Managing Innovation and Change : People, Technology and Strategy

The story covers 10 years in the development of a major strategic initiative by Pirelli General - the creation and operation of an automated `factory of the future′. Each chapter advances the story through a particular theme introduced by concise overviews of the main theories, concepts and debates in the literature, and concludes with questions for discussion. Key topics covered are: strategy and structure - the competitive environment, strategic decision-making, roles, relationships and tensions in a complex multinational; human resource management and industrial relations - greenfield versus `brownfield′ siting, flexibility, multi-skilling, single-union agreement, developing and implementing new HRM strategy; technological innovation - designing and implementing computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM), the challenges and problems of total automation; total quality management - introducing a culture of continuous improvement; and managing strategic innovation - continuity and change, leadership and culture, ideals and realities, learning in organizations.