“When asked what I do, I say: ‘I write’”: a systematic text analysis of Peter Drucker’s writings

Abstract

Purpose 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. Design/methodology/approach 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. Findings 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. Originality/value 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.