Methodological School of Management - Tapa dura

The Russian Methodological School of Management, drawing on the path-breaking work of the late Georgy Shchedrovitsky, represents a major contribution to systems theory as it developed in the second half of the 20C. The uniqueness of this book is that it offers a whole new perspective not only on the way systems theory developed and was successfully applied in the industrialisation of what became a world super-power, but also on how its practitioners continue to use it to improve the management of large organisations in Russia today. It will no doubt come to be regarded as an indispensable guide for individuals pursuing careers in the management of large organizations in all sectors of society. Gregory Andrusz, B.Soc.Sc.(Russian Studies), PhD; Emeritus Professor of Comparative Sociology, Middlesex University, London; Honorary Research Fellow, Centre for Russian and East European Studies, University of Birmingham; Member of Russia-Asia Programme, Chatham House Readers should not feel intimidated by the size of this manuscript. Not only does it offer a clear account of the theory of knowledge management, developed by the school of thought led by G.Shchedrovitsky, but it also provides up to date examples of winning strategies and lessons in effective leadership of large organisations in Russia today. -- Robert F. Smyth CFO, Regal Petroleum plc For those that cannot imagine that anything can be learnt from Russian management, this volume would be a real mind changer. It has a wealth of insights that a wide range of readers would find highly original. Shchedrovitsky and methodological circle may soon become an unavoidable part of textbooks on management and social change. -- Slavo Radosevic Professor of industry and innovation studies, UCL, and Director of the UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies

A comprehensive guide for business people, government administrators and specialists in management methodology, Methodological School of Management details the original and applied thinking, methods and approaches established by the school in the Soviet era and still operating successfully in modern Russia today. The Methodological School of Management is not an educational institution, but a range of management tools, which evolved as a part of the 'systems movement' during the second half of the twentieth century. The school was created by the pupils of Georgy Petrovich Shchedrovitsky (1929-1994) under whose leadership a body of knowledge - the 'starting capital' of the Methodological School of Management - took shape. The management tools developed by the school are used by its leaders in their current managerial practice. This practice extends to a number of fields: government administration, management of economic sectors, corporate governance and the management of individual corporations. Although the school is less well known to Western specialists in systems engineering methodology and management, this book aims to secure the school a place in the global systems engineering landscape. Its ideas have entered the tool kits of most major control systems and corporations in the world's leading economies, from NASA and Toyota to retail chains - a clear testimony to the value of Georgy Shchedrovitsky's research, ideas and the body of knowledge he left behind. Shortlisted for the CMI Management Book of the Year award, Methodological School of Management offers solutions for resolving tricky managerial situations and achieving organisational targets - essential reading for anyone learning how to manage people and issues alike.