Based on a survey of thousands of participants, identifies the 50 most influential business thought leaders, and highlights their backgrounds, accomplishments, and most important works.

From the distinguished Charles Handy to the classic Philip Kotler to the outspoken Paul Krugman, and including such visionary leaders as Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, The Thinkers 50, based on an international survey of business academics, practitioners, consultants, and journalists, reinforces the powerful influences business and popular culture have on each other. Following surveys that were conducted in 2001 and 2003 (asking the single question: Who is the most important living management thinker?), the 2005 survey is the first to be released with a companion book, applying such criteria as practicality of ideas and international outlook to determine ranking, and featuring colorful, informative, and concise profiles of the 50 individuals whose ideas most profoundly influence business today. Each profile includes information on the subject's background and primary contributions, and lists key publications and web sites. Collectively, they reflect the state of the art in contemporary management thinking and its application, separating the people and ideas with lasting impact from the passing fads. From students to entrepreneurs to seasoned executives, The Thinkers 50 provides a compendium of practical insights on the art and science of management.

"This volume provides concise profiles of the Thinkers 50 selected for the 2005 survey (Michael Porter and Bill Gates lead the list), including information on their backgrounds and primary contributions as well as lists of their publications and related Web sites….this work provides a thought-provoking, fascinating discussion of the world's leading management leaders and aims to distinguish those individuals with lasting contributions from those associated with passing fads. Recommended. All business collections." - Choice

"Based on a recent international survey, Parker presents a collection of brief profiles of scholars, educators, consultants, executives, economists, and social scientists, whose ideas set the agenda for management theory and practice, and whose actions and recommendations influence commerce worldwide. The ranking is based on input from visitors to the Thinkers 50 website, and through e-mails from the Thinkers 50 team to hundreds of business people, consultants, academics, and MBA students throughout the world. Organized alphabetically, each of the entries features a concise description of the individual's background, key contributions to his/her area of specialization, and a list of resources for further reading." - Reference & Research Book News