My Bookshelf
These are books that I have read, that I found useful and that have made a strong impression on me. If you're looking for a good read, these are ones that I would recommend.
- Hayduk, L. (1987): Structural Equation Modeling with LISREL
I found this to be an excellent introductory book with lots of details not found in the typical SEM beginner's book, but still very accessible for the novice.
- Bollen, K. (1989): Structural Equations with Latent Variables
A classic; this is still a must-read for every student and user of structural equation modeling; very comprehensive treatment.
- Bollen, K. and Long, J. (eds.) (1993): Testing Structural Equation Models
An edited volume with many early, influential contributions that shaped subsequent debates and research in the field. Still a decent read to get some background on the issues, but in terms of substantive recommendations, this is out of date.
- Hoyle, R.H. (ed.) (1995): Structural Equation Modeling: Concepts, Issues, and Applications
An edited volume with many good contributions. This, too, is a bit out of date, and useful mainly to get some background on the issues.
- Schumacker, R. and Marcoulides, G. (1998): Interaction and Nonlinear Effects in Structural Equation Modeling
An edited volume with contributions that discuss different aspects of this topic. A good, easy introduction to this topic, but somewhat out of date by now.
- Bollen, K. (2006): Latent Curve Models - A Structural Equation Perspective
Very comprehensive introduction to latent curve models, in the style of Bollen's earlier text on SEM. Recommended as a must-read intro on this topic.
- Mulaik, S. (2009): Foundations of Factor Analysis (2nd ed.)
This is a modern treatment of the this rather well-covered topic. Mulaik is a well-recognized expert in this area with many original contributions and his treatment is very thorough.
- Harman, H. (1976): Modern Factor Analysis (3rd ed.)
Not so modern anymore, but it is a classic in this area. Still very much applicable and a good, if somewhat challenging, introduction. For a more modern treatment, see the previous item.
- Pinheiro, J. and Bates, D. (2000): Mixed-Effects Models in S and S-Plus
A very good treatment of this topic. This is not your beginner's regression book, but provides a thorough technical and applied treatment of fixed and random effects models. Especially useful if you're using R.
- Gelman, A. and Hill, J. (2006): Data Analysis using Regression and Multilevel/Hierarchical Models.
Everything you wanted to know about multi-level modeling. A very good introduction with lots of applications and code snippets. Also includes an easy introduction to Bayesian estimation.
- Gelman, A., Carlin, J., Stern, H. and Rubin, D. (2003): Bayesian Data Analysis (2nd ed.)
This is a classic. Very comprehensive, but gentle, introduction to Bayesian estimation. This is a must-read for every student or researcher using Bayesian methods. A third edition is available (2013), which I have not yet read.
- Lunn, D., Jackson, C., Best, N., Thomas, A. and Spiegelhalter, D. (2012): The BUGS Book
The reference to the WinBUGS software from the developers. If you're using WinBUGS (or OpenBUGS, or JAGS) for estimating Bayesian models, this is a must-read.
- Song, X.-Y. and Lee, S.-Y. (2012): Basic and Advanced Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling: With Applications in the Medical and Behavioral Sciences
A very comprehensive book. Lee is very much the founder of this field, with many original contributions in the literature. This book is an integrated treatment of many of his articles.
- Lee, S.-Y. (2007): Structural Equation Modeling: A Bayesian Approach
Similar to the above item, a very comprehensive book. Again, an integrated treatment of many of his articles. Get either this or the above, there is significant overlap
- Lohmöller, J.-B. (1989): Latent Variable Path Modeling with Partial Least Squares
While I am very critical of PLS path modeling, this is a class and a must-read. It is to PLS what Bollen's (1989) book is to SEM. Apparently in print again from Springer, perhaps due to much recent debate on the merits of PLS.
- Esposito Vinzi, V., Chin, W.W., Henseler, J. and Wang, H. (eds.) (2010): Handbook of Partial Leaset Squares: Concepts, Methods, and Applications.
A very comprehensive treatment of some of the recent developments on PLS and PLS path modeling. Given the many of the recent debates in the literature, this is quickly becoming old. Still remains a must-read for the PLS user.
- Hastie, T., Tibshirani, R. and Friedman, J. (2009): The Elements of Statistical Learning: Data Mining, Inference, and Prediction (2nd ed.)
A classic. An introduction to statistics not for inference, but primarily for predictive analytics. Very different from any of the above as predictive analytics has little use for model correctness, parameter accuracy, etc. but focuses on precision, RoC and other metrics. A must-read if you want to move into data analytics and predictive modeling.
- Schmidt, F.L. and Hunter, J.E. (2015): Methods of Meta Analysis (3rd ed.)
A great introduction to meta-analysis, easy to read and understand. Schmidt and Hunter's approach is one of the currently popular approaches to meta-analysis and the book is based on their own research and publications.
- Cheung, M. W.-L. (2015): Meta Analysis - A Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Another approach to meta analysis. This is not meta-analysis of structural equation models, but meta-analysis using structural equation models. Mike Cheung has published extensively on his approach to meta-analysis and this book is a good summary of his work. Definitely recommended but needs a good background in both structural equations and meta-analysis to get the most out of it.
- Pearl, J. and Mackenzie, D. (2018): The Book of Why This is a popular-science account of Judea Pearl's lifework on unterstanding and formalizing causal reasoning. There are no statistical formulas in this book! Pearl and Mackenzie do a superb job of introducing the problems, and Pearl's solutions, in a step-by-step way to anyone. No statistical or any other prerequisites required for this one. One of the best books I have recently read.
- Pearl, J., Glymour, M. and Jewell, N.P. (2016): Causal Inference in Statistics - A PrimerA short and concise introduction to graphical causal models, ideal for an undergrad or a first graduate course on statistics. If you're looking something more concise than the Morgan and Winship book below, this is it. At approx. 120 pages it is a quick read and can be supplemented with a more "traditional" statistics or methods intro.
- Morgan, S.L. and Winship, C. (2015): Counterfactuals and Causal Inference - Methods and Principles for Social Research (2nd ed) A good introduction to identifying causal effects among a set of variables, combining counterfactual reasoning and Pearl's graphical models. This is a nice introductory level book, and should be among the textbooks considered for a first class on research methods.
- Pearl, J. (2009): Causality: Models, Reasoning and Inference
A classic and a must-read. Easily the most influential book I have recently read. As researchers, we deal in causality, and Pearls book provides a well-defined conceptualization of this core notion of research. He shows what can, and cannot be concluded from a researcher's models. Pearl won the prestigious ACM Turing Award for his work on causality. This should be on every student and researcher's reading list.
- Borsboom, D. (1995): Measuring the Mind: Conceptual Issues in Contemporary Psychometrics.
What are these constructs that we purport to measure? Do they exist? What does it mean for our measures to be valid? Borsboom's book offers a comprehensive, and easily understandable, treatment of these foundational issues. Should be a must-read for every student and researchers in the social sciences.
- Markus, K.A. and Borsboom, D. (2013): Frontiers of Test Validity Theory: Measurement, Causation, and Meaning
For this book, Borsboom teams up with Markus to provide a thought-provoking discussion of the concept of measurement and validity of measurement. What is measurement? What are constructs? What is validity? Easier than Borsboom's 1996 book, and more immediately applicable for the researcher. Should be on every research method course's reading list.
- Rossiter, J.R. (2010): Measurement for the Social Sciences: The C-OAR-SE Method and Why it Must Replace Psychometrics.
While I'm not sure it should replace psychometrics, Rossiter's book provides a very structured, systematic, and rigorous way of creating and evaluating measurement instruments in the social sciences. Too much of this is a "black art", and this book brings some much needed structure and discipline.
- Grice, J.W. (2011): Observation Oriented Modeling: Analysis of Cause in the Behavioral Sciences
Grice offers a different perspective on modeling, moving away from the traditional methods of inferences and NHST. While I am not convinced, the book does present an interesting alternative viewpoint and makes explicit and questions many assumptions that researchers implicitly accept.
- Harlow, L.L., Mulaik, S.A., and Steiger, J.H. (1997): What if There Were No Significance Tests?
There has been much push-back against the mindless application of NHST in the social sciences, and this edited volume is a compilation of arguments against NHST, and proposals of alternatives for researchers.
- Glaser, B.G. and Strauss, A.L. (1967): The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research
A classic. Many researchers claim to do grounded theory work, but I think few have read this. It's a very worthwhile read to explore all the nuances of Glaser and Strauss' proposal. A must read for every qualitative researcher; should be part of every research methods course.
- Jasper, D. (2004): A Short Introduction to Hermeneutics
As the title says, this is a very short introduction to what hermeneutics is. This doesn't cover hermeneutics from the modern perspective of a research method, but from the original perspective of biblical interpretation. A quick and interesting read.
- Mumford, E. (1967): The Computer and the Clerk.
A classic and a must-read. Before there was the discipline of information systems, Mumford desdcribed how computers affected the work place. We would now call this ethnographic and interpretive research, and it is a great example of that style of research. This should be the first book any student of Information Systems reads.
- Suchman, L. (2007): Human-Machine Reconfigurations: Plans and Situated Actions (2nd ed.)
Another foundational class of the Information Systems discpline and a great example of interpretive research. Suchman examines how human interact with and appropriate computers and what this means for the design of technical systems. After Mumford's book, this should be second on every student's reading list.
- Zuboff, S. (1989): In the Age of the Smart Machine: The Future of Work and Power
Yet another book not written by an Information Systems researcher, yet another great example of research on this topic. Zuboff examines how the introduction of computer systems affects relationships, especially power relationships, in organizations. With Suchman and Mumford, Zuboff is a classic and must-read in the discipline.
- Coleman, E.G. (2012): Coding Freedom: The Ethics and Aesthetics of Hacking
Another book by a non-IS researcher, this is a great in-depth account of the culture of what we now call open-source software, with it's roots in "Hacking". Here, the term "Hacking" denotes the playful exploration of computer software, not the more recent interpretation of malicious cyber attacks. A great example of recent ethnographic research in the IS discipline.
- Dahlbom, B. and Mathiassen, L. (1993): Computers in Context: The Philosophy and Practice of System Design.
As the title says, it puts computers in context. Rather than examining the design of information systems from a functional or engineering perspective, this book examines the human and organizational aspects of system design, which are arguably much more important, and much less understood.
- Checkland, P. and Holwell, S. (1997): Information, Systems, and Information Systems.
This book is an interesting conceptualization of information technology, away from the technical, engineering-oriented focus, and towards an interpretive, human-oriented perspective. A must read for a different perspective on the discipline.
- Winograd, T. and Flores, F. (1987): Understanding Computers and Cognition: A New Foundation for Design.
Another classic. This book examines interactions with computers from a cognitive perspective and offers a perspective on user-centric system design.
- Hirschheim, R., Klein, H.K., and Lyytinen, K. (1995): Information Systems Desvelopment and Data Modeling: Conceptual and Philosophical Foundations.
This book examines some of the philosophical paradigms underlying IS development and data modeling methods. The authors outline different implications for system development that stem from these paradigms. Another book that moves away from the dominant engineering perspective and offers different perspectives.
- Norman, D.A. (2002): The Design of Everyday Things.
While not strictly and Information Systems book, Norman's theories have been very influential in user interface design and interaction design. This book presents an easily readable account of design for usability. Every IS developer and IS student should read this.
- Norman, D.A. (2002): The Design of Everyday Things.
While not strictly and Information Systems book, Norman's theories have been very influential in user interface design and interaction design. This book presents an easily readable account of design for usability. Every IS developer and IS student should read this.
- Yourdon, E. (2003): Death March (2nd ed.)
An great account of the do's and dont's of IT project management. Inspired by practical experience and provides many personal anecdotes and correspondence from others on this topic. A very good read if you're a project manager (or thinking of becoming one).
- Brooks, F.P. (1995): The Mythical Man-Month (2nd ed.)
Brooks writes from experience. This is one of the earliest accounts of IT project management and still very much relevant. This is a short, concise and insightful treatment of many of the issues and problems faced by project managers. Togther with Youdon's book above, these two are easily the most useful books on project management I have come across. While neither is a typical modern textbook, they do capture many of the soft, human, and political issues that are left out by more standard technical treatments on project management.
- Austin, R.D., Nolan, R.L., and O'Donnell, S. (2009): Adventures of an IT Leader
Austin and Nolan are recognized experts on IT management and IT governance. They team up with O'Donnell in this book on IT management and IT leadership for the non-technical manager. Written in the style of a novel, the book touches on many important question, but always from a business, never from a technical perspective. This should be a must-read book in every MBA curriculum. I read this front-to-back in a single afternoon, it's good.
- Austin, R.D., Nolan, R.L., and O'Donnell, S. (2016): Adventures of an IT Leader (updated edition)
Updated edition of the above, just as good and well worth the read. However, if you've bought the first edition already, save your money.
- Kim, G., Behr, K. and Spafford, G. (2018): The Phoenix Project - A Novel about IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win
A great book about modern IT developement and operations, and how to organize your IT department. I read through this in the span of a single weekend, well written, likeable characters, realistic and actually makes IT management exciting. While not intended as a textbook (like the Austin, Nolan and O'Donnell book above), it would still make a great companion for a course on IT management. It complements the Austin, Nolan and O'Donnell by providing a look at the inside of IT operations.
- Kim, G. (2019): The Unicorn Project - A Novel about Develpers, Digital Disruptions, and Thriving in the Age of Data
A complement to the Phoenix Project above, set in the same "universe" company with some of the same characters. While the Phoenix project focused on the operations side of DevOps, this book focuses more on the developer side. Equally well written as the Phoenix Project, very realistic and exciting. But while the Phoenix Project was rooted in the theory of constraints, there is no underpinning framework for the Unicorn Project; the novel very much focuses on the integration benefits of dev and ops to a degree that seems to throw some caution and structure to the wind.
- Hammer, M. and Champy, J. (1993): Reengineering the Corporation: A Manifesto for Business Revolution.
The classic book on process reengineering. This defined an era in management. Even though BPR is often mistaken for simple downsizing and heavily criticized, the general ideas important and valid. A must read for every student of business.
- Champy, J. (1995): Reengineering Management. The Mandate for New Leadership
James Champy takes some ideas of the earlier joint book with Hammer and makes them concrete with an emphasis on change management for BPR.
- Hammer, M. and Stanton, S. (1995): The Reengineering Revolution: A Handbook
Another follow-up to the groundbreaking work by Hammer and Champy, this book looks at lessons learned from many experiences. While arguably the 1993 book by Hammer and Champy is the most important, this set of three books should be read together.
- van der Aalst, W. and van Hee, K. (2004): Workflow Management: Models, Methods, and Systems
An early, easy to read introduction to workflow management, and workflow management systems with a specific focus on Petri net based models. Introductory and very focused.
- van der Aalst, W. and Stahl, C. (2011): Modeling Business Processes: A Petri Net-Oriented Approach
While perhaps not intended or positioned as such, this might be seen as an update to the earlier 2004 book by van der Aalst. This goes into greater depth on the Petri-net and modeling aspect, but does not cover workflow management systems.
- Weske, M. (2012): Business Process Management: Concepts, Languages, Architectures.
Another book on process modeling. In contrast to the above item, this one has more discussion of languages other than Petri-nets, and includes some aspects of process choreography and orchestration.
- Dumas, M., La Rosa, M., Mendling, J. and Reijers, H.A. (2013): Fundamentals of Business Process Management.
Going both beyond Petri-nets and beyond modeling, this book focuses on the BPMN language that is in common use in practice. It provides much more context around the modeling than the above books, and covers the entire process management lifecycle, including topics on identification, analysis, discovery, and improvement
- Dumas, M., La Rosa, M., Mendling, J. and Reijers, H.A. (2018): Fundamentals of Business Process Management - 2nd edition
Updated and extended edition of the above. Makes a great textbook, very comprehensive coverage but easy enough to get into. Lots of exercises, some with solutions.
- ter Hofstede, A.H.M., van der Aalst, W., Adam, M. and Russell, N. (eds.) (2010): Modern Business Process Automation: YAWL and its Support Environment.
An in-depth treatment of the YAWL workflow language and the YAWL workflow management system. I use this for a textbook in my process management course.
- van der Aalst, W. (2011): Process Mining: Discover, Conformance, and Enhancement of Business Processes
A good introduction, mostly non-technical and an overview of the field. However, given that this is a fast moving area of research, this should not be considered as the state-of-the-art anymore.
- Talmy, L. (2000): Toward a Cognitive Semantics: Concept Structuring Systems (Vol 1)
A very thorough treatise in cognitive linguistics.
- Talmy, L. (2000): Toward a Cognitive Semantics: Typology and Process in Concept Structuring (Vol 2)
The second volume of this substantial work.
- Bloom, P., Peterson, M.A., Nadel, L. and Garrett, M.F. (eds.) (1996): Language and Space.
The essays in this edited volume explore how language structures our perception or concept of space. Or does space affect language?
- Prinz, J.J. (2002): Furnishing the Mind: Concepts and Their Perceptual Basis
Prince's work explores what concepts are, how they are constituted, what they mean, and how much of them is in the mind and in the world.
- Murphy, G.L. (2004): The Big Book of Concepts
Similar to Prince's work, this book also provides an account of concepts, their development, their meaning and relationship to perception and the world.
- Jackendoff, R.S., Bloom, P. and Wynn, K. (eds.) (1999): Language, Logic, and Concepts
A collection of essays on a range of topics related to cognitive linguistics.
- Gentner, D. and Goldin-Meadow, S. (eds.) (2003): Language in Mind: Advances in the Study of Language and Thought
This book is a collection of some very interesting essays by the premier researchers in the field of cognitive linguistics. It explores the reletionship between language and thought: Can one exist without the other? Which one comes first? How does one affect the other?
- Markman, E.M. (1989): Categorization and Naming in Children: Problems of Induction
An early book on the topic of language and concept acquisition by one of the most well known researchers in this field. While this provides a good background, its substantive results have been superseded in the 25 years since it was written.
- Hirch-Pasek, K. and Golinkoff, R.M. (1996): The Origins of Grammar: Evidence from Early Language Comprehension.
An early book of a cognitive account of concept and language acquisition based on developmental linguistics. Written by well-known and well-published researchers in the area.
- Newcombe, N.S. and Huttenlocher, J. (2000): Making Space: The Development of Spatial Representation and Reasoning.
Another book on how spatial concepts develop, how they interact with reasoning and language.
- Baker, M.C. (2003): Lexical Categories: Verbs, Nouns and Adjectives
The book explores the categories expressed in language structures and identifies universal categories, which may give us a hint of universal concepts.
- Croft, W. (1990): Typology and Universals
Similar to the above book by Baker, Croft also attempts to identify linguistic universals.
- Whyte, L. (2003): Second Language Acquisition and Universal Grammar
This book tries to get at second language acquisition through linguistic universals. How does a second language change the already acquired grammar? What effects does the acquired grammar have on second language acquisition?
- Bowerman, M. and Levinson, S.C. (eds.) (2001): Language Acquisition and Conceptual Development
An edited volume that explores the notion of concepts from a developmental linguistics perspective. What is the interplay in conceptual development and language development? Which comes first?
- Chomsky, N. (2000): New Horizons in the Study of Language and Mind.
A linguists perspective on the relationship between cognition and language, Chomsky's brief book outlines his position on the issue.
- Baghramian, M. (ed.) (1999): Modern Philosophy of Language
The book brings together historical and contemporary essays of eminent philosophers on language, cognition, and the world. Well-selected but only briefly commented.
- Tomasello, M. (2003): Constructing a Language: A Usage-Based Theory of Language Acquisition.
This is a developmental linguistics account of how language is acquired and it's relationship to cognitive concept and the world.
- Gopnik, A. and Meltzoff, A.N. (1998): Words, Thoughs, and Theories (Learning, Development, and Conceptual Change)
Another developmental account of the relationship between concepts and language. Here, concepts are conceptualized as interconnected elements of a theory, hence the title.
- Lakoff, G. (1990): Women, Fire, and Dangerous Things.
Despite the title, this is a serious account of categorization and what categories tell us about the cognitive concepts in one's mind.
- Pinker, S. (1994): The Language Instinct: How t he Mind Creates Language.
Pinker is a serious and well-known researchers in this area, but his popular science books, like this one and the next, have made him famous. This book is not an exhaustive treatment of the topic, but an easy to read popular account.
- Pinker, S. (1990): Words and Rules: The Ingredients of Language
Pinker's popular science account of grammar. As with the above, not an exhaustive treatment, but an easy read.
- Jackendoff, R. (2012): A User's Guide to Thought and Meaning
Jackendoff is another well-published serious researcher who has taken to popular science writing with this very brief book.
- Trudgill, P. (2000): Sociolinguistics: An Introduction to Language and Society (4th ed.)
This is a very nice, brief, and easy-to-read introduction to sociolinguistics and its main research areas. Not meant to be an authoritative treatise of the field, but a good intro.
- Cooper, J.M. (2007): Cognitive Dissonance: 50 Years of a Classic Theory
This very brief book provides a nice history of the theory of cognitive dissonance, the major developments in this research area and what the original theory has morphed into. A must-read for anyone working in this area, including the many IS researchers whose work is rooted in cognitive dissonance. The development of the theory shows that it is important to follow a reference discipline, rather than focus on the original work.
- Gentner, D., Holyoak, K.J., andd Kokinov, B.N. (2001): The Analogical Mind: Perspectives from Cognitive Science.
This edited volume presents different accounts of analagies and analogical reasoning.
- Gopnik, A. and Schulz, L. (eds.) (2007): Causal Learning: Psychology, Philosophy, and Computation
The essays in this edited volume present different perspectives on learning causal structures or relationships in the world, and also touch on what we mean by causality.
Philosophy of Science, Mind, and Language
- Feynman, R.P. (1998): The Meaning of it All: Thoughts of a Citizen-Scientist
A Nobel laureate and a well-known physicist, Richard Feynman talks about what science is, and what it means to be a scientist. This is not meant to be a philosophical treatise, these are his personal thoughts. Should be a must-read for every research student.
- Kuhn, T. (1962/1996): The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (3rd ed.)
A classic. This book has defined much of the discussion in the philosophy of science over the past half century. A must-read for every researcher and research student.
- Laudan, L. (1990): Science and Relativism: Some Key Controversies in the Philosophy of Science.
Laudan writes in dialog style, tackling many issues and questions presented by relativism and making this an easily accessible book on this subject. Recommended to every research student as part of their first year of study.
- Searle, J. (1999): Mind, Language and Society: Philosophy in the Real World
Searle is an important figure in the discussion of cognition, language and their relationship to the world. This is a very brief and easily accessible book outlining his position.
- Blackburn, S. and Simmons, K. (eds.) (1999): Truth.
A good first introduction to the concept of truth. This edited volume is a collection of essays from major philosophers on this topic and provides a well-balanced, and well-selected, treatment.
- Norris, C. (2005): Epistemology: Key Concepts in Philosophy
An introductory text on epistemology: How we know things, how we know things to be true. This should be suitable for research students in their first year of study.
- Chomsky, N. and Foucault, M. (2006): The Chomsky-Foucault Debate: On Human Nature.
Two of the most influential modern philosophers debate what it means for us to be human. Touching on issues ranging from language to politics and society, this is a very interesting debate.
- Casti, J.L. (1990): Paradigms Lost
The first chapter provides an easy to read introduction to the central concepts and issues in the philosophy of science. With this background, the remaining chapters tackle some current questions in science.
- Haugeland, J. (ed.) (1997): Mind Design II: Philosophy, Psychology and Artificial Intelligence (revised ed.)
A collection of essays by the most influential philosophers on language and cognition, and well-known researchers in artificial intelligence, the book tackles the hard question of what AI is, and whether we can achive AI.
- Fodor, J. (2000): In Critical Condition: Polemical Essays on Cognitive Science and the Philosophy of Mind
A collection of interesting essays on this topic by Jerry Fodor, a well-known philosopher in this field. Brief and easily accessible.
- Searle, J.R. (1995): The Construction of Social Reality
This very easy to read and understanding makes explicit how meaning (and thereby the world) are socially constructed. If you thought constructivism was a complex and difficult topic, Searle's book makes it very accessible.
- Rorty, R. (1981): Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature
A very influential work of the relationship between mind and nature, and implications for epistemology and truth.
- Wittgenstein, L. (1973): Philosophical Investigations (3rd ed.)
This later Wittgenstein is a lot more accessible and relevant than the earlier Tractatus one. For a philosophy work, this is easy to read and quite short. Wittgenstein presents many good thoughts on language and meaning. Highly recommended.
- Fay, B. (1996): Contemporary Philosophy of Social Science: A Multicultural Approach
In a very easy to understand format, Fay tackles the important questions in the philosophy of science. A quick read, or use this as a textbook for an introductory research methods course.
- Lakoff, G. and Johnson, M. (1999): Philosophy in the Flesh: The Embodied Mind and Its Challenge to Western Thought.
I haven't read this yet, looking forward to it.
- Gadamer, H.-G. (1975): Truth and Method
A treatise on hermeneutics and the hermeneutic approach to meaning and knowing. This is not an easy and also a very lengthy text, but it is a must-read if you claim to do hermeneutics in your research. Could just as easily be moved to my research methods section.
- Curd, J.A. and Cover, M. (1998): Philosophy of Science: The Central Issues.
This annotated collection of essays is a very exhaustive treatment of pretty much any aspect of philosophy of science (1408 pages!!). It is my go-to reference on that topic, I wouldn't recommend reading it from front to back.
- Medina, J. (2005): Language: Key Concepts in Philosophy
An introductory text on philosophy of language. Covers everything from speach acts through socio-linguistics. Easy to read.
- Austin, R.D., Nolan, R.L. and O'Donnell, S. (2012): Harder Than I Thought: Adventures of a Twenty-First Century Leader
This is a novel by the same authors as the Adeventures of IT Leader (above) and in the same style. It's a bit of a sequel with the same protagonist but set in a different company and it is a story about general or strategic management, rather than IT management. Also lacking are exercises and reflection questions and an integrating framework. This would still make a good introductory textbook for business students, or could be picked up in a capstone course to integrate various disciplines. Read this front to back in the span of a single weekend, I found this quite a good read.
- Zuboff, S (2019): The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power. An incredibly insightful book into how and why privacy on the internet, and, increasingly, in the physical world is being eroded. Zuboff compellingly argues that every human experience is being digitized in order to sell predictive analytics for our lives. The danger in this is not targeted advertising, but a total and undetectable control of our lives by subtle or not-so-subtle actions being taken by systems to nudge, guide, coax, or force us into certain behaviour. Zuboff presents this as a challenge not only to democracy, but to a human society more generally. This is an incredibly well written, insightful, well documented book, and most of all very, very scary.
- O'Neill, C (2017): Weapons of Math Destruction. A critical look at Big Data and algorithms that increasingly control our lives. O'Neill, who holds a PhD in mathematics, examines the black-box nature of such algorithms, the lack of accountability, and the feedback loops involved in the application of algorithms that increasingly control our lives. Definitely recommended and a much needed critical book on the topic.
- Russo, R (1998): Straight Man. The story of a reluctant chair of an English language department at a small-town university. Hilarity ensues in his dealings with the dean, his colleagues and his family, but also deep and thoughtful. Great read!.
- Schumacher, J (2015): Dear Committee Members. A very witty, tongue-in-cheek description of academic life. Tales of academic life at a minor department at a minor university through a series of fictional letters-of-reference. Many recognizable elements, and very good fun (and quick) to read.
- Whelan, A., Walker, R. and Moore, C. (eds) (2013): Zombies in the Academy: Living Death in Higher Education.
A collection of essays, some serious and some tongue-in-cheek, about how the life is drained from educators and students in higher education, leaving a wasteland of the walking dead. Anyone working in higher education or studying at a university or college will be able to see themselves. Excellent fun read.
- Pirsig, R.M. (1974): Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.
One of the most enjoyable philosophical books I have read. It's captivating and easy to read. My recommendation: Do not analyze it or take it apart sentence by sentence. Read it as a story, not to analyze as a philosophical treatise. It'll still have an effect on you.
- Pirsig, R.M. (1992): Lila: An Inquiry into Morals.
Different topic, but as good as Zen. Same recommendation: read it as a story, not a treatise.
- Morgan, G. (2006): Images of Organization (updated ed.)
This is a classic and must-read for anyone studying business or management or related disciplines. It provides a number of alternatives conceptualizations of what an organization or firm is, besides the traditional functional one, with the alternatives often being more relevant to the practice of management. This should be in every MBA curriculum.
- Cote, J. and Allahar, A.L. (2007): Ivory Tower Blues: A University System in Crisis.
Everyone working in the North American system knows about what Cote and Allahar write: The pressures from policy makers, administrators, students, parents, and other stakeholders have a negative and often demoralizing effect on tertiary education. This book is an eye-opener for everyone who's not an insider and should be must-read material for future students and their parents.
- Adams, S. (1997): The Dilbert Principle.
Scott Adams speaks from experience. You may think this is funny, but everything in this book is how the business world really is. A must-read for every MBA curriculum.