Building More Effective Organizations: HR Management and Performance in Practice (Paperback)

~ Ronald J. Burke (Editor), (Editor)
Key Phrases: flat world, career model, successful performing firms, New York, Royal Mail, San Francisco (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Burke and Cooper, two distinguished and prolific authors in management, have managed to put together an impressive text blending contributions from some of the leading scholars in the academy with contributions from senior executives from the top blue chip corporations. This book is a 'must-read' for both students and practitioners struggling with adapting innovative policies and practices which will enable their organizations to be effective in the 21st century global competitive scene. The book is informative and provocative and is highly recommended.' Simon L. Dolan, Ramon Llull Chair in Human Resource Management, ESADE Business School, Barcelona, and Editor-in-Chief of Cross Cultural Management 'Ronald Burke and Cary Cooper state that the competitive advantage organizations have today lies in their people and their cultures, and I think they are right. In this book they bring together relevant research to back up their statement and I think they did a great job.' Marc J. Schabracq, University of Amsterdam

Review

'Burke and Cooper, two distinguished and prolific authors in management, have managed to put together an impressive text blending contributions from some of the leading scholars in the academy with contributions from senior executives from the top blue chip corporations. This book is a 'must-read' for both students and practitioners struggling with adapting innovative policies and practices which will enable their organizations to be effective in the 21st century global competitive scene. The book is informative and provocative and is highly recommended.' Simon L. Dolan, Ramon Llull Chair in Human Resource Management, ESADE Business School, Barcelona, and Editor-in-Chief of Cross Cultural Management

'Ronald Burke and Cary Cooper state that the competitive advantage organizations have today lies in their people and their cultures, and I think they are right. In this book they bring together relevant research to back up their statement and I think they did a great job.' Marc J. Schabracq, University of Amsterdam

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 412 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (January 7, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521688523
• ISBN-13: 978-0521688529
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,404,478 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Wide ranging contributions containing some thought provoking material and action points, January 25, 2008

By	Stan Felstead - Interchange Resources (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building More Effective Organizations: HR Management and Performance in Practice (Hardcover)

What I seeking was a comprehensive guide to improving effectiveness and performance in organisations. It achieves this in parts hence the four possibly three star rating. Starting with the strengths:

* The first chapter on Building more effective organisations brings together what is known about achieving high levels of organisation performance.This is done very well in a concise format and the book is worth buying for this alone.

* The material in chapter 6 on leadership development is excellent and covers current thinking and best practice in how to connect your leadership strategy to Business strategy.

In terms of weaknesses:

* The coverage of how to build more effective teams in chapter 7 left me with a sense of what value does does this section of the book add to the readers knowledge/understanding? My conclusion is very little it is hard going and you feel that you have entered a world that is far removed from the practioner on the ground.You wonder why this was included,have the editors really thought through the reasons for including this contribution.

* The lack of coverage of how to design an effective organisation design eg structures/processes etc that enhances organisation performance was disappointing. For example the work of Jay Galbraith and others in this field was not given attention.If you produce a book on building more effective organisations this is a major omission.

* The coverage of health and well-being is overdone, in many areas it feels more like a text on counselling/occupational psychology, the balance is not entirely right. Did anyone actually test the range of topics on potential readers?

In summary the HR practioner will find this useful. Would I reccomend it to a manager looking to improve organisation effectiveness, I am less sure about this.

Stan Felstead. Interchange Resources UK