Paperback
Contemporary Issues in Management
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.
More Information
Critical Acclaim
Contributors
Contents
More Information
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.
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.
Critical Acclaim
‘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
– 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
Contributors
Contributors: S.B. Emery, S. French, L. Hamilton, P. Johnson, M. Kelemen, D. Knights, A. Mangan, D. McCabe, L. Mitchell, T. Oultram, G. Pearson, B. Schofield, E. Surman, N. Taylor
Contents
Contents:
Introduction
1. The Corruption of Business: A Statement of a Contemporary Problem
Gordon Pearson
2. Ambiguity as Organisational Practice: An American Pragmatist Perspective
Mihaela Kelemen
3. Dignity and Meaningful Work in Organisations
Laura Mitchell
4. Is Paternalism Still Relevant? Changing Culture in a Mutual UK Insurance Company
Darren McCabe and David Knights
5. Youth Employment, Masculinity and Policy
Teresa Oultram
6. Hard Work, Productivity and the Management of the Farmed Environment in Anthropological Perspective
Steven B. Emery
7. Disjointed, Degraded and Divided? A Tale of Dirty Work at the Chicken Factory
Lindsay Hamilton and Darren McCabe
8. Migration into the United Kingdom: Employers and the Function of Migrant Labour
Steve French
9. Interpreting Technology: Telework and the Myth of Liberation
Emma Surman
10. Media as Mediation: Uncertainty and Representation in the Construction of News
Barry Schofield
11. Care of the Underdog: Animals, Culture and the Creation of Moral Certainty in the Rescue Shelter
Nik Taylor and Lindsay Hamilton
12. Where Are the Alternative Organisations in Organisational Behaviour Textbooks?
Anita Mangan
Afterword
Phil Johnson
Glossary
Index
Introduction
1. The Corruption of Business: A Statement of a Contemporary Problem
Gordon Pearson
2. Ambiguity as Organisational Practice: An American Pragmatist Perspective
Mihaela Kelemen
3. Dignity and Meaningful Work in Organisations
Laura Mitchell
4. Is Paternalism Still Relevant? Changing Culture in a Mutual UK Insurance Company
Darren McCabe and David Knights
5. Youth Employment, Masculinity and Policy
Teresa Oultram
6. Hard Work, Productivity and the Management of the Farmed Environment in Anthropological Perspective
Steven B. Emery
7. Disjointed, Degraded and Divided? A Tale of Dirty Work at the Chicken Factory
Lindsay Hamilton and Darren McCabe
8. Migration into the United Kingdom: Employers and the Function of Migrant Labour
Steve French
9. Interpreting Technology: Telework and the Myth of Liberation
Emma Surman
10. Media as Mediation: Uncertainty and Representation in the Construction of News
Barry Schofield
11. Care of the Underdog: Animals, Culture and the Creation of Moral Certainty in the Rescue Shelter
Nik Taylor and Lindsay Hamilton
12. Where Are the Alternative Organisations in Organisational Behaviour Textbooks?
Anita Mangan
Afterword
Phil Johnson
Glossary
Index
