Why gurus should cross the bridge into business
Michael Porter’s models were based on a tool for industrial policy, not strategy. Now economists are beginning to understand the workings of firms as well as industries.
The price is right
Cynics know the price of everything and the value of nothing. When is there a difference between value and price?
A mystery solved
Gordon Brown should be criticised if he does not propose a root and branch reform of corporation tax within the life of this parliament.
South Bank University – 1997 Annual Lecture
Ten years ago, ICI’s annual report described the company’s objectives:
“ICI aims to be the world’s leading chemical company, serving c...
Redistibutive market liberalism (New Statesman)
For most of the last century, political debate on economic issues has been dominated by socialism. The agenda and the language of soci...
Private finance initiative
Public investment is now prioritised according to whether it can be disguised by the private finance initiative: Goodhart’s Law has come into play once again.
The new Newspeak
George Orwell dissected the use of language in politics. He would have found a similar target in the language of business.
Why piece work went out of fashion
Piece rates are out of fashion but incentive contracts for top executives are in. Perhaps we will soon discover that the problems caused by piece rates also dog share option schemes.