Goal-Setting Theory

Shows how managers in any organizational setting can improve their own and their teams' results through a unique, step-by-step approach to setting goals and then - most importantly - by putting them into action. Curtis lays bare the linkages between organizational culture, philosophy, ethics, and the management of information and change, and shows how they contribute to goal setting and achievement. Throughout Curtis argues that deciding "what to do" may be an essential component of goal setting, but the real challenge is in "getting things done", and it is here that so many goal-setting systems fall. Part I begins by establishing the foundation for the remainder of the book. It addresses the managerial philosophy underlying goal setting. The theory of goal setting is covered in Part II. Studies are reviewed that show that organizations, teams, and individuals that set clear, challenging goals produce better results than those who do not. The next part begins by addressing goal setting from an organizational perspective. Team goal setting follows. Techniques for individual goal setting are discussed in Part V. Part VI pulls organizational, team, and individual goal setting together by examining the ways information must be managed in a goal-oriented setting. Part VII, Change and Goal Setting, provides the techniques necessary to implement the goal-setting philosophy in a rapidly changing world. The book concludes with an examination of the ultimate purpose of management, to produce positive results.

The book begins with a treatment of the role of science and the nature of theory and research. A discussion of the early origins and history of organizational behavior follows. This is the most comprehensive coverage of how organizational behavior emerged and grew. It presents and evaluates the first generation theorists, whose work began during the first 20 years. The subject matter covered is motivation, leadership, and organizational decision making. The institutional culture of organizational behavior is discussed and a vision for the future of the field is stated. Here the early history and the evidence from the theories are brought together in an effort to assess the identity of organizational behavior and where it might be headed.

This volume reports the results of the first study to empirically examine the use of a simple straightforward self-management training program to increase employee attendance. The author presents a complete description of the self-management training process used in the study, shows how self-management can be of significant value in reducing employee absenteeism, and offers precise information for the human resources professional who wishes to organize and implement self-management training within his or her own organization.