Abstract

Effective management has long been a human aspiration. Management thought expressed in philosophy, concepts and skills-regardless cultural differences or time lag is universally applicable and intellectually beneficial. This article represents an initial attempt to introduce early Chinese management thought. It focuses on the traditional bureaucracy, man's role in management, policy and strategy and management methods and comments briefly on the contemporary practice in the People's Republic of China. The concepts of policy and strategy had high importance in Chinese thinking and administration. Policy and strategy were closely related. Business strategy is essential to the success of a business firm. Given an economically cautious present and a potentially distressed future, modem executives need concepts and techniques which will induce effective planning and intelligent actions. A sound strategy will enable business firms to exploit opportunities and overcome difficulties effectively.