Savour
this : "Global firms now need executives with
an entrepreneur streak ; one who looks at things differently
… (she / he) not only survives unpredictability
but thrives on it".
This
is not a how-to-do-it book. Neither does it aspire
to providing instant solutions to dilemmas faced by
global managers. What the author does is help the
reader understand (through case studies) how successful
organisations, big and small have approached problems
relevant to their products, markets and time-frame.
To this extent, the book could well become a permanent
fixture on the manager's work-table.
Surprisingly,
the author maintains a studied silence on the negative
fall-out of globalisation - the inequity inherent
in globalisation as it is being practiced at the moment
and pollution. Hence, the bland statement "pollution
checks are costly and add to the product cost, thereby
making them less competitive globally," is reflective
on the Robber Baron thinking and strikes a discordant
note. It may well be true, but, as Bijlani knows so
well, the argument has been twisted around, often
enough, to push eco-destructive technologies into
Third World economies.
The
book, however, does conclude on a note of hope. It
affirms that citizens' lobbies throughout the world
can force (with the help of media, especially IV)
governments and companies to be eco friendly. However,
the question is : Will governments desparately racing
to bridge the gap between imports and exports enforce
the legislation?
May
be, Bijlani's next could well be a breathless one
on "The global environment - an overview".
