Human Resources and the Firm in International Perspective (The International Library of Critical Writings in Business History series)

A key element in the development and competitiveness of businesses rest on the management and enhancement of 'human resource'. Although it is a subject very much in vogue, the organisation of human resources is too rarely grounded in the relevant historical and comparative contexts which shape their practice. Furthermore, there is a need to counter the over-simplistic 'one best way' views and management exhortation so common to this topic, and historical comparisons offer insight into the nature, scale and long-term impact of trends, whilst uncovering the complex interaction of differing circumstance and 'optimum practice'.

This important new two volume set presents key reading in paternalism and industrial welfare; employee relations and the professionalisation of management; Taylorism and flexibility: technological change and the division of labour; industrial training and skills; and labour and politics are covered in a theoretically informed and critical fashion.

Edited by Robert Fitzgerald, Senior Lecturer in Business History, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK and Christopher Rowley, Faculty of Management, Cass Business School, City of London University, UK