Georges Trepo

Managing the unmanageable

Attempts to explain the sources of the basic assumption of the socio‐economic approach to management (SEAM): the existence of hidden costs and performance. These are due to the heterogeneity of situations and to the presence of multiple contradictions in these situations. Aims to show how SEAM can help to both spot these two dimensions and to shed light on the operational difficulties for managers to cope with them.

Knowledge, action and public concern: the logic underlying mediators' actions in French labour conflicts

Since the early 1980s, a rich research literature on mediation has evolved. Mediation is becoming the norm for organizations facing individual or collective conflicts. The lack of empirical research confuses what mediators do and why they do it, confusion made even worse by a strong cultural dimension. Based on interviews with 54 French labour mediators, we have identified four logics of actions and the explaining variables. On the whole they appear as less than neutral. Their own ideology and time constraints are salient variables.

Change and stability interaction processes in SMEs: a comparative case study

Purpose - The aim of this paper is to explore interactions between change and stability during the implementation of a specific change initiative (ISO 9000). It attempts to develop a theoretical framework on change and stability management in small firms. Design/methodology/approach - This research uses a process approach based on retrospective comparative case study methodology. Data collection in the six companies lasted over a year. This gives the opportunity to contrast failed change initiatives against successful ones. Findings - Two models emerged from this approach; they support the notion that change and stability could be complementary during the different phases of the change initiative the authors analyzed. The findings show that total absence of stability variables in the change initiative could have negative effect on results. Research limitations/implications - The research is based on a multiple case study approach, which limits the generalizability of the findings. Originality/value - This is one of the first studies that applies and empirically tests the change and stability relation in small firms.

Modismos na administração e evolução das empresas

What is the better manager attitude in face of the stream of new management tools, turning into fashions or fads?