Comparative Management Theory: Jungle, Zoo or Fossil Bed?

Abstract

Earlier reviews of the state of comparative management theory are considered and summarized and lead to the following conclusions: the literature suffers from an excess of simple empirical reportage; theoretical development is weak in the middle ground and at higher levels; there is a bias away from ethnographic work; perspectives tend to be narrow and partial. Some progress is visible as a result of the unifying work of Hofstede but its contribution also entails new avenues of enquiry about the determinants and consequences of culture. Some middle-range theory building is now occurring in specific fields such as expatriation, leadership, and HRM techniques, but it remains tentative. Dilemmas stemming from altern ative frameworks of meaning and complex causation pose severe epistemological challenges and require new approaches to comparison. The economics-based positivist paradigm is seriously inadequate for such challenges, but dangerously imperialist. A new, more theoretically sophisticated, approach is advocated and outlined as a route for progress.

The Adaptability of Management Models Across Cultures

“…Even similar organizations within industrialized Western countries cannot easily adapt or transfer a management model or organizational innovation because of cultural differences (Fairchild, 1989). Today, more and more scholars support the idea that some management models and structures can be put in place, but they need to be compatible with culture of the country or need to be adapted in accordance with the culture of the country to be effective (Redding, 1994). Therefore, it is possible to suggest that to understand or to effectively transfer management models from one society to another, change agents or managers first need to understand the management models in terms of their level of complexity and Yıl:7 Sayı:14, Kış 2015ISSN 1307 influence on the routines and positions of the organizational members.…”

Location choices at the subnational level perspective: the case of the Volkswagen Group in BRIC countries

“…This study provides contribution to the comparative management theory by going in depth to the individual cases for comparative methods (Schollhammer, 1969;Redding, 1994). Our study made a comparison analysis of a specific company, which is VWG, operating in four national locations (i.e., BRIC countries).…”

The Cultures Of International Management

“…However, many other scholars are voicing their alarm about the field's status quo (e.g. Redding, 1994;.…”