Working In Organisations

"This book provides a broad coverage of key issues, ranging from a close examination of the manager's job to a discussion of the corporate and social forces that determine our lives. This book will serve as a text on organisational culture and change for academics, researchers and managers around the world."--BOOK JACKET.

In a complex and interconnected world, work and organisations are rapidly changing. This book addresses key emerging issues by adopting an imaginative and innovative approach. Its comprehensive coverage on work and organisations aim to: provide understanding of the external forces and institutions that are changing workplaces and organisations; examine how organisations are being managed from within and how this reshapes the way individuals and groups relate to each other, whether they be employers, employees, independent professionals or contingent workers; and integrate these two perspectives to show how both internal and external forces are interconnected and influence each other. By combining theory and case studies, the book illuminates how ideas and concepts can be applied to work and organisations in a variety of contexts.

A critical, in-depth, analytical analysis offering a distinctive perspective, this well respected, rigorous and authoritative text has been updated to include the latest international research and practice. The 4th edition includes new material on contemporary topics such as; performance management, emotional and aesthetic labour, resistance and misbehaviour at work, new developments in corporate structures and labour markets, and work life balance. There is a new chapter on knowledge and improved pedagogy, making it more student friendly, we have also developed a companion website to support both the student and lecturer. Incorporating a wealth of empirical research this unique approach puts organisations in a socio-economic context, and covers psychological material, as well as broader issues, and provides students with a thorough understanding of the nature of work and organisations.

First published in 2004, this volume recognises that, as society changes, so must its organisations; as organisations change, so must their management competencies. The requirement for organisations to be flexible, innovative and adaptable in environments of increasing complexity and uncertainty is also a requirement of any organisation's most essential resource: its people. They not only work for the organisation - they are the organisation. The second edition of this highly successful book provides a comprehensive and thought-provoking examination of the operational and strategic skills, demands and responsibilities of the modern workforce, and in particular its management. Reflected here are the manager's new and changing priorities. Attention is given to the manager's role, the motivation to work and succeed, and teamworking. Also emphasised is the new psychological contract, highlighting reliance on self whilst maintaining sensitivity to diversity concerns. Providing clear and decisive leadership requires the projection of a vision that captures the imagination of others, but inevitably managers face conflict and adversity. Working in Organisations therefore discusses how power and politics can be moulded to positive advantage. The challenges facing organisations go beyond cost and profitability, as political and environmental challenges have forcefully entered into managerial responsibility. The book asks 'What is the ultimate purpose and contribution of organisations?' and highlights profound governance and ethics concerns. The design of organisations is also explored, and how creating appropriate structures will in turn focus resources to achieve desired ends. This book provides a broad coverage of key issues, ranging from a close examination of the manager's job to a discussion of the corporate and social forces that determine our lives. Written in an easy-to-read style and bursting with case examples, Working in Organisations acts as mentor and guide to those whose quest is for ever greater sustainable accomplishment. Written by a distinguished team of authors, this book will continue to be welcomed as the definitive text on organisational culture and change for academics, researchers and managers around the world.

There is growing interest in flexible working, not only as a means to manage labour more efficiently and for greater agility, but also as a response to increasing concerns over well-being, work-life balance, and participation in the labour force of those with significant non-work commitments (e.g. parents, carers, older workers). As a result, a comprehensive stream of literature on the benefits and challenges of flexible working has developed and led to a body of evidence on the implementation and outcomes of different forms of flexible working arrangements. This book assesses the current state of this literature as follows: Background: the authors review the different definitions that have been proposed, policy developments, availability and uptake. Outcomes from flexible working: the main chapters focus on the outcomes for employers (e.g. performance, employee retention, organisational commitment etc.), as well as for individual employees (e.g. well-being, job satisfaction etc.). Evaluation of extant knowledge: the authors comment on the existing literature and consider the methodological approaches adopted in the literature. Conclusion: suggestions for future research are proposed. Of interest to students, academics and policy-makers, this book provides an expert overview of the empirical evidence and offers critical commentary on the state of knowledge in the field of flexible working and new forms of work.

The basics of management remain the same. Managing is very different in different jobs, organizations and countries. Management is changing radically. All three statements are true. Most books on management focus on the first or the third statement. This book is unusual in that it takes account of all three. It does so because effective managers increasingly have to understand not only the basics of management, but also how it is changing and how that affects their work and careers. Managers are much more mobile than they used to be, so they also have a greater need than in the past to understand where, how and why management differs.

At the core of institutional theories, ‘values’ is a central term and figures in most definitions; however it remains understudied and under-explored. The editors of this open access book identify a resurgence of interest in the values-construct which underpins discussions of identity, ‘ethos’ and the purpose/nature of public and civic welfare provision. Considering the importance of values and values work to social, material and symbolic work in organizations, individual chapters explore values work as performed in organizations and by leaders. Focusing on practices of values work, the book applies and combines different theoretical lenses exemplified by the integration of institutional perspectives with micro-level perspectives and approaches.

Acting as a critical introduction to organization studies, this book discusses a variety of issues central to that theme. These range from the classical theories and bureaucratisation of production, to analyzing management as a labour process.