Re-engineering the Corporation by Michael Hammer and James Champy
Michael Hammer and James Champy became the uncontested "experts" to the corporate world for their blueprint of re-engineering. Why? What magical formula did these two individuals profess would make America great again? This essay will take a critical look at Hammer and Champy's book, Re-engineering the Corporation. Does this book have merit? Is it based on sound principles? It does not matter whether you agree or not, it only matters that you consider all the viewpoints.
"Moreover, image becomes all-important in competition, not only through name-brand recognition but also because of various associations of 'respectability,' 'quality,' 'prestige,' 'reliability,' and 'innovation.' Competition in the image-building trade becomes a vital aspect of inter-firm competition. …" (David Harvey, The Condition of Postmodernity: 1989 page 288) What image did Hammer and Champy paint with their book? Let's begin with the title, "Reengineering the Corporation A Manifesto for Business Revolution". It is my contention that they [Hammer and Champy] wrote this book to profit on their knowledge and as such used a title that would embrace both the employer [Reengineering the Corporation] and the worker [A Manifesto for Business Revolution]. While both the employer and worker are concerned with the never-ending battle of "power and control" in the workplace, the employer also strives for greater profits [private company] or in a public sector arena, providing services more efficiently. The worker on the other hand is concerned with compensation [wages and benefits], job security, health and safety and advancement within the organization.
However it is not only the title that is attractive to the Employer. The book cover has been designed to legitimize Hammer and Champy. Who would not want to read a book that was a "National Bestseller" printed by "HarperBusiness Essentials"? Furthermore, Peter Drucker [respected in the business world] has provided positive reinforcement that this is "An important book that describes the principles behind a new [my emphasis] and systematic [my emphasis] approach to structuring [my emphasis] and managing [my emphasis] work." (Hammer /Champy: 2001) As well, the back cover not only provides the necessary kudos for Hammer and Champy, it also hints to the unspeakable ...
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...roach suggests that what is necessary is to reinterpret the current status and to accept that the subordinates are already powerful, rather than attempt to reverse what already exists."(IDRL 317: Book of Readings 2005 pg. 56)
It would be narrow-minded to state that Hammer and Champy only became the "gurus" for reengineering because of image, however, their approach to the new work organization is neither new nor the only model to choose from. New technology has opened the floodgates for a more flexible and diverse workforce. Globalization has become the driving force behind the need for corporations to reengineer. Hammer and Champy did not have a magical formula but they were the first individuals to put common sense to paper. It is something to think about when considering reengineering.
References:
Reengineering the Organization, Study Guide, IDRL 317, 2005, Athabasca University
Grint, Keith Reengineering History: Social Resonances and Business Process Reengineering, IDRL 317 Book of Readings 2005 Athabasca University
Hammer M., Champy J. Reengineering the Corporation, HarperBusiness Essentials, 2001
Harvey D., The Condition of Postmodernity, Blackwell, 1989
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