Review of Virtual Organization: Toward a Theory of Societal Transformation Stimulated by Information Technology (Hardcover)

The word "virtual" has probably surpassed the word "postmodern" in being used so vaguely and so generally that it has become, in many hands or mouths, almost meaningless, a kind of universal solvent to hype anybody's idea about anything, and, when applied to social phenomena, a way of being hip.How fortunate and refreshing, then, to have Abbe Mowshowitz's VIRTUAL ORGANIZATION, which is a conceptually clear and precise, intellectually and socially critical, and historically grounded as well as imaginative analysis of virtuality as a social phenomenon.Using the core of the computer-science understanding of virtuality as a model for organization, Mowshowitz shows how and why, in our particular economic, social, and political context, virtual organization is destined to be not only the predominant organizational form but also one that has and will increasingly have vast impacts on our entire social structure, for example in redrawing the boundaries between public and private in a way that can lead to a refeudalization of our society.And he does this in an amazingly comprehensive, detailed, and informed account of both the details of virtual enterprises and surrounding factors, such as information commodities, in today's political economy.He goes into substantive examination of the impact of virtual organization as a socio-historical phenomenon on many other aspects of social life, including not only the public sphere and the role of the nation-state but the family, community, and private life as well.Mowshowitz, who has had a disinguished research, teaching, and consulting career in the area of the social context and impact of information technology, is in the unusual position of being based both in computer-science and in political, economic, and social analysis and history, so that he can draw together the interwoven threads of technology and society in a convincing and thorough analysis.This gives his work a thorough and grounded character that makes it surpass, in quality and import, much of what passes for analysis of the impact of information technology on society.Because his work is not only analytical but, in the best sense, predictive and prognosticative -- in ways that are bound to be controversial -- his book is not only a scholarly contribution to, as the subtitle says, "a theory of societal transformation stimulated by information technology" but also a contribution to many of the vital public policy issues of the present.Hence this book will be of great interest and value not only to those who work in or manage virtual organizations, and to those interested in understanding contemporary social and technological trends and their interaction, but also to those concerned with what kind of society we and our descendants live in.A must read for all in any of these groups.



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Review of Managing Knowledge Workers: Unleashing Innovation and Productivity (Hardcover)

This is a marvelously creative and innovative look at the management and motivational needs of Gen X and Gen Y knowledge workers.Dr. Amar proposes a surprising symbiotic management approach to encourage fullest potential outcomes while contributing to innovation.

The assessments presented are unique and thought-provoking.

This book inspired me to rethink and to modify my approach to teaching/learning at the graduate business school level.



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Review of The Asian Financial Crisis and the Ordeal of Hong Kong: (Hardcover)

The publication of a book on the financial crisis in Hong Kong by Y.C. Jao from the University of Hong Kong is most timely. Jao is no stranger to anyone who has studied the banking and financial system in Hong Kong. There is no lack of analysis on the Asian financial crisis. However, this is the first book-length study that focuses on the case of Hong Kong. The analysis is particular timely as Hong Kong is currently in the midst of its severest economic recession since the early 1970s. The book not only clearly analyzes the financial crisis in Hong Kong by putting the events that happened in Hong Kong in the last few years in the larger context of the Asian financial crisis, but further delves into the post-crisis economic recession that Hong Kong is suffering.

The author begins by analyzing the origin, nature, and consequences of the Asian financial crisis. He proceeds on to discuss the financial crisis in Hong Kong by looking at the financial crisis itself focusing on how foreign exchange speculators tried to capitalize on the possible event of the collapse of the Hong Kong dollar and how the government reacted to the crisis by its unprecedented attempts to intervene in the stock market. The story was succinctly told with convincing information put together by the author. Jao then analyzes the impact of the crisis on the asset markets, financial sector, and the real economy. The analysis in the book is clear and solid.

The most interesting part of his book is, however, its attempt to answer two puzzles: (1) Why was Hong Kong's economic downturn so severe, and (2) Why was Hong Kong a laggard in economic recover, and the role China plays in the crisis. Jao points out that while the government was able to defeat the currency speculators in the financial crisis of 1997-98 and successfully defend the currency system, the people of Hong Kong, nevertheless, pay a high price as part of the reason for the continuation of the recession after the crisis is attributed to the currency board - the very system Hong Kong tries to defend. The need to defend the linked exchange rate has forced on the Hong Kong abrupt rises in interest rates severely impacting the assets markets and the real markets through the wealth effect, collateral effect, and the credit availability effects. The intricate relationships amongst these factors are clearly explained in the book.

I would recommend this book not only to economists who have an interest in the Asian financial crisis or the Hong Kong economy but also to anyone (as the book was written in non-technical language) who want to make sense of the recession in Hong Kong.



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