'Image and Logic'
'Managers not MBAs'
'The Unberable Lightness of Being'
'Transnational Governance'
'On Bullshit'
'Derrida - A Biography'
'Can We Put an End to Sweatshop?'
Peter Galison 'Image and Logic'
A must-read if you are interested in the history of science and have some doubts about the objectivity of 'given' facts. I think the concept of 'trading zones' between scientists is especially valuable to foster further thinking on how collaboration between scientists with different disciplinary backgrounds could possibly look like. Since Galison's background is physics, most examples refer to the history of physics. Nevertheless, I think you do not need to have studied physics in order to understand his arguments.
A must-read if you are interested in the history of science and have some doubts about the objectivity of 'given' facts. I think the concept of 'trading zones' between scientists is especially valuable to foster further thinking on how collaboration between scientists with different disciplinary backgrounds could possibly look like. Since Galison's background is physics, most examples refer to the history of physics. Nevertheless, I think you do not need to have studied physics in order to understand his arguments.
Henry Mintzberg 'Managers not MBAs'
One of the more recent books by Henry Mintzberg - almost a classic, although it has not been on the market that long. To make a long story short: Mintzberg questions traditional-style management education; especially the used methods (e.g., cases teaching) and the way students are chosen for MBA programs (e.g., via the GMAT test). From my perspective, this is a definite must-read for anyone who is in the business of educating (future) managers. After all, management education is more about experienced reflection that learning loads of PowerPoint slides and reading even more loads of cases studies in which data is given, information known, the setting clear, and students, in consequence, often feel like they 'master' the situation.
One of the more recent books by Henry Mintzberg - almost a classic, although it has not been on the market that long. To make a long story short: Mintzberg questions traditional-style management education; especially the used methods (e.g., cases teaching) and the way students are chosen for MBA programs (e.g., via the GMAT test). From my perspective, this is a definite must-read for anyone who is in the business of educating (future) managers. After all, management education is more about experienced reflection that learning loads of PowerPoint slides and reading even more loads of cases studies in which data is given, information known, the setting clear, and students, in consequence, often feel like they 'master' the situation.
Milan Kundera ''The Unberable Lightness of Being'
OK, that is a real classic. Ironically, it can explain more of business than most textbooks. It is about the contingency, complexity, and irony of life - three things that anyone, not only managers, should be able to reflect on. I think you need to read this book several times - it is multi-layered and with every reading you discover some new layers. Also an excellent book for everyone who is lovesick (or at least thinks he is).
OK, that is a real classic. Ironically, it can explain more of business than most textbooks. It is about the contingency, complexity, and irony of life - three things that anyone, not only managers, should be able to reflect on. I think you need to read this book several times - it is multi-layered and with every reading you discover some new layers. Also an excellent book for everyone who is lovesick (or at least thinks he is).
Marie-Laure Djelic and Kerstin Sahlin-Andersson 'Transnational Governance'
An excellent edited volume on global governance and transnational regulation taking up many recently discussed issues like soft regulation and public accountability. I think this book is an essential reading since it sheds light on many different aspects of a complex phenomenon. If we understand transnational governance as the interplay between global actors (e.g., NGOs, business), global problems, and global rules to solve these problems, this book represents a balanced and much-needed perspective.
An excellent edited volume on global governance and transnational regulation taking up many recently discussed issues like soft regulation and public accountability. I think this book is an essential reading since it sheds light on many different aspects of a complex phenomenon. If we understand transnational governance as the interplay between global actors (e.g., NGOs, business), global problems, and global rules to solve these problems, this book represents a balanced and much-needed perspective.
Harry G. Frankfurt 'On Bullshit'
An excellent discussion of a very widespread phenomenon. Contrary to liars, bullshitters convey a certain impression of themselves without being concerned about whether anything at all is true. There are many bullshitters around, the best known probably politicians. Yet, I think it also possible to apply Frankfurt's thinking to 'management fashions' which, strictly speaking, also represent bullshit. So, here is another research opportunity...
An excellent discussion of a very widespread phenomenon. Contrary to liars, bullshitters convey a certain impression of themselves without being concerned about whether anything at all is true. There are many bullshitters around, the best known probably politicians. Yet, I think it also possible to apply Frankfurt's thinking to 'management fashions' which, strictly speaking, also represent bullshit. So, here is another research opportunity...
Jason Powell 'Derrida - A Biography'
We all waited quite some time for a Derrida biography. Although Powell's major focus is on the works of Derrida, he also discusses how his works relate to his life. I think it is worth reading for those who have knowledge about the philosophy of Derrida (or 'deconstruction' as some people call it). For beginners the book might be a little too much since Powell is not wasting any time on explaining concepts/theory, etc. Nevertheless, an excellent book!
We all waited quite some time for a Derrida biography. Although Powell's major focus is on the works of Derrida, he also discusses how his works relate to his life. I think it is worth reading for those who have knowledge about the philosophy of Derrida (or 'deconstruction' as some people call it). For beginners the book might be a little too much since Powell is not wasting any time on explaining concepts/theory, etc. Nevertheless, an excellent book!
Archon Fung, Dara O'Rourke and Charles Sabel 'Can We Put an End to Sweatshops?'
This book was recommended to me and I really liked reading it. The authors propose a model called 'ratcheting labor standards' that is based not only on sanctions but also on increased transparency and competiive comparison. Given that sweatshops are still a huge problem, the authors' suggestion to publish the results of NGO-monitoring more widely to foster public discussion sounds very reasonable. From my perspective, this approach comes close to a deliberative democracy model that rests on public discussions and not on top-down sanctions by the state.
This book was recommended to me and I really liked reading it. The authors propose a model called 'ratcheting labor standards' that is based not only on sanctions but also on increased transparency and competiive comparison. Given that sweatshops are still a huge problem, the authors' suggestion to publish the results of NGO-monitoring more widely to foster public discussion sounds very reasonable. From my perspective, this approach comes close to a deliberative democracy model that rests on public discussions and not on top-down sanctions by the state.