Contemporary Issues in Management - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1783470011 ISBN 13: 9781783470013

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, 2014

Synopsis

This book is for upper-level students, managers and academics who are interested in exploring the 'messy reality' of the contemporary workplace and in considering how things might be done differently. In particular, it offers a critical perspective on organisational behaviour and the sociology of work. By challenging common sense ideas about management, this textbook offers an up-to-date view of the complex problems and dilemmas facing managers and workers in the contemporary world. Providing a fresh analysis and overview of several core themes, the chapters focus on applied ethics, social issues, diversity, continuity and change. Theoretical reflections are combined with detailed ethnographic studies to offer both breadth and depth. Individual chapters present studies on issues as diverse as teleworking, apprentices, paternalism, migration, animal charities, factory work and farm work. Underpinning all of these studies is a sense that the world of work could be a better place and that students, practitioners and tutors all have an obligation to question the assumptions in business and management. Key features include: * Original in-depth qualitative cases * Critical approach * Non-standard work situations * Presents lived experience rather than 'model' or 'idealised' problems * Focus on context, understanding and interpretation of complex situations * Examples of a variety of management practice * Discussion of management issues in wider philosophical and political context Contemporary Issues in Management would be suitable for those studying organisational behaviour, management, ethnography and sociology of work. The book will also be of interest to the general reader with an interest in developing a broader awareness of contemporary management.

About this title

Review

This edited collection by Hamilton, Mitchell and Mangan displays wonderfully Keele s tradition of critical engagement with studies and practices of work, management and organizations. The contributions are well-written, philosophically sophisticated and empirically rich discussions of contemporary significant issues such as dignity, justice and truth at work. Students who want to go beyond management-speak and wish to learn more about the messy, contradictory, ambiguous and often dark nature of management as it is practised today will find in this book an inspiring, challenging and informative resource. --Alessia Contu, The University of Warwick, UK

Scholars at Keele Management School continue to deliver brilliant critical insights. This refreshing and innovative collection will challenge students and researchers alike to seriously rethink received wisdom on management and organisations. --Liz Parsons, University of Liverpool Management School, UK

'What do animals, alternative organizations and ambiguity have in common? This splendid collection provides a fascinating range of contemporary issues for the reader to chew on, and gives space for some critical voices to explore the messiness of work organizations.' --- Martin Parker, University of Leicester, UK

From the Author

Edited by Lindsay Hamilton, formerly Keele University, UK, Laura Mitchell, Independent Scholar and Consultant and Anita Mangan, Bristol University, UK

Edition details

• Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1783470011
• ISBN 13: 9781783470013
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 232
• Editor: Hamilton Lindsay, Mitchell Laura, Mangan Anita