Subhash Sharma (2007) : New Mantras in Corporate Corridors. New Age International (P) Limited, New Delhi Pages: 572, Price: Rs.295

Dr. Subhash Sharma’s recent publication entitled “New Mantras in Corporate Carridors” is an additional cog in the wheels of a series of publications by the same author. Prof. Subhash Sharma has attempted to accelerate the lateral thinking of age-old human resource development to human resource quality development to further ‘human resource holistic development’. Darwinian Theory advocated for the survival of fittest for existence when the paradigm shift has necessitated for survival of fastest. The author visualizes an idea of holistic globalization with vision of ‘VISHWA’, i.e. Videshi & Swadeshi – a vision which envisages a new corporate model based an integration of Taylor’s scientific management, humanistic concept of new age management, management of knowledge economy and ‘net-age’ facilitated thought process. Prof. Sharma maintains that corporate language till 1970 was basically western, overtaken lay techniques of Japanese management and post 1990 influenced by Indian expressions such as ‘mantras’, guru, rishi, pundit, mahatma, nirvana etc. He attempts to establish a link between ancient roots to global routes referred to as ‘Traditional-Modernity’ blend wherein valuable, critical and important ideas from the past are combined with new one to create new concept. Drawing upon the idea of integrative syntheses, the book has been divided into four parts. Part – I deals with the Indian social settings where the management and leadership style get fine-tuned to understand the matrix of both of them together. The concepts and frame work help to integrate development vision and the nature of social discourse in the new age characterized by ‘Cosmic Village’, ‘New – Age Modernity’, holistic globalization, and ‘Viswa-Vision’. Ancient Indian Management concepts are the reservoir of wisdom and knowledge and can fire the spirit of sustainability and growth. Part – II of the book focuses attention on ‘Self’ and provides new models for ‘Enlightened Leadership and Human Quality Development (HQD). Its ultimate purpose is to give thrust on Total Quality Management by adopting decision style suited to the requirements of present day management to meet the ever-growing challenges. The 3T model of management and leadership attempts to transform Transactional (T-1), Transformational (T-2), and Transcendental (T-3). An extension of 3T model, KT grid and K-TCP grid are presented to comprehend different styles of management leadership. Part – III advocates some new tools, techniques and framework which include the idea of “BEST” model as a strategic framework. It helps one to understand strategic gearing of the organization and serves as analytical framework for analyzing changes that influences functioning of the organization. Part – IV Focuses attention on new issues and concern related to gender, social responsibility, environmental and corporate ethics. ‘Re-see’ approach is advocated to as a new methodology to add value to scientific temper and ground reality. New techniques of creativity have been added like; inversion approach, radical visioning, anti- bench marking, mind liberation etc. Though the book is extension of author’s earlier work, it presents a invigorating rendering leaving much to Indian managers to practice and experiment the newly propounded theories and concepts. Dr. Devendra Pathak Delhi Business School Mathura Road, New Delhi