The transition from traditional textbooks to digital formats (EPUB) in organizational management education is not merely a shift in medium but a transformation in pedagogy. This paper argues that the EPUB format, with its interactive capabilities (hyperlinks, embedded assessments, annotation sharing), forces a re-conceptualization of how we introduce "Managing People" (HRM/OB). We propose a framework for designing an EPUB-based introductory text that balances classical management theories (Taylor, Mayo, McGregor) with adaptive, real-time case applications. Full Paper Draft Title: Organizational Management: An Introduction to Managing People – Pedagogy for the EPUB Era
The challenge of "managing people" has never been more volatile. Post-pandemic workplaces demand that managers balance empathy with productivity, remote collaboration with organizational culture, and algorithmic management with human dignity. Yet, the introductory materials used to teach these concepts often lag behind. Many courses still rely on dense, linear textbooks. The transition from traditional textbooks to digital formats
As organizational management pivots towards hybrid work and digital-first cultures, the introductory textbook "Organizational Management: An Introduction to Managing People" must evolve. This paper critically examines how the EPUB file format transforms the delivery of core people management concepts—motivation, leadership, team dynamics, and performance appraisal. We argue that EPUB’s reflowable text, multimedia integration, and accessibility features allow for a more situated learning experience compared to static PDFs or print. The paper concludes with a blueprint for instructors to leverage EPUB-specific affordances to teach managing people effectively. Many courses still rely on dense, linear textbooks
An EPUB-based text— Organizational Management: An Introduction to Managing People —is not a futuristic fantasy but a practical next step. By leveraging reflowable interactivity, multimedia case studies, and accessible design, the EPUB format transforms an introduction to people management from a passive reading exercise into an active managerial rehearsal. We call on management educators to demand EPUB-native texts from publishers and to begin authoring their own using open tools like Pressbooks. By leveraging reflowable interactivity
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[Generated by AI for academic illustration] Journal: Journal of Digital Business Education (Hypothetical)