A Clinical Guide to Organisational Health

Reviews / Votes

"The idea of a science of organisation is not a new one, but there are very few examples of it being taken very seriously. In this very interesting book, Cecilia Dean shows us how it might be possible by applying ideas from physiology to the problems faced by management. Treating organisations as if they were biological systems provides some very real and important insights. This is a book to be recommended to anyone who wants to understand how organisations fail, and how they might work better. "Professor Martin Parker, University of Leicester"The use of the physiology of the human body, as a complex system of systems, in a real time complex environment, provides a means to contextualising the abstractedness of the complex business domain within the familiarity of well known, even intuitive, features and experiences. In this way I have enjoyed the physiological approach, and the attendant thinking framework that has been amply supported by realistic case studies, as a real contribution to the analysis and visualisation of this complex domain."Adriaan Vorster, Management Consultant"The book offers a very original perspective, using the medical practitioner's diagnostic model to determine the status of health of an organisation. It could potentially attract a broad audience of readers: entrepreneurs, managers, consultants, students and academics from a large spectrum of industry and background. The SPOILS model is a great concept, very memorable and the demonstration flow is clear. The conclusion that it is essential for organisations to undertake regular complete health checks before committing to over-ambitious competitive goals and strategies is a key point as can be illustrated by a few companies who failed because they have forgotten this principle. "Emmanuel Carraud, Entrepreneur and CEO"I like the linkage to the functions of the human body. It certainly makes me consider my three teams in a different way and how it's not necessarily the type/amount of work but the personal qualities and suitability of each individual to perform specific roles and their understanding how every aspect of an organisation fits together and is pivotal to healthy working practices. I thought the inserts were very good and I found these a useful aide memoire."Helen Gilroy, Heathcare Manager