The Impact of Theory on Practice

Gordon Pearson has carved out a distinctive position focusing on the good and bad impacts of economic and behavioural theory on the practical realities of industrial management. His line experience has included most management functions as well as general and strategic management. His specialist experience in mergers and acquisitions were the basis of his first book, ‘The Strategic Discount’, a critique of accounting’s short termism. He subsequently completed a PhD in strategy, innovation and culture at Manchester Business School, published in ‘The Competitive Organization’. His academic career has included heading up the Department of Management and the MBA programmes at Keele University. His critical analysis of theory’s impacts on practice is evident in all his books, which also include ‘Strategic Thinking’, ‘Integrity in Organizations’, ‘Strategy in Action’, ‘The Rise and Fall of Management’ and ‘The Road to Co-operation’. ‘Strategic Thinking’ and ‘Strategy in Action’, were also focused on the practice and theory of strategic management, but were written primarily for post-graduate, post-experience students of management.

‘The Rise and Fall of Management’, views the current plight of management practice and theory in its long term context, drawing some conclusions regarding the dysfunctional impact of economic theory on enterprise management. It not only justified the accountants’ short term focus, but also the extraction of value from real economy firms for the benefit of external stakeholders. The book suggests ways in which these effects might be reversed.

‘The Road to Co-operation’ (due March 2012), offers a critical analysis of the practical impact of economic theory, shedding light on the predicament faced in 2012. Highlights the dangers of using unrealistic mathematical models of human, organisational and market behaviour to guide policy prescriptions. In particular shows the damage done to real economies, markets, firms and people, and proposes realistic changes in policy and practice, which would be prerequisite to recapturing real long term economic success on a co-operative, and non-exploitative foundation.