Peter Drucker on the Profession of Management (Harvard Business Review Book) [Hardcover]

Peter Ferdinand Drucker (Author), Nan Stone (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0875848362 | ISBN-13: 978-0875848365 | Publication Date: February 19, 1998 | Edition: 1

For nearly half a century, Peter Drucker has inspired and educated managers - and influenced the nature of business with his landmark articles in the "Harvard Business Review". Here, gathered together and framed by a thoughtful introduction from the Review's editor Nan Stone, is a priceless collection of his most significant work. One of our leading thinkers on the practice and study of management, Drucker has sought out, identified, and examined the most important issues confronting managers, from corporate strategy to management style to social change. Through his unique lens, this volume gives us the rare opportunity to trace the evolution of the great shifts in our workplaces, and to understand more clearly the role of managers. Infused with a perspective that holds new relevance today, these essays represent Drucker at his best: direct, wise, and challenging. "Peter Drucker on the Profession of Management", sure to be enjoyed, studied, and debated by everyone concerned with management, is a timely offering from one of the most respected and prolific authors to appear in the "Harvard Business Review". It is a "Harvard Business Review" book.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

No one has influenced the practice and study of management more than Peter Drucker. Ever since the publication of his first management book in 1946, Concept of the Corporation, which was based on his study of General Motors, Drucker has devoted his career to shaping and developing the art of professional management. In fact, Concept of the Corporation is considered to be the first book on management, period.

On the Profession of Management is a compilation of Drucker's work that has appeared in the Harvard Business Review over the last 30 years. Review editor Nan Stone has organized 13 articles into two sections. The first, "The Manager's Responsibilities," focuses on the work of management, making decisions, and practicing innovation. The second section, "The Executive's World," looks at how managers should manage in a knowledge-based economy--indeed Drucker was one of the first to consider the implications of knowledge economies.

If you think Drucker has lost anything over the years, the book's insightful and provocative preface, "The Future That Has Already Happened," will surely change your mind. On the Profession of Management is an insightful and informative read, a tribute to one of the finest minds of the 20th century.

From Booklist

Drucker, the indefatigable management guru who is now nearing 90 and who has 29 books to his credit, can be permitted an encore or two. In 1996, The Executive in Action brought together Managing for Results (1964), Innovation and Entrepreneurship (1985), and The Effective Executive (1966)--two of which were written before some of today's executives were even born. This year will also see Jack Beatty's The World According to Peter Drucker, a biography and grand summation of Drucker's writings. The Harvard Business Review has been one of Drucker's primary venues; since 1950, 32 articles written by him have appeared there. Now Harvard Business Review editor Nan Stone has selected 13 of the most significant of those articles. Together, here, they demonstrate how the fundamental work of management has remained constant but also how the "knowledge economy" has added new challenges. David Rouse

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 201 pages
• Publisher: Harvard Business Press; 1 edition (February 19, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875848362
• ISBN-13: 978-0875848365
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #690,849 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) was considered the top management thinker of his time. He authored over 25 books, with his first, The End of Economic Man published in 1939. His ideas have had an enormous impact on shaping the modern corporation. One of his most famous disciples alive today is Jack Welch. He was a teacher, philosopher, reporter and consultant.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classics Combined, January 6, 2000

By 

Robert Morris (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Peter Drucker on the Profession of Management (Harvard Business Review Book) (Hardcover)

This is a collection of articles written, over a period of many years, for the Harvard Business Review and now published by the Harvard Business School Press. They were selected and organized by Nan Stone. Each is a classic.

Other business books three times greater in length offer about a third of what this anthology does in terms of substance. In Part I, Drucker examines "The Manager's Responsibilities" and in Part II, "The Executive's World." When nearing his 90th birthday, Drucker observes that he is "not comfortable with the word manager any more, because it implies subordinates." This is a revealing comment in light of what the word profession literally means: "to make a public declaration or vow." For Drucker, professionals are those who have crystal clear, non-negotiable values and make a total commitment to them. Drucker may have doubts about the word "manager" but certainly has no doubts about the absolute importance of having impeccable integrity.

He reaffirms his conviction that the "fundamental task of management remains the same: to make people capable of joint performance by giving them common goals, common values, the right structure, and the ongoing training and development they need to perform and to respond to change."

Are there any predictions in Peter Drucker on the Profession of Management? No. Rather, Drucker examines the implications of a future "that has already happened." Only time will tell who prove equal to the challenges he has so eloquently identified. Authentic professionals are those who combine talent and skill with character. The challenges which await them will surely test their talent and skill but must never be allowed to compromise their character.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Master of Management on the profession of management, February 6, 2001

By 

Gerard Kroese (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Peter Drucker on the Profession of Management (Harvard Business Review Book) (Hardcover)

Peter F. Drucker is known as the "management guru's management guru". The articles in this book explain the reason. Each article is a landmark in the field of management.

In the preface Drucker shows why he has become so famous. He shows his strength of recognising trends and how these trends will affect business, people, and society. This preface is followed by a short introduction from the editor.

The book consists of two Parts, The Manager's Responsibilities and The Executive's World, with each consisting of 6 Harvard Business Review-articles (out of 32 articles and growing). The book also includes an interesting preface, an introduction by Harvard Business Review-editor Nan Stone, and an interview with Peter Drucker.

In Part I - The Manager's Responsibilities, the articles discuss the managerial responsibilities of the manager, although Drucker prefers the term "executive". The articles discuss general management such as the decision-making process, effective management, strategic management, and innovation.

Part II - The Executive's World, Drucker discusses the history of management, the transformation from the traditional command-and-control model to knowledge-based organizations, information technology, and non-profit management.

The book concludes with an interview with Peter Drucker, which is based on his 1995-book 'Post-Capitalist Society'.

The book deserves the five-star rating since each article is fantastic. Perhaps some of them overlap, but it is amazing that some of the articles written in the 1960s are still very valid today. Drucker's writing style is simple US-English.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, quick, masterful "read me" of key management issues, September 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Peter Drucker on the Profession of Management (Harvard Business Review Book) (Hardcover)

Drucker's writing style makes it easy to understand, grasp, and put to work the pearls he has gathered over his 90+ years. No matter where you are in management, whether seasoned professional or new entrepreneur, if you read this compilation of Drucker's timeless articles (originally printed in the Harvard Business Review), you will come away with greater respect and understanding of the simple truths of business wisdom. He gives you the 10% of the knowledge that provides 90% of the benefit in all the major management skill sets. Our business is providing economically focused innovation, and I have to say that Drucker's analysis of what is innovation, how to go about it, what the important elements are, and how to make it pay, is the best I've ever read. If you only have time for one management book, let this it the one.