BizEd

SeptOct2014

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68 September/October 2014 BizEd bookshelf N EW D EVE LOPM E NTS I N ECONOM IC E D UCATION EDITORS: Franklin G. Mixon Jr. and Richard J. Cebula PUBLISHER: Edward Elgar, US$125 "HOW DO YOU make an accountant seem interesting? Should we put him next to an econo- mist?" The 29 contributors to this book—mostly economics professors—think the way to disprove that joke is to improve economics education. Wayne Geerling and G. Dirk Mateer point out that most economics classes are dry, boring, math-intensive, and seemingly immune to innovations in education. The writers propose bringing in video clips from movies and TV shows or showing student-made films—such as "Car Parking at La Trobe University: Is This a Case of Market Failure?"—that illuminate real-world economics in an understandable and enjoyable fashion. Other contributors outline games and simulations they've used in the classroom to help students learn how interest rates are set or how bargaining works in the marketplace. Yoram Bauman offers excerpts from the surprisingly extensive trove of economics humor. This fun and practical book could enrich any econ curriculum. R E S PON S I B LE LEAD E R S H I P AUTHOR: Mark Moody-Stuart PUBLISHER: Greenleaf Publishing, US$35 WHEN AN MNC locates opera- tions in an emerging nation, what role should the corporation play in the governance and prosperity of that country? Should that role be expanded if the corpo- ration is an extractor of natural resources such as oil or metal? "The extent of a corporation's respon- sibility in countries of weak government or effectively no government is one of the most difficult dilemmas faced by corporations," writes former Shell executive Moody-Stuart. When government leaders engage in vio- lent and corrupt behavior, he says, "it is clearly in the interests of a company, let alone society, to pre- vent it." He paints unflinching por- traits of his experiences in places like Oman, Nigeria, Malaysia, and Turkey, detailing both the systems that worked and the situations that went horribly wrong. Ultimately he concludes that the company has a societal obligation to work for improved conditions—but he is adamant that such involvement must be multilaterally achieved with the input of NGOs and local leaders. It's a personal, powerful, and timely read. COLLECTIVE G E N I US AUTHORS: Linda Hill, Greg Brandeau, Emily Truelove, and Kent Lineback PUBLISHER: Harvard Business Review Press, US$28 "LEADERS WHO truly seek to fos- ter innovation must start by aban- doning the 'Follow me! I know the way!' approach…[and] replace it with a different mindset about how leaders foster innovation from everyone in their organization." So say Hill of Harvard, Brandeau of Pixar, Truelove of MIT, and Line- back, an executive and consultant. One key is for leaders to provide spaces that encourage creativity while controlling chaos. This sys- tem of "unleash and harness," the authors admit, is a "fundamental paradox," but essen- tial to stimulating and profiting from innova- tion. They support their theories with detailed looks at executives in 12 companies, from Pixar to IBM. It's worth the whole book to read about Vineet Nayar, who transformed HCL Technologies from a monolithic hardware/software company to an IT services firm of engaged employees. Among Nayar's tools: an online portal called "My Prob- lems," where he asks employees to help him solve his own dilemmas. The book is practical, intriguing, and stuffed with ideas. ROAD S I D E M BA AUTHORS: Michael Mazzeo, Paul Oyer, and Scott Schaefer PUBLISHER: Business Plus, US$27 THREE ECONOMICS professors take a series of road trips to dis- cover how their classroom lessons ration is an extractor of natural resources such as oil or metal? corporation's respon N EW D EVE LOPM E NTS I N ECONOM IC E D UCATION

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