Agile Competitors and Virtual Organizations [Hardcover]

Steven L. Goldman (Author), Roger N. Nagel (Author), Kenneth Preiss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 1995 | Series: Industrial Engineering

Identifying the "new industrial revolution," the authors present a vision for "cooperating to compete" in today's rapidly-changing business world. Nagel, Goldman, and Preiss show exactly why mass production is a thing of the past, and why customized products are the key to business survival.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Agile Competitors and Virtual Organizations Strategies for Enriching the Customer Steven L. Goldman Roger N. Nagel Kenneth Preiss How can businesses flourish in the face or rapid change and intensifying global competition? Why do tried-and-true competitive strategies of the past 100 years consistently fail to win market share and profits today? Agile Competitors and Virtual Organizations: Strategies for Enriching the Customer addresses these critical issues and much more. A business "survival guide" for today’s environment, the book takes a comprehensive look at how rules have changed and offers a framework for profiting from the new realities of the global marketplace. It is becoming clear today that most of the management truisms that have guided executives and business educators for two generations no longer work. This book, written by three internationally recognized authorities on global competitiveness, is designed to help any business — large or small — come to terms with change and develop effective, profit-centered strategies. Clear, real-world examples are used to describe what it takes for companies and individuals to become "agile" — how they can thrive in a competitive environment of constant, unpredictable change. The book is the product of the authors’ extensive research in cooperation with industry and government leaders that resulted in the influential 1991 report, 21st Century Manufacturing Enterprise Strategy. This book presents an updated and expanded vision of agile competition, which promises to affect life in the 21st century as profoundly as mass production-based competition affected life in the 20th century. By focusing on practice rather than on theory, the book describes in detail how this new form of competition is rapidly differentiating winners from losers, not just in the U.S. but around the world Aimed at the general business reader as well as at those charged with strategic planning and policy development for companies, government agencies, and industry associations, Agile Competitors and Virtual Organizations covers:

• The strategic objectives of agile competition and how to use them to advantage.
• How new organizational structures and a focus on core competencies can enrich customers and producers.
• Strategic principles for using the virtual organization concept to enhance the profitability of a company’s operations.
• The new relationships among marketing, design, and product development that are preconditions for marketplace success.
• How people and information have become the differentiators of successful companies and the traits required to maximize the impact of people and information on a company’s bottom line.

Agile Competitors and Virtual Organizations is packed with historical perspective, strategic insights, and practical advice, including valuable sell-assessment tools for gauging a company’s agility and identifying the paths it must follow to become a more powerful competitor. A "must read" for executives who want to understand how to manage an agile company, Agile Competitors and Virtual Organizations should also be read by anyone who wants to position themselves for personal success in the new economic world order. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From the Back Cover

Praise from business leaders for Agile Competitors and Virtual Organizations "This book is right on target! It clearly and concisely depicts the dramatic changes that are taking place in the marketplace. I recommend this book to every company that wants to remain competitive in an agile world." —Jerry Junkins Chairman, President and CEO, Texas Instruments "For managers plunging into the wilds of manufacturing to seek the source of future competitiveness, this is an indispensable handbook. Don’t expect to find ordinance surveys that will take you straight to the Fountain of Agility, though. It’s too soon for that kind of detail—but too late to wait around for it. What’s here is a treasure map. All the main landmarks are pointed out, leaving plenty of elbow room for exercising your imagination and creativity." —Otis Port "This book provides insightful perspectives on the important elements of this emerging production paradigm. It’s must read." —Donald L. Runkle Vice President and General Manager, Saginaw Division, General Motors "It is a critically important book for everyone who is concerned with how we succeed in the face of changes, challenges and opportunities presented by the global economy." —Lynn R. Williams Past President, Steel Workers Union "This magnificent work will inspire a new generation of business leaders to anticipate customer requirements, create new markets and balance the people, process, and technology resources of the enterprise to delight customers and enrich not only customers but also members of the agile virtual enterprise." —Aris Melissaratos Vice President, Science Technology and Quality, Westinghouse Electric Corporation "This book is an outstanding and important look at the most important requirements for directing a company toward the goal of maximizing opportunities with today’s customers. Each element is covered in a direct and well-organized manner and can be used to help identify positive change. It will help you rethink the strategic direction of your company." —Marc I. Balmuth President, Caldor, Inc. "Agile Competitors is a very valuable tool for anyone involved in today’s competitive race. It is essential reading for anyone involved i# --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 414 pages
• Publisher: Van Nostrand Reinhold; 1st edition (January 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0442019033
• ISBN-13: 978-0442019037
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,387,029 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading for Anyone in Strategy Development., January 7, 2011

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Hank Kearney - See all my reviews

This review is from: Agile Competitors and Virtual Organizations: Strategies for Enriching the Customer (Industrial Engineering) (Hardcover)

Have used this book repeatedly since 1996 as resource for deals in US, CEE, Asia. Excellent framework for innovation in product and/or business development.