Transparency guru: an interview with Tom McManus

Purpose – In this interview, Tom McManus and Dr Harold Lazarus explore transparency as both an approach and an outcome in the management of organizations, and the relation of transparency to corporate strategy. The interview aims to offer context and perspective on transparency. Design/methodology/approach – Utilizing the format of an interview, the reader is introduced to transparency in general and as a management principle. Findings – As the global economy continues to become a reality, as large corporations continue to get bigger and more multinational, as information technology continues to advance, there is going to be a lot of stakeholder dispute around issues related to transparency in the coming years. Stakeholders such as customers, shareholders, and voters are holding management accountable. Information matters, and stakeholders have access to an unprecedented quantity and quality of information. Practical application of transparency is not simple, and many qualified and interesting people are developing the field. Originality/value – Transparency is often talked about as a remedy for corruption and criminality. This interview explores a component of transparency that has not received the same attention – transparency as a principle in management.