(HBS) Why did you write the book?

(CB) In the midst of our research for our previous book, , we became aware that the globalization foces we were examining were only one of a variety of powerful external influences that were converging at a singular time to transform the modern corporation. In order to respond to the coming of the Information Age, the emergence of a service-based economy, the explosion of a technological revolution, the blurring of industry boundaries, the spread of deregulation, and a variety of other forces, managers of companies around the world have been reconfiguring their corporate forms and redefining their management models in an attempt to respond to the new strategic imperatives. In our view, it is the biggest management revolution in over 75 years, and as researchers, the temptation to investigate, conceptualize, and report on this revolution was too great an opportunity to miss. Looking past the downsizing, delayering, restructuring and reeengineering, initiatives that are symptoms and indicators of the revolution, our objective was to step back and provde perspective on the outlines of the emerging corporate model, and, more importantly, an evolving management philosophy. Our logic was to provide a road map for managers faced with the task of guiding their companies into the next century.

(HBS) What are the books you would recommend for readers?

(CB) Much has been written on ths revolution, but among the books that I would most recommend are:

by James C. Collins, Jerry I. Porras
Although a few years old now, this book builds a strong case for the need for a clear corporate purpose and values at the foundation of an enduring corporation. Our research confirmed their findings and built on them as we tackled the difficult task of how one moves beyond an envisioned future and begins to build and manage such an enduring organization.

by James Champy and Nitin Nohria
Ths excellent collection of articles and readings is one of hte best ways for a manager to gain insight into the challenges of managing the transformational change ahead of them. A first-rate collection.

by Arie De Geus
In a similar vein to Collins and Porras, De Geus charts the commonalities that have fostered and supported the sustainable organizational capability. This pioneer in scenario planning focuses particularly on the value of such an approach to management as an enduring source of competitive advantage.

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