2. Exploraton in Management

Exploraton in Management

You need to register for a free GO Society web site account if you don’t already have one at https://globalro.org/user/register. Then log into your account at https://globalro.org/user/login. Next, return to this page and you will be able to see and download the file.

Author:

"Exploration in Management" by Wilfred Brown is a comprehensive examination of organizational concepts and methods developed at the Glacier Metal Company. The book, published in 1960, is based on Brown's two decades of experience as Chairman and Managing Director of the company.The work is divided into six main parts:

  1. Analysis of Organization: Brown introduces key concepts such as role, structure, and the executive system. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationship between work and organization.
  2. Policy: This section explores policy-making, its effects, and the balance between centralization and decentralization. Brown also discusses the role of managers in development work.
  3. Communication: The author examines the contraction of executive lines, written policy, and the importance of various types of meetings in organizational communication.
  4. Specialist Work: Brown analyzes specialist work within the company, its history, and the organization of specialist divisions.
  5. The Gap at the Bottom of the Executive System: This part focuses on the role of supervisors and the challenges at the lower levels of the organizational hierarchy.
  6. Sources of Managerial Authority: The final section explores the representative system, the legislative system, and the appeals procedure as sources of managerial authority.

Throughout the book, Brown emphasizes the importance of aligning organizational structure with the work to be done. He argues against the notion that optimal organization is solely a function of personalities or arbitrary decisions by executives.The book reflects Brown's commitment to understanding the foundations of executive action, drawing on social science research conducted at Glacier Metal Company. It presents a "task" approach to management, considering both the technical aspects of work and the human elements.Brown's work is notable for its precision in formulating central management problems and its grounding in practical experience. The book serves as both an internal communication to Glacier Metal Company employees and a valuable resource for industry and social scientists studying organizations."Exploration in Management" represents the culmination of Brown's efforts to develop a coherent system of thought about management, tested through continuous practical application in a real business environment

Major organizations and consulting firms that provide Requisite Organization-based services

A global association of academics, managers, and consultants that focuses on spreading RO implementation practices and encouraging their use
Dr. Gerry Kraines, the firms principal, combines Harry Levinson's leadership frameworks with Elliott Jaques's Requisite Organization. He worked closely with Jaques over many years, has trained more managers in these methods than anyone else in the field, and has developed a comprehensive RO-based software for client firms.
Ron Capelle is unique in his multiple professional certifications, his implementation of RO concepts through well designed organization development methods, and his research documenting the effectiveness of his firm's interventions
Former RO-experienced CEO, Ron Harding, provides coaching to CEOs of start-ups and small and medium-size companies that are exploring their own use of RO concepts.  His role is limited, temporary and coordinated with the RO-based consultant working with the organization
Founded by Gillian Stamp, one of Jaques's colleagues at Brunel, the firm modified Jaques;s work-levels, developed the Career Path Appreciation method, and has grown to several hundred certified assessors in aligned consulting firms world-wide recently expanding to include organization design
Requisite Organization International Institute distributes Elliott Jaques's books, papers, and videos and provides RO-based training to client organizations