This paper describes a conceptual model of the process by which a “fad” makes the important transition to “paradigm”. It is a distinctive contribution to management theory whereby transferable principles are evaluated as a set of business paradigms. The heart of the transformation...

Purpose – To provide a methodology for determining how and when a management fad has become an established paradigm. Design/methodology/approach – The penticulation approach compares the outputs from the five separate research sources of horizontal surveys, experiential rules‐of‐thumb,...