Recommending Books for Purchase (Bulletin 2 - November 2017): Strategic Management

This invaluable book provides the foundations for a new theory of the firm, drawing on Birger Wernerfelt's landmark work on economic theory and the resource-based view of the firm. It addresses a vigorous and long-standing academic debate over what exactly a 'firm' is, both in the field of management and economics. Wernerfelt revisits his classic articles, including an extensively revised 'A Resource-Based View of the Firm' (1984), which have been updated and synthesized to provide precise and accessible concepts and predictions. By offering future directions for research and practice, this book will be of interest to students and scholars of management and economics alike.

Publisher : Cambridge University Press, Price : £22.99 / US$34.99

Now in its second edition, this extended and thoroughly updated handbook introduces researchers and students to the growing range of theoretical and methodological perspectives being developed in the vibrant field of strategy as practice. With new authors and additional chapters, it shows how the strategy as practice approach in strategic management moves away from disembodied and asocial studies of firm assets, technologies and practices to explore and explain the contribution that strategizing makes to people working at all levels of an organization. It breaks down many of the traditional paradigmatic barriers in strategy to investigate who the strategists are, what they do, how they do it, and what the consequences or outcomes of their actions are. This essential work summarizes recent developments in the field while presenting a clear agenda for future research.

Publisher : Cambridge University Press, Price : £26.99 / US$39.99

Many companies are not single businesses but a collection of businesses with one or more levels of corporate management. Written for managers, advisors and students aspiring to these roles, this book is a guide to decision-making in the domain of corporate strategy. It arms readers with research-based tools needed to make good corporate strategy decisions and to assess the soundness of the corporate strategy decisions of others. Readers will learn how to do the analysis for answering questions such as 'Should we pursue an alliance or an acquisition to grow?', 'How much should we integrate this acquisition?' and 'Should we divest this business?'. The book draws on the authors' wealth of research and teaching experience at INSEAD, London Business School and University College London. A range of learning aids, including easy-to-comprehend examples, decision templates and FAQs, are provided in the book and on a rich companion website.

Publisher : Cambridge University Press, Price: £29.99 / US$49.99

The world of Formula 1 is a powerful mirror to the world of management, where high performance relies on strong leadership, clear goals, selfless teamwork, innovation through constant learning and a winning culture. Performance at the Limit: Business Lessons from Formula 1 Motor Racing uses the case of Formula 1 to demonstrate how business can achieve optimal performance in highly competitive and dynamic environments. This third edition has been extensively updated, including a powerful new framework, 'The Performance Pyramid', recent interviews with leading figures in the industry, and a wide range of lessons for improved business practice. It will be an invaluable guide for managers and students of business alike.

Publisher : Cambridge University Press, Price : £39.99 / US$69.99

Recent financial crises have shown that firms need to create more robust business models. However, it seems that the task of developing resilience - a firm's ability to adapt, endure, bounce back and then thrive, despite the shock - appears on most managers' strategic issue list only after such a shock has occurred. Managers, through responsible leadership, can make explicit choices that will enhance their firm's resilience, increasing their chances of anticipating and avoiding these shocks. This book is the result of a three-year research project across seven industries, and is aimed at improving the understanding of why some firms are better than others in dealing with market turbulence. Pirotti and Venzin develop a measure for organizational resilience, identifying resilience drivers and demonstrating how firms can appropriate value from high resilience levels. It is a valuable read for graduates taking a course in strategy and global management and for reflective practitioners.

Publisher : Cambridge University Press, Price : £24.99 / US$34.99