Charles D. Wrege

What We Don’t Know About Management History: Some Categories of Research and Methods to Uncover Management History Mysteries

Management history contains many unsolved mysteries. In this paper four categories of mysteries are discussed, along with methodologies that have proved useful in solving such mysteries. Examples of the successful use of the outlined methodologies are also presented with illustrations of the results achieved.

F.W. Taylor’s lecture on management, 4th June 1907

Introduces Frederick W. Taylor′s lecture on his “task” system of management, given at his home, “Boxly”, in 1907 and recorded by his friend Morris Cooke as the basis for part of his book. Summarizes the lecture′s contents, and details its background, including correspondence between Cooke and Taylor regarding its development.

F.W. Taylor's lecture on management, June 4, 1907: an introduction

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce Frederick W. Taylors lecture on his “task” system of management, given at his home in “Boxley” in 1907.Design/methodology/approach – The paper summarizes the lectures contents, and details its background.Findings – The paper emphasizes the critical importance of primary sources to the work of management scholars, not just management history.Originality/value – The paper provides further evidence of the import that needs to be attached to sound historical method as a basis for scholarship in management in general, and management history, in particular.

The Origins of Captive Pricing: Electric Lamp Renewal Systems

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of electric lamp renewal systems, an early, successful program to encourage the adoption of new technology, electric lighting. Design/methodology/approach – Much material for the research comes from a variety of archival sources and publications of the early part of the twentieth century. Findings – The free lamp renewal system was brilliant and effective: its high level of customer service and human contact dispelled fear raised by the new energy source, increasing the acceptance and use of electric lighting and thereby electricity. Lighting, in the absence of electrical appliances, was one of the few users of electricity. Thus, the electric companies created a marketing strategy that encouraged adoption of the new technology. Research limitations/implications – We examined the electric lighting industry at the turn of the twentieth century. Other examples of technology adoption could generalize our findings. Practical implications – Our ...

Applying Psychiatry to the '"Brains of Industry": The Pioneer Work of Dr. Jau Don Ball 1916-1926.

From 1916 to 1922, Dr. Jau Don Ball, a California psychiatrist, conducted pioneer studies in the use of psychiatry in industry to solve industrial problems. To aid in his studies. Ball utilized a special Individual Vocational Chart to analyze workers and to help place them in the industrial situation.