IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/inm/orstsc/v5y2020i4p293-310.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Ecology of Management Concepts

Author

Listed:
  • Jerker Denrell

    (Department of Behavioural Science, Warwick Business School, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom)

  • Balázs Kovács

    (School of Management, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520)

Abstract

How does the popularity of a concept depend on how it contrasts with and complements existing concepts? We argue that being similar to existing concepts, being located in a popular domain, and being combined with similar existing concepts are important for gaining attention early on but less important and even negative for sustaining popularity. To examine this question, we focus on the rise and fall of management concepts. We analyze data on the rise and fall of keywords in the Harvard Business Review between 1922 and 2010. Multiple tests confirm our hypotheses. The implication is that lessons learned from studies of popular concepts can be misleading as guides for how to make novel concepts popular.

Suggested Citation

  • Jerker Denrell & Balázs Kovács, 2020. "The Ecology of Management Concepts," Strategy Science, INFORMS, vol. 5(4), pages 293-310, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orstsc:v:5:y:2020:i:4:p:293-310
    DOI: 10.1287/stsc.2020.0108
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1287/stsc.2020.0108
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1287/stsc.2020.0108?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wooldridge, Jeffrey M., 1999. "Distribution-free estimation of some nonlinear panel data models," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 90(1), pages 77-97, May.
    2. Rodolphe Durand & Robert M. Grant & Tammy L. Madsen & Eric Yanfei Zhao & Greg Fisher & Michael Lounsbury & Danny Miller, 2017. "Optimal distinctiveness: Broadening the interface between institutional theory and strategic management," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(1), pages 93-113, January.
    3. Henry Ogden Armour & David J. Teece, 1978. "Organizational Structure and Economic Performance: A Test of the Multidivisional Hypothesis," Bell Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 9(1), pages 106-122, Spring.
    4. Frank M. Bass, 1969. "A New Product Growth for Model Consumer Durables," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 15(5), pages 215-227, January.
    5. Jonah Berger & Alan T. Sorensen & Scott J. Rasmussen, 2010. "Positive Effects of Negative Publicity: When Negative Reviews Increase Sales," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 29(5), pages 815-827, 09-10.
    6. Michael T. Hannan & James N. Baron & Greta Hsu & Ozgecan Koçak, 2006. "Organizational identities and the hazard of change," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 15(5), pages 755-784, October.
    7. David L. Deephouse, 1999. "To be different, or to be the same? It’s a question (and theory) of strategic balance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 20(2), pages 147-166, February.
    8. Rodolphe Durand & Hayagreeva Rao & Philippe Monin, 2003. "Institutional Change in Toque Ville: Nouvelle Cuisine as an Identity Movement in French Gastronomy," Post-Print hal-00480858, HAL.
    9. Milgrom, Paul & Roberts, John, 1995. "Complementarities and fit strategy, structure, and organizational change in manufacturing," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 19(2-3), pages 179-208, April.
    10. J. Myles Shaver, 2019. "Interpreting Interactions in Linear Fixed-Effect Regression Models: When Fixed-Effect Estimates Are No Longer Within-Effects," Strategy Science, INFORMS, vol. 4(1), pages 25-40, March.
    11. Ichniowski, Casey & Shaw, Kathryn & Prennushi, Giovanna, 1997. "The Effects of Human Resource Management Practices on Productivity: A Study of Steel Finishing Lines," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 87(3), pages 291-313, June.
    12. Hayagreeva Rao & Philippe Monin & Rodolphe Durand, 2003. "Institutional change in toque ville : Nouvelle cuisine as an identity movement in French gastronomy," Post-Print hal-02311672, HAL.
    13. Elizabeth G. Pontikes, 2018. "Category Strategy for Firm Advantage," Strategy Science, INFORMS, vol. 3(4), pages 620-631, December.
    14. Michael T. Hannan & László Pólos & Glenn R. Carroll, 2007. "Language Matters, from Logics of Organization Theory: Audiences, Codes, and Ecologies," Introductory Chapters, in: Logics of Organization Theory: Audiences, Codes, and Ecologies, Princeton University Press.
    15. Zuckerman, Ezra W. & Kim, Tai-Young & Ukanwa, Kalinda & James, von Rittmann, 2003. "Robust Identities or Non-Entities? Typecasting in the Feature Film Labor Market," Working papers 4291-02, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Sloan School of Management.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Buhr, Helena & Funk, Russell J. & Owen-Smith, Jason, 2021. "The authenticity premium: Balancing conformity and innovation in high technology industries," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(1).
    2. Jaime Gómez & Raquel Orcos & Henk W. Volberda, 2021. "How imitation of multiple reference groups drives the evolution of firm strategy," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(8), pages 2319-2350, November.
    3. Elizabeth George Pontikes, 2022. "Category innovation in the software industry: 1990–2002," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(9), pages 1697-1727, September.
    4. Majid Majzoubi & Eric Yanfei Zhao, 2023. "Going beyond optimal distinctiveness: Strategic positioning for gaining an audience composition premium," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(3), pages 737-777, March.
    5. Wijnberg, Nachoem M., 2011. "Classification systems and selection systems: The risks of radical innovation and category spanning," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(3), pages 297-306, September.
    6. Jean‐François Soublière & Christi Lockwood, 2022. "Achieving cultural resonance: Four strategies toward rallying support for entrepreneurial endeavors," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(8), pages 1499-1527, August.
    7. Eric Yanfei Zhao & P. Devereaux Jennings & Masakazu Ishihara & Michael Lounsbury, 2018. "Optimal Distinctiveness in the Console Video Game Industry: An Exemplar-Based Model of Proto-Category Evolution," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 29(4), pages 588-611, August.
    8. Çakmaklı, Anıl Divarcı & Boone, Christophe & van Witteloostuijn, Arjen, 2020. "Identity realization, multiple logics and legitimacy: Organizational foundings during the emergence of the Dutch accounting industry," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    9. Peng, George Z. & Beamish, Paul W., 2019. "Subnational FDI Legitimacy and Foreign Subsidiary Survival," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 25(3), pages 1-1.
    10. Udo Staber, 2008. "Network Evolution in Cultural Industries," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(5), pages 569-578.
    11. Giovanni Gavetti, 2012. "PERSPECTIVE—Toward a Behavioral Theory of Strategy," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 23(1), pages 267-285, February.
    12. Brayden G. King & Teppo Felin & David A. Whetten, 2010. "Perspective---Finding the Organization in Organizational Theory: A Meta-Theory of the Organization as a Social Actor," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 21(1), pages 290-305, February.
    13. Washington, Marvin & Patterson, Karen D.W., 2011. "Hostile takeover or joint venture: Connections between institutional theory and sport management research," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, February.
    14. Jean-Samuel Beuscart & Kevin Mellet & Marie Trespeuch, 2016. "Reactivity without legitimacy? Online consumer reviews in the restaurant industry," Journal of Cultural Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 9(5), pages 458-475, September.
    15. Greta Hsu & Peter W. Roberts & Anand Swaminathan, 2012. "Evaluative Schemas and the Mediating Role of Critics," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 23(1), pages 83-97, February.
    16. Grégoire Croidieu & Charles-Clemens Ruling & Bilal-Ahmed Jathol, 2017. "Complex field-positions and non-imitation: Pioneers, strangers, and insulars in Australian fine-wine," Post-Print hal-01609429, HAL.
    17. J. Cameron Verhaal & Olga M. Khessina & Stanislav D. Dobrev, 2015. "Oppositional Product Names, Organizational Identities, and Product Appeal," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 26(5), pages 1466-1484, October.
    18. Tang, Yi & Wezel, Filippo Carlo, 2015. "Up to standard?," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 30(3), pages 452-466.
    19. Peter Younkin & Keyvan Kashkooli, 2020. "Stay True to Your Roots? Category Distance, Hierarchy, and the Performance of New Entrants in the Music Industry," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 31(3), pages 604-627, May.
    20. Jean Samuel Beuscart & Kevin Mellet & Marie Trespeuch, 2016. "Reactivity without Legitimacy? Online Consumer Reviews in the Restaurant Industry," Post-Print hal-03389275, HAL.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:inm:orstsc:v:5:y:2020:i:4:p:293-310. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Chris Asher (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/inforea.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.