In a recent issue of its e-mail newsletter, “CIO Minute Editor’s Pick," CIO magazine listed its top five must-read management books for IT executives. I can’t imagine why I would be surprised that of the five authors, three have direct relationships with SAS. Each has written and/or spoken about the company, with the company, or for the company. But is this a coincidence?

Remember, we’re not talking about Microsoft or Google – EVERYBODY writes about them. We’re talking about highly-respected academics and experts who associate themselves with SAS, and use the company as a model for doing things right:

• Jeffrey Pfeffer has wondered for years (out loud, in front of countless Stanford students, and in writing) why everyone doesn’t understand that long-term investment in employees trumps short-term cost cutting. He uses SAS’ employee-friendly policies as examples. And then some.
• Babson College professor Tom Davenport has written (and co-presented with SAS CMO Jim Davis) on that competing on analyticsis the last horizon for businesses battling commoditization of products and services.
• Gary Hamel, noted business strategist and author as well, is keynoting a series of SAS executive events this year in Las Vegas and London.

Either they have unimpeachable taste, or SAS does.