A review of management history from 2010-2014 utilizing a thematic analysis approach

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the Management History literature in the Journal of Management History from 2010 to 2014. Design/methodology/approach – This review utilized a thematic analysis approach. Findings – The author found seven distinct themes in the literature in addition to four subthemes. The themes include management pioneers, crisis management, the dark side of management (including the subthemes of slavery, child labor, monetary factors and gender issues), ancient texts, regional differences, religion and historical impacts of key management concepts. Practical implications – This review displays management history research themes, which enables a manager to efficiently view various lenses with which to analyze management issues. Originality/value – By bringing together previously disparate streams of work to understand the themes of management history, this paper analyzes the direction of research, identifies gaps in the literature and begins to more effectively build a cumulative research tradition.