Book description
There is a strong movement today in management to encourage management
practices based on research evidence. In the first volume of this
handbook, I asked experts in 39 areas of management to identify a
central principle that summarized and integrated the core findings from
their specialty area and then to explain this principle and give real
business examples of the principle in action. I asked them to write in
non-technical terms, e. g., without a lot of statistics, and almost all
did so.
The previous handbook proved to be quite popular, so I was asked to
edit a second edition. This new edition has been expanded to 33
topics, and there are some new authors for the previously included
topics. The new edition also includes: updated case examples, updated
references and practical exercises at the end of each chapter. It also
includes a preface on evidence-based management. The principles for
the first edition were intended to be relatively timeless, so it is no
surprise that most of the principles are the same (though some chapter
titles include more than one principle).
This book could serve as a textbook in advanced undergraduate and in
MBA courses. It could also be of use to practicing managers and not
just those in Human Resource departments. Every practicing manager may
not want to read the whole book, but I am willing to guarantee that
every one will find at least one or more chapters that will be
practically useful. In this time of economic crisis, the need for
effective management practices is more acute than ever.
Edwin A. Locke is Dean's Professor Emeritus of
Motivation and Leadership at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at
the University of Maryland and was also affiliated with the Department
of Psychology. He has published over 280 articles, chapters and books,
including (with G. Latham) A Theory of Goal Setting and Task
Performance, (with others) The Essence of Leadership, and Prime
Movers: The Traits of the Great Wealth Creators.
