Chief executive interview

The Top Management Forum jointly sponsored by The Economist Conference Unit and Management Centre Europe, took place in Barcelona this summer. It was attended by Thomas R. Horton, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Management Association. EMJ took the opportunity to interview him and to invite him to compare and contrast the trends in senior executive thinking which he observes between Europe and the US, as well as other parts of the world. As Mr Horton developed his ideas it became clear that three themes were dominant in his thinking. First, the contrast of the political and cultural backgrounds to management which he observes. Second, a tremendous escalation in the creation of an identity amongst technology, information and management. This is a common factor world-wide. Third, the importance of clearly established and published statements of values, policies and objectives for effective organizations.