Gary Hamel: Management Innovation

In The Future of Management Gary Hamel likens current management practices to the combustion engine, i.e. as a technology that is no longer evolving, and suggests that management is stuck in a time warp. This suggestion is supported by the ease by which CEOs can move from organisation to organisation because management, as a rule, differs little from one to the other.The 20th century provided managers and CEOs with a broad spectrum of tried and tested tools and techniques for developing successful strategies. Many of them have remained unchanged and unchallenged for decades as leaders utilise the familiar processes afforded by a hierarchical management structure, with planning, developing and reporting remarkably similar between one large organisation and another. However, time and technologies move on, and some astounding innovations we now take for granted, such as the internet, email and mobile phones, have dramatically altered the way we live and work. Those same tried and tested management techniques now begin to pale in comparison to the vibrant, constantly evolving opportunities afforded by the technological advances which continue to emerge.This article examines the challenges faced by today's managers and looks at the concept of management innovation as a potential tool to aid organisations striving for competitive advantage.