Managerial Dilemmas extends the use of analytical techniques from organisational economics to the spheres of organisational culture and leadership in politics and business.

Robert Smith's The Space Telescope sets the fascinating and disturbing history of this massive venture within the context of 'Big Science'. Launched at a cost of no more than $2 billion, the Space Telescope turned out to be seriously flawed by imperfections in the construction of its lenses and by solar panels that caused it to shudder when moving from daylight to darkness. Smith analyses how the processes of Big Science, especially those involving the government's funding process for large-scale projects, contributed to those failures. He reveals the astonishingly complex interactions that took place among the scientific community, government and industry and describes the great range of personalities and forces - scientific, technical, political, social, institutional and economic - that played roles in the Space Telescope's history.

In the midst of the most severe recession for 80 years there is little need to argue that organizations are beset by dilemmas and paradoxes. Confidence in prevailing business models and in the underlying assumptions underpinning business decisions over many decades has now been shaken. But it is not enough to rail against arrogance and greed. Within their own (flawed) assumptions bankers and corporate leaders were acting rationally. A major reason for the failure to anticipate and warn is that observers of organizations usually tend to view organizations in terms similar to those employed by the people who run them: as rational, sensible and objective, whereas, in fact, they are usually confused and confusing, paradoxical and contradictory entities. Paradox is at the heart of how organizations work (or don’t work) yet the phenomenon has been strangely unstudied. In an age of crisis and uncertainty, dilemmas and paradoxes are especially evident and prevalent. The fascination and the promise of paradox is that there is also a sense that there is a hidden truth entwined within the opposites. This we contend is a challenge for leaders. The ultimate responsibility of leadership is to make sense of these and to handle them in a competent manner. This demands a new mode of leadership. The management of dilemma and paradox it is contended, the essence of leadership today. Paradoxical forces provide a dynamism which, although often experienced as potentially threatening, discomforting and negative can also be exciting, promising and positive. "The assumption that organizations are rational entities is challenged every day in the work environment by a rich reality of asymmetries between conflicting forces, complexity, hidden intentions and paradoxes. Anyone wanting to understand the real forces that govern organizations should read this book. A must read for modern leaders who have the intellectual honesty to lead organisations with open eyes and not with the over simplifications and clichés of the past"--Giovanni Ghisetti, Director Business Transformation, Coca Cola Enterprises Europe "Storey and Salaman’s description of the paradoxes which characterise leadership today is hauntingly accurate. Their intelligent optimism that those dilemmas can be met is as encouraging as it is challenging for those of us who have to do just that. Having read the insights in this book I now understand how their business advice was always so pertinent".--Andy Street, Managing Director of John Lewis

An incredible ability awaits managers who practice Theory of Constraints (TOC) techniques: they can take a problem, look beyond the less important details, and directly identify the source of trouble. They've been known to promptly resolve perplexing matters - while the uninformed remain stuck.So many more managers could gain the benefit of TOC thi

Since organizations and industries are the catalysts for sustainable development, managing organizations and industries along with resource protection dilemmas is critical for developing countries. This volume brings together contributions from experts and new researchers on managerial dilemmas in developing countries, and is divided into five parts: namely, organizational development; human resource management; consumer behaviour; finance; and tourism and hospitality. The chapters in the first section provide empirical insights into e-learning systems, information systems for decision-making processes, business reengineering, and performance efficiency. The second part explores the role of human resource, organization downsizing, work-life balance, fair treatment and a good working environment, job satisfaction and job stress, the big five personality traits, and psychological contract and employment. The next section investigates bank interest rates, insurance policies, organic foods in consumer behaviour, and a marketing value chain analysis of cinnamon. Studies of the effect of financial development, foreign direct investment on economic and endogenous growth, and the effect of institutional excellence and information efficiency on stock market development make up the fourth part of the book. The fifth section then embraces studies of the impact of tourist guides on tourist satisfaction, the behavioural characteristics of solo female travellers, community participation in tourism, and the unplanned development of tourism.

Here's an all-new presentation of the most powerful, thoroughly tested, and widely used tool ever designed for improving human effectiveness and developing sound leadership. For more than 25 years millions of people have been using the Grid framework to achieve optimum organizational and personal productivity. Built on the foundations of Blake and Mouton's best-selling management classic 'The Managerial Grid' (more than 2 million copies in print!) this new book employs dynamic literary action - characters, dialogue, storyline - to fuse Grid theory with workplace reality. It gives you a front row seat to observe, react to, and, therefore more clearly comprehend and successfully apply proven Grid solutions. You almost become a cast member in this 'management drama' as the employees of the company Celarmco interact with their colleagues, subordinates, and bosses. You witness the delicate dynamics of managerial and personal behavior as these characters project and respond to Grid styles that reflect various degrees of concern for performance and people. But make no mistake. This completely new version contains the same descriptions, definitions and explanations of the Grid framework that is improving human relations and increasing productivity in 37 corporations worldwide. Still covered are the major approaches for managing work and people (9,1; 1,9; 9,9; etc); solving conflict; handling organizational change; and developing strong leadership. If you are familiar with Grid concepts, the real-life scenarios in this book will give you fresh new insights into applying them. If this is your first exposure to the Grid, you will discover a valuable, effective system for better understanding 'what makes a person tick'. 'Leadership Dilemmas - Grid Solutions' is a classic management text for all the right reasons - it's sound, it's practical, it's understandable and widely applicable. It clearly shows that leadership and managerial excellence can be learned - and it shows how!

The Top 50 Management Dilemmas provides help on the most common hurdles that managers face. It will help you understand every situation better so you know exactly what to do, fast. Whatever your challenge – an individual, your team, external clients, conflict, change or power – you’ll discover how to: Get things done quicker, better and right – quickly understand what you need to do to get the best results Develop stronger relationships – get the best from others, manage your team better and transform your dealings with clients Build your problem-solving toolkit – avoid getting stuck and develop a powerful set of skills Boost your reputation - be known as an adaptable, flexible and forward-thinking manager who always delivers The full text downloaded to your computer With eBooks you can: search for key concepts, words and phrases make highlights and notes as you study share your notes with friends eBooks are downloaded to your computer and accessible either offline through the Bookshelf (available as a free download), available online and also via the iPad and Android apps. Upon purchase, you'll gain instant access to this eBook. Time limit The eBooks products do not have an expiry date. You will continue to access your digital ebook products whilst you have your Bookshelf installed.

The need to ensure principle-driven, legally sound, and ethically acceptable behavior in the global context is not an easy task for leaders. They face the requirement of meeting the needs and expectations of a diverse set of stakeholders. They are increasingly called upon to protect, preserve, and restore the resources of the environment. They are expected to improve human well-being and social equity and recognize and effectively address economic and social issues concerning equality, social justice, and human rights protection. How should leaders in global organizations go about meeting the multiple demands of a complex global stakeholder environment? This book explores the dilemmas, paradoxes, and opportunities that leaders in global organizations of all types confront daily and addresses how managers can and should think about and approach these complex issues in responsible and productive ways. This book will be of interest to students and scholars across business, management and the social sciences more broadly.

Ethics, both in general and particularly at the workplace, is a topic of major significance in the contemporary world. The authors of this book start with a discussion of the conceptual framework of ethics combining Western and Indian models (e.g., Machiavellianism and Gunas). They then proceed to provide a descriptive understanding of this abstract and complex concept./-//-/The authors support their conclusions through field research in an organizational setting. They also discuss questions of ethical leadership, personality and cultural differences. The book yields fresh insights into ethical conduct and individual perceptions while conceptualizing a new model of managerial ethics.

This groundbreaking book provides a framework and set of key concepts enabling leaders to exert their influence over the difficult choices and competing priorities they confront. Compelling stories and vivid case studies help to deliver a serious game plan to any leader who is grappling with burnout caused by the manager's dilemma.