Synopses & Reviews
Confronting Managerialism offers a scathing critique of the crippling influence of neoclassical economics and modern finance on business school teaching and management practice. Locke and Spender show how business managers who were once well-regarded as custodians of the economic engines vital to our growth and social progress now seem closer to the rapacious "robber barons" of the 1880s. In effect, responsible management has given way to "managerialism," whereby an elite caste of businessmen disconnected from any ethical considerations now call the shots, sending the lives of rest of us "out of balance." The book traces the loss of managers earlier social concerns, amply encouraged by management educations transformation since the 1960s, especially in the US. It also questions not only the social ethics of the US management caste, but its management efficacy compared to systems of management that are highly employee participative and dependent, such as in Germany and Japan. Todays attempts to "bolt on" ethics and social responsibility courses, the authors argue, are mere window-dressing, a public relations move that cannot get to the heart of the matter. Only fundamental reforms in civil society and business schools can really make a difference. A unique, topical, and controversial look at a subject that impacts us all.
Review
"In a brilliant and compelling narrative, Locke and Spender trace the decline of American business after World War Two to the extinction of socially responsible management. This is a truly important book ... definitely a must-read." -- H. Thomas Johnson, Professor of Sustainability Management, Portland State University
Synopsis
Confronting Managerialism offers a scathing critique of the influence of neoclassical economics and modern finance on business school teaching and management practice. Locke and Spender show that responsible management has given way to 'managerialism', whereby an elite caste of businessmen disconnected from any ethical considerations call the shots.
The book traces the loss of managers' earlier social concerns, amply encouraged by management education's transformation since the 1960's, especially in the US. It also questions not only the social ethics of the US management caste but its management efficacy compared to systems of management that are highly employee participatory and dependent, such as in Germany and Japan.
A unique, topical and controversial look at a subject that impacts us all.
Synopsis
Confronting Managerialism offers a scathing critique of the crippling influence of neoclassical economics and modern finance on business school teaching and management practice. In doing so, Locke and Spender show how business managers who were once well-regarded as custodians of the economic engines vital to our growth and social progress now seem closer to the rapacious 'robber barons' of the 1880s. In effect, responsible management has given way to 'managerialism', whereby an elite caste of businessmen disconnected from any ethical considerations now call the shots, sending the lives of the rest of us 'out of balance'. The book traces the loss of managers' earlier social concerns, amply encouraged by management education's transformation since the 1960s, especially in the US. It also questions not only the social ethics of the US management caste but its management efficacy compared to systems of management that are highly employee participative and dependent, such as in Germany and Japan. Today's attempts to 'bolt on' ethics and social responsibility courses, the authors argue, are mere window-dressing, a public relations move that cannot get to the heart of the matter. Only fundamental reforms in civil society and business schools can really make a difference. A unique, topical and controversial look at a subject that impacts us all.
About the Author
Robert R. Locke is Emeritus Professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He is one of the leading international authorities on the contentious subject of management, and the author of numerous books and articles on comparative management and management education. J. C. Spender is a visiting professor in the Center for Business Performance at Cranfield School of Management. Now retired after seven years as a Business School Dean, he works as a consultant, researcher, writer, lecturer, and generally itinerant academic.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Introduction: Managerialism and Business School Education (1920-1970)
1. The Failure of Management Science and the US Business School Model
2. US Managerialsm and Business Schools Fail to Find Their Moral Compass
3. Managerialism and the Decline of the US Automobile Industry
4. Managerialism, Business Schools, and our Financial Crisis
Conclusion: Back to Balance
References