Daniel A. Wren

The foundations of Henri Fayol’s administrative theory

Among modern scholars and students there is an increasing distance between the fundamental thoughts of early management writers and contemporary, often secondary, accounts of how these pioneers developed their ideas. This shortcoming can be remedied by seeking original sources from when a pioneer’s ideas were being formulated and from the context within which this occurred. We examine examples of how others have furthered our understanding of management history by the discovery and translation of pioneering writings and present a rare, out‐of‐print translation and a previously untranslated and unpublished presentation from the French pioneer, Henri Fayol. These presentations to his colleagues in the mineral industry reveal Fayol’s early reflections as they would later evolve into his classical book, Administration Industrielle et Generale.

Faculty perceptions of electronic journals as scholarly communication: a question of prestige and legitimacy

Recent years have seen a proliferation of electronic journals across academic disciplines. Electronic journals offer many advantages to multiple constituencies, however, their acceptance by faculty and university promotion and tenure committees is unclear. This research examines perceptions of faculty and promotion and tenure committee members regarding the perceived prestige and legitimacy of electronic journals as an outlet for scholarly communication.

Management History: Issues and Ideas for Teaching and Research

This review examines the study of management history and discusses its role in management education. Management history provides a theoretical baseline, a historical perspective, and aframework for building and integrating knowledge. After examining issues in teaching and research, future needs and directions for management history are indicated.

“Playing by ear” . . . “in an incessant din of reasons”: Chester Barnard and the history of intuition in management thought

In the closing decades of the twentieth, and at the start of the twenty‐first, centuries, attention has again turned to the critical role of intuition in effective managerial decision making. This paper examines the history of intuition in management thought by tracing its origins to Chester I. Barnard. This paper reveals not only the intellectual roots linking Barnard’s conceptualization of intuition in management thought to, among others, the influential works of the economist and sociologist, Vilfredo Pareto; Lawrence Henderson’s influence on Barnard through Henderson’s leadership and direction of the Harvard Pareto Circle; the works of the early pragmatist John Dewey; Humphrey’s The Nature of Learning; and Koffka’s Principles of Gestalt Psychology. Further, Barnard’s conceptualization of intuition foreshadowed by nearly two decades nearly all of Polanyi’s thinking and elaboration of tacit knowledge. This paper also examines Barnard’s and Simon’s differing views on intuition and provides a brief overview of contemporary research on intuition in managerial decision making.

The Taylorization of Lenin: rhetoric or reality?

Lenin advocated “Taylorization” (i.e. scientific management), to rebuild post‐revolutionary Russias economy. The evidence, however, indicates that Lenins advocacy caused conflict within the communist party, and scientific management was rarely implemented successfully. Noting a rhetoric‐reality gap, the paper explains the difference between Lenins advocacy and actual practice. Lenin wished to convey the message that his regime was progressive, using the latest management techniques. Rather than following scientific management precepts, pressure was placed on Soviet workers to increase productivity without improving work methods. The papers conclusion is that Lenins advocacy of scientific management was a leaders rhetoric, a political expediency, and it would be misleading to connect scientific management with the practice of management in post‐revolutionary Russia.

Management Historians and Business Historians: Differing Perceptions of Pioneer Contributors

At the 1974 meeting of the Academy of Management, it was proposed that the Academys Management History Division find some appropriate ways to honor outstanding individuals who had contributed the ...

Henri Fayol: learning from experience

Examines the debate about the value of the experiences of practising managers in building management theory. Henri Fayol, an advocate of the experimental method, built his administrative theory from his experiences. Examines the development of Fayol′s ideas before the publication of his major work, Administration Industrielle et Generale. A preview of other works reveals new translations and sources of documentation.

Henri Fayol as strategist: a nineteenth century corporate turnaround

Successful corporate turnarounds occur, thus avoiding liquidation, but historical examples are few. In late nineteenth century France Henri Fayol became managing director (CEO) of a vertically integrated iron and steel firm and made various decisions that retrieved the firm from the brink of liquidation. In examining his career, the competitive nature of the industry, and his decisions, it is suggested that he employed a deliberate and comprehensive corporate strategy to guide the firm toward its objectives. While he developed his theory of management from these experiences and claimed that its application was the primary cause of the turnaround, this paper suggests that there were several other factors at work.

Medieval or Modern? A Scholastic's View of Business Ethics, circa 1430

There are varying opinions about whether or not the field of business ethics has a history or is a development of more modern times. It is suggested that a book by a Dominican Friar, Johannes Nider, De Contractibus Mercatorum, written ca. 1430 and published ca. 1468 provides a basis for a history of over 500 years. Business ethics grew out of attempts to reconcile Biblical precepts, canon law, civil law, the teachings of the Church Fathers, and the writings of early philosophers with the realities of expanding economic activity. Niders background is discussed as well as his book as an example of incunabula.Nider was one of the Scholastics who provided a link between Aristotle and later Reformation thinkers. In Nider we find caveat venditor as his moral guide to merchants as well as other surprisingly modern ideas such as justice in exchange; restitution for defective goods; the market as the final arbiter of value; and the importance of creating utility in products.

The Role of Managerial Experience in the Management Education Process; Status, Problems, and Prospects.

A number of authorities on management education believe that those who teach management should have managerial experience or have been in contact with real-world management practices. However, a significant number of management professors have had only minimal management experience. The authors make the case that this may be problematic. This shortcoming has an effect on the quality of the product we are providing to the business world. There is a need for a rethinking of the relationship between academia and practicing managers. A number of strategies that will help to remedy the shortcomings associated with the minimal managerial experience of management professors are offered.