Why Management History Matters
The economic crisis has prompted many to call for a greater emphasis on studying the history of business and management. Morgen Witzel looks at the lessons that could be learned and why they are so important.
Content: Article | Author: Morgen Witzel | Source: Global Focus | Subject: History
Ida Tarbell and the Breaking of Standard Oil
Ida Tarbell’s reporting into Standard Oil led not only to the break-up of a large oil monopoly. It also precipitated a shift in US attitudes to competition and big business.
Content: Article | Author: Morgen Witzel | Source: European Business Forum (EBF) | Subject: History
James Burnham: The Owner-Manager Struggle
An important American thinker in the early part of the twentieth century, James Burnham saw owners and managers in a perpetual struggle for power. In important respects, his ideas still resonate.
Content: Article | Author: Morgen Witzel | Source: European Business Forum (EBF) | Subjects: Corporate Governance, History, People
Enlightened Industrialist: Walther Rathenau
Celebrated by Peter Drucker as a key influence, Walther Rathenau deserves to be remembered as a major figure in pre-War Germany.
Content: Article | Author: Morgen Witzel | Source: European Business Forum (EBF) | Subjects: History, People
History lesson: The Unsung Master of Management
An original thinker and a pioneer of the theory of harmonisation, Polish born Karol Adamiecki deserves to regain his place as one of Europe’s foremost management gurus.
Content: Article | Author: Morgen Witzel | Source: European Business Forum (EBF) | Subjects: History, People
History lesson: The Change Master
He turned a family-run gunpowder factory into a giant corporation, and rebuilt a faltering General Motors. Pierre du Pont proves that even the most moribund company can be rescued with the right management skills.
Content: Article | Author: Morgen Witzel | Source: European Business Forum (EBF) | Subjects: History, People
History lesson: The Real Machiavelli
For the past five centuries, the political genius of Niccoló Machiavelli has been overshadowed by his reputation as a cold supporter of corrupt ruling. Only recently have his true beliefs come to light.
Content: Article | Author: Morgen Witzel | Source: European Business Forum (EBF) | Subjects: History, People
Morgen Witzel
Machiavelli maintains that a sufficiency of virtú (virtue) allows leaders to recognize when chance has given them an opportunity, and to take advantage of fortuna (luck) by reacting quicker than competitors or opponents.
Content: Quotation | Authors: Morgen Witzel, Niccoló Machiavelli | Source: European Business Forum (EBF) | Subject: Leadership
EBF history lesson: Where scientific management went awry
Taylorism laid the foundations for science-based management more than 100 years ago. But early implementations led to worker resistance and distortions that have never quite gone away.
Content: Article | Author: Morgen Witzel | Source: European Business Forum (EBF) | Subject: History
What We Owe to Chinese Classical Economics
Where did modern economics originate? History shows that concepts of inflation, regulation and the free market can all be traced to ancient China, whose ideas were later refined by the Enlightenment thinkers
Content: Article | Author: Morgen Witzel | Source: European Business Forum (EBF) | Subjects: Economics, International – China
EBF History Lesson: Democracy, community and chocolate
The management philosophy of the Cadburys and the Rowntrees, 19th century commercial rivals, resulted in happy and well-paid workers and strong, profitable and creative companies.
Content: Article | Author: Morgen Witzel | Source: European Business Forum (EBF) | Subject: History
EBF History Lesson: Medieval Economics Revisited
Protectionism grew out of mercantile economics 500 years ago. Although long discredited, ailing industries in the US and Europe are often rescued by mercantilism.
Content: Article | Author: Morgen Witzel | Source: European Business Forum (EBF) | Subjects: Economics, History
Monks and multinationals – business models of the Middle Ages
The Benedictines and the Cistercians were much more than religious orders – they were powerful multinational organisations from which the modern manager can learn.
Content: Article | Author: Morgen Witzel | Source: European Business Forum (EBF) | Subject: History
The Art of Management and Military Science
Comparisons between business and warfare are not new. But while writers have sought over the years to apply military metaphors to corporate strategy, the debate on how appropriate this is remains unresolved.
Content: Article | Author: Morgen Witzel | Source: European Business Forum (EBF) | Subjects: History, Miscellaneous
The democratisation of luxury: the Boucicauts and the Bon Marché
After 150 years, the department store concept is still going strong thanks to a husband and wife team who pioneered the ‘retail experience’ – a philosophy of customer service, quality and fair pricing for all.
Content: Article | Author: Morgen Witzel | Source: European Business Forum (EBF) | Subjects: History, Industry Specific | Industry: Retail
Socialist Entrepreneurs
The founding fathers of European socialism are testimony that the principles of good management are universal, no matter what the ideology.
Content: Article | Author: Morgen Witzel | Source: European Business Forum (EBF) | Subjects: History, International – Europe
How to Get an MBA
Content: Book | Author: Morgen Witzel | Subjects: MBA Related, Miscellaneous MBA-related Resources