Exploring early academic responses toFunctions of the Executive

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to deepen understanding of the influence of Barnard's Functions of the Executive in management theory by examining its early scholarly reception. Design/methodology/approach – The research presented is a qualitative analysis of references to Barnard's work in academic journals prior to 1956, based on 139 articles identified through text-based searching of electronic databases. Findings – Favorable opinions of Barnard's book tend to emphasize his practical insights as a business executive, while his conceptual frameworks are viewed more skeptically. Criticism often focuses on the “scientific” legitimacy of his approach or his perceived ideological perspective. Concepts prominently discussed vary among social science disciplines, and his name is quickly tied to those of subsequent academics whose work is “like” his – these likewise vary by discipline. As they emerge, their voices on the concepts may supersede Barnard's influence. Research limitations/implications – Since this study ends in the mid-1950s, conclusions about how its findings reflect on subsequent use of Barnard's work by management scholars are speculative. Further research could build on this work by examining scholarly literature to track how and where specific ideas or concepts from Barnard's book have been developed in management scholarship up to the present day. Originality/value – This study informs current scholars interested in Barnard's work by suggesting how its early usage by academics based on boundaries of disciplinary interest may have diffused the book's early impact and influenced later attention to its concepts by management scholars.

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

“…In my review, I found that the greatest number of articles referenced Chester I. Barnard and his influence on the executive in management theory (Isomura, 2010;Malcolm and Hartley, 2010;Fernández, 2010;Novicevic et al, 2011aNovicevic et al, , 2011bNovicevic et al, , 2013Singleton, 2013). In both Wren and Hay's (1977) review, in addition to Heames and Breland's (2010) review, Chester I. Barnard was one of the top three most studied management pioneers.…”