Management Ideas and the Social Construction of Organizations

This chapter examines cultural transformations that have contributed to the expansion of management ideas in number, domains, and across sectors. The discussion is organized around a conceptual model that depicts propositions arguing that cultural foundations underpin the expansion of management ideas and formal organization as core elements of contemporary society. These Page pageId="12"?>cultural foundations include scientization, individual rights and capacities, and ongoing individual education and professionalization. The processes identified are illustrated with examples of particular management ideas that have contributed to the standardization of organizations as a single, meta-form of social structure. The chapter ends by discussing research implications and future scholarly directions.