Sharing Executive Power
Roles and Relationships at the Top

Explores how and why executive teams work, and how to design them for the future.

José Luis Alvarez (Author), Silviya Svejenova (Author)

9780521601078, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 22 December 2005

302 pages, 2 tables
22.8 x 15.3 x 1.9 cm, 0.486 kg

'… worth reading for both organizational theorists and practitioners in the field. The theoretical arguments are introduced and developed with high level academic rigour. At the same time, several accounts of the 'real world' are provided. The originality of the approach is preserved and constantly substantiated with both practical and theoretical support.' Journal of Management and Governance

In many companies, two or three executives jointly hold the responsibilities at the top-from the charismatic CEO who relies on the operational expertise of a COO, to co-CEOs who trust in inter-personal bonds to achieve professional results. Their collaboration is essential if they are to address the dilemmas of the top job and the demands of today's corporate governance. Sharing Executive Power examines the behaviour of such duos, trios and small teams, what roles their members play and how their professional and inter-personal relationships bind their work together. It answers some critical questions regarding when and how such power sharing units form and break up, how they perform and why they endure. Understanding their dynamics helps improve the design and composition of corporate power structures. The book is essential reading for academics, graduates, MBAs, and executives interested in enhancing teamwork and cooperation at the top.

Figures
Tables
Introduction
Part I. Contingencies and Roles in Structuring Corporate Power: 1. Contingencies of corporate power structures
2. Managing the 'infinite job' solo: executive dilemmas, roles and actions
3. Roles and relationships as parameters of corporate power structures
Part II. Small Numbers at the Top: 4. Professional duos
5. Trios and bigger executive constellations
6. United careers of small numbers at the top
Conclusion
Bibliography
Appendix.

Subject Areas: Organizational theory & behaviour [KJU], Business & management [KJ]