Drawn from five years of research and field testing, this volume introduces the "fast track" concept, describing successful strategies that result in rapid business growth for any organization.

Why is it that some companies turn out to be more successful when doing the opposite of what is prescribed in many of the current books on management and strategy? Interestingly, many of the companies depicted as very successful companies in the standard literature end up not faring well over time - probably because they somehow end up in a dangerous autopilot mode. What this suggests is that the conventional literature cookbook isn’t telling us the whole story. Even if companies have temporarily developed from an ugly duckling to a white swan, the popular recipes for success may be clipping such companies’ wings. Conversely, companies adhering to disruptive business models are seen to be more agile and to possess a higher degree of actionability. Such next generation companies are labeled black swans. They thrive because they are bold and embrace the great unknowns of tomorrow with open minds and eyes. At the same time, they are able to take advantage of incumbents’ fears, risk-aversion and blindness to what’s coming. Beyond Strategy delves into the inner workings of such black swans as Apple, Aravind, Emirates, Huawei, Natura, Ryanair and Tata and addresses the rise and fall of Nokia. The authors provide explosive evidence of black swan companies working against the norms to enter unchartered waters, determined not to adhere to the best practice of others, but rather to create a genuine next generation practice. Next generation companies and their underlying philosophies are here to stay – are you?

Electronic Inspection Copy available for instructors here Praise for the first edition: 'At last a well-written, balanced and insightful British book on leadership. It is probable that every theory and assertion of consequence is commented upon. A real tour-de-force.' - Emeritus Professor Gerry Randell, University of Bradford School of Management 'Theory and Practice of Leadership is an all encompassing, global review of examples and case studies that is both comprehensive and easily adaptable to almost any situation one would encounter in leading people.' - Richard J. Conwell, Nova Southeastern University, Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship If you are looking for a more holistic and critical take on the field of leadership, look no further! The second edition of this engaging and highly-respected text offers an exploration of leadership in a variety of contexts, both profit-orientated and non-profit. New to this edition: Refined to capture and delineate the essential theories more clearly, with broader coverage taking in the latest developments in areas such as change, politics, assessment and development of leadership, and multiple intelligences. Further development of a new integrative model of core leadership themes and practices. Abundant examples and illustrations, together with detailed explanations of how they apply in practice. A companion website with an Instructor's Manual, PowerPoint slides, links to additional case studies and full-text journal articles. Theory and Practice of Leadership will prove a highly-stimulating read for undergraduate and postgraduate students of leadership and related subjects as well as management consultants and practising managers. Visit the Theory and Practice of Leadership companion website www.sagepub.co.uk/gill to take advantage of additional resources for students and lecturers.

Discover the four traits of the best performing, but least known, breakout firms in BRIC countries "Rough diamonds" are the best performing firms in the BRIC (Brazil-Russia-India-China) countries. These firms compare favorably with the top 500 firms and the top 25 manufacturing firms in their countries and comparable firms worldwide, exceeding them profit margins and return on assets over an extended time period. This book outlines who these firms are and explains their exemplary performance through the Four Cs for Sustaining High Performance: Capitalizing on late development; Creating Market Inclusive Niches; Crafting Operational Excellence; and Cultivating Profitable Growth. Offers a description of the four major traits that high performance companies in Brazil, Russia, India and China have in common Contains company profiles from BRIC countries that have proved to be successful Written Sam Park the president at Skolkovo-Ernst & Young for Emerging Market Studies and Chair Professor of Strategy at Moscow School of Management Skolkovo This important resource outlines the four traits of the best performing, but least known, breakout firms in BRIC countries.

A major issue of dynamic growth management is the coordination of current requirements of the company with demands that have to be met in the future. Prof. PhD Rico J. Baldegger is Director and Professor of Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the School of Management Fribourg (HEG-FR), Switzerland. He has studied at the Universities of St. Gallen and Fribourg, Switzerland. His research activities concentrate on innovative start-ups, the entrepreneurial behavior of individuals and organizations, as well as the phenomenon of rapid-growth companies. He has published several books and articles and, since the beginning of the 1990s, he has been the manager of a business for company development. Moreover, he is a serial entrepreneur, as is demonstrated by the many companies he has created.

Covering the major management disciplines, Introducing Management in a Global Context provides an introductory overview of key topic areas and to glimpse the latest research in domains such as strategy, technology and change, economics and development, politics and the social world, marketing, ethics and corporate decision making.

Human Resource Development, 3rd edition, provides a complete and integrated introduction to the processes, practices and perspectives of HRD in the workplace from a theory and practice perspective. Various aspects of HRD at work are explored through case studies; encouraging the student to link the practicalities of HRD with academic analysis.

Why is it that many companies meticulously following recipes on management and strategy fail? Did Google, Skype, Ryanair, Huawei and a number of other successful companies buy into a well thought out strategy and adhered to that over time? How do companies deliberately opting out of the recipe game and opting into the out-of-the-box-thinking fare? In short, why is it that some companies achieve a higher Return on Strategy than others? Whereas Return on Investment (RoI) has attracted increased attention over the last couple of decades, little, if any, attention is being paid to whether companies do at all achieve Return on Strategy (RoS) and how. This book provides an overview of contemporary strategy literature and recipes brushed up with a view to identifying explanations as to how recipes has seldom worked as intended. One out of several reasons rests on the fact that recipes do not take the so-called X-factor into account. With the X-factor as the starting point the book examines a sample of 50 global companies of which some has achieved a remarkable high Return on Strategy and others failed. The 50 companies covers most continents as some are from the North America, some are from the European continent and others are from different parts of the emerging Asian region – threatening companies from the Western hemisphere. The book explains the reason behind success and failures and provides practical tools as to how companies may increase their Return on Strategy. In the toolbox, you will find a framework on how to increase the Return on Strategy as well a number of dynamic positioning tools, road maps and bearing points. Invariably, more and more companies - including consultants, business leaders and MBAs - now work diligently in order to increase their Return on Strategy and the best of them are here to stay successfully – are you?

The complicated interactions between business, law, and societal expectations pose an unprecedented challenge in modern commerce. Businesses navigate an intricate ecosystem shaped by legal principles, government regulations, and evolving societal values. The Research Anthology on Business Law, Policy, and Social Responsibility comprehensively explores critical issues as societal expectations for responsible business practices rise across a four-volume collection. The anthology's timely significance makes this reference with an exhaustive coverage an indispensable resource. Carefully curated, the collection sheds light on the latest trends, techniques, and applications in business law and policy. Covering topics from the transformation of business ethics in the digital era to the role of multi-national corporations in enforcing competition laws, the anthology serves as a vital reference for academics, lawyers, policymakers, and business professionals. Libraries seeking expansive and diverse research materials will find this anthology to be an exceptional solution, enriching the academic environment and serving as an invaluable tool for researchers, educators, and students. The Research Anthology on Business Law, Policy, and Social Responsibility is a comprehensive addition to any institution's collection, addressing the diverse needs of those exploring the landscape of business law and policy.

The book outlines how companies should synchronize competitive strategies with extant strategies for social engagement and political and regulatory activism in order to build and sustain business success.