The process of innovation is inherently risky and unpredictable. There is, therefore, good reason to plan strategically for the implementation of the innovative process within the enterprise. Such strategic planning may help to minimise risk, ensure that a return on investment in innovation can...

General systems theory offers one perspective for defining and understanding the problems that organisations face. The author presents a set of systems problem‐solving principles, and offers a procedure which might be useful when conventional problem‐solving has not been totally successful....

A light‐hearted and humorous look at fad labelling is presented in this article. A fad is a “transient enthusiasm”. When used as a protective measure, fads can help kill bad ideas early. However, ew and creative good ideas are also at risk of becoming fads. In order to gain acceptance, new...

Possible responses to a changing world are looked at in terms of an amusing case study and analysed from the viewpoints first of total quality management (statistical process control, variables and attributes analyses, very important people) and then of marketing strategy (quality as competitive...

In the person of Emperor Ch’in Shihuang China had one of the greatest managers of all time. In spite of its history, however, today China is in serious need of management reform. The article highlights communication and co‐ordination problems in Chinese service organisations. The present...