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A “missing scroll” of The Functions of the Executive: Barnard on status systems in organizations

Milorad M. Novicevic (Management Department, School of Business Administration, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, USA)
Kaushik Ghosh (Management Department, School of Business Administration, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, USA)
Dawn M. Clement (Management Department, School of Business Administration, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, USA)
Robert K. Robinson (Management Department, School of Business Administration, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, USA)

Journal of Management History

ISSN: 1751-1348

Article publication date: 26 September 2008

882

Abstract

Purpose

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The purpose of this paper is to reacquaint us with Chester Barnard's seminal treatise on status systems in organizations – the conceptualization that he labeled as a “missing scroll” of The Functions of the Executive.

Design/methodology/approach

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The paper analyzes this “missing scroll” to draw the parallels and distinctions between Barnard's and the contemporary views of status systems in organization.

Findings

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The paper outlines how this forgotten piece can inform and enrich the current understanding of the role of status in organization theory.

Practical implications

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This paper draws practical parallels and distinctions between Barnard's and the contemporary views of status systems in organization and management literature.

Originality/value

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This paper corrects the omission from The Functions of the Executive showing that Barnard was the first to recognize status systems as systematic in organizations.

Keywords

Citation

Novicevic, M.M., Ghosh, K., Clement, D.M. and Robinson, R.K. (2008), "A “missing scroll” of The Functions of the Executive: Barnard on status systems in organizations", Journal of Management History, Vol. 14 No. 4, pp. 373-385. https://doi.org/10.1108/17511340810893117

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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