General Managers in Action

Book excerpt: Since this comprehensive overview of general management was published, the business world has witnessed major changes: an accelerated drive toward global business operations among leading North American, Western European, and Pacific Rim firms, a proliferation of new strategic alliances, the continuing revolution in information and communications technologies, the diminished role of junk bonds, and a newfound emphasis on business ethics and corporate governance have all meant dramatic readjustment in the corporate world. The second edition of General Managers in Action addresses these changes and offers a wealth of new materials and choice case studies developed at the Harvard Business School focusing on industry and competitive analysis and the job of the general manager. Three new chapters discuss the growing need for general managers to strive for world-class competitive advantage in global business activities, the major concerns general managers face in deciding how to ensure sound financial policies and structure in the context of the firm's overall corporate strategy, and the often conflicting interests and responsibilities of general managers and boards of directors for U.S. publicly-owned corporations as they face large and sometimes unexpected changes in public expectations. Other chapters have been expanded to provide more extensive coverage of ethics, strategic alliances, Europe 1992, company capabilities and value chain analysis, and the management of change. An ideal text for management seminars and MBA courses, the second edition of General Managers in Action is also an invaluable reference for executives and for anyone who needs to understand general management and thechallenges that top executives face.