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Article
Publication date: 1 September 1999

Management history gurus of the 1990s: Their lives, their contributions

Jane Whitney Gibson, Richard M. Hodgetts and Jorge M. Herrera

This paper discusses the lives and contributions of five key members of the Management History Division: Arthur G. Bedeian; Alfred A. Bolton; James C. Worthy (now…

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Abstract

This paper discusses the lives and contributions of five key members of the Management History Division: Arthur G. Bedeian; Alfred A. Bolton; James C. Worthy (now deceased); Charles D. Wrege; and Daniel A. Wren. Each has proved himself a teacher and intellectual leader in matters of fundamental concern to management history.

Details

Journal of Management History, vol. 5 no. 6
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/13552529910288154
ISSN: 1355-252X

Keywords

  • Management history
  • Leaders

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Article
Publication date: 1 November 1999

What we do not know about management history: Some categories of research and methods to uncover management history mysteries

Charles D. Wrege, Regina A. Greenwood and Sakae Hata

Management history contains many unsolved mysteries. In this paper four categories of mysteries are discussed, along with methodologies that have proved useful in solving…

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Management history contains many unsolved mysteries. In this paper four categories of mysteries are discussed, along with methodologies that have proved useful in solving such mysteries. Examples of the successful use of the outlined methodologies are also presented with illustrations of the results achieved.

Details

Journal of Management History, vol. 5 no. 7
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/13552529910297479
ISSN: 1355-252X

Keywords

  • Documents
  • Management history
  • Research methodologies

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Article
Publication date: 11 November 2014

Electric lamp renewal systems: a strategy to dominate lighting

Charles D. Wrege, Peter J. Gordon and Regina A. Greenwood

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of electric lamp renewal systems, an early, successful program to encourage the adoption of new technology…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of electric lamp renewal systems, an early, successful program to encourage the adoption of new technology, electric lighting.

Design/methodology/approach

Much material for the research comes from a variety of archival sources and publications of the early part of the twentieth century.

Findings

The free lamp renewal system was brilliant and effective: its high level of customer service and human contact dispelled fear raised by the new energy source, increasing the acceptance and use of electric lighting and thereby electricity. Lighting, in the absence of electrical appliances, was one of the few users of electricity. Thus, the electric companies created a marketing strategy that encouraged adoption of the new technology.

Research limitations/implications

We examined the electric lighting industry at the turn of the twentieth century. Other examples of technology adoption could generalize our findings.

Practical implications

Our research suggests that supportive programs, which are high in customer contact and customized service, can aid in the adoption of new technology and unfamiliar products. By encouraging the use of such free or cheap products, customers are induced to higher usage of related products that increase the revenue stream to the provider.

Originality/value

The lamp renewal system is forgotten today, yet was a crucial factor in winning consumer acceptance of electric lighting and an early example of how companies can encourage adoption of new technology. Although the concept of uniformed men in trucks coming to customer homes once a month to clean and replace light bulbs is quaint – it worked!

Details

Journal of Historical Research in Marketing, vol. 6 no. 4
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JHRM-07-2013-0046
ISSN: 1755-750X

Keywords

  • Marketing history
  • Marketing strategy history
  • Electric lighting
  • Lamp renewal systems

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Article
Publication date: 27 June 2008

F.W. Taylor's lecture on management, June 4, 1907: an introduction

Charles D. Wrege

The purpose of this paper is to introduce Frederick W. Taylor's lecture on his “task” system of management, given at his home in “Boxley” in 1907.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce Frederick W. Taylor's lecture on his “task” system of management, given at his home in “Boxley” in 1907.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper summarizes the lecture's contents, and details its background.

Findings

The paper emphasizes the critical importance of primary sources to the work of management scholars, not just management history.

Originality/value

The paper provides further evidence of the import that needs to be attached to sound historical method as a basis for scholarship in management in general, and management history, in particular.

Details

Journal of Management History, vol. 14 no. 3
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/17511340810885648
ISSN: 1751-1348

Keywords

  • Management history
  • Management styles
  • Scientific management
  • Taylorism

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Article
Publication date: 1 March 1997

A new method of discovering primary management history: two examples where “little things mean a lot”

Charles D. Wrege, Ronald G. Greenwood and Regina Greenwood

Outlines a new method of discovering original documents related to management history. Uses seemingly insignificant statements in books, articles or original documents to…

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Abstract

Outlines a new method of discovering original documents related to management history. Uses seemingly insignificant statements in books, articles or original documents to locate documents not listed on any computer database or public archive records, but which are undiscovered in attics or basements. The method involves the use of sources not commonly used by management scholars: obituaries, wills, cemetery records, deeds, land‐ownership maps, city directories and court records. Provides two examples to illustrate the discovery of actual documents: (1) the discovery of ten years of correspondence between F.W. Taylor and S. Thompson on the time required to do work, and (2) new evidence on F.W. Taylor’s interest in high‐heat treatment of tool steel leading to high‐speed steel and in shovels and shovelling. Finally presents new evidence on Taylor’s secret agreement with Bethlehem Steel to give favourable testimony in a patent case in exchange for a free licence for the high‐speed steel process Taylor had sold to Bethlehem for more than $50,000 in 1901.

Details

Journal of Management History, vol. 3 no. 1
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/13552529710168870
ISSN: 1355-252X

Keywords

  • Archives
  • Documents
  • Evidence
  • History
  • Research
  • Taylorism

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Article
Publication date: 1 December 2000

Original documents throw new light on Frederick W. Taylor

Charles D. Wrege

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Journal of Management History, vol. 6 no. 8
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/jmh_arc.2000.15806haf.001
ISSN: 1355-252X

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Article
Publication date: 1 March 1995

F.W. Taylor’s lecture on management, 4th June 1907: An introduction

Charles D. Wrege

Introduces Frederick W. Taylor′s lecture on his “task”system of management, given at his home, “Boxly”, in 1907and recorded by his friend Morris Cooke as the basis for…

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Abstract

Introduces Frederick W. Taylor′s lecture on his “task” system of management, given at his home, “Boxly”, in 1907 and recorded by his friend Morris Cooke as the basis for part of his book. Summarizes the lecture′s contents, and details its background, including correspondence between Cooke and Taylor regarding its development.

Details

Journal of Management History, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/13552529510082796
ISSN: 1355-252X

Keywords

  • History
  • Management styles
  • Scientific management
  • Taylorism

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Article
Publication date: 10 April 2009

Louis J. DeLamarter: can he save a dying industry?

Regina A. Greenwood, Charles D. Wrege, Peter J. Gordon and John Joos

This paper aims to acquaint readers with Louis J. DeLamarter and the innovative strategies he used to extend the profitability of the street railway in the USA.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to acquaint readers with Louis J. DeLamarter and the innovative strategies he used to extend the profitability of the street railway in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

Initially the researchers were interested in street railways (trolleys) and why they had flourished in Grand Rapid, Michigan when they were failing in other parts of the USA. Extensive research in local and national newspapers, business journals and trade publications of the time led to the story of Louis J. DeLamarter. His innovative approach to running the street railway in Grand Rapids MI emerged as the cause of the Grand Rapids Railway Company's unique, though temporary, success.

Findings

DeLamarter conceived and implemented a number of innovative marketing practices which were rooted in a differentiation strategy: he focused on the customer whereas other transportation companies did not. His strategy made the company successful after others became bankrupt. His ideas were lauded in the industry, adopted, and are still used in public transportation today. Only external factors such as the depression, the advent of the automobile and burdensome regulations undermined his success.

Research limitations/implications

Despite extensive searches, no original papers by DeLamarter could be located.

Practical implications

Public service companies worldwide can learn about the importance of customer focus from DeLamarter's work. Additionally, managers can learn that even the most successful innovative strategy will only yield a short‐term competitive advantage if the industry faces unfavorable external factors.

Originality/value

The story of Louis J. DeLamarter and his innovations in public transportation are presented for the first time.

Details

Journal of Management History, vol. 15 no. 2
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/17511340910943787
ISSN: 1751-1348

Keywords

  • Railways
  • Marketing strategy
  • Passenger transport
  • United States of America

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Article
Publication date: 1 September 1998

Letter to the Editor

Chuck Wrege

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Details

Journal of Management History, vol. 4 no. 3
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/jmh_arc.1998.15804caf.001
ISSN: 1355-252X

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Article
Publication date: 14 January 2019

“Stubborn things: evidence, postmodernism and the craft of history.”

Jeff Muldoon

The purpose of this paper is to review the recent book A New History of Management (NHM) and to discuss the strengths and limitations of the book versus traditional…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the recent book A New History of Management (NHM) and to discuss the strengths and limitations of the book versus traditional management history as practiced by Wren and Bedeian.

Design/methodology/approach

I analyze NHM by looking at the evidence presented in the book versus the historical record.

Findings

Although there are some strengths to NHM, the scholars often fail to address the larger historical evidence, which reduces the value of their work.

Originality/value

The value is to start a discussion of the nature of management history by discussing traditional versus postmodern history. Hopefully, the authors can commence with a dialogue to further historical research.

Details

Journal of Management History, vol. 25 no. 1
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JMH-09-2018-0046
ISSN: 1751-1348

Keywords

  • Management history
  • Postmodernism
  • Wren and Bedeian

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