Understanding Organizational Evolution: Its Impact on Management and Performance

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Summary: Organizational Evolution
Review: As an OD practitioner for a Fortune 500 Company, it's refreshing to pick up a book that really pinpoints the reasons why so many companies fail in their quest to become world-class organizations, and most importantly, what can be done about it. Fletcher and Taplin deliver what they promise!

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Summary: Understanding Orgaizational Evolution
Review: John Petas
American Honda

Without having read this book, I would not have grasped the big picture; lacking an understanding of the concepts expressed herein, I would have focused on my MBO's and the tasks at hand. Now, I believe I understand centralization and decentralization, how to push decision making down to the lowest level, and how not to get caught up in the data. These efficiencies have given me the ability to operate in a large corporate environment with all of the agility and values of a small business.

Rating:
Summary: Understanding Orgaizational Evolution
Review: Jone L. Pearce
University of California

Understanding Organizational Evolution is a unique combination of practical management advice and deep insight into the underlying reasons for organizational problems. Fletcher and Taplin provide concrete lessons and symptoms of the need for organizational change from their evolutionary model of organizations that help managers understand exactly what particular problems mean and how to address them. What is more, their inclusion of a history of teamwork's success and failures sheds insight and explanation that is all too rare in practical management books. Their use of numerous specific cases and examples, and emphasis on using information technology for performance management make this book ideal for MBA and Executive Education courses in management and leadership.

Rating:
Summary: Understanding Orgaizational Evolution
Review: Understanding Organizational Evolution has a winning combination of serious academic approach and readability that is necessary for the practical application of innovative techniques. More than a 'how to' manual, this book also explains 'why' and wraps it all neatly together with a written style that is both informative and engaging. The best account I have read so far of performance management, this book will appeal to reflective practitioners everywhere, whether they be managers, consultants or scholars.