Narrating the Management Guru: In Search of Tom Peters / Edition 1

by David Collins

Overview

David Collins, a well respected scholar of management gurus proves a critical reappraisal of the very influential work of Tom Peters. This volume examines his key works and reviews his detractors, offering an analysis of his contributions to the field of management that goes beyond the simple chronological model that has previously been used.

Collins focuses on the changing narratives of Tom Peters and proposes a four-fold narrative typlogy to explore this guru's evolving account of the business of management. The book argues that Peters'success as a guru derives from his abilities as a storyteller. The author notes a decline in Peters'storytelling and an increasing reliance on certain story types. Furthermore he observes that this guru now tends to place himself at the centre of his narratives of business and change. On the strength of this analysis Collins concludes that Peters has 'lost the plot' and argues that new and more appropriate, narratives must be sought and developed.

Critical and compelling, this excellent book is a must read for all students and instructors working across the management spectrum, especially in the areas of management, organizational behaviour, change management and corporate strategy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415416665
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/17/2007
Series:	Routledge Advances in Management and Business Studies
Pages:	180
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

David Collins

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. The Early Work of Tom Peters 2. The Later Work of Tom Peters: The Guru Years 3. Crazy Days Calls for Crazy Ways: Narrating Tom Peters 4. Stories and Storytelling in the Work of Tom Peters 5. Doubting Thomas

Editorial Reviews

"This is an excellent book. It offers a fascinating and lucid account of Tom Peters and his contribution. It provides powerful and persuasive insights into the management guru phenomenon while managing to combine a balanced account of Peters' work with thoughtful and engaging critique.I would highly recommend this book to both academics and students with an interest in the area". -
Professor Cliff Oswick, University of Leicester

"Informative and entertaining without sacrificing analysis and insight; Tom Peters has certainly changed the way in which we view management, and David Collins will doubtless change the way in which you view Tom Peters." - Professor David Buchanan, Cranfield University'

Tom Peters' work is important and too often under-estimated. David Collins provides a unique perspective on why Tom Peters matters.' - Stuart Crainer, editor of Business Strategy Review and editor of Financial Times Handbook of Management

'This is an excellent book for anyone wanting to understand the way in which gurus emerge and the impact they have on business. It's a thoroughly lively and thought-provoking study of - whether you admire him or hate him - one of the most influential management writers of the last 20 years.' - Fiona Czerniawska, Research Director of the Management Consultancies Association Think Tank and author of The Trusted Firm: How Consulting Firms Build Successful Client Relationships

From the Publisher