Product Description

How did BMW recover from the edge of bankruptcy to become on of Europe's strongest companies? Why did Saatchi and Saatchi's global strategy bring the company to its knees? Why has Philips's outstanding record in innovation not been translated into success in the market? What can be learnt from the marriage contract about the conduct of commercial negotiations? These are some of the questions addressed as John Kay asks `What makes a business successful?' Drawing on his own business experience and on concepts in economics, legal theory, and sociology, the author presents a fresh approach to questions of business strategy. He rejects the military analogy which underpins much strategic thinking, in which success depends on size and share, on vision and leadership, on shifting patterns of mergers and alliances. John Kay argues that outstanding businesses derive their strength from a distinctive structure of relationships with employees, customers, and suppliers, and explains why continuity and stability in these relationships is essential for a flexible and co-operative response to change. By integrating organizational and financial perspectives on the performance of the firm, Kay not only gives insights into the creation of effective business strategies, but sheds light on the success - and failure - of national economies. As the single market develops, this book - full of insight and rigour, yet lively in style - is probably the most important European contribution to strategic thinking for many years. It will be vital reading for all who want to understand what distinguishes the successful company.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #148096 in Books
• Published on: 1995-04-20
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

Business Age
`You must read ... Foundations of Corporate Success. Kay is the currently the best management theorist in Britain, bar none.'

Review
one of the most important 'strategic thinking" books in years...I can think of no better way of preparing for an examination in business strategy (The Director )

You must read ... Foundations of Corporate Success. Kay is the currently the best management theorist in Britain, bar none. (Business Age )

The Director
`one of the most important `strategic thinking' books in years...I can think of no better way of preparing for an examination in business strategy'

Customer Reviews

An amazingly good book: rigourous, intellectual, practicable
I was surprised to find that this excellent work hasn't yet been reviewed! I have used this landmark book for several years of teaching strategy at the MBA level. In it, I have discovered a true intellect at work, an intelligent yet practicable treatment of strategy, making a welcome contrast to the vague rhetoric of most management texts. His treatment of the resource-based view, for instance, is fascinating: Kay largely succeeds where others have failed, namely in translating a concept that, though much used, is difficult to operationalise (though he misses out on "culture" as a potential source of competitive advantage). Trained primarily in economics, Kay is a remarkably able, powerful, and lucid writer. Really one of the very best, and most enduring, business books around. Strongly recommended!

Thorough; Comprehensive; Clear and Illustrative.
Kay covers a lot of ground in the areas of strategic management, corporate control and value creation. He develops unique lines of thought and methods of approaching the subject. The concise way in which he does this, and the quality of the lucid illustrations used throughout, emphasise the brilliance of this work. An essential read for Managemnet Scientists and Business Economists. Very highly recommended!

Over-rated!
Kay's ground-breaking theories are common sense and now old hat. His style is highly repetitive and borders on yawnsville. Of course, there are some interesting examples but I recommend - if you're not an economist that is - to borrow this book from the library rather than actually buy it. Kay's theory (Distinctive Capabilities) tends to be summarised in MBA course-work anyway.