Key Features

• Organized around three key themes:
  • Strategic thinking with explicit focus on determinants of superior organizational performance.
  • Entrepreneurial thinking that goes beyond a traditional definition of “manager” to encompass strategic innovation and effect necessary change.
  • Active management as a guiding leadership perspective that emphasizes personal effectiveness and decision-making practices that are relevant to an increasingly competitive job market and constantly shifting business environment.
• Emphasizes the “triple bottom line” or the idea that successful economic performance should take into account social and environmental impacts of the firm when evaluating outcomes.
• Each chapter is structured around the respected P-O-L-C framework:
  • Planning—setting objectives and determining courses of action.
  • Organizing—developing an organizational structure and allocating human resources to achieve objectives.
  • Leading—inspiring others to act in response to social and informal sources of influence.
  • Controlling—ensuring consistent behaviors that achieve objectives by creating and enforcing standard processes and procedures.
• Rich and useful learning strategies embedded in the book include:
  • Chapter-Opening Tables describe how the P-O-L-C framework applies to the chapter that follows.
  • Learning Objectives start each main section to preview the coming discussion and prepare students to learn.
  • Key Takeaways at the end of every main section to summarize new information while it is still fresh and encourage retention.
  • Discussion Questions at the end of every main section provide critical thinking opportunities for individual students or topics for group exchanges.
  • Rich Media Links to online video sources extend the narrative, provide engaging examples, and appeal to student learning preferences.
  • Case in Point are chapter-ending cases that illustrate concepts discussed in the preceding chapter in real-world contexts.
  • Case Discussion Questions provide structured opportunities for discussion and analysis of the associated Case in Point.  Answer guidelines are provided in the instructor’s manual.