Gaining stakeholder support is now essential because a knowledge-based economy has made cooperation a competitive advantage. The book draws on hundreds of examples from progressive companies and an international survey of 426 managers. Part 1 redefines the conceptual foundation of modern management to anchor today's institutions in the Information Age. Part 2 seeks to build conceptual linkages across the legal and social contracts connecting the firm to its customers, employers, and ecological community. The third part argues that informed, empowered organizational members operating in systems that allow flexible, efficient responses to market forces are the essential elements of an effective, decentralized, global economy.
Appendices contain organizational exercises and a copy of the questionnaire.