Organizational Behavior A Strategic Approach /Hitt

Synthesizing classic and recent research, Hitt (Texas A&M U.), Miller (Wake Forest U.), and Colella (Tulane U.) present an introduction to organizational management that rests on a the "strategic approach," which is premised on the idea that people are the foundation for any firm's competitive advantage. After introducing their basic approach, they present a section on individual processes that addresses learning and perceptions; personality, attitudes, and values; work motivation; and workplace stress. They then turn to the topic of groups, teams, and social processes in chapters discussing leadership; communication; decision making by individuals and groups; groups and teams; and conflict, power, and politics. The final chapters discuss organizational structure and culture and organizational change and development. Case material is taken from the examples of Dell, Carlson Companies, Allen & Co., Google, and Microsoft. Annotation c2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Michael A. Hitt, a past president of the Academy of Management, is a professor and Weatherup/Overby Chair in Executive Leadership at Arizona State University.