John Child has done it again. This accessible and scholarly book brings the analysis of organizational forms where it belongs at the very centre of the fields of organization and strategy. Andrew Pettigrew, School of Management, University of Bath Professor John Child describes and analyzes clearly some of the important emerging forms of organization and management. The book offers valuable lessons and will appeal to MBA and students in general as well as executives of large and small organizations. Marc Verstringhe, Chair, The Harry Hansen Research Fellowship Trust This is an outstanding contribution to literature from a world class academic, Professor John Child. His contribution to the field of organizational study is without parallel and this work is a monumental contribution to the global literature on organizational behavior. Cary L. Cooper CBE, Lancaster University This is more than a reiteration of Childa s best--selling textbook. The new work represents a powerful re--statement of the a designa approach to management in the context of todaya s fluid and indeterminate circumstances. Ray Loveridge, Said Business School, University of Oxford A key text which draws together many of John Childa s landmark contributions to the field of Organization Studies. The additional new material in this book reflects an impressive level of scholarly breadth and depth, revealing John Child as a master of understanding complex organizations and processes of organizing. David C. Wilson, University of Warwick A lucid and comprehensive review of the theory and practice of organization written by one of the worlda s leading scholars in this field. John Child successfully combines a deep knowledge of organizational theory with acute appreciation of its relevance to modern organizations facing the challenges of the twenty--first century. It will be invaluable both as a text book for students and as a guide for those responsible for running organizations. Mark Easterby--Smith, Chair BritishAcademy of Management and Lancaster University This book provides a timely and important synthesis of new forms of organizing activities within and between organizations. Written by one of the foremost scholars, John Child captures the leading edge of scientific and practical knowledge about organizations and organizing. Moreover, Child provides wisdom in treating not only technical aspects of contemporary organizations, but also the ethical, social, and economic considerations in deciding on particular ways of organizing activities. Andrew H. Van de Ven, University of Minnesota Conventional, sluggish bureaucracies are being introduced to a new structural vocabulary----delayered authority structures, lateral integration, networks and alliances, boundary--crossing----as they attempt to respond to the challenge of globalization. Drawing on his wealth of scholarly research and consulting experience, John Child provides a lucid and engaging guide to this changing world of organizations. W. Richard Scott, Stanford University John Child's new book, Organization: Contemporary principles and practices, builds upon Childa s many years of experience as a scholar and teacher. Based on the assumption that organizations in the twenty--first century will confront very different conditions than those in previous eras, Child writes about the conditions facilitating the development of new organizational forms. Given his years of experience in China and in other international activities, Child has given the book a very intercontinental flavor. Examples come not only from the UK but also from other European nations, Asian nations, and North America. Its comprehensive review of effective management practices is accompanied by boxed cases that show the practices in action. The book will prove useful to graduate students in business schools, as well as managers in applied settings looking for a new perspective on the problems they face. Howard Aldrich, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
