Managing in a Time of Great Change (Paperback)

by Peter F. Drucker (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Bestselling management guru Drucker's latest offering is a grab bag of articles published since 1991, though he states that every piece was written with this book in mind. Extending the insights of his Post-Capitalist Society (1993), he stresses that information has emerged as the executive's key resource and a company's bedrock; as a consequence, he recommends that teams replace traditional boss-subordinate relationships. With his trademark cogency and clarity, Drucker offers invaluable practical insights for managers at all levels. One piece enumerates the "five deadly business sins"; another argues that every company operates according to its own theory of business?a set of assumptions about its environment, mission and core competencies?that needs to be made explicit and monitored. Drucker probes the impact of the information revolution on retailing, sets forth guidelines for family-controlled businesses and urges policy changes to assist nonprofit organizations. He calls upon the federal government to institute periodic performance critiques of every federal agency and program. He is at his provocative best in arguing that we can revive our national economy only by forging an aggressive global economic policy that jettisons protectionism and gives international trade priority over domestic problems.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
The worldview of management guru Drucker is carefully thought out and simply composed, which makes his works easy to digest. Similar to his Managing for the Future (LJ 1/92), this book is a collection of essays and articles previously published in well-known periodicals since 1991. Drucker selected pieces that received positive responses and made them into chapters arranged by four topics: management, information-based organization, the economy, and society. In some instances, a few essays were lengthened, and the epilog was written strictly for the book. Executives and longtime Drucker aficionados will particularly enjoy having these well-regarded essays in one package. Highly recommended for all business collections.
--Rebecca A. Smith, Harvard Business Sch. Lib.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Plume (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452278376
• ISBN-13: 978-0452278370
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #994,669 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Drucker's Trumpet of Change: Knowledge, March 21, 1998

By	K. Paiva "whim_c" (Lancaster County, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Managing in a Time of Great Change (Hardcover)

Similiar to Kennedy's (1993) "Preparing for the Twenty-First Century," Drucker's presentation is different. Drucker uses less jargon; does not read as research article; provides perspective on shared topics; and touches on areas not covered by Kennedy. Drucker provides a analysis of four major change issues: management, the information-based organization, the economy, and the society. Drucker could have subsituted the concept "knowledge" for "change" for his theme. His assessments, projections, and questions are crisp. He gives the reader more substance than just raw data, interweaving data within a setting to provide a more familiar, dimensional look at an issue. For those readers looking to understand the current business and social environment, Drucker's exploration will not be disappointing. For those active in business, his writing may confirm what experienced managers are already aware. Drucker's book may make a viable text for college undergraduate and graduate students considering today's economic and social factors, their relationships, and possible outcomes in tomorrow's society.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Packed with Knowledge!, May 14, 2002

By	Rolf Dobelli "getAbstract.com" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Peter Drucker's greatest hits. That's the easiest way to describe this book, which compiles essays written by the ultimate management guru from 1991 to 1994. All of theses essays are about change: changes in the economy, society, business and in organizations in general. Drucker's advice on how managers should adjust to these tectonic shifts centers around the rise of the now ubiquitous knowledge worker and the global economy. As always, Drucker's analysis is far enough ahead of the curve that his 90s-era observations and conclusions are still relevant in the 21st century. We from getAbstract recommend this seamlessly organized book as the perfect introduction to one of the most important management thinkers of his generation.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing! , February 19, 2007

By	Anya K. Sherwood "Anya Sherwood" (MO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Managing in a Time of Great Change (Paperback)

I was not quite sure what I would get from this book, since Peter F. Drucker is quoted so much by other managers (and many who are bad :) This book covered a macro & micro economic managerial view. Mr. Drucker thoroughly covers the full trend from agriculture, industrial, blue collar/white collar, all the way to the current knowledge worker trend. He states the truth about outsourcing (which in my opinion has been twisted out of context to what Mr. Drucker proposed as the approach companies should take). This book also covers the neoclassic conservatism and the US approach with this for further backing of capitalism. I was surprised to read that Mr. Drucker disagreed with some of the overly conservative view. And I get from the interview that he does value family and the values around family. I sure wish corporations would take his advice on that, rather than pick and choose what they hope will get them their next bonuse off of overworked people! I thought this book was awesome!! This is a book to read for full managerial and corporate trends! Very good book! Before you read someone like the unethical Jack Welch, pick up Peter F. Drucker and absorb real advice!