The last two decades have witnessed tremendous changes in the world of business. The world has shrunk and become interlinked like never before through communication and internet networks. The resultant business environment is one of global competition, rapid technological changes, increasing demand for social responsibility and changing organisational structures.

The uncertainty and volatility of the environment have put a premium on developing a clear, winning strategic vision, strategic thinking and strategic actions at different levels of a business organisation. This book comprehensively covers all concepts and topics relevant to contemporary strategic management and business policy:

• Mission, long terms goals and objectives of a business organisation.

• Understanding the organisational environment, both external and internal.

• Strategic management successively at corporate, business and functional levels.

• Strategy formulation, implementation and evaluation.

• International dimensions of strategic management.

• Preparing managers to effectively manage strategic change.

The presentation of the material is clear and unambiguous, incorporating the latest global research in strategic knowledge and practice. The book provides the business student a thorough understanding of the total process of strategic thinking. Equally, it will empower the business professional both envision the future of his organisation and position it with a strategic competitive edge.

Plus: The application of strategic management is highlighted through the analysis of more than a dozen case studies, many of them Indian. A chapter on how to effectively analyse a case is a valuable, special feature of the book.

Nitish Sengupta is a rare combination of an academician, administrator and politician. Educated at Presidency College, Kolkata, and the Calcutta University he passed B.A. (Hons) and M.A. examination in 1st Class and was a gold medallist in M.A. He took his Ph.D. in Management from the Delhi University. Subsequently, he joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). He had a distinguished career as a civil servant during which he held very important positions such as Revenue Secretary, Member-Secretary, Planning Commission, Director General Tourism, Controller of Capital Issues and Secretary, Supply in Government of India. After retirement in 1992, Dr. Sengupta took over as Director General, International Management Institute (IMI), New Delhi. He has also taught at several Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), Delhi University, Administrative Staff College of India and Management Development Institute, Gurgaon. He has held many honorary positions such as Chairman, U. N. Commission for Transnational Corporations; Chairman, Prasar Bharati Act Committee, High Power Committee on Financial Sector Restructuring and Public Sector Petroleum Companies Restructuring Committee. A versatile author, his publications include books like Unshackling of Indian Industry, Changing Pattern of Corporate Management, Corporate Management in India, Government and Business, Inside the Steel Frame, India’s International Trade since Independence, and History of Bengali Speaking Peoples and innumerable research articles.