven chapters on each configuration, and a final chapter which looks at the broader issues of forces and forms in organizations.

The third and final part looks at our society of organizations and "how we try to influence them and how they influence us in turn and thereby make our lives happy and miserable." It discusses the fact that organizations influence our lives in a great many ways.

Yes, this a great collection from Canadian-born management guru Henry Mintberg who has always been a very challenging author. Although this book has been split up in three parts, each chapter can be read on its own. Several chapters have been published in various magazines, with many winning different types of awards. I recommend this book to all people interested in management, but in particular to MBA-students. The book is written in simple business US-English.

Should be mandatory reading
This is one of the few books that I consider great. As a practicing CEO I find it refreshing when common sense thinking shows up in the academic world. If you would like to read a well researched book with a very deep insight into the business world (both American, Canadian and European), this is absolutely your pick. Highly recommeded, even if it is a bit wordy from time to time.

Mumbo Jumbo
Not bad but full of academic jargon - nothing to really go on if you want to know "how" to manage - Just alot of blah blah blah. Still there's something to learn from academics on business - when you find out please let me know - I'll leave my email address. Thanks