Understanding variations between management fashions: a comparison of the different institutional expressions of two management concepts

In this paper, management fashion theory is criticised based on the fact that it does not pay attention to some relevant differences between fashions. An alternative three stage theory is suggested which can be used to understand and explain observable differences between management fashions. Subsequently this theory is used in order to describe and interpret the differences in development of two management fashions in the Netherlands, MANS and the Tilburg model.