Beyond Certainty: The Changing Worlds of Organizations

A collection of essays on the changing organizational environment addresses the need for more flexibility in management and more freedom for employees to work creatively

In this collection of essays, the British management consultant, social philosopher, and author of The Age of Unreason (LJ 11/15/90), The Age of Paradox (McGraw-Hill, 1994), and Gods of Management (Oxford Univ., 1995) brings together 35 short pieces that reflect his musings on the changing and uncertain world of the future. Handy, who is one of the most graceful and articulate writers on the business scene, discusses some of his favorite themes. These include his belief that federalism will be the organizational structure of the future and that individuals will ultimately have a portfolio of jobs rather than a single career or profession, and the importance of allowing greater freedom for the individual employee. This work is an excellent introduction to this important business and social commentator and is highly recommended for all major collections.?Robert L. Logsdon, Indiana State Univ. Lib., Indianapolis
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Handy is perhaps the leading management thinker in Great Britain today, and he can be compared to Peter Drucker. Handy's Age of Unreason (1989) and Age of Paradox (1994) have found such wide U.S. readership that Gods of Management, his first book, was reissued late last year so it could be introduced over here. Now comes this collection of 35 essays; 31 of these short, thoughtful pieces are new to the U.S., having appeared in the British management journal Director. Handy's constant theme is uncertainty as he considers the nature and culture of work, the paradox of economic growth, the challenge of education, and the role of organizations. David Rouse