Gods of Management: The Changing Work of Organizations (Hardcover)

by Charles Handy (Author) "Each of the four gods gives its name to a cult or philosophy of management and to an organizational culture..." (more)
Key Phrases: asterisk situations, investment slack, contractual organization, United States, Self Organization (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Because British management guru Handy's works, such as The Age of Unreason (1990) and The Age of Paradox (1994), are becoming more frequently requested here in the U.S., Oxford University Press has decided to release a first American edition of a book Handy wrote in 1978, which has already been translated into many languages and updated and revised twice. Handy offers a unique approach to understanding different management styles. Starting with management theorist Roger Harrison's four types of organizations, Handy identifies four Greek gods (Apollo, Zeus, Athena, and Dionysus) that typify the organizational cultures of the four. He then matches godly attributes to each, in the hope that his analogy will spark insight and serve as a diagnostic tool for resolving conflicts that result from clashing styles. Handy says this is the book of which he is most proud, and that affirmation should arouse curiosity. David Rouse

Review
"Gods is a prescient caveat, written some 15 years before 'change engineers' said that sticking to an organization chart can do more harm than good."--Business Week

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 4 Sub edition (December 28, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195096169
• ISBN-13: 978-0195096163
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,126,773 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Arguably the most philosophical among all management gurus, April 12, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Gods of Management: The Changing Work of Organizations (Paperback)

Many other management thinkers create new models and popularize them as their masterwork. Charles Handy is different. He just reminds us about things that have happened. Greek gods were already part of our civilization. Yet it takes one man like Handy to recognize it and analyze it so creatively

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating organizational study., March 12, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Gods of Management: The Changing Work of Organizations (Paperback)

This is a really interesting book. Handy uses the personalities of the gods to typify certain management styles. It makes the styles more memorable and easier to discuss with colleagues

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting angle on management, January 29, 2005

By	GameFreak (Kansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gods of Management: The Changing Work of Organizations (Paperback)

This book is a must for anyone considering a serious career in Business or Management. It provides insight on what to look for in groups and how they function as a unit, and the different management styles of corporations, government entities or universities. It will also help to identify which groups you would work best with, and which ones to avoid.