Author/s: D. Hellriegel, G. Staude, J.W. Slocum, S.E. Jackson, T. Amos, H.B. Klopper, L. Louw, T. Oosthuizen
Publisher: Oxford University Press SA
Reviewed by: GIBS Review (online)
ISBN 13: 9780195982169

Management differentiates itself from other, similar sounding titles (such as Oxford University Press’ ‘Introduction to Business Management’, reviewed in this column in the March 2008 edition of the GIBS Review) by focussing less on the ‘business’ aspect of business management, but rather on what the authors believe to be core responsibilities and the six managerial core competencies of managers (namely self-management, strategic action, global awareness, teamwork, planning and administration and communication).

Covering all the essential aspects of general management and written in a clear and easy style, the book manages to convey what sometimes amounts to relatively complex ideas and concepts presented in an accessible manner. In the process, it also brings to life issues such as ethics, responsible corporate conduct, environmental concerns, HIV/AIDS and BEE in very contemporary and relevant ways.

One would hope that slowly we are seeing the demise of that annoyingly persistent approach to management that dictated that ultimately the best engineer, researcher or accountant is promoted to the next higher managerial position – but that rather, much like in Charan, Drotter and Noel’s ‘leadership pipeline’ model, organisations are starting to recognise that managerial skills are just that: skills; which can and must be learned and developed over time.

The intellectual and academic foundations for that learning process are arguably as important as the guidance, mentorship and experiential learning that will have to follow the classroom sessions. For this purpose ‘Management’ is a most useful starting point, particularly for first-time students of the subject.

Link to online catalogue
Management 3e