Harvard Business School - Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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The odd IIIOIIIEIILT of lbe firfl year were .rpefil flicking-iff: and l1IlXi0ll.l'fy .lflllllljllg rlfrrf .rcbed11le.r, having zz pm!-z'ln.r.r, f0J'f-IIIONIHII wilb flue profe.r.rm'.r lo reconcile your .mlmiozz wifb lhe 'lrrbool J'0lllfi0I1U, or dropping-in fo clml wilb lbe demzr. EA GE ERAL Inaugurated in September, 1948, as a separate course, EA General seeks to develop skill in the analysis of business problems which cut across all the areas of study of the first year Elements of Administration program into a related and meaningful totality. Through EA General we came to sense that the capable administrator is not a technical specialist but rather a coordinator of men's varied eHorts. Thus, he must be conversant with all phases of a business operation and know how to link one with the other. Moreover, the wise administrator, we discovered, understands how to realize the best contributions of many minds. Case discussion promoted stimulating and ofter heated debate from which arose a synthesis of ideas superior to the individual parts. And there lies one of the most valuable lessons learned through the year: the importance - the necessity - of group discussion. All in all, the course was tough, was a consumer of endless time, was even frustrating at times, but for the sufficiently durable and persistent it proved to be one of the more significant experiences of the first year. 23

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PUBLIC RELATICDNSHIPS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Public Relationships and Responsibilities, while intangible, must be an integral part of policy. A wise administrator, we learned, must consider the probable demands of government, trade unions, and political and social groups as well as legal restrictions. The mechanism of social change was emphasized. The development of anti- trust laws over the last flfty years, for example, was examined in the light of dynamic social values. In many Supreme Court decisions we found that the failure of business to sense changing public opinion forced government action. Considering the world-wide shift to the left, many of us left P. R. 84 R. with the realization that unless business actively atttempts to satisfy the growing public demands for greater economic security, there is the danger that government, reinforced by public opinion, will legislate such responsi- bility. fLeft to Rightj : Cbgzrler Infro Gmgg, A.B., D.C.S.,' Professor of Bll.ff7I6'.I'.f Adnziniflmliorz. Edwin Raymond Corey, A.B., M.B.A., M.A.,' Imlrnrlor in Buxinerf Aa'n1ini.rfrafion. Richard Stockton Merianz, A.B., Pb.D,,' Proferror of Bnfineii Eronofnirr. Lincoln Gordon, A,B., Dr.Pbil.,' Profeimr of Governmenf and Adnlinirfmlion.

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Administrative Policy integrates the broad areas of study of the first and second years. We roamed in the realm of the mighty - from the president's chair or the panelled board room we examined the complex problems of top management. Here at least was the big picture we had sought so long. It will be years before any of us will consider such sweeping policy ques- tions as Wl1at type of company should we be? or What type of directors do we need ? Nevertheless, the realization of the difiiculties of top-level coordination of company activities cleansed us of the departmental view. And we went into the business world better prepared to contribute more effectively to a company as a whole. The Administrative Policy teaching staff is the largest of any second-year course. Professor George A. Smith and Mr. Carl Christensen form the nucleus of the group and devote full time to it. fLcft to Rightj Seated: George Alberl Smilb, A.B., D.C.S.,' Prnferrm' of Bll.ffh'E.l'.l' Ad1IlilIi.l'f?'dff0ll. Melvin Tbomizx Copelfmd, PlJ,D,, S,D.fH07I.j,' Profeuor of Markeling, Frank 1:0l'.ff6'l' Gilmore, S.M,, Ai1i'fn'iate Profeixior of Bzlrifzerr Admirzirtmlion. Standing: Mylar La Grange Mare, SB., LL.B., D.C.S.,' Aiiroriale Profetior of B11.fi11e,rJ Admin- irtraliou. 101711 Merzfin Kizmrd, A.B., M.B.A.,' lf1.rlr11rlm' in Bu.riner.i' Admizziilmlirnz. Ricbflrd Sfocklwz llfierinw, A.B., Pb.D.,' Proferrm' of Bz1.fiz1e.i'.it Emzzomiaii. .J . . .