Book Description
Praise for THE SCIENCE OF SUCCESS
"Evaluating the success of an individual or company is a lot like judging a trapper by his pelts. Charles Koch has a lot of pelts. He has built Koch Industries into the world's largest privately held company, and this book is an insider's guide to how he did it. Koch has studied how markets work for decades, and his commitment to pass that knowledge on will inspire entrepreneurs for generations to come."
—T. Boone Pickens
"A must-read for entrepreneurs and corporate executives that is also applicable to the wider world. MBM is an invaluable tool for engendering excellence for all groups, from families to nonprofit entities. Government leaders could avoid policy failures by heeding the science of human behavior."
—Richard L. Sharp, Chairman, CarMax
"My father, Sam Walton, stressed the importance of fundamental principles—such as humility, integrity, respect, and creating value—that are the foundation for success. No one makes a better case for these principles than Charles Koch."
—Rob Walton, Chairman, Wal-Mart
"What accounts for Koch Industries' spectacular success? Charles Koch calls it Market-Based Management: a vision that nurtures personal qualities of humility and integrity that build trust and the confidence to enhance future success through learning from failure, and a culture of thinking in terms of opportunity cost and comparative advantage for all employees."
—Vernon Smith, 2002 Nobel laureate in economics
"In a very thoughtful, creative, and understandable way, Charles Koch explains how he has used the science of human behavior to create a culture that has produced one of the world's largest and most successful private companies. A must-read for anyone interested in creating value."
—William B. Harrison Jr., Former Chairman and CEO, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
"The same exacting thought, rooted in the realities of human nature, that the framers of the U.S. Constitution put into building a nation of entrepreneurs, Charles Koch has framed to build an enduring company of entrepreneurs—a company larger than Microsoft, Dell, HP, and other giants. Every entrepreneur should study this book."
—Verne Harnish, founder, Young Entrepreneurs' Organization, author of Mastering the Rockefeller Habits, CEO, Gazelles Inc.
Customer Reviews:
The Science of Success.......2007-09-30
I really enjoyed this book as you get to get into the mind of Charles Koch. I would have given it a 5 star, except I felt he could have added more substance to the book.
Amy Buick.......2007-09-16
The Science of Success packages a lifelong study of the conditions that support or conversely, stymie greater prosperity for all, adding a new dimension to the definition of corporate responsibility. I will continue to recommend this book to young, promising entrepreneurs who not only seek success but more importantly desire to add value to society.
Management Philosophies and Methods of a Successful Long-Term Leader.......2007-09-04
The privately held Koch companies have compounded their book value by about 20 percent a year since 1967, an enviable record that's made even more impressive by realizing the diversified nature of the enterprises the companies include. At the time of the writing, the combined firms account for $90 billion in annual revenues and employ 80,000 people in 60 countries. That's big-league success. What's more remarkable is that the author, Charles G. Koch, has headed these operations for 40 years while this success was accomplished. When Mr. Koch speaks, wise people should listen.
In The Science of Success, Mr. Koch describes the management philosophy and methods he has employed to direct his organizations. A well-read and thoughtful engineer, Mr. Koch's methods are not unique to him, nor are they originated by him. Rather the philosophies and methods are ones that he has combined in a novel way that few companies pursue.
Mr. Koch is a bigger thinker than that, seeing his methods (Market-Based Management) as a stepping stone between how individual performance can be improved and how liberty can free societies to accomplish more.
In focusing on Market-Based Management, Mr. Koch describes five key elements that need to be combined with one another for full effectiveness:
1. Vision (using experimentation to improve value delivered for customers based on a sense of what the best opportunities are and what the organization can most effectively accomplish)
2. Virtue and Talents (attract and retain people who want to follow the right principles with appropriate talents for the tasks)
3. Knowledge Processes (systematically add to, disseminate, and apply knowledge related to profitability)
4. Decision Rights (encourage people to become better decision makers after they have developed their skills and to be accountable for the decisions they make)
5. Incentives (reward employees as much as possible by the long-term value they have helped deliver for the organization)
Several things are noteworthy about the book that will interest you. Today, many organizations have "vision statements" which encourage everyone to do good while doing well. Mr. Koch finds that statements inadequate: He encourages instead that employees find out what improvements will expand sales and profits the most and focus on those . . . that's what he means by vision. Back when strategic planning was being formulated, that was the original meaning of vision . . . a meaning that's mostly been lost since then. I endorse Mr. Koch's view as an important one.
Another of Mr. Koch's valuable perspectives is to measure by opportunity cost: When you picked up a dime while a $5 bill rolled by, you didn't gain a dime . . . you lost $4.90. In today's quarter-by-quarter drive for profits among public companies, opportunity cost is all but ignored. That's a major mistake.
Mr. Koch is also a believer in being sure that the message is heard and understood. He points out how often when introducing new practices that no improvements followed because people didn't understand the purposes of the initiatives.
I found his concern about how success hobbles organizations matches my own research on the stalls (bad mental models and habits) that plague successful organizations . . . and turn them into unsuccessful organizations.
If you decide to read only one book about how to be an effective business leader this year, I encourage you to make it this one.
I also suggest you go further and visit Mr. Koch's company. You won't really understand what he's talking about until you see people applying this management philosophy.
Bravo, Mr. Koch!
A Distinct Worldview .......2007-08-06
Before reading The Science of Success, I had heard of Koch Industries and Charles Koch in passing, but had never really thought about the company, its people or, most importantly, their philosophy. After reading it, however, I've come to understand, just a bit, why Koch and his company are so successful in every way.
His Market-Based Management is much more than a recipe for success. It's a distinct, ethical and principled worldview in a world and age often lacking in well-thought out and much-less adhered to worldviews. I am not a businessman and work for myself. Nevertheless I found The Science of Success far more than just a book which explains why the company is so successful. The worldview expounded upon by Koch involves an understanding of history, human nature, the economy, culture and politics, among others. He draws on these as he explains, in greater detail, his Market-Based Management and how it applies to Koch Industries. But I believe it can be applied not only to business, but individuals as well and how we live our lives. The subjects of vision, virtue and talents, knowledge processes, decision rights and incentives (the five dimensions which make up MBM), can all be applied to us as we go about our busy lives, in our interactions with family, friends, co-workers, bosses, and others. It is this philosophy which makes The Science of Success an important read to those wanting to make a positive impact on the world around them.
Integrating Theory and Practice.......2007-08-06
By putting complex philosophical ideas into a practical context, Charles Koch's primer for prosperity demonstrates that voluntary exchange and individual responsibility are at the heart of success. Koch recognizes that his investment is in people--and that encouraging each employee find his inner entrepreneur creates value for the organization. Businessmen and bureaucrats alike will benefit from Koch's reasoned and readable discussion of how markets foster transformation, innovation, and ultimately, a freer society.
Book Description
This market leading text offers proven, comprehensive, applications-oriented approach. Written by authors who are highly regarded in the field, the text provides sound methodological development. The discussion and development of each technique is presented in an application setting, with the statistical results providing insights to decisions and solutions to problems. Statistics for Business and Economics, 9e offers proven accuracy that has led instructors to adopt it simply for its superior examples and exercises alone.
Customer Reviews:
Covers all the bases without unnecessary verbage!.......2006-11-03
Very good text for any statistics student. Clear and concise explanations. Ten times better than the text I used in undergrad by Newbold.
Great starter book.......2006-10-24
Basic information is all covered in the book. Great if you are taking AP Statistics or a statistics course in your undergrads.
Not Too Bad.......2006-08-03
I have a basic statistics background before I read this book. For me, the book is useful for my basic quantitative research. Last few chapters apply the statistics rules in earlier chapters to the real business environment, which I think it's really practical and interesting. The most I like in this book is the practice questions at the end of each chapter, which apply to everyone's daily life. However, first four chapters cover too many unnecessary topics.
This book requires outside help!.......2006-06-03
This book tends to jump off topic (most aren't explained well). For example, they talk about one thing but the exercises are a bit different than the chapter's topic. Most of the information isn't fully explained. If you are in a class where the instructor assigns the exercise questions for homework, you are screwed. You may not know what to do unless you seek outside help (study guide, tutor etc.) or read beyond the chapter.
A very interesting book... for those who understand statistics.......2006-05-28
The book has a lot of examples and is a must have for those majoring in Finance. Some Universities use this for Intro to Statistics and this book is very didactic. The way it's written out in a form that takes you a another level of reading which makes you feel you're in a rainbow... a reading rainbow... Anway... The book has answers in the back so it's good enough for whenever the professor assigns Homework.
Book Description
An Easy To Read Introduction To The Theory Of Change Management That Focuses On What Works. --This text refers to the paperback edition of this title
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Primer.......2007-09-13
For those that are just beginning their quest of appreciative inquiry - this is a great primer. Good text to share with employees prior to the beginning of a organization orientation.
Raises an interesting idea.......2007-05-12
This book was a required text for one of my graduate school classes. The refreshing thing about it is that it's a quick read and very easy to understand. Hammond raises the very interesting idea that instead of looking at problems from a "how do we remedy our weaknesses" standpoint, she offers that we should capitalize on our strengths. We should figure out what we do well, and then work through our strengths to improve our performance and organizational environment. That's really as far as you need to go with this book. Hammond's explanation of her theory is extremely common sense. If you're still unsure how her theory could be applied in or impact the workplace, perhaps you should read this book. Otherwise, you could probably just use your imagination.
Straight to the point.......2006-03-20
I bought this book on a recommendation of a lecturer at a recent conference. He said that this was the first book to buy if one wants to learn about AI. He was right. The author is straight to the point. The material is easy to digest. The examples are applicable. Because of this book, I can immediately put AI to use in developing better teams and groups.
Quantifiable Appreciation.......2006-02-21
Recently, I attended a monthly meeting for professional coaches where the speaker made a presentation on Appreciative Inquiry. He passed around many books on the subject as he continued his talk. I was impressed enough with Sue Hammond's Thin Book of Appreciative Inquiry to go right home and order it. I am not usually one who cares for national bestsellers, but in this case... I can see why. It is a valuable tool for any coach, mentor or anyone in life who seeks a better, clearer understanding of how to appreciate life, work, people, everything really. Learning to appreciate makes a quantifiable difference in your life and times.
Hammond writes with an easy style, touching on most aspects of positive thinking and behaviors that can and will make a difference immediately in whatever you do and how you work with family, friends, co-workers.
The focus is on "what is working?" not what is the problem. To me, it's a much better place to start, automatically gives us a leg-up to feel good about something that is already positive.
Highly recommended!
Thank you Sue Hammond.
Pie Dumas - Author & Life Coach
Helps Create Possibilities.......2005-09-10
I use this book in my coaching business. The book is a great source of usable information that can be easily understood. Hammond includes tips that can help shift one's thinking in a positive way. If we could all operate in the manner she describes we would be better leaders (at any level).
Amazon.com
Until the early '90s, project management was definitely located somewhere near the unsexy end of the business spectrum. But now, with the rise of downsizing and outsourcing, it has become one of the hot disciplines. Professional membership of the U.S.-based Project Management Institute has quadrupled in the last decade, and Microsoft claimed recently to have over 2 million users worldwide of its project-management software. The reasons for this growth are simple. Project management is about managing "projects," that is, unique pieces of work (as opposed to ongoing operations). Downsizing, outsourcing, and the accelerating pace of change have meant that, increasingly, work is carried out on an ad-hoc, one-off project basis. The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management is designed as an advanced textbook for businesspeople with a grasp of the basics and insufficient time (or inclination) to go back to school to learn more. Written by Eric Verzuh, president of the Versatile Company, a leading project-management consultancy, this is not a heavy academic text.
Like the rest of the Fast Forward series, this book is designed to let the reader extract maximum information in minimum time. There is a strong use of graphics with tables, charts cross-heads, and bullet points. Important passages are flagged in bold and/or emblazoned with the words key concept. When you read it, you realize that there is nothing magical about project management, just the application of careful common sense. The book covers all the basic stuff like planning, time-tabling, quantity and price estimation, resource allocation, and scheduling. But it also acknowledges that there is inevitably a political dimension to every project, no matter how small. So it has important sections on how to ensure that all the stakeholders in the project are kept "on board" and the importance of communication.
As Verzuh states in his introduction, "Every project participant from part-time team member to executive sponsor, becomes more effective once he or she understands the basics of project management." Really, this is a book about management that every manager should read, whether he or she has a project or not. --Alex Benady
Book Description
An updated and revised edition of a bestselling guide to project management
The first edition of The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management sold over 100,000 copies and has been widely adopted in university courses and corporate training programs around the world. The book teaches the basic methods for defining, planning, and tracking a project, as well as techniques for leading and building strong project teams.
This new edition includes:
- Downloadable, customizable project management forms
- Study aids for passing the popular Project Management Professional certification exam
- Guidelines for building high-performance project teams
- New examples of project management at work in the 21st century
Eric Verzuh (Seattle, WA) is certified by the Project Management Institute and is President of The Versatile Company, which delivers project management training and consulting services to such companies as Adobe Systems, Inc., GE, Lockheed Martin, Nordstrom, and the United States Postal Service. He is also the author of The Portable MBA in Project Management (0-471-26899-2), from Wiley.
Download Description
An updated and revised edition of a bestselling guide to project management The first edition of The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management sold over 100,000 copies and has been widely adopted in university courses and corporate training programs around the world. The book teaches the basic methods for defining, planning, and tracking a project, as well as techniques for leading and building strong project teams. This new edition includes: - Downloadable, customizable project management forms - Study aids for passing the popular Project Management Professional certification exam - Guidelines for building high-performance project teams - New examples of project management at work in the 21st century Eric Verzuh (Seattle, WA) is certified by the Project Management Institute and is President of The Versatile Company, which delivers project management training and consulting services to such companies as Adobe Systems, Inc., GE, Lockheed Martin, Nordstrom, and the United States Postal Service. He is also the author of The Portable MBA in Project Management (0-471-26899-2), from Wiley.
Customer Reviews:
Great as an introduction to Project Management.......2007-09-05
Great book as an introduction to Project Management.
Well organized, not too dry and easy to read. Includes most of the important topics from this area, busines cases, downloadable forms and helpful checklist as tools to manage projects, meetings, communication etc.
The book was exactly what I expected after reading comments before buying it.
introduction to project management.......2007-02-24
good book. it gives the idea of managing projects effectively. anyone can read the book and get the things in compact.
Algin Erozan, PMP
Useful Book, But Not for PMP.......2007-01-28
This is a useful book on project management: has some useful templates which you can also download from the website. It's easy to read. But, the editorial reviews of this book represent the recent trend to link each PM book to PMI and to its certification PMP. In my opinion, this book is not compatible with the PMI's approach to project management, and therefore is not useful for the PMP exam preparation. Here is the difference: PMI's approach is based on best practices, while this book's approach is based on one person or one school of thought on PM, which is not necessarily a bad thing.
The discipline of project management has come a long way on the path of maturity. So, if you are looking for a project management book based on best practices and global standards, or if you are looking for the PMP exam preparation material, this is NOT the right book for you.
Exceptional Resource.......2006-11-07
The book was concise, well organized and highlighted all the concepts associated with Project Management.
I would recommend to anyone embarking on Program Management career
Very good, practical book on PM.......2006-10-29
It has not new, but practical content. The way the author explain things is very clear. I use it as a guide to everyday work.
One of the best things on this book are the templates it has for the most important documents in Project Management. This templates are online also, so you can download and use them.
It has plenty of diagrams, tips, key concepts and warnings that make the reading very easy and the concepts very understandable.
The author doesn't get into deep discussion neither on quality nor risk subjects. Don't spect to learn about earned value with this book.
Don't spect either to have a very nice presentation or high quality pages, instead select this book for it's content.
Book Description
Work in the 21st Century is the highly regarded, and most current and engaging, text for the industrial and organizational psychology course. Combining leading research, consulting, and teaching expertise, Frank Landy and Jeff Conte provide students with up-to-date examples and cases that link current research and theory to practical issues in the workplace. Students will gain familiarity with I-O psychology concepts and become critical evaluators of contemporary issues and research, allowing their education to carry them well past the conclusion of the course.A number of themes recur throughout the text to underscore the multifaceted nature of work including the increase in cross-cultural and multinational work, the diversification of workforces, the increased importance of teams, and the increased complexity of the technical and organizational aspects of work.Key features:Modular approach: contains self-contained sections within chapters, for maximum teaching flexibilityCutting-edge topics and research coverage: includes the Five Factor Theory of Personality, the Big Eight theory of competencies, emotional intelligence, culture and emotions, genetics and job satisfaction, achieving balance between work and non-work, stress and violence, measuring motivation, integrity testing, entrepreneurship, computer-based assessment, male vs. female leaders, cross-cultural teams, bullying, and moreEmphasis on critical thinking: supplementary critical thinking questions present situations and ask students to apply the principles and concepts they have learned in that sectionCase studies and boxes: cases provide concrete examples of the issues involved in work and behavior in various applied settingsClear, articulate explanations: concise prose and interesting examples make the book accessible to a wide range of studentsAncillaries: these include Instructor 's Manual, Test Bank, Study Guide, PowerPoint slides, and a dedicated website at www.blackwellpublishing.com/landyconte2e
Customer Reviews:
Work in the 21st Century: An Introduction to Industrial & Organizational Psychology.......2007-05-13
Great book. Very informative--at least as part of a class--with interesting side-line items as well.
21 Century an intro to industrial and organizational psychology.......2005-09-26
sent in good amount of time and book in good condition
Average customer rating:
- Simplistic description - poorly written
- THE textbook for basic TRIZ education
- Interesting
- A brilliant model of problem solving
|
Simplified TRIZ: New Problem-Solving Applications for Engineers & Manufacturing Professionals
Kalevi Rantanen , and
Ellen Domb
Manufacturer: CRC
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Book Description
As customers and shareholders demand better products faster, more pressure is felt by technical professionals to develop it now and develop it right the first time. Considered the breakthrough design and inventive problem-solving approach of the past 100 years, TRIZ is a unique, algorithmic approach to problem solving that allows engineers, planners and managers to formulate the best possible solutions for technical systems problems and predict future product needs based on technology evolution and competitive advantages. Developed in Russia, the popularity of TRIZ is now spreading to Europe, the United States, and Japan, but until now no comprehensive, comprehensible treatment of the topic has been available in English. Simplified TRIZ: New Problem Solving Applications for Engineers and Manufacturing Professionals not only demystifies TRIZ, but it also shows how it can be used in new ways to enhance Six Sigma, Constraints Management, Supply Chain Management, QFD, and Taguchi methods to gain innovative and technological competitive advantages. This practical how-to guide teaches you how to solve problems creatively, and more importantly, shows you how to find and foresee the evolution of problems in the future. It provides many exercises, worksheets, and tables to further illustrate the concepts of this multinational method. Implement the same problem-solving tool that many Fortune 500 companies are already using with Simplified TRIZ.
Customer Reviews:
Simplistic description - poorly written.......2006-10-05
The method itself is extremely interesting, unfortunately the authors repeat the same examples over and over again. Very annoying. The style borders on boring. I would recommend definitely reading the book from Savransky as a much better example of TRIZ
THE textbook for basic TRIZ education.......2005-10-27
Simplified TRIZ provides the theoretical foundation for the beginner to learn the practical application of the TRIZ methodology. Domb and Rantanen present a cohesive and structured breakdown of the basic components of TRIZ: the Ideal Final Result and Ideality, Contradiction Theory, Resources, and the Patterns of Evolution. The book's importance is such that I use it as a supporting text for my basic TRIZ curriculum. The students find it easy to understand as well as demonstrative enough to teach application.
Dr. Domb's credibility (international TRIZ evangelist and editor of the TRIZ Journal, www.triz-journal.com) in the quality and innovation communities is such that this book MUST be studied if you are serious about TRIZ.
Interesting.......2005-08-02
I found the book very interesting, even if I was not able to apply it to real problems we face yet.
A brilliant model of problem solving.......2003-07-05
Using a perfect model, this books first introduces characteristics of GOOD solutions, then step by step, it describes triz problem solving tools (and strategy development tools as well) all integrated into each other.
As stated in the title, it's a simplified book so you can't find some advanced tools like su-field modeling in it.
Book Description
It is essential to have a thorough understanding of economic information and to be able to grasp fully the real implications of the economic indicators referred to in business reports and by the media. This guide is, above all, a practical work that clearly explains the underlying economic realities of today's world. Fully updated and revised, this sixth edition is an invaluable reference for those in business, the financial markets, or government, and a necessary resource for students. Written for the nonspecialist, this accessible guide explains how to understand and interpret all that main economic indicators that relate to: GDP and GNI (GNP); Growth, trends and cycles; Population, employment, unemployment; Government; Investment and savings; Industry and commerce; Balance of payments; Exchange rates; and Money and financial markets.
Customer Reviews:
Nice handy guide .......2006-03-03
I wish I would have had it during Macroeconomics class for a reference.
A reference guide.......2006-03-01
I expected a guide that would assist in determining where we were in the business cycle. This wasn't really it. The book is structured more like an encyclopedia - analyzing each indicator in detail and in isolation. A fine addition to anyone's economic reference books, but disappointed me by failing to treat the economy as an organic whole.
If only economics were that easy.......2004-02-09
True to the style of The Economist, this book makes everything seem easier than it really is. However, for people who spend too much time thinking about economic issues, this is actually rather refreshing, much like a cold beer after a long day's work.
Some examples: "In the long term, the growth in economic output depends on the number of people working and output per worker (productivity)" (Page 41); Or "In general, the more optimistic consumers are, the more likely they are to spend money. This boosts consumer spending and economic output" (Page 93)...
...One begins to yearn for the days where economics was more of an explanatory and less a mathematical science.
The guide is divided into a number of chapters discussing issues and examples related to
- How economic activity is calculated, and what the main indicators GDP/GNP/NNI capture and do not capture, as well as what changes in these indicators or their components mean.
- Employment indicators such as employment by sector or the unemployment rate
- Balance of payments and fiscal indicators, such as tax revenue or budget deficit
- Consumer indicators, such as disposable income or consumer confidence and their significance
- Investment and savings indicators, such as investment intentions or sales/inventory ratios
- Business indicators, including business conditions, auto sales, construction orders and other common stats
- Exchange rates and financial market indicators, such as interest rates and money supply.
- Prices and wages, like the effect of oil price changes, among others
Coverage of the most common and widely available indicators is fairly comprehensive. Given the simplicity of the book, it is better to have a certain level of economic knowledge and opinion to be able to put the content in context. Not much different to reading The Economist, really.
A good reference guide for understanding economic indicators.......2000-09-20
The book itself will be of great use for those analysts who evaluate country risk analysis. Economic indicators sometimes tend to be hard to understand, but this guide makes them easy to comprehend and relate to each other.
A good purchase.......2000-06-11
As the title says, this book can help you make sense of economic indicators. The more you know, the easier it is for you to understand the economical aspects of society, and this seemed to add a lot more to my knowledge, and it clarified other thoughts.
Average customer rating:
- Great perspective on questionnaire fundamentals
- The definitive questionnaire design book
- Dry and Outdated
|
Asking Questions: The Definitive Guide to Questionnaire Design -- For Market Research, Political Polls, and Social and Health Questionnaires
Norman M. Bradburn ,
Seymour Sudman , and
Brian Wansink
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ASIN: 0787970883 |
Book Description
Since it was first published more than twenty-five years ago, Asking Questions has become a classic guide for designing questionnaires?the most widely used method for collecting information about peoples attitudes and behavior. An essential tool for market researchers advertisers, pollsters, and social scientists, this thoroughly updated and definitive work combines time-proven techniques with the most current research, findings, and methods. The book presents a cognitive approach to questionnaire design and includes timely information on the Internet and electronic resources. Comprehensive and concise, Asking Questions can be used to design questionnaires for any subject area, whether administered by telephone, online, mail, in groups, or face-to-face. The book describes the design process from start to finish and is filled with illustrative examples from actual surveys.
Customer Reviews:
Great perspective on questionnaire fundamentals.......2006-11-15
This edition offers insight about the building blocks of questionnaire development, and more importantly, getting to the right answers. A good focus on the fundamentals and a valuable resource.
The definitive questionnaire design book.......2006-08-16
This book is a tremendous resource for any social science research methodology course. It should be used as a stand-alone text for a questionnaire design course or as core reading material for a general research methodology class (undergraduate or graduate). As a social scientist, I have used it to successfully create web-based questionnaires that have received great response rates, which I believe are a direct result of the depth and breadth of the knowledge conveyed in the book. In addition, the text itself is easy to understand, interesting, and intellectually stimulating (qualities that are lacking in many other questionnaire design books).
Dry and Outdated.......2006-03-02
I found this book to be a bit dry and behind the times, especially in terms of using the Web for surveys. There's also not much about polling. Unfortunately, that was my main reason for buying it. It is one of the few books out there about surveys and polls and there is some helpful information, but I will have to look elsewhere for my needs.
Book Description
Max Weber's Economy and Society is the greatest sociological treatise written in this century. Published posthumously in Germany in the early 1920's, it has become a constitutive part of the modern sociological imagination. Economy and Society was the first strictly empirical comparison of social structures and normative orders in world-historical depth, containing the famous chapters on social action, religion, law, bureaucracy, charisma, the city, and the political community with its dimensions of class, status and power.
Economy and Status is Weber's only major treatise for an educated general public. It was meant to be a broad introduction, but in its own way it is the most demanding textbook yet written by a sociologist. The precision of its definitions, the complexity of its typologies and the wealth of its historical content make the work a continuos challenge at several levels of comprehension: for the advanced undergraduate who gropes for his sense of society, for the graduate student who must develop his own analytical skills, and for the scholar who must match wits with Weber.
When the long-awaited first complete English edition of Economy and Society was published in 1968, Arthur Stinchcombe wrote in the American Journal of Sociology: "My answer to the question of whether people should still start their sociological intellectual biographies with Economy and Society is yes." Reinhard Bendix noted in the American Sociological Review that the "publication of a compete English edition of Weber's most systematic work [represents] the culmination of a cultural transmission to the American setting...It will be a study-guide and compendium for years to come for all those interested in historical sociology and comparative study."
In a lengthy introduction, Guenther Roth traces the intellectual prehistory of Economy and Society, the gradual emergence of its dominant themes and the nature of its internal logic.
Mr. Roth is a Professor of Sociology at Columbia University. Mr. Wittich heads an economic research group at the United Nations.
Customer Reviews:
classic.......2007-01-05
Weber is great, so is this book. You can find the most origins of modern thoughts in his book
A Classic .......2005-05-06
This is an uncommly brilliant work in social theory and sociology. Moreover, economic sociology was founded through "Economy and Society", especially its second chapter ("Sociological Categories of Economic Action") which is the size of a small book (approx. 200 pages).
The general theoretical approach of Weber can be characterized as one of "interpretive economic sociology", that is, as a type of economic sociology in which the concept of "meaning" is at the very center of the explanatory exercise.
Social action (to follow Ch. 1) is defined as a type of behavior to which meaning is attached ("action"), and which is oriented to the behavior of others ("social"). Economic sociology consequently deals with "economic social action".
"Economy and Society" was part of a larger work entitled "Handbook of Social Economics", which included volumess on "Economy and Nature", "Economy and Technology" - and "Economy and Society". In his work Weber explores such topics as "economy and law", "economy and religion", "economy and politics", and much more.
The work "Economy and Society", finally, is a bric-a-brac. Weber himself only sent 4 chs to the printer (=Chs 1-4). The rest of the 2 volumes consists of manuscripts that his wife and economist Melchior Palyi put together, pretty much as they saw fit. Caution is consequently necessary when reading "Economy and Society"; and this work should not be treated as "a book" by Weber.
comment of a comment made four years ago.......2004-03-30
I expect this comment is going to be useful, if at all, only to first year graduate students, so it'll be understandable if it's not rated very highly.... Anyway, just a quick note on Mr. Jack White's comment of April 11, 2000. One thing that Max Weber's Economy and Society is NOT, is a foundational text for structural-functionalism. That honor would probably go to Emile Durkheim's The Division of Labor in Society-- to be followed oh-so many years later by seminal works of Americans Talcott Parsons and Robert K. Merton. I'm not sure what Mr. White was thinking, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't about classical sociological theory.
What??.......2004-03-23
I'm a little confused. I purchased this book because of it's comprehensiveness (1400+ pages of work by Weber), but when the book arrived, it was only about 700 pages long. Am I missing something here? If I paid $20 for a used 1400 page copy and receive a 700 page book, should I only be charged $10? Strange.
ES and Schluchter's developmental history.......2003-10-10
It seems that many people comment this book with the difficulty to read and the bad organization. However, I want to suggest that after read Schluchter's 'The Rise of Western Rationalism', you will know more about why Weber's writings are in this style. Simply speaking, it links to Weber's view of History, and if he want to elaborate the history in a approiate way, not a simple linear evolutionary way, he had to demonstrate the whole picture--or in Schluchter's word, 'basic configuration'--of history. History, in this case the rise of Rationalism, is not compose solely by few influential events, but also related to the others. Those 'significant historical events' are only the consequence of the competition between ideas and historical events, therefore, Weber wanted to explain why the configuration favour the rise of western rationalism, so he must concern all elements constitute the history. That is, Weber showed us the conditions and the process of competition within or among the many spheres, I think that is why Weber had to use this seems fragmented writing style.
Book Description
The definitive resource for anyone developing and launching evaluation programs in organizations.
From new product launches to large-scale training initiatives, organizations need the tools to measure the effectiveness of their programs, processes, and systems. In Evaluation in Organizations, Darlene Russ-Eft and Hallie Preskill integrate the most current research with practical application to provide the definitive resource on organizational evaluation for managers, human resource professionals, and students and teachers alike. From designing surveys and interviews to analyzing data to communicating results, the authors present a systematic and rigorous approach to conducting evaluations and using them to foster learning and enhance performance at all levels.
Customer Reviews:
Evaluation handbook.......2007-01-07
This book was used as the principal text in a graduate management course. It offers a good overview of the evaluation process and a step by step process to either evaluate your organization, or create an evaluation process.
The best book on Program Evaluation.......2005-09-28
This text is a phenomenal resource on evaluating programs. This was a required text for a recent class that I was enrolled in for graduate school. It has all the information you would need regarding the background/context of evaluation, designing evaluations, and utilizing collected data. This book is also clear and concise.
The greatest resource that I will use the most is the information on forming surveys and questionaires. There are a lot of great examples (of everything, not just surveys) throughout the book. It provides many contextual likert scale surverys. This will always be helpful to look back on because of the wordings and phrasings used in surveys. Creating an effective survey is extremely tough; but, with the help of this text, it can be a lot easier to both conduct and understand.
The faculty member at my institution said that she agreed that this was the best book on the market for program evaluation. I tend to agree with her because it has a huge amount of information and it is easily accessible and easily referenced. It has some images and diagrams that are informative and moderately pleasant to look at.
If you are going to be evaluating programs and don't know where to start or you just need some reference materials for creating surveys/questionaires then this book is for you. I could also see this book as a valuable resource for someone who is on the other end (having a program evaluated) simply for the fact that it will help with vocabulary/nomenclature when communicating with the evaluators.
Excellent "how-to" book on corporate evaluation.......2002-05-29
Russ-Eft and Preskill have produced a first class book on evaluation that will be a constantly used reference on the bookshelf of any trainer, performance technologist or change agent who buys it. They begin with the history and theory of evaluation, presented in a very readable manner. Even their statistics section is easy to follow and apply! The section on the design and implementation of evaluations is packed with job aids, easy-to-apply tools and techniques, and guidelines on everything from running focus groups to sampling procedures. As a corporate evaluator I have been waiting for a book with this broad but in-depth coverage for years. Every aspect of the work of the evaluator is covered, and it is clear that the authors are both personally experienced in this field as well as widely read in the evaluation literature. Preskill and Torres' Readiness for Organizational Learning and Evaluation Instrument (ROLE) is generously included with instructions on administration and scoring, as well as an extensive bibliography for those who want to dig deeper into the subject of evaluation. This book is a must for those who are seriously committed to assessing the effectiveness and impact of interventions in organizations.
Cohesive, Comprehensive, and Cost-Effective.......2001-07-10
The subtitle correctly indicates what Russ-Eft and Preskill's primary objective is: To present and explain "a systematic approach to enhancing learning, performance, and change" throughout any organization, regardless of size of nature. They succeed brilliantly. The material is presented as follows:
Part I: Background and Context of Evaluation (Defining Evaluation; The Evolution of Evaluation; Evaluating Learning, Performance, and Change Initiatives; and The Politics and Ethics of Evaluation Practice)
Part II: Designing and Implementing the Evaluation (Focusing the Evaluation; Selecting the Evaluation Design; Choosing Data Collection Methods; Observation and Archival Data; Surveys and Questionnaires; Individual and Focus Group Initiatives; Sampling; and Analyzing Evaluation Data)
Part III: Maximizing Evaluation Use (Communicating and Reporting Evaluation Activities and Findings; Planning, Managing, and Budgeting the Evaluation; Evaluating the Evaluation; and Strategies for Implementing Evaluation in Organizations)
The authors then provide a comprehensive audit mechanism (with specific directions) in an appendix to the three-phase system: "The Readiness for Organizational Learning and Evaluation Instrument (ROLE)" developed by Hallie Preskill and Rosalie T. Torres. For those in need ot supplementary resources, a substantial References section is also provided.
Here is a brief excerpt: "Evaluation can be viewed as a catalyst and opportunity for learning -- learning what works and what doesn't work, learning about ourselves and the organization, and learning how to improve what we do in the workplace. As such, it can provide new understandings and insights into our programs, processes, products, and systems. Furthermore, evaluation can provide us with the confidence with which to make decisions and take actions that ultimately help employees and organizations succeed in meeting their goals." The authors agree with countless others that the future success of organizations will be dependent on their ability to build core competencies within a context of collaboration. They suggest that to develop support for evaluation as a knowledge-creating enterprise, "we must create a market for it. If we think about evaluation as a means for learning and attaining knowledge, then it becomes integrated into every organizational effort --from product development to program design to process reengineering to systemic change." They then suggest seven specific strategies when introducing or expanding evaluation practice. Throughout the book, they also include 60 Figures (e.g. "Guiding Principles for Evaluators") and three Tables (e.g. "Typical sections and contents of comprehensive written evaluation reports").
Who will derive the greatest value from this book? Obviously, decision-makers in organizations in need of "enhancing learning, performance, and change." Presumably that includes all organizations. Also, I highly recommend this book to all consultants now involved with organizations which have the same need. Presumably that includes all of their clients. Finally, I think this book will of immediate interest and eventual benefit to anyone who has only recently embarked on a business career. They will soon realize (if they have not realized it already) that the nature and extent of what they learn, how well they perform, and how effectively they initiate or respond to change will determine the nature and extent of their career success.
With the possible exception of Peter Drucker, no single source can possibly serve all of the needs of any one organization. For that reason, to those who read this book, I presume to recommend a few others: Fitz-enz's The E-Aligned Enterprise and The ROI of Human Capital, Maister's Practice What You Preach, O'Toole's Leading Change, Senge's The Fifth Discipline and The Dance of Change, Katzenbach's Real Change Leaders, O'Dell and Grayson's If We Only Knew What We Know, and just about anything written by Warren Bennis.
Books:
- The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success
- The Wages of Destruction: The Making and Breaking of the Nazi Economy
- The Wages of Destruction: The Making and Breaking of the Nazi Economy
- The Wealth and Poverty of Nations: Why Some Are So Rich and Some So Poor
- The Working Poor: Invisible in America
- Tough Choices or Tough Times: The Report of the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce
- Tough Choices or Tough Times: The Report of the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce
- Toward a North American Community: Lessons from the Old World for the New
- Training to See: A Value Stream Mapping Workshop: A Value Stream Mapping Workshop (Lean Enterprise Institute)
- Transfer Pricing Methods: An Applications Guide
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