Academics Can Help Executives Find Good Management Models

As an organizational behavioral consultant, I was both interested and dismayed by “Opening the Books” (Oct. 29).

I was encouraged to learn of another instance where creating a work environment characterized by open communication and valuing, empowering and incentivizing employees to contribute their full potential results in a company realizing dramatic improvements in productivity and profitability. I commend Jack Stack of Springfield ReManufacturing for his highly successful implementation. This is an important model for others who are searching for ways to be successful while facing the reality of increasingly limited resources.

I was dismayed by the statement in the story that what Stack offers is “far more valuable than any deep theory emanating for a consultant or academic.” This suggests that consultants and academics are not well-grounded in the real world. I would argue that while Stack’s model represents a practical experience, it reflects sound research-based theories of human behavior researched and offered to clients by both academics and consultants. I believe that it is not either/or, as the story suggests, but that academics, consultants and executives working together to develop successful methods, like Stack’s, will enable companies to achieve and maintain a competitive edge in the global marketplace.

KARL A. STRANDBERG Ph.D

Senior Consulting Partner, MODE

Long Beach