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Article
Publication date: 27 September 2011

Gerry Kerr

The purpose of this paper is to trace the impact of a major management scholar, Herbert Simon.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to trace the impact of a major management scholar, Herbert Simon.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel approach was employed in identifying the most influential research articles that have made use of Simon's two great management works, Administrative Behavior and Organizations (with James March). The list allowed the close analysis of the nature of the influence wielded by Herbert Simon on management scholarship. The process of analysis was guided by a targeted search. Google Scholar allowed the compilation of a list of top‐cited research articles that made use of the two books. The 25 most‐cited articles associated with each were then categorized by their subject matter and examined for the impact of Simon's research.

Findings

As measured by citations, Herbert Simon's influence on management scholarship has been immense. Administrative Behavior and Organizations have incurred huge numbers of citations, more than 7,000 each. Moreover, not one of the 50 papers populating the two lists has generated fewer than 1,000 citations. Both works contributed heavily to research on theories of the firm, organizational learning and knowledge, and on organizational coordination and decision‐making, among other topics.

Originality/value

An emerging research tool, Google Scholar, was engaged, allowing an empirically based analysis of Herbert Simon's contribution to management scholarship. The results mark, with unusual clarity, the direction and nature of Simon's enormous influence.

Details

Journal of Management History, vol. 17 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1751-1348

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 July 2007

Gerry Kerr

To examine the impact of the philosophical sources on Herbert Simon's Administrative Behavior, a central work in the management canon.

1701

Abstract

Purpose

To examine the impact of the philosophical sources on Herbert Simon's Administrative Behavior, a central work in the management canon.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a conceptual approach, tracing the influence of the major philosophers – William James, John Dewey and the logical positivists (A.J. Ayer and Rudolph Carnap) – cited in the book.

Findings

An understanding of the philosophical platform supporting Administrative Behavior is crucial to a more complete reading of the book and to furthering research in the area.

Practical implications

Future research focused either on extending Herbert Simon's work or, more generally, on advancing the study of management, will benefit from deeper consideration of the implications of the chosen philosophical platform supporting the endeavour.

Originality/value

The paper provides the reader a means for better understanding the contributions of a key work in management, with implications that extend to its overall study.

Details

Journal of Management History, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1751-1348

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 January 2016

Charles J. McMillan

The purpose of this paper is to address the core concept of docility in Simon’s learning theories and elaborate docility as a missing link in organizational performance…

1245

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the core concept of docility in Simon’s learning theories and elaborate docility as a missing link in organizational performance structures. In his book, Administrative Behavior, first published in 1947 with three subsequent editions, Herbert A. Simon introduced a new concept to the emerging field of organizational theory, docility.

Design/methodology/approach

In Administrative Behavior, Herbert A. Simon introduced to management and organization theorists the concept of docility. Simon adopted the concept and meaning from E.C. Tolman’s (1932) classic work, Purposive Behavior in Animals and Men, and his novel views on learning processes and key concepts like purpose (goals), thought processes (cognitive psychology) and cognitive maps. This paper elaborates on docility mechanisms and the implications for social learning in organizations.

Findings

This paper addresses this lacuna in the organizational literature, and the implications for current theories of organizations and organizational learning.

Practical implications

Docility is a tool to link individual learning with organizational learning in complex environments and changing technologies.

Originality/value

The paper traces origins of Simon’s docility and learning theories.

Details

Journal of Management History, vol. 22 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1751-1348

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1978

Tom Haggerty, Leader of the Washington, D.C. Online Users' Group, chaired an Online User Workshop at NICE II — the Information Industry Association sponsored meeting in…

Abstract

Tom Haggerty, Leader of the Washington, D.C. Online Users' Group, chaired an Online User Workshop at NICE II — the Information Industry Association sponsored meeting in Washington, D.C. in April. The Workshop was lively and well attended. A restriction on the physical size of the platform resulted in a two‐tier panel — the Panel proper and ‘First Row Participants’. On the panel Tom Haggerty was joined by Diana Danko of the Northern Ohio, ASIS group, Robert Donati of Lockheed Information Service (Dialog), Paul Hennrikus of Congressional Information Service (CIS), Marjorie Hlava of both the New Mexico and Southwestern Library Association Users Groups and Gerri Lawrence of the Kansas City Users Group. The three first row participants were Kay Durkin of Bibliographic Retrieval Services (BRS), Lynne Morris of the Medline Users Group of the Midwest and Susan Woodford of the New England Online Users Group.

Details

Online Review, vol. 2 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-314X

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1997

Richard Teare, Gavin Eccles, Jorge Costa, Hadyn Ingram and Tim Knowles

Reviews the acquisition of Forte plc, the longest established UK hotel company, by Granada plc. The Granada Group, a television and leisure conglomerate, launched a £3.3 billion…

1973

Abstract

Reviews the acquisition of Forte plc, the longest established UK hotel company, by Granada plc. The Granada Group, a television and leisure conglomerate, launched a £3.3 billion hostile takeover bid for Forte on 22 November 1995, in one of the UK’s most expensive takeovers this decade. This marked the end of family control of a hotel group created by Lord Forte in the 1930s. Identifies the factors underpinning Granada’s success and in particular managerial style and approach.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 35 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 January 2018

Mladen Subotic, Mia Maric, Slavica Mitrovic and Maja Mesko

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the differences between adaptive behaviour and innovative behaviour of individuals according to Kirton adaptation-innovation (KAI…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the differences between adaptive behaviour and innovative behaviour of individuals according to Kirton adaptation-innovation (KAI) model and determine how these differences impact entrepreneurial potential dimensions. Research sample consisted of student population from three countries: Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (EU candidate countries) and Belgium (EU country). Research results will be valuable for the development of entrepreneurship in EU candidate countries. Data were collected from a sample of 1,008 university students from these three countries. KAI inventory, questionnaire on entrepreneurial traits (QET) and the scale of entrepreneurial potential (SEP) were used to obtain data. The canonical discriminant analysis determined differences and structure of differences between the adaptive and innovative persons, described by KAI model and their scores on the dimensions of the entrepreneurial traits model, as well as on entrepreneurial potential model.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the first research question concentrates on the existence of differences among students from Bosnia, Serbia and Belgium with regard to the dominant style of problem-solving according to KAI model to determine whether students from EU countries and non-EU countries differ in regard to problem-solving style. Second research question is the existence of differences in the development of entrepreneurial potential by EQT and SEP among student adaptors and student innovators according to KAI model to investigate to what extent the dominant style of solving problem contributes to differences in the development of entrepreneurial potential among students.

Findings

The research has confirmed the existence of significant differences between the adaptors and innovators described by the KAI model in terms of developed characteristics of entrepreneurial potential in the student population. Results of the research prove that young innovators possess to a greater extent developed key characteristics important for entrepreneurship, as well as intellectual and organizational skills, motivational factors and social capacity, self-confidence and constitutional factors. This research also revealed key differences among students with regard to the country of origin.

Practical implications

The practical implications of the research are reflected in the creation of the initial guidelines and structural support for the promotion of entrepreneurial potential in young people, where it can be concluded that it is particularly important to encourage innovation and creative approach to problem-solving, but also awareness of young individuals and development of their knowledge of entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

The main objective of this research was the examination of differences between students who belong to the category of adaptors and students innovators according to the KAI model (Kirton, 1976, 1998, 2003), with regard to the researched dimensions of entrepreneurial potential, to explicitly as possible identify differences in personal characteristics of young people who are predisposed for entrepreneurship and those who are not. Young innovators and adaptors significantly differ according to the researched dimensions of the EQT and SEP models of entrepreneurial potential and young innovators possess more developed entrepreneurial potential than adaptors.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 47 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1983

Beverly M. Alban‐Metcalfe

At a recent conference sponsored by the Center for Creative Leadership, the following remark was overheard, “I was away from leadership for 15 years, and when I returned, I felt…

Abstract

At a recent conference sponsored by the Center for Creative Leadership, the following remark was overheard, “I was away from leadership for 15 years, and when I returned, I felt that I have been gone for 15 minutes.”

Details

Personnel Review, vol. 12 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0048-3486

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1985

Mary Weir and Jim Hughes

Introduction Consider a hi‐fi loudspeaker manufacturing company acquired on the brink of insolvency by an American multinational. The new owners discover with growing concern that…

Abstract

Introduction Consider a hi‐fi loudspeaker manufacturing company acquired on the brink of insolvency by an American multinational. The new owners discover with growing concern that the product range is obsolete, that manufacturing facilities are totally inadequate and that there is a complete absence of any real management substance or structure. They decide on the need to relocate urgently so as to provide continuity of supply at the very high — a market about to shrink at a rate unprecedented in its history.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 6 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Article
Publication date: 1 November 1999

Gerald Vinten

Practising internal and external auditors regularly find that crucial concepts governing how they operate are the twin terms of independence and objectivity. Part of the problem…

6091

Abstract

Practising internal and external auditors regularly find that crucial concepts governing how they operate are the twin terms of independence and objectivity. Part of the problem is that the two terms are often equated. The impact can be conflict with the auditee, misunderstanding with other stakeholders, impairment of efficiency and effectiveness, and role conflict within the internal audit department. The Institute of Internal Auditors is reviewing some of the cherished notions of internal audit in the light of pressures and developments in the business environment. It has already produced a new definition of internal auditing, which, as before, includes the terms independence and objectivity. Consistently, it decided to re‐evaluate these two terms, and established an international research team. This was the briefing submission from the UK, which was highly influential in determining the final product, not yet in the public domain. It considers professional statements and standards, research and developments in both internal and external auditing.

Details

Managerial Auditing Journal, vol. 14 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0268-6902

Keywords

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