Manuscript of a lecture prepared by Charles Handy on the purpose of a company, in memoriam of Michael Shanks. Handy contends that a wholesale review of the governance of companies is necessary, and that managers should not be called to do it. He proceeds to state that following the standard rules of review will inevitably emphasize the short-term, increase the cost of investments, and put organizations at a disadvantage with respect to competitors. Distinguishing these views as his short-term worries, Handy moves on to discuss his long-term anxieties, namely, the possibility of property prevailing over community. He concludes his analysis stating that the purpose of a company must be determined by the company itself, and that he cannot give a generic answer for all companies as to their purpose. Companies, for Handy, are not instruments, but, ideally, living and growing communities.
Handy, Charles B Shanks, Michael Goyder, George Slater, Jim, 1929- Short Brothers plc Franks, Julian R Patten, Chris, 1944- London Business School John Lewis Partnership The Baxi Partnership Henley Forecasting Centre Watkinson Committee
Source
Manuscript of a lecture prepared by Charles Handy on the purpose of a company, in memoriam of Michael Shanks; Charles Handy Papers; Box 17, Folder 17; 29 pages
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