Privatization is a reality of life for most countries. The Privatization and Market-Based Leadership book aims to introduce the reader to situational leadership, privatization, market-based management practices, ethics, conflict resolution, economic development, diversity management, and other such relevant concepts to recondition a developing economy’s workforce toward knowledge acquisition, competitiveness, and productivity. The book is designed to be useful to employees and managers, both in government and in the private sector, who want to integrate effective decision-making skills into their operations.

In Privatization and Market-Based Leadership, Dr. Bahaudin Mujtaba cautions that privatization is not for every economy since there is a right time and a right industry to privatize without losing control or negatively impacting the working groups or various sectors of the population. Countries without a strong government must first focus on building and strengthening the public sector before taking drastic steps toward privatization of major state-owned enterprises. Market-Based Leaders (MBLs) must have high ethical standards, understand market-based management practices, appreciate the diversity of each individual in the workforce, encourage teamwork, and grow each individual according to his or her level of readiness. Overall, Privatization and Market-Based Leadership emphasizes and supports the implementation of effective training and education programs for the workforce as per their needs for capacity and leadership development purposes. 

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Dr. Bahaudin Mujtaba has provided an excellent and yet unique view of economic, social and cultural behavior in developing economies such as Afghanistan and he identifies and addresses the numerous challenges that these countries face in revamping their economic, social, and political status.

Privatization and Market-Based Leadership in Developing Economies: Capacity Building in Afghanistan, offers an in-depth comparative analysis of the need for Privatization in emerging economies as an instrument and probably a catalyst for revitalization of the market economies in developing regions.  The author has taken a “balanced” approach in his recommendations for privatization by recognizing that the same process that has been successful in western economies may not necessarily be suitable for or applicable in developing nations. 

Among many significant issues, Dr. Mujtaba recognizes two noteworthy critical success factors that contribute to achievement of privatization goals.  He acknowledges the role of women in promoting and helping the entrepreneurial challenge and he refers to historical trend and practices in traditional societies (i.e. Iran). The author also recognizes the significant role the governments of developing nations can play in supporting and promoting the spirit of privatization in those countries. Utilizing these forces would considerably pave the road to privatization and their overall economic prosperity.

Privatization and Market-Based Leadership in Developing Economies is an excellent resource document to help and to guide the process of privatization and economic prosperity in developing economies in general and Afghanistan in particular.

Dr. Mohamad Sepehri, Professor                          Davis College of Business  Jacksonville University

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I was absolutely impressed by the quality of privatization research and the depth of analysis of privatization success factors. Needless to say that privatization is playing a pivotal role in the transformation from the state controlled to the market oriented economies. But privatization context is closely related to the country's economic conditions, its culture and capacity for change. The other layer is an international environment and globalization impact. It is pretty evident from the fascinating analysis of privatization trends in Afghanistan how difficult the process could be, and how important would be the timing, the right choice of privatization methods to develop its synergy with the country’s traditions and culture. Very detailed analysis of privatization process, including internal calls for privatization, incentives for different groups in Afghanistan, methods, and supporting factors like FDI and MNCs, would definitely be helpful for the investment decision making.

The research on privatization has to deal with political, economic and social flavors of this process. Using a systemic approach Bahaudin Mujtaba covers all of them in his book.  Extremely interesting is the part on the development of market-based leadership in Afghanistan. In application to the developing and transitioning countries this study would help to get understanding of current problems and further trends.

Dr. Irina Naoumova, Associate Professor,

Department of General and Strategic Management,

State University – Higher School of Economics, Moscow

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Privatization and Market-Based Leadership in Developing Economies: Capacity Building in Afghanistan by Professor Bahaudin G. Mujtaba is an excellent source to try to understand the tremendous problems faced by those traditional societies going through the painful process of transforming their socioeconomic institutions from centrally-planned economies or quasi-centrally-planned economies to market-oriented ones. The main themes of this colossal research effort can be summarized by the struggle or dichotomy between ideology and necessity, utopian ethics and economic rationality.

The implicit and, in some cases, explicit spheres of influence analyzed in this book are: 1) - moral versus material incentives; 2) - role of money and markets; and 3) - budgetary versus self-financed enterprises. These three areas of research or spheres of influence are deeply linked and, ultimately, rest on the vision of the New Redeemable Human Creature and the Millennium. Assuming the actual state of affairs as the result of years of accumulation of the irrational consequences of utopian postures, I believe that at this historical moment, renewal is possible and the future of the Afghan people can be improved substantially.

Dr. Pedro F. Pellet, Professor of Economics

Nova Southeastern University

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The Privatization and Market-Based Leadership in Developing Economies’ book should be beneficial to all managers and leaders including healthcare professionals as it creates and enforces high ethical standards and codes of conduct in the society.

Dr. Nilofar Jamasi, DMD,  

University of Florida

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Market-based management practices have created wealth and growth in many western nations, as well as other nations across the globe. However, such wealth and growth are not easily accomplished. Privatization and market-based leadership hold bright possibilities and prospects for the future of developing economies and their people. Market-based leadership requires balance, and Bahaudin uniquely describes this by stating that political, cultural, and organizational leaders should be focused on the establishment of a healthy balance between the state and market, economic growth and human development, as well as the public and private sector.

Dr. Donovan A. McFarlane, City College of Fort Lauderdale;

Research Associate of the University of Metaphysics, Sedona, AZ

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Privatization and Market-Based Leadership in Developing Economies tackles a very important subject and is researched well. There are links between poverty alleviation and a greater role of private sector to new employment opportunities. The book is well written and should be useful to developing nations.

Dr. Fazil T. Najafi, Professor of Engineering,

Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering,

University of Florida

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The Privatization and Market Based Leadership in Developing Economies’ book offers a "blueprint" for countries undergoing a dramatic change in their structure toward a free market economy.  While there are many more economic issues to be considered in depth, Dr. Mujtaba does advance some basic solid market-based and free-market tenets that support the economic stability of nations.

Dr. James J. Kolacek, III, Senior Professor of Economics, Palm Beach Atlantic University; Senior Professor of Business and Economic Studies, DeVry University 

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Privatization and Market Based Leadership in Developing Economies provides an intelligent and compelling argument to support practices associated with a major paradigm shift for practitioners of commerce within developing nations. The author clearly articulates factors that range from macrocosm of a nation to the microcosm represented by its commercial enterprises. The explications of the book text provide considerations and applications of relevance to any developing nation.

Dr. Dana Tesone, Professor of Human Resources

University of Central Florida

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Privatization and Market Based Leadership in Developing Economies is a valuable base of knowledge for the change agents of the world.  It combines extensive research with a focus on the human issues of change.

Dr. Mary Tranquillo, Professor of Business Administration

Strayer University, South Charlotte Campus

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Privatization and Market-Based Leadership in Developing Economies: Capacity Building in Afghanistan is a well-researched book that covers most if not all the critical areas of management and is a timely resource to business entrepreneurs and researchers. Afghanistan has generated enormous interest in the international community with substantial financial resources made available to ensure its success. This book is a must read for interested stakeholders.

Dr. Michael Sithole, Associate Professor

College of the Southwest, Hobbs New Mexico

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The knowledge gained from reading Privatization and Market-Based Leadership in Developing Economies will enable government officials, educators, developers, investors, and entrepreneurs in Afghanistan to establish a sound foundation for building a sustainable progressive economy and to use the available resources efficiently.

Mr. Mohammed Majboor, P.E.

Senior Project Engineer - Florida Department of Transportation