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The purpose of this paper is to revisit the potential of the New Deal as a research context in management and organization studies and, in doing so, forward the role one of its chief architects, Harry Hopkins, played in managing the economic crisis. The exploration takes us to multiple layers that work together to form context around Hopkins including the Great Depression, the Roosevelt Administration, and ultimately, the New Deal. By raising Harry Hopkins as an exemplar of historical-narrative exclusion, the authors can advance the understanding of his role in the New Deal and how his actions produced early insights about management (e.g. modern crisis management).

The paper experiments with the methodological assemblage of ANTi-History and microhistorical analysis that the authors call “ANTi-Microhistory” to examine the life narrative of Harry Hopkins, his early association with President Franklin D. Roosevelt and later, the New Deal. To accomplish this, the authors undertake a programme of archival research (e.g. the digital repository of The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum) and assess various materials (e.g. speeches, biographies and memoirs) from across multiple spaces.

The findings suggest Harry Hopkins to be a much more powerful actor in mobilizing New Deal policies and their effect on early management thought than what was previously accepted. In the process, the authors found that because of durable associations with Roosevelt, key policy architects of the same ilk as Harry Hopkins (e.g. Frances Perkins, Henry Wallace, Lewis Douglas, and others) and their contributions have been marginalized. This finding illustrates the significant potential of little-known historical figures and how they might shed new insight on the development of the field and management practice.

The aim is to demonstrate the potential of engaging historical research in management with the individual – Harry Hopkins – as a unit of analysis. By engaging historical research on the individual – be it well-known or obscure figures of the past – the authors are considering how they contribute to the understanding of phenomena (e.g. New Deal, Progressivism or Keynesian economics). The authors build on research that brings to focus forgotten people, communities and ideas in management studies but go further in advocating for space in the research to consider the scholarly potential of the individual.

Analyses the wide range of issues to be considered when launching a new product development programme. Stresses the importance of new product development in taking a successful company forward. Discusses the risks involved – in the marketplace four out of five new products result in failure. Examines options for where a new product development department should fit into the company – e.g. in the marketing department, in the technical department or as a stand‐alone department. Outlines the advantages and disadvantages of using an external consultant to advise on the setting up of new product development or relying on existing staff. Stresses the importance of analysis and feedback from any methods used. Concludes there is no ideal new product organisation – what's best for one firm might not be best for another. Asserts that in reality, a range of new product organisations can be found, and tailored to meet individual needs.

Professor Jean Rudduck will use a grant from BLRDD, over 18 months commencing in January 1987, to look at post‐graduate teacher training courses in six settings. The project will cover issues related to the retrieval, organisation, presentation and criticism of information and knowledge. Among topics investigated will be formal introductions to the library, students' use of books and libraries, their management of course work assignments, their perceptions of knowledge and information handling and their experiences of study skills teaching as part of teaching practice. Much useful background information can be found in LIR Report 24, The sixth form and libraries: problems of access to knowledge by Jean Rudduck and David Hopkins (£9.50 from the British Library Publications Sales Unit, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ). For additional information please contact Professor Jean Rudduck, University of Sheffield, Division of Education, Arts Tower (Floor 12), Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN (Tel: 0742–768555). BLRDD is hoping to support a parallel study which will look at similar issues in undergraduate teacher training courses.

As part of its response to Total Quality, Nationwide Building Society discovered that much value added could be achieved through internal benchmarking. A cross‐functional team was assembled and a process developed whereby the resulting “best practices” could be managed in such a way so as to influence managers′ behaviours and attitudes towards continuous improvement. A programme of 16‐week secondments for line managers was developed during which they could act as consultants to other branches. Two‐hundred high potential locations were identified from across Nationwide′s 700+ network and a two‐month consultancy service was delivered over a period of 18 months during 1991/92. The Best Practice initiative achieved significant benefits and changes in behaviours particularly in the area of management style and now forms a formal part of Nationwide′s continuous improvement methodology.

The results of an assignment to examine local government finance and training in Benue State, Nigeria are presented in this case study. The financial and management techniques which need to be developed are discussed. A résumé of the financial and administrative condition is given and policy and organisational issues are discussed. Target areas — revenue, budgeting and accounts — are identified, as are training requirements and problems encountered.

The following is an annotated list of materials that discuss the ways in which librarians can provide library users with orientation to facilities and services, and instruct them in library information and computer skills. This is RSR's 11th annual review of this literature, and covers publications from 1984. A few items from 1983 have been included because of their significance, and because they were not available for review last year. Several items were not annotated because the compiler was unable to secure them.