Management Thought

The Evolution of Management Thought

The eighth edition of The Evolution of Management Thought provides readers witha deep understanding of the origin and development of management ideas. Spanning an expansive time period, from the pre-industrial era to the modern age of globalization, this landmark volume examines the backgrounds, original work, and influences of major figures and their contributions to advances in management theory and practice. This fully-revised edition has been painstakingly reviewed and thoroughly updated to reflect areas of contemporary management such as job design, motivation, leadership, organization theory, technological change, and increased worker diversity. In this classic text, authors Daniel Wren and Arthur Bedeian examine the management challenges and perspectives of the Industrial Revolution, discuss the emergence of the management process and systematic management, trace the rise of scientific management, and much more. Organized around a chronological framework, the text places a comprehensive range of management theories in their historical context to clearly illustrate their evolution over time. The book’s four parts, each designed to be a self-contained unit of study, contain extensive cross-references to allow readers to connect earlier to later developments to the volume’s central unifying theme.

Management Thought

A History of Management Thought

Of all the sciences and social sciences, management is the one that most deliberately turns its back on the past. Yet management as we know it today did not spring into life fully formed. Management has more than just a present; it also has a past, and a future, and all three are inextricably linked. This book charts the evolution of management as an intellectual discipline, from ancient times to the present day. Contemporary management challenges, including sustainability, technology and data, and legitimacy are analysed through an historical lens and with the benefit of new case studies. The author helps readers understand how the evolution of management ideas has interacted with changes in society. By framing management's history as one of challenge and response, this new edition is the perfect accompaniment for students and scholars seeking meaningful study in the business school and beyond. Essential reading as a core textbook in management history, the book is also valuable supplementary reading across the humanities and social sciences.