Machiavelli Passage, Links to Contemporary Business.

CRITICAL ISSUES IN MANAGEMENT ASSIGNMENT

NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI PASSAGE

Samuel Hussain i7868297

BA Hons Business Studies

Level H

CONTENTS

* Introduction and Interpretation

* Globalisation

* Leadership and Change

* Ethical Leadership – CSR & Stakeholder Management

* Conclusion

* References

The passage from Niccolo Machiavelli’s ‘The Prince’ (1513 cited in CIM Handbook, 2011-12) provides a clear example of some ideas and theories that can be applied across society and also throughout the ages. For the purpose of this essay, Machiavelli’s ‘Prince’ and his ‘Army’ can be compared to a leader or CEO in a multi-national corporation (MNC).

From this papers interpretation it is reasonable to draw from the passage the theme of change on a global scale. Machiavelli uses the example of a political change of leadership. Therefore globalisation is a prevalent topic, which will be explored in this paper. As will the concepts of change and leadership, which are relevant in management today and their relevancy traces back through history. Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC cited Cohen 2004) contemplated the issue of change and supposed change in everything is beneficial. All the critical issues for management today can be seen as encased in a bubble of change. In an increasingly complex world, the factor that has remained the constant is change (Holbeche 2006).

This passage, although based on a historic political leader, can in many cases be applied to a contemporary leader in business. Due to the ethicality issues raised within the passage the second part of the paper will apply a focus on ethical leadership within MNC’s. Under the topic of ethical leadership it will also discuss the areas of corporate social responsibility and stakeholder management, drawing in the relevancy of the passage.

Martin (2005) believes globalisation is not a modern phenomenon; it is a continuing trend that has been going on for centuries. There is no doubt this...