The Living Company: Growth Learning and Longevity in Business

The Living Company: Growth Learning and Longevity in Business

by Arie De Geus (Author)

Synopsis

In The Living Company, the man who introduced the revolutionary concept of the learning organization has turned his attention to identifying the critical characteristics of organizational longevity. Arie de Geus reveals the keys to managing for a long and prosperous organizational life. He draws a sharp distinction between "living companies, " the purpose of which is to fulfill their potential and perpetuate themselves as ongoing communities, and "economic companies, " which are in business solely to produc wealth for a small group of individuals. He shows clearly that living companies manage for survival; economic companies manage for profit. With nearly 40 years of experience at Royal Dutch/Shell, where he was involved firsthand with implementing the renowned scenario planning technique, de Geus describes how he came to explore and understand the special qualities of living companies. Among a wide array of important factors, long-lived companies have four essential traits in common. At a minimum, these firms are sensitive to their environment in order to learn and adapt; cohesive, with a strong sense of identity; tolerant of unconventional thinking and experimentation; and conservative in financial policy to retain the resources that allow for flexibility.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 224
Edition: New e.
Publisher: Nicholas Brealey Publishing
Published: 08 Apr 1999

ISBN 10: 1857881850
ISBN 13: 9781857881851
Book Overview: Winner of the 1997 Edwin G. Booz Award for the most insightful, innovative management book of the year.

Media Reviews
The Living Company is eminently readable. The style is conversational and jargon-free. While it is reflective and thoughtful, it is always relevant, meaningful and deals with issues of central significance to organisations today. For those interested in the bigger picture, this book provides a wonderful landscape. -- Doron Gunzburg * Monash Business Review *
This is a thoughtful, reflective and philosophical book. It does not prescribe quick fixes. The author draws on rich imagery from agriculture, horticulture, psychology and nature. For example, he explores how the blue tit learned to pierce aluminium milk bottle tops, while the robin didn't. The organizational issue from this is how learning is distributed and passed on. The author's experience and reflection as articulated in this book provide a valuable resource for further insight and understand- ing of how organisations survive, learn and flourish. -- David Coughlan * Leadership & Organisation Development Journal *
Arie de Geus is an international figure who has not only been a key influence on scenario planning, but is also credited with originating the concept of the learning organisation. The world, or at least part of it, is ready to hear the message that profits are only a symptom of success and not an end in themselves. Many people want to believe in the wisdom of power-sharing in organisations. Others long for a move away from individualism to a greater emphasis on the importance of community. But the book also sells because it is based on experience and is incredibly well written by a man whose con- versation and manner are compelling. -- Jane Pickard * People Management *
Reading The Living Company is a refreshing experience in a period when conventional wisdom emphasises short-term returns on capital; it should be read by all those who think that there is more to business than that. -- Russell Sparkes * RSA Journal *
Author Bio
Arie de Geus worked for Royal Dutch/Shell for thirty-eight years and is widely credited with originating the concept of the learning organization. Since his retirement, he has advised many government and private institutions and has lectured throughout the world.