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Management as a science-based profession: a grand societal challenge

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  • Georges Romme

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore how the quest for management as a science-based profession, conceived as a grand societal challenge, can be revitalized. Design/methodology/approach - A reflective approach is adopted by questioning some of the key assumptions made by management scholars, especially those that undermine their capacity to inform management practice. One key assumption is that management needs to be done by a few people at the top of the organization; this idea is widespread but false. Findings - An important finding is that the future of the management discipline may largely depend on the rise of new forms of management drawing on distributed intelligence and circularity of power and authority. Management scholars thus need to shift their attention from an almost exclusive focus on managerial intentions and behaviors to (the development and use of new) management technologies, similar to how modern aviation technology involves airplanes that only to a limited extent require intervention and control by a single pilot. Practical implications - The practical implications of the shift from managerial behavior to management technology are illustrated by means of so-called circular management practices, also known as holacracy and sociocracy. Originality/value - This paper provides a novel perspective on how the quest for science-based professionalism in management, as a grand societal challenge, can be revitalized.

Suggested Citation

  • Georges Romme, 2017. "Management as a science-based profession: a grand societal challenge," Management Research Review, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 40(1), pages 5-9, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:eme:mrrpps:mrr-10-2016-0225
    DOI: 10.1108/MRR-10-2016-0225
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Stephen Brammer & Layla Branicki & Martina Linnenluecke & Tom Smith, 2019. "Grand challenges in management research: Attributes, achievements, and advancement," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 44(4), pages 517-533, November.
    2. Fabien Martinez & Ken Peattie & Diego Vazquez‐Brust, 2019. "Beyond win–win: A syncretic theory on corporate stakeholder engagement in sustainable development," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(5), pages 896-908, July.
    3. Fabien Martinez & Ken Peattie & Diego Vazquez‐brust & Diego Vazquez-Brust, 2019. "Beyond win–win: A syncretic theory on corporate stakeholder engagement in sustainable development," Post-Print hal-02887685, HAL.

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