It is all too easy, in the wake of september 11, to point the finger of blame for the current economic depression towards those responsible for the Twin Towers’ destruction. It is clear however, that for the auto industry, the origins of the problems it is experiencing began long before that...

Improving business performance often focuses on clearly articulated strategies, definite goals and structural change. However, even the best laid plans for change often fail to address that performance is inseparable from how an organization does what it does. Improved performance is impossible...

Despite considerable effort and significant improvements over the past decade, the productivity and competitiveness of UK industry are under even more pressure. Whilst UK industry has become much more dynamic, it still fails to match the competitiveness of its main overseas competition. For...

Imagine you are one of the growing number of organizations that elected to enter the global forum. Only imagine that you did this years ago and are now recognized as an international tour de force in your field. You have offices in more than 80 countries and employ over 85,000 people worldwide....

The idea that employees are an organization’s greatest resource is now accepted universally. All companies claim to subscribe to it, even those which treat staff in a cavalier fashion. For the majority of organizations, however, the belief is a genuine reflection of an awareness that they will...

What organizations spring to mind when corporate social responsibility is mentioned? Perhaps you think of the Body Shop who will not sell products that are tested on animals. Or maybe you picture Ben & Jerry’s, the ice cream corporation that aims to recognize “the central role that...

Politicians are fond of talking about a “third way” which combines most effectively a free economy with social democratic ideals. There are parallels here with the business world. Attempts must be made to alter the systems of beliefs and values that shaped management during the last century....

All too often, when companies are involved in a merger or acquisition, the benefits can be diminished by a lingering “us and them” attitude by people in the two formerly separate firms. Many such alliances do not meet their financial and strategic expectations because of a failure to get...

The issue of collaborative development is increasingly recognized as one of the next major frontiers for improving the process of product innovation and development. Many companies now see enormous potential in leveraging the extended value chain as they deliver solutions to customers. Yet,...

Making a video game these days is getting more and more like making a movie. So‐called blockbuster games are developed by large teams of programmers managed by “producers”, can take many years to come to market and generally cost major amounts of money to make. The rewards, however, can be...