While some management experts have predicted the end of bureaucratic control in management, organizations are currently experiencing unprecedented disruption due to the rapid advancement of digital technology. Traditional bureaucratic management, which relies on a top-down, command-and-control model, is no longer effective in a world where information is abundant and employees are empowered for innovation. This paper critically examines the evolution of control-based management practices from the historical evolution perspective and explores how digital technology has driven a paradigm shift, reducing the reliance on control and fostering the development of more flexible and decentralized management models. The findings suggest that managers should shift from control-based practices to liberating labor, empowering employees to innovate and collaborate. This paper bridges existing literature gaps and provides insights into how digital transformation requires organizations to adopt more flexible, innovative, and decentralized management structures.
Guocheng Zhao (2025) studied this question.