Edge Musings: A Dialogue Between Humanities and Management

Author: Liu Wenrui
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Some of the contents in this collection are relatively formal, while the majority are more casual. In Shaanxi, farmers singing opera are divided into "běnxì" (formal stage performances with a clear beginning and end) and "luàndàn" (impromptu singing in the wilderness to vent emotions, without focusing on perfect diction but on emotional release). Print media often performs "běnxì," while the internet has opened up a vast space for those who enjoy "luàndàn." Some pieces in this collection are closer to "běnxì" excerpts, while others are more like spontaneous "luàndàn" sung here and there without a fixed structure. Some were written as academic papers, some were compiled from teaching experiences and reflections, and others are simply fragments of related thoughts. As academic papers, some have been published in journals; as casual reflections, some have been posted online. For all published works, the original journals are noted at the end of each piece.
Management is not only about technology but also about culture, history, and the accumulation of human nature. Ultimately, any management must return to the human element. Humanistic depth provides the third eye for understanding management, revealing the veil of technical composition. Amid the clamor of technology-first philosophies, humanistic spirit and historical perspective can bring new vitality to management. Culture is like an oasis, while technology is like a desert; only from the oasis can one appreciate the grandeur of the desert, and only from the desert can one experience the warmth of the oasis.