New book on Philips, final editing by Van de Loo

The book Philips vs Philips was presented today. This book is the diary of former director of Legal Affairs of Philips, Hans Beekhuis, and is about that difficult struggle of Philips around 1985 concerning its American subsidiaries. Professor Erik van de Loo is the editor-in-chief of the essays in this book.

Image: © Nationale Beeldbank

The book describes a period in the eighties when the Philips NV and the still independent US Philips were on opposite sides. There was a realistic risk that Philips, one of the largest companies in the Netherlands, was to break into two groups for a prolonged period. This diary describes a fascinating phase in the history of Philips, crucial for its continuity, and offers a unique inside view through the eyes of the author of the spectacular development of this international struggle for power at daggers drawn.

Philips vs Philips is mainly about the decision-making that goes to the heart of the strategy, the structure and the leadership of a company. In this way, it sheds exceptional light on the decision-making processes at the top of a internationally operating company.

The diary includes scientific comments by a number of authoritative people: Prof. Paul Frentrop (corporate governance in a historical perspective), Prof. Jaap van Manen (current corporate governance), Prof. Steven ten Have (strategy and change), former NRC-editor Dick Wittenberg (Philips in journalistic perspective) and Prof. Erik van de Loo (board leadership).

Philips vs Philips
Technical specifications: Luxury hardback, stitched bound, with dust cover, book marker and photographs
Volume: 288 pages
Size: 15.5×24 cm.
Price: € 35,-
ISBN: 978 94 913 631 39