Corporate Mobility and Paths to the Top: Studies for Human Resource and Management Development Specialists

This book is the first to present research-based data, rather than opinion, on the subject of executive mobility. J. Benjamin Forbes and James Piercy have brought together ten years of research on various topics, including backgrounds of chief executive officers, early intra-organizational mobility, and backgrounds and placements of female executives, then integrated the results to form an accurate picture of management mobility in today's corporate world. In gathering data on the entire careers of CEOs, Forbes and Piercy looked at a variety of industries, including manufacturing, utility, transportation, banking, insurance, and retailing, as well as the socio-economic backgrounds of these industries' executives.

Throughout the work, the authors deal with specific issues, such as early promotions versus the late bloomer, changing firms or industries to move up more quickly, and the greatest opportunities for women executives. Following an introductory chapter that provides an overview of the current environment and conventional wisdom, Forbes and Piercy offer detailed discussions of starting a career and the importance of early movement; the early competition; and mid-career issues including alternate routes to the top. Subsequent chapters deal with profiles of and projections for female executives; origins and formative years of the chief executive, including education, social status and personal characteristics; and industry differences and changes over time. The work concludes with a discussion of the careers of CEOs in different industries, and a practical look at reforming development and selection and strategically planning an individual career. This work will be a valuable tool for human resource professionals as well as for professionals and students in the management field. Public, academic, and business libraries will also find it to be an important addition to their collections.

J. BENJAMIN FORBES is Professor of Management at John Carroll University in Ohio, and formerly Director of the MBA Program at John Carroll University.

JAMES E. PIERCY is formerly a Professor of Management at John Carroll University.