Search results

The political philosophy of American federalism was a critical influence on the work of Peter Drucker. Drucker drew on federalist ideas to devise ways to distribute and check power within organizations, curbing the darker side of human nature. In this article, the authors aim to discuss the history of federalism, and to demonstrate how Drucker used that philosophy to shape his own management theories. The article also seeks to provide suggestions for applying federalist principles to today's organizations.

Drucker's own writings, as well as historical primary sources, are analyzed to illustrate the influence of federalism. The authors use specific examples from Drucker's own work, including his study of General Motors and his concept of management by objectives, to illustrate how federalism informed Drucker's vision for a functioning society of institutions.

Although Drucker has been criticized as a utopian, he, like the federalists and their philosophical forefathers, grappled with the role and nature of virtue in society, the balance between individual liberty and the greater good, and the need for checks and balances on power. As evidenced by Drucker's work, federalism offers a potential solution to today's organizations for managing complex networks and alliances, as well as creating an effective top‐management team.

Future research into the applicability of federalism to contemporary organizations is suggested.

This paper provides an in‐depth analysis of the impact of federalist principles on Drucker's work, and offers specific suggestions for applying federalism to managing organizations today. It provides an important connection between the discipline of management and the liberal arts.

Most people typically view Peter Drucker as the founder of management theory, or the originator of concepts such as management by objectives. Few are aware of his larger vision of a free society of functioning organizations, much less the intellectual influences that drove that vision. This paper seeks to discuss four individuals whose ideas informed Drucker's concept of a moral society of modern institutions: Soren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Julius Stahl, Alfred Sloan, and Joseph Schumpeter.

Drucker's own writings, as well as correspondence, interviews, and other archival sources, are analyzed to illustrate the influence of each of the four people. Specific examples of each influence are shown, as well as a case study of one organization that exemplifies Drucker's entire vision in action.

Drucker's life and work represent a struggle to achieve his vision of a moral society of functioning organizations. His larger vision is imprinted on his ideas of the self‐governing plant community, management by objectives, leadership integrity, and the morality of profit. However, Drucker's overall vision remains elusive in practice in large part because of its complex intellectual origins.

Future research into additional intellectual influences on Drucker's work is suggested.

The paper offers an in‐depth analysis of Drucker's work with respect to the influences of Kierkegaard, Stahl, Sloan, and Schumpeter, illustrating Drucker's intellectual lineage and history. It provides an important connection between the discipline of management and the liberal arts.

A lot has been discussed about Peter Drucker, and there exists significant written content admiring or criticizing his work as a management writer. This paper aims to offer a holistic analysis of Peter Drucker’s written contributions to better understand his views of society, government and organizations of all kinds.

Many have written about Peter Drucker and his considerable impact on the practical and philosophical foundations of modern management. Yet, there has been no systematic scholarly evaluation of Drucker as a writer, although many have praised and criticized his written work on management. In this study, the authors offer an analysis of Peter Drucker’s written contributions to evaluate his central contributions, as well as how he communicated his ideas on society and management.

A comprehensive analysis of Drucker’s word usage and writing style throughout his writing career forms an evidence-based approach to better understand his viewpoints and objectively evaluate the criticisms surrounding his work.

This research contributes to a better understanding of Peter Drucker’s central contributions, concerns and sentiments, as it relates to not only business management but also to his views of society, government and organizations of all kinds. A reconsideration of Drucker as a writer presents possible implications for the practice of management.