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Book Review: Organizational Behavior

November 18, 2025
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Warrick Long

Franklin Markow’s Organizational Behaviour in Christian Perspective (2024, Baker Academic) is a standout resource for anyone seeking to understand organizational dynamics through a faith-based lens. Drawing on his extensive experience as a university educator and leader, Markow presents a clear, well-structured exploration of key organizational behaviour concepts—such as motivation, communication, team dynamics, and culture—while grounding them in Christian principles.

What makes this book particularly valuable is its seamless integration of faith and theory. Readers don’t need to reinterpret secular models to fit a Christian worldview; Markow does this work for them, offering biblically informed insights throughout. The book’s logical flow and accessible language make it suitable for students, educators, and practitioners alike. If I were still lecturing, this would undoubtedly be my required textbook for any course on organizational behaviour or leadership in a faith-based context.

A central theme is that effective leaders must be students not only of leadership but of the organizations they serve. Markow emphasizes the importance of understanding systems and structures, encouraging a holistic approach to leadership rooted in stewardship and service.

Each chapter includes case studies, discussion questions, and curated resources, making it ideal for classroom use or group study. The examples are drawn from real-world Christian contexts, enhancing relevance and application.

In short, this is a highly recommended text for anyone in faith-based leadership or organizational roles. It’s academically sound, spiritually grounded, and immensely practical—a rare and valuable combination.


About the author: Dr Warrick Long is an experienced chief financial officer, company secretary and company director, having worked for more than 35 years in the not-for-profit sector. From 2013 to 2024, he was part of the Avondale Business School (ABS) lecturing as a leadership and governance specialist and coordinating the Master of Business Administration and a leadership and governance specialist. Since late 2024 Dr Long has been serving as the Chief Financial and Operations Officer for Avondale University and undertaking some casual lecturing in the ABS. LinkedIn

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