Management fads: Emergence, evolution, and implications for managers

Executive Overview Management fads often get a lot of attention. Should managers be concerned about the latest management fad, or is it just a waste of time?1 Considerable interest has been shown in the literature about management fads and fashions. Journal and newspaper articles abound,2 and professional books have been written on the subject.3 Unlike many literature-based, academic concepts, these fads and fashions are well known by practicing managers. This article focuses on five management fads of the late 20th century, each one representative of a management trend of a specific decade: MBO (1950s), sensitivity training (1960s), quality circles (1970s), total quality management (1980s), and self-managed or self-directed teams (1990s). In each case, this article explores the origin of the fad through its evolution into mainstream management practice. Further, each fad is examined to determine relevance to current management practice. The article offers practical guidelines for managers regarding which fads to embrace and when.