Let me insert a cautionary note here. In the recommended video, Gary Hamel makes a compelling case for organizations becoming more adaptable and innovative in order to cope with the increasing pace of change. What he doesn't mention is that the structures and practices that enhance an organization's potential adaptability also cause the organization to be inherently less efficient. While many organizations survive by being innovative and adaptable, others (e.g., Wal-Mart, McDonalds) succeed because they are highly efficient. One could also argue that many contemporary management problems (the delivery of health care in the U.S., competition with low-wage countries, etc.) could be addressed by enhancing organizational efficiency. Finally, I disagree with Hamel's implication that certain management tools and principles (e.g., pay for performance, task design, divisionalization) are less relevant for contemporary organizations because they were developed by persons who are either dead or nearly dead.
Perhaps the "takeaway" for management education should be an admonition from Alfred Chandler - who now qualifies as being quite dead - that "structure should follow strategy."
Bruce
Bruce M. Meglino
The Moore School of Business
University of South Carolina Columbia, SC 29208
Voice: 803.777-5970; Fax: 803.777-6876
http://mooreschool.sc.edu/facultyandresearch/faculty.aspx?faculty_id=71
-----Original Message-----
From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:
OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] On Behalf Of Blanco, R Ivan
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 12:21 PM
To:
OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
Subject: Re: [OB-LIST] valuable takeaways for leaders/managers in volatile times
David,
Thanks a lot for sharing this video. It will help me a lot in my classes, specifically in strategic management classes. What I wonder about all of this, a concern of mine for over 20 years, is the "takeways" for management education!
Thanks,
Ivan
Dr. R. Ivan Blanco
Department of Management
McCoy College of Business Administration
Texas State Univeristy - San Marcos
San Marcos, TX 78666
Voice (512) 245-1842 - Fax (512) 245-2850
E-mail
rb39@txstate.edu
"Las naciones marchan hacia el término de su grandeza, con el mismo paso que camina su educación."
"Nations march toward their greatness at the same pace as their educational systems evolve." -- Simon Bolivar
________________________________________
From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [
OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] On Behalf Of David Luvison [
luvison@NOVA.EDU]
Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 7:16 AM
To:
OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
Subject: Re: [OB-LIST] valuable takeaways for leaders/managers in volatile times
Hi Judith,
I would recommend you try to incorporate some of the points from Gary
Hamel's recent video "Reinventing the Technology of Human
Accomplishment." See following link:
http://www.managementexchange.com/video/gary-hamel-reinventing-technology-human-accomplishment
It's a 15 minute video, which may be too long for you to show in your
1/2 hour (though you could and then close with some very impactful
points). Otherwise, you may find some of his themes are worth
incorporating into your presentation.
Regards and good luck!
Dave Luvison
703-608-7249 /
luvison@nsu.nova.edu
...................................
Quoting Judith MacCormick <
judithm@AGSM.EDU.AU>:
>
> Dear OB colleagues
> I have a "a little is better than nothing" opportunity to get old
> school managers/leaders to think differently about how they are
> managing/leading in a very volatile industry.
> My slot at an industry conference is only 30mins.
> Any suggestions of how I might make them REALLY (re)think would be
> most gratefully received.
>
> I will collate and send any kind contributions
>
> Kind regards
> Judith MacCormick
> Post doctoral Research Fellow
> AGSM, Australian School of Business
> University of NSW
> Sydney, 2052
> Australia
>
>