Managers often ask why their firm should have an ethics program, especially if no one has complained about unethical behavior. The pursuit of business ethics can cost money, they say. It can lose sales to less scrupulous competitors and can drain management time and energy. But as Harvard business professor Francis Aguilar points out, ethics scandals can severely damage a firm, with punishing legal penalties, bad publicity, and irreparably injured customer relations
This comprehensive overview of general management has been updated to reflect significant changes in the business landscape, including the shift toward global operations among North American, Western European, and Pacific Rim firms, the rise of strategic alliances, advancements in information and communications technologies, and an increased focus on business ethics and corporate governance. The second edition addresses these developments, featuring new materials and case studies from Harvard Business School that emphasize industry and competitive analysis, as well as the role of the general manager. It includes three new chapters that explore the necessity for general managers to achieve world-class competitive advantage, the challenges of maintaining sound financial policies within corporate strategy, and the often conflicting interests of general managers and boards of directors in publicly-owned U.S. corporations amidst evolving public expectations. Additionally, existing chapters have been expanded to cover ethics, strategic alliances, the implications of Europe 1992, company capabilities, value chain analysis, and change management. This edition serves as an essential resource for management seminars, MBA courses, and executives seeking to navigate the complexities of general management and the challenges faced by top leaders.