This paper focuses on the use of the ISO 9000 series certification and the use of self‐assessment against an excellence model, as two examples of management fads which have survived for a long period of time. The literature suggests that two variables are related to the perceived success of...

Looks at adult identity development issues that arise during periods of organizational flux. Begins with theoretical perspectives on adult identity development as a continuous life‐long process. Continues with a discussion on the compatibility of individuals and their jobs and the issues of...

Orthodox management science has underestimated the power of creative thinking and the use of mental imaging techniques in goal achievement. In the world of sport a range of techniques involving creative visualisation have long been used by top achievers, but have only more recently been...

The archetypal manager is a dying species. Conservative left‐brains concepts all appear outdated – now the emphasis is on the individual, more specifically the right side of the brain of the individual – Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). Examines the methodologies and applications...

Argues that the assumptions which drive consultancy research are flawed, since they are based on the premiss that key management problems revolve around uncertainty when, in fact, management is ambiguous rather than uncertain. Analyses the effect of this understanding on management consultancy....

Global competition and its resultant product proliferation have left a multitude of organizations scrambling to deal with their oft‐chaotic environment. Many organizations have responded to the changing nature of international business by developing new cooperative forms (joint ventures,...

Theory and practice indicate that managers experience considerable difficulty and exhibit limited rationality as they attempt to grasp, process, and understand the often ambiguous requirements of managerial tasks. Argues the efficacy of mental imagery and visualization as a means to overcome...

Managers frequently ask questions that may be sensitive or threatening. The answers that come back may be disingenuous, owing to social desirability bias which has two sub‐divisions: personality and item characteristics. The first refers to an overall tendency for an individual to respond in a...

Examines sources of information and communication within a single, large professional services firm. Three information sources were considered: interpersonal, official company publications and informal sources such as memos and e‐mail. Using anonymously completed questionnaires, 1,608...

This research investigates relationships between group cognitive make‐up, co‐operative context, and the development of interpersonal trust. Results show that groups composed of individuals with similar cognitive processes are more trusting and achieve higher levels of performance than...