Humanizing Businesses for a Better World of Work

Humanizing Businesses for a Better World of Work offers a strategic perspective on how organizations can transform their structures and practices to accommodate a more humanized, people-first workplace in the post-pandemic world. The book explores key areas of organizational transformation, including innovative organizational structures, collaboration between businesses and B-schools, redesigning work models and environments, the impact of global megatrends on the talent economy, rethinking and cultivating brand personality and values, and the role of organizational leaders.

Format: Hardback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 08 March 2024
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited

Humanizing Businesses for a Better World of Work offers a strategic outlook on how organizations can adapt their structures and practices to create a more humanized, people-first workplace in the context of the significant transformations occurring in the post-pandemic world. The book delves into various critical areas of organizational transformation, including innovative organizational structures, collaborative partnerships between businesses and B-schools, redesigning work models and environments, the influence of global megatrends on the talent economy, reevaluating and nurturing a company's personality and values, and the leadership role of organizational leaders in this process.

Editors Radhika Shrivastava and Kokil Jain have assembled a diverse group of contributors to examine the concept of humanizing businesses and its significance in building greater strategic resilience to navigate future shocks. This innovative approach holds immense value for academic researchers specializing in organizational behavior, human resource management, and strategic management, as well as MBA/Executive Education students and practitioners in these fields.

The book begins by exploring the need for humanizing businesses in the modern era, where rapid technological advancements and changing societal norms have created a complex and rapidly evolving work environment. It emphasizes the importance of creating a workplace that values and respects human emotions, encourages personal growth and development, and fosters a sense of purpose and fulfillment among employees.

One of the key areas of transformation discussed in the book is innovative organizational structures. The authors argue that traditional hierarchical structures are often inflexible and hinder collaboration and innovation. They suggest that organizations should adopt more decentralized, flexible, and agile structures that empower employees and promote collaboration across different teams and departments. This includes the implementation of flat organizational structures, cross-functional teams, and self-managed teams.

Collaborative partnerships between businesses and B-schools are another important aspect of humanizing businesses. The authors highlight the value of collaboration in addressing complex challenges and creating new opportunities. They suggest that businesses should engage with B-schools to develop programs that align with their strategic goals and provide employees with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the digital age. This includes joint research projects, internships, and executive education programs.

Redesigning work models and environments is another critical area of transformation. The authors argue that traditional work arrangements, such as long hours and inflexible schedules, can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. They suggest that organizations should adopt more flexible work arrangements, such as remote work, flexible hours, and job sharing, that allow employees to balance work and personal life. This also includes the creation of a supportive work culture that promotes mental health, well-being, and employee engagement.

The impact of global megatrends on the talent economy is another important topic explored in the book. The authors argue that global trends, such as the rise of automation, artificial intelligence, and the gig economy, are shaping the future of work and creating new challenges and opportunities for organizations. They suggest that organizations should adapt their talent strategies to meet these challenges, such as investing in training and development programs to upskill employees and promote lifelong learning.

Rethinking and cultivating a company's personality and values is another critical area of transformation. The authors argue that a company's personality and values play a significant role in attracting and retaining talent, as well as in creating a positive work culture. They suggest that organizations should define their unique personality and values and communicate them effectively to employees and stakeholders. This includes the development of a brand narrative that resonates with employees and customers and the implementation of policies and practices that align with the company's values.

Finally, the book emphasizes the role of organizational leaders in driving the humanizing transformation. The authors argue that leaders need to be proactive in identifying the needs and aspirations of employees and creating a vision for the future that aligns with the company's values and goals. They suggest that leaders should foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning that empowers employees to contribute their ideas and take ownership of their work.

In conclusion, Humanizing Businesses for a Better World of Work offers a comprehensive and insightful perspective on how organizations can transform their structures and practices to create a more humanized, people-first workplace. The book provides valuable insights into innovative organizational structures, collaborative partnerships between businesses and B-schools, redesigning work models and environments, the impact of global megatrends on the talent economy, rethinking and cultivating a company's personality and values, and the leadership role of organizational leaders in this process. By adopting these strategies, organizations can build greater strategic resilience to navigate future shocks and create a more fulfilling and sustainable work environment for their employees.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781837973330