This book explains Chester Barnard's management theory clearly,
faithfully, and systematically. When Barnard published The Functions of
the Executive in 1938, it caused a paradigm shift in the research area
of management. He aimed to clarify what executives should do, and how
and why, as he argued that executive functions and processes are deeply
related to specialization, incentive, authority and communication,
decision making, and responsibility and leadership. Thus, The Functions
of the Executive is essential reading for management students. This
book serves as an introductory guide for undergraduate and graduate
students to help them understand Barnard's management theory.
In addition, the book enables researchers to understand how Barnard
developed his theory. He accumulated a great amount of experience in
managing diverse organizations in both the private and public sectors.
Then he gradually shifted his focus from scalar organizations,
authority, and vertical communication to lateral organizations,
responsibility, and horizontal communication.
Finally, this book offers businesspeople helpful insights to create an
innovative style of management. As a practitioner, Barnard recognized
not only the importance of science but also that of art and value.
Experienced businesspeople use not only formal knowledge but also their
behavioral and personal knowledge, intuition, business sense, value, and
executive art to understand the whole situation, balance conflicting
factors, and produce creative solutions. Thus, this book also explores
the management abilities that businesspeople need to develop.
