The Age of Eclecticism: Current Organizational Trends and the Evolution of Managerial Models
Management models are useful because they help managers organize, establish, and maintain a system of authority. Which model managers adopt depends on a variety of institutional circumstances. The author examines the three basic models -- scientific management, human relations, and structural analysis -- in light of their historical patterns of adoption. He suggests that we use history to better understand current managerial trends like lean production and total quality management and view them as eclectic models that incorporate some aspects from the three basic models.